In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You want to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is 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 competitor is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!