Inishowen News - Update

liam stephens · Post by **liam stephens** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:23 pm

Buncrana,
Co. Donegal.
26th. August, ’07.

Inishowen Draughts

World Draughts Champions bound for Buncrana

The world Draughts Champion Alex Moiseyev from the U.S.A. has agreed to visit Buncrana on 26th. October, ’07, for five days and while here he will give exhibition matches in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel. His opponent will be former British and Irish champion Hugh Devlin from Letterkenny. Alex may also play Inishowen club member Shane McCosker who is from Sion Mills and recently won the U.S.A. youth championship. Shane, who has just turned 18 years of age, also took 3rd place in the American masters tournament. There will be a further report on this young draughts genius in next week’s edition. On Saturday night, 27th. Alex will be giving interviews and anyone interested in draughts is welcome to come along and talk to him. There will also be refreshments available.

The World Women’s Championship Match between defending champion Patricia Breen from Carlow and challenger Amangul Durdyeva from Turkmenistan in the Middle East, will take place at the same venue during the week in question. This match will be on Close-Circuit television and everyone interested please come along and watch the 20 games.

A Night at the Races
The amount of cash required to sponsor these matches is phenomenal, therefore the Inishowen club is running “A Night At The Races” in Flaherty’s Lounge, Main Street, Buncrana, this Friday night, 31st. Aug. ’07. Any money that may be in excess of the amount required will go into the Annual fund for “Children with disabilities”. We donated €2,000 to this very worthy cause last season. Please come along and support this very worthy cause. 1st race will take place at 9 pm.

1st Sept. ’07.

Inishowen Draughts
Busy season ahead for Inishowen Draughts Club
All arrangements are in place for one of the busiest seasons in the history of the Inishowen draughts club. Last Tuesday night the 2007, Annual General Meeting was held in “The Rock “, Lounge, Muff, where a lively, humorous and most effective meeting took place.
Our Chairman, Danny Doherty, delivered an exemplary speech, where he relished the enthusiasm generated throughout the club and the North-West in general in respect of the forthcoming All-Ireland Championships. He also paid a special thanks to the improvement of young players, especially Shane McCosker from Sion Mills who did the club proud during the past season when he won the American Youth Championship.
He also thanked all sponsors, as without their help we could not exist.
Our primary schools programme was also included, where Moville’s Sean McCauley,
our schools co-ordinator, was thanked for all his work.
Our chairman went on to say that the club’s donation of €2,000, to “Children with Learning Disabilities” was his “high-light” of the year. This money was the process of our Annual buffet dance and the generosity of our sponsors which was second to none. He finished off by telling everyone that the club is still in need of financial funding, as the events of this year will amount to approx. €18,000. The same committee was re-elected en-block and the meeting was then closed.
Our first major fund-raising event took place last Friday night in O’Flaherty’s Lounge, Buncrana, where a full house aided and abetted the gambling fraternity of Inishowen in a night of laughter, depression and sometimes signs of a functional disturbance of the nervous system nearing the surface. We were ably assisted by Deirdre Bradley from the Chamber of Commerce, Patricia Coyle from the Credit Union, Yvonne Farren from Limavady, Ciara Doherty, Millfield and James Burke, Buncrana. We also wish to thank the main operators of the event; Nicholas Crossan, Noel Doherty and Gary Doherty from Buncrana. All proceeds will go to our forthcoming events with any surplus being donated to “Children with Learning Disabilities”, in the Inishowen area. We thank everyone who attended and not forgetting Jean 0’Flaherty and her staff.
The Inishowen draughts season kicks off this Tuesday night at “The Rock Lounge”, Muff, where a large crowd of draughts players are expected. The first round of the Inishowen league championship will take place and the tournament will continue for the following six (6) Tuesday nights. There will be three divisions formed with each player in his or her graded position. We are please to announce that master players Hugh Devlin from Letterkenny, Shane McCosker from Sion Mills, Tommy Canning from Strabane and Paddy Havlin from Ballymena will take part. The Swiss rules will be in place with re- draws on the final night. All beginners, male or female, are welcome to attend and instructions will be given on the first night.

Gerald Callaghan,
Secretary, Inishowen Draughts Club and P.R.O. Irish Draughts Association

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:38 pm

One of the unfortunate things checkers fraternity has to live with - having a working World Champion. Yes, I do not play checkers for living ... I wish I could

As most of working Americans I have very limited vacation time - 3 weeks.

This year it was especially painful, because I have to play 3-move World Title Match (2 weeks), exhibition tour to Ireland (one week) and family vacation (1 week).

I used all possible tricks to solve this puzzle - took family vacation around July 4th which saved me 1 day, asked Barbados organizers of the World Title Match to start match on Sunday, September 30 instead Monday, October 1st. In addition Match will capture one more American holiday - Columbus Day, October 8.

But even after all these actions, I was still short 3-4 days, because any International trip usually cost two extra days for flights to get in out.

Today I spoke finally with my manager and explained him the whole situation.

Now and only now !!!

After setting all dates for match, arranging my trip to Ireland and booking my flights, after all official announcements, only today I can say (and prove), that everything is OK

My manager fully approved all my absents, wished me good luck in match and simulteneous play and thanked me for my hard work.

This is certainly truly a great news which resolve my very uncertain situation this year which bothered me alot for many months.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:38 pm

john reade · Post by **john reade** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:28 am

Excellent news, Alex. Look forward to seeing you in Buncrana. John.

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:22 am

john reade wrote:Excellent news, Alex. Look forward to seeing you in Buncrana. John.

Circle of life

Last time we saw each other in Cookstown, Northern Ireland in 2003 !

Alex

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:10 pm

Today I had received in mail International air package, and adrenalin in my blood jumped up: before I opened it, I was hoping for miracle - tickets from Barbados Tourism Authority

Well ... there were no tickets from Barbados here, but miracle came in different way - I've got from Ireland a wonderful, well professionally done booklet which included photos, Festival schedule, biographies, sponsors advertisements, welcome letters from city and Club authorities ... and more, more, more.

Many thanks to everyone who spent his/her time and efforts to sponsor and organize this Festival, and I am honored to be a part of this Checkers Party !

Sincerely,

Alex Moiseyev
3-moves checkers World Champion

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:54 am

According new development and changes to my exhibition schedule, I will play in Irish Open this year ! These are certainly a great news and my long time dream since 2003 became a reality

This will not affect my practice match with Hugh Devlin which we'll play in afternoon - evening hours as planned.

Again, again and again ... Many thanks to sponsors, organizers of Irish Festival and Inishowen Club authorities for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev
3-move Restriction
World Champion

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:57 am

It's good to know that everything is coming along smoothly and without a hitch.

Kudos to the Organizers of the Irish Open and the Inishowen Draughts Club, they seem to have their act together.

The Irish Open along with World Draughts Champion Alex Moiseyev's exhibition match with former British and Irish champion Hugh Devlin from Letterkenny in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel (and possibly additional exhibition play with 18 year old Inishowen club member Shane McCosker), Alex's attempt at setting a new world simultaneous play record of 400+ opponents for Guinness Book of Records and with the World Women

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:43 pm

[quote="Palomino"]World Women

Palomino · Post by **Palomino** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:47 pm

I will make a prediction - Three Move Restriction World Champion, Alex Moiseyev will set a new Guinness World Record for simultaneous play at this event. (400+ boards!)

Currect record is held by Ron "Suki" King of Barbados -385 opponents at the same time- Houston, Texas, 1998.

Regards, "Pal" Bucker

tommyc · Post by **tommyc** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:29 pm

Kudos to the Organizers of the Irish Open and the Inishowen Draughts Club...Pal kindly says " and thank you for that.

Well Pal maybe yur prediction on the 400+ Guinees record attempt may have to be put on ice for a while. Un fortunately we wont have enough teachers to supervise the children,as it is a school holiday.

Sometimes the best laid plans dont hold up but the interests and safety of the children must be paramount .Its such a pity and the children that are looking forward too being a part of the Record attempt will be so disappointed as we all are.!!

Often with every cloud there is a silver lining so the good news is that b/c of this Alex will now be free to compete in the Irish Open something we re all wanting to see...Tommy Canning Inishowen Committee organiser of Alexs trip to Ireland, flights and accomodations .

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:15 pm

Thanks for clarification, Tommy !

Kids safety is crucial and nothing can beat this. I already thought in the past - how organizers are willing to supervise 400+ kids for 5-6 hours ... which requires at least 30-40 adults.

Well ... Hugh Devlin told me this year that there were 2 unsuccessful attempts to beat this particular record and both failed - due to lack to collect so many attendants in one time and place.

This simultaneous play was my long time dream, and I still hope that one time it will be materialize.

But as Tommy said - the good outcome of this pity scenario is that I am free now to play in Irish Open along with my match with Hugh Devlin. I am active player and always like any opportunity to play and compete.

There are also non-approved rumors, and in my opinion slight inaccurate

that I am best match player and Ron King is best tournament player. It maybe right or wrong, but there is only one way to prove pudding - eat it !

Anyway ... whoever wins this tournament: me, Ron or someone else - so be it, it's just a game only !!!

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:30 pm

For lovers of numbers and statistics, here is a list of all tournament events where me and Ron King played together:

1) USA 3-moves National, 1996, Danville, VA

..... Ron King finished as 1st human after Chinook, I tied 5-7 places, with honor points 6-7

2) USA GAYP National, 1999, Niagara Falls, NY

..... I was 1st, Ron King 6th

3) USA 3-moves National, 2000, Toldeo, OH

..... I was 1st, Ron King 3rd

4) USA GAYP National 2001, Las Vegas, NV

..... Ron King was 1st, I tied 2-4, second in honor points

5) British Open 2002, Stoneheaven, Scotland

..... Ron King was 1st, I was 2nd

6) PA State ty 2005, Grove City

..... Ron King was 1st, I was 2nd

7) USA GAYP National, 2005, Dublin, OH

.....Ron King was 1st, I tied 2-4, 4th in honor points

8 ) USA 3-moves National, 2006, Medina OH

.....I, Ron King and Hallett tied in 3 ways. Ron King was first in honor points, I was second.

9) Irish Open 2007, Buncrana, Ireland

?

*** We also had a 1st GAYP International match USA vs Barbados in 2004, where Ron King scored against American players 9 wins and 1 lost to myself, and I scored 9 wins and no losses against Barbados players. Hence, he had more tough opponents !!!

tommyc · Post by **tommyc** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:29 pm

Well Alex............we are all looking forward to the Great Ty in prospect,there is much excitement among the top master players and i think this is goin to be the Ty of all Tys at least in recent years.

The outcome in this scenario between you n Ron may have to take 2nd place to this Grand event. Im just sorry more of the top U.S. players wont be able to make the trip...such as John Webster, Richard B who is in a fine vein of form just now and Jim Morrison would grace any Ty and that fine young man we met in Vegas young Paul Bryan who has the making of a top U.S. player over the next 20 yrs if only he had a lil back-up.

Then theres Lubablo i wish he would make it too.Kevin Burks would be a great addition in the Senior event and his compatriot Eric in the Inter division not forgetting the man from Tipperary Jimmy O Grady.

What ever way the wind blows its gonna be a stormer of a Ty.See ya there ....Tommy.

Alex_Moiseyev · Post by **Alex_Moiseyev** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:42 pm

Hence, from many things in checkers canceled this year, I hope Irish Open and Alabama Open survive !!!

Alex

The American Checker Federation