Draughts Grandmasters converge on Buncrana 30.10.07

THE world's top female draughts players are still battling it out in Buncrana for the title of Women's World (3-Move) Champion. Grandmasters, Patricia Breen from Carlow and Amangul Durdyeva of Turkmenistan began their marathon 20-game battle on Friday and do not expect to finish until Wednesday.

The prestigious International Festival of Draughts at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel has brought together more than 100 of the best international players including world number one, Alex Moiseyev of Russia. One of the highlights of the six-day festival is the exhibition match between Alex Moiseyev and Ireland's top-rated draughts Grandmaster, Hugh Devlin from Manorcunningham which concludes this evening. Hugh, who is also one of the organisers, told InishowenNews.com that the Inishowen Draughts Club
were delighted to have landed the world festival. "We have players from all over the world and players who aren't in attendance are watching the results closely through our website," he explained. On Saturday, top-ranked players in the Masters, Seniors and Intermediate categories, made their way to the Buncrana hotel with many more expected to join them during the course of the festival. Dubliner Jim Doyle travelled from his Kent home as "moral support" for his cousin, Liam Doyle from East Wall, Dublin. Liam explained: "I've played my first two games against Anthony Rose of England. He's in better form than me today." To get the latest results and news from the festival, go to www.irishdraughts.org . For more photos of the tournament click here .
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