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Local players return after International Draughts tourney in T&T
(Kaieteur Sports) – Local Draughts players returned home from Trinidad & Tobago’s 1st international open draughts tournament and females World championship games.
From right: Dr. Ivor English, Ravi Rampersaud, Floyd Cumberbatch and Mr. Jiaram.
The games were played at the Commerce Building, Couva Trinidad. Players from all over the globe gathered for that big event. There was a gala opening with the Police Youth Corps drummers, nagara and other cultural events.
The games were played over a nine-day period with nine rounds each per participant. In the Open category 18 countries with 43 players vied for honours. The local boys from Guyana battled with higher classed opponents. Grand Masters International (GMI) from Israel, Ukraine, Latvia, Cameroon and other Masters International (MI) from France, Suriname and Trinidad took part.
Grand Master International (GMI) Alexander Shvartsman from Israel won the open tournament with 14 points. Shvartsman is the World’s triple crown winner in three categories of the game. In 2nd position was GMI Guntis Valneris from Latvia with 14 points too. The 3rd place went to GMI Iurii Anikeev from Ukraine with 13 points. The 4th place went to Masters International Thomy Lucien Mbongo from France with 12 points. MI Roberts Misans from Ukraine with 12 points settled for 5th, while Jean Marc Ndjofang GMI from Cameroon took 6th. Ndjofang is the current African Continental Champion.
In the female world championship Viktoriya Motrichko from the Ukraine was crowned world champion, while Saiya Gangsuhe from China was placed 2nd. Yulia Makarenkova from Ukraine settled for 3rd.
Mr Jairam was the only Guyanese to have FMJD ratings.
Local Draughts Association president Mr. Jiaram and Ravi Rampersaud, who is based in Grenada, finished on 8 points each, 4 points short of vying for the number 4 position. Floyd Cumberbatch from Linden, who lost the first three matches, came back strongly to accumulate 7 points. Dr. Ivor English President of the Transport Sports Club finished on 6 points. Dr. English missed 5 games due to a call in Jamaica. All players were awarded certificates of participation from TTDCA and the world body FMJD.
According to president of the Association, Mr. Jiaram, the local players did well since it’s the first outing for Cumberbatch, English and Ravi. Writing down the moves (Annotations) and the use of clocks were compulsory and created a setback since some of the players were not accustomed to it.
Mr Jairam was the only Guyanese to have FMJD ratings.
The other big international game would be the 23rd Panam Draughts in Paramaribo Suriname set for April 2026. The games would be open in three categories; Men’s, women’s and youths.
Mr. Jiaram is presently seeking government intervention in providing a suitable place to conduct training to youths and females.
Thanks is expressed to Tokyo Motors for sponsoring Jerseys with logos for the tour in Trinidad.
Special thanks also to the NSC.
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