In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic strategies used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
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