Suki seventh after 8th round of World Qualifiers

International Grand Master Ronald ‘Suki’ King is sitting in seventh place after eight rounds of play at the World Checkers Draughts Federation (WCDF) Checkers Festival in Korbach, Germany on Friday. King is one of three Bajans in the Three-Move Restriction World Championship Qualifier.

King was held to a draw by fifth-placed Lubabalo Kondlo of South Africa on Friday, and lost to tournament leader Melikaya Nonyukela, also of South Africa. In between the Barbadian champion beat International Master Alex Holms of the USA, his only win of the day, and drew with third-placed Lukhanyo Daynibokwe of South Africa.

Colin Price enjoyed a solid day. His three Friday wins move him into 14th place overall. Price won over Scotland’s Donald Oliphant 3-1, drew 2-2 with International Grand Master Richard Beckwith of the USA, then got wins over Anthony Bishop of the USA, and Lorne Wells of Canada.

Kent Layne defeated Beckwith 3-1 on Friday, a stronger showing than he had on Thursday. He added a win over Germany’s Jan Zioltkowski, and a draw with Germany’s Thomas Wien, sandwiched with a loss to Filip Kareta of Czechoslovakia. Layne is now into 13th place, just ahead of Price. Both are on 16 points.

Just a week after winning the British Open, John ‘Jack’ Francis was reportedly unable to travel to Germany to compete, due to complications with the online booking system.

(TF)