In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason 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 opposer is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!