In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
November 16th, 2023
Lee
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