In exceptionally general terms, there are three main tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, 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 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
December 1st, 2019
Makenzie
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