New Zealand National Tournament

kiwinurse · Post by **kiwinurse** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:52 am

Just back from two gruelling days in Christchurch for our annual national checker tournament. Our Number was small but were for most seasoned players and the tourniment was very close,and up until the last game noone could tell who would actually win it.
I feel greatly positive for New Zealand draughts,for with the internet we are starting to get players to attend.One player who came to the tournament from Auckland was David Eades who plays in Kurnick,and who John Guetta and i met and invited to the match.He has only been playing a couple of years and we all were greatly impressed with his prowess and his keenness to learn. I believe he will be a force to be reckoned with in future years.
The older players who attended were veterans who had been playing for 40 years. Ralph Dixon ,an ex british veteran who some of the British players will know,Jack Niewkerk,a dutch veteran, Des Eastwick, and Ivan Narbie,all tough veterans of the game,who would do well in any overseas matches.
Next year we are planning to have our national in the North Island and hopefully attract more participants.John Guetta is working on our website,which has been delayed but not forgotten.

Results of The New Zealand National are:
Ivan Narbie(15 points) 1st
Jan Mortimer(14 points) 2nd
Jack Niewkerk, Ralph Dixon tied for 3rd place(13 points)
John Guetta(12 points)
David Eades(10 points)
Des Eastwick (7 points)

Congratulations to Ivan on his fine win,and it was very fitting he won as this was his last year of playing,as he announced his retirement from checkers.

liam stephens · Post by **liam stephens** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 5:03 am

Congratulations Jan, on a fine result and the excellent work of the New Zealand Draughts Association.

Regards - Liam.

Ingo_Zachos · Post by **Ingo_Zachos** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:20 am

Yes, congratulations Jan. And to Ivan Narbie too, of course!

BTW: the "old veterans" really did well in oversea matches.
They played some international mail matches against America, and did not that bad in the 1970`s and 1980's as I read in midwest checkers.

Looks like the New Zealand players r preparing for this year's qualifier.
Was it GAYP ?

Greetinx from the other side of the world,

Ingo Zachos

Lindus Edwards · Post by **Lindus Edwards** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:18 am

Jan, my dear friend, I am extremely proud of you. Runner-up in an event with such seasoned players is indeed a great achievement. Many congratulations to you and the winner Ivan Narbie.
It is my sincere hope that you will be joining with the other two great ladies of checkers, Kim Willis and Wilma Wolverton, in the world qualifying tournament at Las Vegas this September.
Incidentally Ingo, the NZ Championship was a three-move restriction event.

tommyc · Post by **tommyc** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:27 pm

Yes congrats to Jan flying the lone flag in NZ. and doing a great job.
Thanks Jan also for your very thoughtful IM,hope you enjoy your time in Wales with all the Taffys and sorry you cant make Inishowen.!!

Lindus Edwards · Post by **Lindus Edwards** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:00 pm

kiwinurse · Post by **kiwinurse** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:16 pm

Thanks Guys.Ingo it was 3 move this year. Next year we will hold a gayp match. Its quite sad really. Its the end of an era for the old players here.Theyve seen many amazing matches when 100 people would show up for a tournament here.Since ive known these men theyve always ownly played 3 move, not gayp, so in deference to them really we kept it at 3 move this year. Will start afresh next year with a few new faces i hope.

Irma Sierra · Post by **Irma Sierra** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:52 am

Hola nursie, i sent you a message because I didn't know how to make a post, but I want to tell you CONGRATS for your second place in the tournament, maybe I can get to see you in kurnik and talk to you a little, good job.....

kiwinurse · Post by **kiwinurse** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:43 pm

Thankyou Irma,thats nice of you.By all means come chat with me in kurnick

kiwinurse · Post by **kiwinurse** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:46 pm

Tommy just to correct something, im not a lone flag in new Zealand. John Guetta does amazing work for New Zealand checkers.Hes responsible for currently getting the website running,improvements on it shouldnt be too long now.John is secretary-treasurer of New Zealand draughts.

tommyc · Post by **tommyc** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:42 pm

Its good to hear that you haveJohn and hopefully others to help in NZ Jan. Many hands make light work. Keep it up.

The American Checker Federation