In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare 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 opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
June 13th, 2025
Lee
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