In very general terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious calamity considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
January 4th, 2019
Lee
Leave a reply