In astonishingly general terms, there are three main strategies used. You want to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
May 3rd, 2020
Lee
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