In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s 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 opposer is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!
June 26th, 2018
Lee
Leave a reply