In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic techniques employed. You need to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!