In very general terms, there are three chief plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious dire straits considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
December 3rd, 2017
Makenzie
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