In very simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining 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 complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!