In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 basic plans employed. You must be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
April 22nd, 2025
Lee
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