In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic game plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!