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A Solid Back Row

© Copyright 1997, Jim Loy
You may print this and show it to others. But, this article will eventually be part of a book that I am writing. So, please do not distribute it widely.

If you need help reading checkers notation, please print out the numbered board.

Keeping all four pieces on the back row is strong (solid). But, it is seldom practical, and may even lose. If you keep all four pieces on their original squares, you will be playing with only eight pieces, while your opponent will be playing with more than eight pieces. Those eight pieces will probably run out of good moves, and then you will be forced to move a piece off of the back row. It is better to move pieces off of the back row, as part of a coherent plan, than to be forced to move these pieces later.

In the diagram, Red has the two most natural pieces to keep on the back row. These two pieces form what is called a bridge. Red has weaknesses at 2 and 4, where White can king. But White may have to establish a piece on 10 or 12 in order to king, and such a piece becomes a weakness, because of its immobility. A White piece on 10 can be attacked by a Red king.

Also in the diagram, White has another popular back row. It is a little weaker than Red's. Red can destroy White's back row with pieces on 20 and 27. So, is it a mistake to use this back row? No. It will depend on how your opening is going, and on your judgement. Maybe there's a good reason for you to move 1-5 or 3-7 or 3-8. Then you will probably end up with this kind of back row.

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