In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 main tactics used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!
October 20th, 2023
Lee
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