In very simple terms, there are three chief plans used. You must be agile enough to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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