In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!
July 14th, 2021
Lee
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