In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 general plans used. You need to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two 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 opposer is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
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