2026 Vidor Texas Checkers
Vidor
Open - July 1-9, 2026
1) Vidor Checkers USA Invitational 2026, Three-move, July 1-4
2) Blitz (3-move), 1 day, Sunday, July 5
3) USA GAYP National, Monday-Thursday, July 6-9
Games were be played at Vidor City Hall. Hotel is Holiday Inn Express, (866) 439-3589, 260 East Freeway, Vidor, TX, 77662, USA.
For the Invitational, Vidor Checkers USA will offer hotel (for June 30-July 3) and partial travel assistance for approximately 8 players, but additional Master players may still pre-register and participate (at own expense).
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Vidor, July 4, 2026 - Watson Franks
“Last year, instead of bidding on wqt again, my idea was to invite the best of the best. We sent out invites and offered much help in transportation, free hotel and free food and prize money. Most were thankful for opportunity and challenge. A couple of invites were rejected. I think the tournament priced to be a great success. Some awesome games and matches to be remembered for generations to come. The final match between Melikaya and goj was one of the best!”
“Thanks to Richard for all his hours of help. Thanks to the City of Vidor and our many sponsors. Good news is our World Blitz match tomorrow.”
“Then the Festival concludes with the USA National! Plenty more
checkers ahead. Thank u checker world!”
“It was a great pleasure to meet Shane, Connor and Steve.”
“CongrTs to my friend Goj!”
Watson Franks arranged full expense for Alex Holmes to serve as tournament referee and scorekeeper which he did an excellent job, obviously this helped make the Vidor Checker Festival another successful event. We appreciate Watson's efforts and energy as a premier supporter and organizer or checkers. We also need to mention our appreciation for the transportation service Richard Beckwith provided and help from Vidor Checkers Committee needed to make this an exceptional event.
Some of the foreign players decided to play in The APCA (American Pool Checkers Association) Open National Tournament in Memphis, TN - July 13 through 16.
Vidor Checkers USA Invitational 2026, Three-move, July 1-4 (Original Cross-table)
Congratulations! to Crispin Ojwang Odhiambo from Makadara, Kenya as 1st Place Champion of the 2026 Vidor Checkers USA Invitational Three-move.
Blitz (3-move), 1 day, Sunday, July 5
Congratulations! to Crispin Ojwang Odhiambo from Makadara, Kenya as 1st Place Champion of the 2026 Vidor Checkers 3-Move Blitz Open.
Richard Beckwith compiled and emailed: Saturday, July 18, 2026 - 12:06 PM
2026 Vidor Checkers USA
3-move Invitational, July 1-4, Vidor City Hall & Holiday Inn Express
| Place | Player's Name | Country (or State) | Pts | S-B/2 | Prize* |
| 1 | Crispin Odhiambo Ojwang | KEN | 35 | $1140 | |
| 2 | Ron King | BAR | 30 | 290.5 | $550 |
| 3 | Lubabalo Kondlo | RSA | 30 | 289.5 | $550 |
| 4 | Steven Owino Ngidi | KEN | 27 | 242.5 | $230 |
| 5 | Melikaya Nonyukela | RSA | 27 | 235 | $230 |
| 6 | Lukhanyo Dyanibokwe | RSA | 24 | 226.5 | $150 |
| 7 | Jack Francis | BAR | 24 | 206.5 | $150 |
| 8 | Shane McCosker | IRE | 23 | $120 | |
| 9 | Richard Beckwith | OH | 18 | $90 | |
| 10 | Conor Nee | IRE | 13 | $65 | |
| 11 | Mark Sokolovsky | IL | 9 | $40 | |
| 12 | Alan Millhone | OH | 4 | $40 | |
| Total Cash Prize Fund | $3,355 |
2026 Vidor Checkers USA Blitz, July 5, Vidor City Hall
| Place | Player's Name | Country (or State) | Pts | S-B/2 | Prize |
| 1 | Crispin Odhiambo Ojwang | KEN | 32 | $250 | |
| 2 | Steven Owino Ngidi | KEN | 22 | 172.5 | $210 |
| 3 | Lubabalo Kondlo | RSA | 22 | 161.5 | $210 |
| 4 | Ron King | BAR | 22 | 152.5 | $210 |
| 5 | Lukhanyo Dyanibokwe | RSA | 21 | $150 | |
| 6 | Jack Francis | BAR | 19 | $125 | |
| 7 | Eric Strange | CO | 16 | $100 | |
| 8 | Melikaya Nonyukela | RSA | 15 | $75 | |
| 9 | Mark Sokolovsky | IL | 8 | $50 | |
| 10 | Wynnell Neverson | BAR | 3 | $50 | |
| Total Cash Prize Fund | $1,430 |
Tournament was 9-round round robin in 3-move with clocks set to 3 minutes + 2
seconds back
with each press of clock. Referee was Richard Beckwith and Watson Franks, who
was also
organizer and handled livestreams.
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2026 “Anthony Bishop” GAYP ACF National Tournament, July 6-9, Vidor City Hall
| Place | Player's Name | Country (or State) | Pts | Prize* |
| 1 | Crispin Odhiambo Ojwang | KEN | 27 | $3600 |
| 2 | Melikaya Nonyukela | RSA | 26 | $2080 |
| 3 | Alex Holmes | KY | 26 | $2080 |
| 4 | Lubabalo Kondlo | RSA | 26 | $2080 |
| 5 | Ron King | BAR | 24 | $1050 |
| 6 | Lukhanyo Dyanibokwe | RSA | 24 | $1050 |
| 7 | Jack Francis | BAR | 23 | $800 |
| 8 | Steven Owino Ngidi | KEN | 22 | $600 |
| 9 | Eric Strange | CO | 22 | $600 |
| 10 | Mark Sokolovsky | IL | 21 | $450 |
| 11 | Conor Nee | IRE | 19 | $400 |
| 12 | Watson Franks | TX | 14 | $380 |
| 13 | Alan Millhone | OH | 13 | $330 |
| 14 | Wynnell Neverson | BAR | 13 | $330 |
| 15 | Joe Coleman | IA | 10 | $300 |
Total $16,130
Woman Champion = $200
Texas Champion = $200
Total Prize Money for Festival = $22,035
Bounties and Bonuses for Wins = $250
Extra Game Prizes $50
Tournament was 10 rounds with clocks set to 40 minutes + 10 seconds back with
each press of
clock. Referee was Alex Holmes and Watson Franks, who was also organizer and
handled
livestreams.
USA GAYP National, Monday-Thursday, July 6-9
For some reason Eric Strange with 22 points was left of above
list.
2026 USA GAYP National Open Checker Tournament (Original
Cross-table)
Congratulations! to Crispin Ojwang Odhiambo from Makadara, Kenya as 1st Place Champion of the 2026 USA GAYP National Open Checker Tournament.
