Draughts: East Africa’s King Pin Odhiambo Lifts German Open
Crispin ‘Goj’ Odhiambo (in green) showcases his trophy after triumphing in the 2024 German Open Draughts and Checkers Championship in Korbach at the weekend. PHOTO/ WCDF
KORBACH, Germany- East Africa’s king pin Crispin ‘Goj’ Odhiambo amassed 23 points to lift the 2024 German Open Draughts and Checkers Championship held in Korbach, Germany at the weekend.
Odhiambo had a walk in the park in the seven round duel as he whizzed past two South African Grandmasters including former world champion Lubabalo Kondlo (GAYP) and current South African finest Melikaya Nonyukela.
The victory was sweet revenge for Odhiambo who last year lost via a computer tie-breaker to Nonyukela at the World Qualifier Checkers Tournament in Antalya,Turkey which they both had topped on similar aggregates.
Nonyukela, Lorne Wells (Canada) and Alex Holmes (USA) finished the Korbach event second, third and fourth in that order after tying 18 points a piece while Kondlo ended the contest fifth on 17 points.
“I’m super excited to start my German outing on a winning note, the victory has boosted my morale and I’m motivated to even go for the jugular in the remaining tournaments,” Odhiambo told Standard Sports.
Odhiambo is poised to battle other world finests in the four-day World Checkers Draught Federation (WCDF) Championship that starts in Korbach on Tuesday.
The global showpiece has attracted over 20 countries from across the world including Russia, Ukraine, Israel,USA, Ireland, Czech Republic among others.
“I feel mentally tough to conquer this coming contest, I’m so much ready for it, bring it on,” Odhiambo declared ahead of the Tuesday showdown.
Odhiambo is the only Kenyan player so far in Germany after his two compatriots Stephen Owino of University of Nairobi and Daphton Mwamboti Mwashigadi from Changamwe missed the trip due to lack of funds despite being accorded visas.
Last year, Odhiambo won silver at the World Qualifier Checkers Tournament in Antalya,Turkey before heading to Lusaka, Zambia where he lifted a silver and bronze in the third edition of African Men Draughts64 Championship.
