In the dignified room of Leeuwarden’s town hall, politicians from previous centuries and members of the old nobility watch the participants in the Frysk Draughts World Cup. Their painted eyes see, among other things, a former world speed chess champion. And a Russian grandmaster, a 9-time world champion in checkers. And a Dutch champion in Frysk checkers. Vasyl Ivanchuk, Alexander Georgiev and Jelle Wiersma are taking a shot at the very first world title in Frysk (Frisian) draughts during the European Sports for All Games.
That’s right: a world title, because the organization believes that Frisian draughts has international potential. It is one of the many variants the sport has. A French, a Brazilian, an Italian, etc. Every country and sometimes every region has its own derivative. “All with their own characteristics,” says Liuwe Westra of the organization. “That has to do with the size of the board, you may or may not hit backwards, there is a multi-stroke rule. Those kind of things.”
The Frisian variant is characterized by the fact that it is allowed to hit in straight direction. Therefore there are 8 directions in which to play. That seems like a subtle difference, but it has major consequences for the game. Westra: “The positions are more vulnerable because there are more possibilities. The game is more dynamic. Suddenly a lot more is possible in almost every situation and the chance of a draw is much smaller.”
There seems to be a risk that checkers will become even more complicated and demand even more from the already complex brain of the mind athlete.
“But that also makes it more challenging. There are clubs that only play the Frisian variant. Also outside the Netherlands, certainly outside. We actually find the most resistance in the Netherlands… There you have the Frisians again, they say,” laughs Westra.
The potential is there and the top players are in Leeuwarden. Alexander Georgiev qualified through qualifying tournaments such as the Open European Championships. The 43-year-old Russian is an international grandmaster and apparently wants to add the first world title in Frisian draughts to his impressive track record. With 7 participating draughts players from outside Friesland (and 9 from the province itself), according to Westra, a first step has been taken towards more World Cups. “We are thinking of a set-up where we have a world championship once every four years. And once every two years an open tournament where the winner challenges the incumbent world champion. And if that is possible at a location such as the city hall of Leeuwarden, I would be very happy. This is a beautiful hall, which gives extra cachet to the tournament.”