In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You want to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
October 27th, 2026
Lee
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