In very simple terms, there are three basic game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!
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