Draughts on the Ground

After the IOC’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian athletes and allow them to participate in international competitions, and transferring all responsibility to the federations for each individual sport, the FMJD is now in a position similar to that of the Buridan’s Ass, or perhaps facing a choice similar to that of the Morton’s Fork. In any case, the FMJD is currently facing pressure to make decisions and take action. Despite its lack of professionalism and competence compared to other international federations, even in the field of checkers, the FMJD will once again be tested for its adequacy.

The All-Russian Russian Draughts Competitions dedicated to the memory of the legendary Grandmaster Vladimir Skrabov have started in Yaroslavl. The tournament, which aims to immortalize the legacy of the two-time World Champion and multiple Russian Champion, will continue until July 12. Grandmaster Ivan Smurkov, a representative of the Yaroslavl team, is participating in this event.

The international tournament on Russian draughts has started in Orsha. A well-organized tournament, gathered under its banners famous grandmasters, elegant and feminine conquerors of the draughts game, and just good friends united by one idea. And very creative. Who will win in this competition, we will find out in a few days.

At one of the most famous terminal resorts in Europe, in Chianiano Terme, the Italian Championship in draughts on a large board is taking place. For the 62nd time, Italian draughts players are gathering to compete for the national championship medals. The focus is on the leader of the Italian team, Scaggiante Alessio, and De Lellis Jacopo, who has been performing well recently.

A little historical background:

Around the year 800, the area of the modern Heerhugowaard was covered in peat fen. Because of peat-digging and storm floods, many lakes developed in the region, including the Heerhugowaard. The name is derived from lord (‘heer’ in Dutch) Hugo van Assendelft who was killed by the West Frisians in this area in 1296. After two storms in 1248, the abbey of Egmond, which had much property in this region, built the Schagerdam at Schagen. This became part of the Westfriese Omringdijk, which protected the pentagon Schagen – Alkmaar – Medemblik – Enkhuizen – Hoorn.

Some important aphorisms about men:

If a man has no brains, he is a fool; if he has no heart, he is a scoundrel; if he has no bile, he is a weakling. D. Lawrence

When nature leaves a chink in the mind of any man, it usually covers it with a thick layer of self-satisfaction.

H. Longfellow

It is better to be a dissatisfied Socrates than a satisfied fool. J. Mill

Historical background: Ulan-Ude (Buryat: Ulaan-Ude khotu; until 1934, Verkhneudinsk) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Buryatia in the Russian Federation. Along with Severobaikalsk, it is a city of republican significance.

It is a major cultural, scientific, and industrial center in Eastern Siberia (geographical region). Since 2018, it has been administratively part of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD), where it is the third-largest city in terms of population, behind only Vladivostok and Khabarovsk.

Checkers in the western part of the European continent will soon become a refuge for the poor and the lowest strata of society due to the policies pursued by the leadership of a supposedly international organization. Youth sports are gradually being destroyed, and immigrants from the countries of the former Soviet Union—where they started out playing for free and with “everything provided” to play checkers, and who have created nothing in the countries to which they fled. The unprofessional—and at times simply dim-witted—leadership of the so-called international federation will soon complete the transformation of checkers on the Western continent into a contest of ruins and historical relics. For there will be no interest left in checkers among the intellectual youth.

Already, the so-called World and European Championships are turning into a gathering of clowns in costumes and people who love to write and sign all sorts of letters, pretending to be wronged and insulted.

Regularly and annually, loyal “Leninists” of draughts on a small board gather at Yular in Estonia. The tournament organizer always takes a creative approach to organizing meetings of old acquaintances. Guests of the tournament are always treated to entertainment and interesting excursions, as well as creative gifts and prizes made individually for each tournament.

We are very closely following our friends from Hungary. For several years now, Hungarian draughts players have been appearing in various tournaments on the world stage. With enviable regularity, they come to the European and World Championships in Turkey. But in the public space, data on national championships has not been found.

The IDA World Cup for large-board draughts is being held in Astana. We saw Alexander Georgiev and Alexander Getmansky, as well as numerous draughts players from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. With the current division of draughts sports, any competition in the Asian region brings some variety.

The International Draughts Federation (IDF), in accordance with the Competition Calendar for 2026, is holding the Draughts World Cup-64 — International Competition “Vietnam-2026” in Mui Ne (Vietnam) from October 8 (arrival day) to October 15 (departure day), 2026. Draughts-64 competitions will be held in Vietnam for the first time! The competitions will be held in three disciplines: Classic, Rapid and Blitz