British Open Draughts Championship set to commence in Inverurie
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The British Open Draughts Championship gets under way in Inverurie today.
The tournament will run over five days from Monday to Friday at the town hall.
The Scottish Draughts Association, which was formed in 1893, is hosting the biennial competition this year.
Current champion Shane McCosker from Ireland will be defending his title.
Secretary and treasurer Donald Oliphant said: "The format for the competition is called a Swiss system, which they use in chess a lot as well.
"Basically from the first round onwards the players who gain the most points will end up playing against those on similar level of points.
"There is going to be 10 sessions of play, two games each session in the morning and afternoon over the five days and ultimately we will crown the British champion.
"We are looking at 16 players taking part from Scotland, England, Ireland and Germany.
"Sometimes these tournaments attract participants from America, Barbados and Ukraine. Normally we would get three Ukrainian players but the situation in the country just now will not allow that.
"The competition has never been held in Inverurie before. In the past the tournament has been held in Dundee, Forfar, Stonehaven, Inverness, Wick and Kirkwall. We try to take it around the country.
"When looking at towns to host we want places that are easy for competitors to get to. The players did express they liked Stonehaven because it was quite accessible with flying into Aberdeen. Last year I suggested to the committee that we try Inverurie as it is also not far from the airport and it has a train station as well.
"We knew as well that it was a nice, bustling town, so it was selected."
The organisers have been assisted by We Are Inverurie in securing a venue with the tournament to be held in the town hall over its duration.
Mr Oliphant added: "We got in contact with the people at involved with the Business Improvement District and they have been great in providing the town hall for the championship.
"It is a long-established competition that has been going for the past 80 years.
"I'm 65 this year and I started playing when I was about seven or eight with my father. I started going to competitions when I was about 20, so I've been playing a long time.
"Most of the players have played for a long time and we struggle to attract youth into the game. It's a shame because it's a very complicated, strategic game. The rules are simple but the manoeuvres, themes and strategies involved are quite phenomenal at times.
"We are looking forward to getting the tournament going in Inverurie and for me personally facing my first opponent across the table to see if all my hard practice pays off."
