The Alabama State Checker Tournament had thirty players from
twelve states
that vied for the championship at the Galley Restaurant Friday and
Saturday. Individual state champions included Larry Pollard, Alabama,
Michael Holmes, Kentucky, Gene Ellison, Illinois, Albert Tucker, Louisiana, John
Webster, North Carolina, Clifford Daniels,
Mississippi, Ed King, Texas, Larry Keen, Tennessee, who was also the 2002 National 3-move
champ. Earl Harvell, 93, Texas traveled all the way from Dallas to play as he
did last year.
World Mind Sports Games Gold Medalist in Checkers and ACF World Champion,
Alex Moiseye, traveled from Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Moiseyev told of his early
start in checkers, past matches and the downfall of checkers and other
board games in general. He said "If checkers could get some official
support from the government, it would make a comeback in popularity."
