2026 Tennessee State “3-Move” Open Tournament
March 6th & 7th 2026
Results:
TCA President, Larry Keen, open the 2026 Tennessee State Open 3-Move Tournament by welcoming 11 checker players. 7 Masters and 4 Majors played. 4 Kentucky Players, plus 3 North Carolina Players, and one each from NE, VA, OH, & TN made the field. Larry is the President of Tennessee Checker Association (TCA). Larry covered the rules and time clock requirements in the business meeting prior to the tournament.
All players paid a $20 entry fee, and they were required to use digital time clocks set for a 2.5 hour round as 35 Minutes +3 seconds per side. The Masters played seven rounds of Round Robin (with an 8th "Bye" Player) as 4 rounds Friday and 3 on Saturday. They were also required to record their games. The Majors played a double Round Robin as six total rounds as 4 rounds Friday and 2 on Saturday. Majors also used time clocks and recorded their games. The use of time clocks was established in 2025 at the Tennessee Open business meeting. The tournament provided game move recorder sheets and digital time clocks.
Larry reported the Tennessee Gene Lindsey Fund, balance as $20,705 and the WC Green Trust Fund as $2,286.74, which he has closed this F&M Bank account and turned this balance over to JR Smith / NCCA to continue the Southern Open. Larry provided statements for both accounts. The 2026 Tennessee Open Total Prize Fund was $4,400.00 and the traditional Pizza Party on Friday was enjoyed by players, & family/guest.
James "Jim" Albin was recognized for traveling the furthest distance to the tournament, Omaha to Lebanon - 800 miles one way.
2026 Tennessee Open contributors were recognized on the whiteboard in the playing room as: Joe McDaniel $1,000, Gene Lindsey $3,500, and Dave Beachy $100. We truly appreciate their support. Our big tournament expenses: Prize Fund $4,800, Playing Room $356, and Pizza $235.
We appreciate Randy Keen as our scorekeeper and Larry for their effort and support for checkers. We also appreciate Jerry Askins as our tournament assistant.
Shelby Mays was recognized as the oldest checker player participating in the 2026 TN State Open as 84 years old and will enjoy his 5/24/1941 birthday soon. John Webster was close with his 3/31/42 birthday.
Larry Keen suggested that 2025 Southern should be moved to NC since attendance didn't support the $350 playing room expense at Comfort Suites in Lebanon. Hopefully another venue is available with a less expensive playing room that fits the WC Green Fund and tournament budget.
I copied this from English Draughts fb, posted by GM Alex Moiseyev 3/7/2026: Tennessee State Checkers Tourney 2026 is over - I was lucky to win Master Division with one point ahead of GM Jim Morrison who finished second. See below final standings in both Divisions. God was watching me very close in this event: all 6 openings I played were strictly GAYP:
Some Photos taken at the 2026 TN Open
This was a super tournament, excellent checker games, delicious pizza, lots of fun, & wonderful checker friends
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