In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main strategies employed. You want to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious trouble considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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