As in Nikolai Teleshov’s *The White Heron*

The collapse of Russian draughts in Latvia continues at a rapid pace. We’ve been warning about this for a long time, but hardly anyone listened to us. The collapse of one type of draughts is being actively supported by two clownish brothers (one supposedly a grandmaster, the other supposedly an artist, but in reality just a couple of good-for-nothings) who, like a dreary brown mass, are backing this destruction. Soon, by the way, it will be the turn of the other type of draughts.

Only 16 people showed up for the Riga Russian Draughts Championship for adults. But the time may soon come when, just like at the World Draughts Championship, 8 to 10 people will gather and everyone will be happy. Sometimes we try to ask a logical question of local checkers players who gather indoors and play draughts without considering the possibility of venturing out into the world and meeting the world’s top draughts stars: Tell me, why are you doing this? What is the point of all this effort? Are you members of a cult, and does your pastor forbid you from traveling the world? Do you have issues with self-esteem, money, and basic desires and needs? Tell me, does spiritual masturbation bring you pleasure?”

It’s a sad picture, and the sport is falling apart. And while they’ve still managed to recruit some children, there are practically no adults left. It’s a wild, chaotic situation with no future at all. How can one not be reminded of the wonderful philosophical fairy tale “The White Heron” by the Russian writer Nikolai Dmitrievich Teleshov? Read it when you have a chance. In the meantime, we’ll share with you the results of recent tournaments with no prospects.

Results  U8U10  /  U13U19  /  MenWomen

And finally, I remembered a joke someone told us at one of the World Championships.

Two friends decided to throw a party.
One of them asked:
“Should we invite guys?”
“Of course!”
“How many should we invite?”
“32.”
“Why so many?”
“Well, look…”
Half of the guests won’t show up. Of those who do, half will get completely drunk. Of those who stay, half are impotent.
“So what? That still leaves four. Two for each of us. Why do we need so many?”
“What if you want to do it again?”