Draughts team soars in Trinidad

A two-man Draughts team from Guyana defeated Taylors’ Draughts club in Trinidad; Taylors’ club is the top club in the twin island with outstanding National Players. The game was played on Friday at the Rock N Sanctuary Sports club, Felicity Chaguanas Trinidad. The two Guyanese Jiaram and Khemraj Pooranmall used their mental faculties to edge passed their strong opponents.

In the first round Pooranmall drew with Nicholas Ramsundar; Nicholas was a former youth champion and ranking fifth in Trinidad and Tobago. Khemraj also drew with Madhoo and then defeated Kurt. On the other hand Jiaram lost to Nicholas Ramsundar, Kurt and Madhoo in succession placing the Guyanese at a grave disadvantage. After the first round Trinidad took a commanding lead with an 8 – 4 points lead over the Guyanese.

In round two the successful Pooranmall drew with Kassim them he defeated J. Father and Bickie. He was beaten by Joshua in his final game. Seeing this was not enough to give Guyana a victory the invulnerable Jiaram defeated the 18 year- old youth champion Joshua who had just defeated Jiaram’s team mate Khemraj Pooranmall. Jiaram stroked Joshua to the King Check demonstrating the casualties than can be inflicted by the wise old owl.
Jiaram then defeated J. Fathers and another two point from Ajai to put the final nail to the coffin before losing his final game to Kassim.
In that round Guyana ended with a massive lead over the host’s, 11 – 5 points. The final count saw having Guyana 15 points compared to Taylors’ Draughts Club 13 points.

The two Guyanese also used their six days stay in that country to interact and play with other players gaining new strategies and tremendous experience. The two players witnessed the final round in the National Playoff in the Pan American qualifiers. They were introduced to the National players by tournament organizer Mr. Peter Ramsundar. Pan American Draughts is scheduled to be played in Curacao from June 2 – 10.
The National Draughts Association in Guyana is an invitee to that event. At the end of the Playoff, Jairam who is also the President of the National Draughts Association addressed the players. He reiterated the need for Government involvement to contribute monetary, at least airfares for these bigger games. He said that Draughts is a mind game which helps to develop the mental faculties of someone especially the youths.
He called on the President and vice President of the Pan American Draughts Federation to escalate this subject at the CARICOM level if needs be. Jiaram also commended the Trinidad players for their high playing level at this game.
Notable persons present at this session were Dicksen Maughn who is an eight times Trinidad and Tobago National Champion and Master as recognized by the World Draughts Federation, Andy Charles present National Champion and high rated Pan American Player and Rufus Foster Vice President Pan American Federation.

On Tuesday Peter Ramsundar arranged a short meeting between Jiaram and Foster at his office on the way forward for the Draughts Association in Guyana and their entry into the Pan American Draughts. Foster also donated one board and pieces to the Guyana Draughts head.