2007 ACF “Derek Oldbury” Go-As-You-Please (GAYP) National Tournament
The 2007 ACF “Derek Oldbury” Go-As-You-Please (GAYP) National Tournament will be held July 22nd - 27th , 2007 in Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada . There are two parts to the hotel cost. Players will pay a sleeping room rate of only $29 plus tax for Sunday night through Thursday night and $65 on Friday when prices go way up in all of Vegas. Each entrant will also pay a one-time $60 charge to an ACF representative to help pay for our playing room for five days. (The playing room costs $500 per day!) Two persons to a room are allowed at the $29 plus tax rate. Family & friends of checkers will pay only $29 plus tax from Sunday through Thursday and $65 plus tax on Friday & Saturday. $15 extra is charged for each person beyond two to a room. Please note that the Plaza hotel does not accept Saturday arrivals on the 21st, but visitors wanting to arrive early at the Plaza may come Friday the 20th with weekend room rates of $65 plus tax. Even at ~$41 total per weeknight for entrants, this is a deal that is hard to beat anywhere, and we thank the sales staff at the Plaza for their cooperation. Hotel shuttles (for a fee) are available outside the airport baggage area.

We highly recommend that reservations be made as early as possible since rooms are limited at that price. Make sure that you mention that you'll be there for the US Checkers Championship to get the special rate. Let's make this one of the biggest tournaments ever in order to show the Las Vegas hotels that it's worth it to have checker tournaments there! The number for reservations is 1-800-634-6575. A deposit of $33 will hold your room. A major credit card will be required to hold the reservation, or you can send a check in early enough to hold your reservation. You may cancel your reservation and get your deposit back if you notify the hotel in advance.

The Plaza is a great hotel in a great location. It has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and plenty of restaurants that cater to all tastes. Food is very reasonable also. Any questions, call Gerry Lopez at (951) 695-2499 or email  prof237@netzero.net.

Entry fees will be $50 (Master’s) / $30 (Majors) / $20 (Minors). Prize distribution is expected to be similar to that of 2005 National GAYP. ACF Membership is required to enter all divisions, and may be paid at registration. Registration will take place Monday morning from 8:30-10:30 followed by a business meeting. Format will be 13 two-game rounds (2 rounds Monday, 3 rounds Tuesday through Thursday, two rounds Friday) scored by game. Three points are awarded for a bye and for a forfeited round.

Seeding rules (ACFB #274) state that ACF ratings will be used at registration. The gray area cutoff for Masters/Majors is 2250-2300. The gray area cutoff for Majors/Minors is 1950-1900. Players may play up one division. Winners of the Majors and Minors divisions of the past 3 Nationals (going back to 2004 GAYP) must play up.

Masters will use clocks (30 moves per hour) and record games. Majors and minors may do the same, but optional. “Move-a-minute” rules will not be applied if clocks are used. Referee will be Tim Laverty. GAYP National Daily Schedule:

Monday: Register 8:30-10:30 am followed by business meeting Rounds 1-2: 1-4 pm; 5-8 pm
Tuesday (Rounds 3-5): 9 am-12 noon; 1-4 pm; 5-8 pm
Wednesday (Rounds 6-8): 9 am-12 noon; 1-4 pm; 5-8 pm
Thursday (Rounds 9-11): 9 am-12 noon; 1-4 pm; 5-8 pm
Friday (Rounds 12 and 13): 9 am-12 noon; 1:30-4:30 pm

Derek E. Oldbury lived from March 21, 1924 to July 9 1994. He won his first British Championship in 1953. He won the U.S. National Ty. in 1976. Derek was the top British player in the 4th International Match (1983) with a 2-0-12 record. He was 3-move world champion from 1991-1994 and GAYP World champion from 1976-1982. He was a checker author of several works and generously set up trust funds to promote GAYP play.

For more information please contact Gerry Lopez at 951-695-2499.

Submitted By: Richard Beckwith


2007 Tournament Dates