In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
March 4th, 2018
Lee
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