In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general tactics used. You must be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action 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 quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
July 23rd, 2025
Lee
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