In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within 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 locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
August 29th, 2024
Lee
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