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In very simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger 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 toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!