The first World Checkers Open will take place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

 2008 World Checkers Open

The World Checkers Open (SC) will be held November 14th - 16th , 2008

in Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC . see http://www.worldseriesofgames.net/.   Each participant in the tournament is guaranteed to play at least 7 games. We intend to use American Checkers (English Draughts) rules and have a time limit per move.

Latest on World Checkers Open...   World Checkers Open – Brief Description

There will be $3,000 in total prize money ($1,500 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place, $250 for fourth place). Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to play in friendly games and are invited to a get-together on Saturday evening. The tournament will take place at the Myrtle Beach Hilton, an oceanfront hotel located in Kingston Resort. Participants in the tournament will receive a 20% discount if they stay at the Myrtle Beach Hilton. To register (pre-registration is desired) or for more information about the tournament, please visit www.WorldSeriesOfGames.net.

Note from R. Beckwith: ACF is cooperating with other gaming organizations that are sponsoring this event. They will offer some large cash prizes, so please consider supporting this event (as well as taking a vacation to this well-known resort area).

Update from organizers (Aug. 13, 2008): We decided to change a couple of things about the World Checkers Open in an attempt to attract more players. First, we lowered the entry fee to $59 to make it similar to other checkers tournaments. Additionally, we negotiated a lower rate for the hotel ($103 plus tax per night) plus emphasized on the website the fact that participants do not have to stay at the conference hotel and that some of the hotels in the Myrtle Beach Area start at $30 per night. Furthermore, we decided that we preferred not to pay the entry fee for the top three ACF players. A couple of the people that contacted me, pointed out that these players are likely to win the large cash awards (a total of $3,000), which will cover their cost. Additionally, it is unfair for the other organizations that we will pay for the top ACF players but not for their top three players. I believe that the money awards and the tournament’s location should be sufficient to attract some of the top players. I hope that these changes will help us attract more players. Yoav Wachsman yoav@coastal.edu

Tournament details are under discussion and may change, but information I've seen so far includes: Tournament format may be elimination (rather than Swiss or Round-robin), with 7 games minimum to be played in your initial group, perhaps at GAYP. The prize funds as mentioned above will be awarded after lunch on Sunday. The cost of the tournament (including space reservation and basic catering) will be covered by a $59 tournament fee that players will pay in advance. Note: The top 3 ACF players (as identified by ACF) will be exempt from paying the tournament fee. Pursuits American will provide breakfast and will also attempt to negotiate free rooms for the top three ACF players.  This initial incentive was eliminated after some players' concern about fairness to all players, but nothing was added to the original prize fund.                     
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Yoav Wachsman
President, Pursuits America

E-mail: YoavWachsman@yahoo.com
Phone: (843) 349-2683
Fax:     (843) 349-2455

Pursuits America
Pursue Your Passions

OK - The rate is $103.00.  The number to call for reservations is 1-800-876-0010.  The group code is IBG.  You will have a 11% tax added onto this amount. 

The World Games Tournament - Checkers by Pursuits America fee to register was $89 but an early bird $59 price is available, it was extended pass the original July 31 cut off.  I understand this lower registration fee is for everyone.

2008 Tournament Dates