In very general terms, there are three basic strategies used. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!
July 23rd, 2024
Lee
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