Shiv Mukherjee, of Bossier City, won first place in the children's
division of the Northwest Louisiana Checkers Championship held Dec. 11
at Stockwell Place Elementary School. Elbert Jones, of Carthage, Texas,
was the winner in the adult division.
"It feels cool to be the northwest Louisiana champion," Shiv said. "My parents were very proud. It was hard, though."
Shiv only began playing checkers when he joined the Stallion Checkers Club in September.
"He is definitely a fast learner," said Stallion Checkers Club coach Watson Franks, a teacher at Stockwell Place who organized the event of about 25 participants.
The children's division (12 and younger) drew the largest number of contestants.
"The tournament drew children and adults from across northwest Louisiana. We had a tremendous response; I was very pleased," Franks said.
In the tournament, played in a round-robin format, each contestant played a minimum of 14 games.
"There was plenty of tough competition for all," Franks said.
Josh Lim, of Stockwell Place Elementary, won second place in the children's division with a record of 14 wins, three losses and one draw. C.J. Jones, also of Stockwell Place, placed third in the tournament. Fourth place went to Ty Whatley from Benton Middle School, a first-time tournament player.
Also participating was Stockwell Place Elementary School Principal Rhonda Schnell, who received an honorable mention in the tournament. "The kids loved having their principal take part in the competition," Franks said.
The Stallion Checkers Club will sponsor another tournament in April, this one a statewide invitational.
For More Information:
To learn more about the Stallion Checkers Club, contact Watson Franks at watpics@aol.com or call the Stockwell Place Elementary School office at 549-5825.