In very general terms, there are three chief strategies used. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
February 23rd, 2020
Makenzie
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