In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!