In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief plans employed. You need to be able to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!