The annual National Draughts Championships took place at the National Gymnasium with ten of the country’s top players contesting in the A and B categories as they all vied for glory.
Participants from the successfully staged National Draughts Championships 2018
When all the proceedings were finished, few were left standing. Khemraj Pooranmall emerged winner in the senior division, ending with 27 points. Pooranmall, who had been out of the competition for over one year, came in with proverbial guns blazing to beat every opponent he faced and surprise the packed audience.
Coming in at second place was Godfrey George with 23 points, while defending champion Jairam had to settle for third palce and third in the rankings.
Ulric Brathwaite from Kuru Kururu was defeated in a tie-breaker with Jiaram to earn the fourth spot.
With the senior category being completed, the junior category began, and Devanand Persaud was able to defend his championship, winning by 20 points to become the two-time champion. This being the second consecutive win for Devanand in his division, he has now moved up to the senior level.
Esan Anderson, with 14 points, emerged second, while Lyndon Heywood came in third with 12 points and Dexter Johnson from Linden took the fourth position with 8 points.
All four players from each category were awarded with trophies, while the top three were given an additional small incentive. The Championship, which would be played on the International 100 square boards, concludes next Sunday.
