By B.J. DRYE
The Stanly News &Press
ALBEMARLE (MCT) — The heavyweights are headed to Albemarle. The
heavyweights of checkers that is. An 11-Man
Ballot World Title match is scheduled to conclude Sunday at the Sleep Inn
and Suites on the N.C. 24-27 Bypass. This match is sanctioned by American
Checker Federation and World Checkers Draughts Federation. After winning the Elbert Lowder Memorial 11-Man
National Tournament in Albemarle Jan. 31-Feb. 3, Tim Laverty of Sanford was
recognized as the U.S. National 11-Man champion. As such, he can now compete
for the world title. Laverty’s opponent will be 3-Move World Champion
Alexander Moiseyev of Ohio. Moiseyev challenged Laverty for this match,
which will fill the world title vacancy left by Sanford’s Elbert Lowder, who
won his 11-Man World Title in 1987 and defended it until his death Dec. 14,
2006. Stanly County native J.R. Smith, who is secretary of the North
Carolina Checker Association, helped promote the tournaments earlier this
year and also competed. Smith, who will serve as scorekeeper for the
tournament, says Lowder defended his World Title many
times, including a memorable title match in Oct. 11-14, 2002 at Richmond, Ky.
against Moiseyev.
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It
was an exciting and even contest, according to Smith, with the end result of
the 20 games being six wins each and eight draws, leaving the entire match a
draw, which wasn't enough to dethrone Lowder.
Lowder was a 34-time state checker champion and known throughout the
checker world for his skills. Now Moiseyev faces Laverty, the U.S. National
11-Man Champ and a longtime checker-playing partner of Lowder. “This will be
a very close outcome, mostly draws, exactly what 11-Man Ballot is all
about,” Smith said. A ballot system is used to generate 2,500 unique
openings where each side has 11 men instead of the normal 12. One side is at
a disadvantage or has a weak opening, Smith said. “The idea is to draw your
weak side and win the strong. Both players have a chance to play both sides
of the ballot opening,” Smith said. “The intent was to stop numerous drawn
games during competition play, hence the 3-Move and 11-Man tournaments.”
Smith said many individuals recognize two champions at the moment: Alexander
Moiseyev as 3-Move champion and Ron King of Barbados as champion of the Go
As You Please style, which is the form most commonly known by
nonprofessional players. “Alexander Moiseyev is the top checker player in
the world right now,” Smith said. “That’s the reason he turned around and
challenged Tim (Laverty).” |