In astonishingly general terms, there are three main techniques employed. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious calamity because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!
April 18th, 2023
Makenzie
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