In very simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques used. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
September 24th, 2015
Lee
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