In very simple terms, there are 3 general plans used. You want to be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, 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 straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
April 23rd, 2016
Lee
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