Pooranmall continues draughts reign

Khemraj Pooranmall continued his dominance of local draughts when he won his second crown as the Guyana Draughts Association brought an end to its national championships last Sunday in the compound of the National Gymnasium.

He had earlier won the `A’ Class title in a close finish, and in another close finish Sunday, Pooranmall defeated Mark Brathwaite in a thrilling encounter to move to 10 points and successfully defend his 100 squares title.

Linden’s Floyd Cumberbatch had defeated new comer Edgar Downer to amass nine points while Steve Bacchus on eight points saw the opportunity to go into a tie-breaker with Pooranmall fall by the wayside through the stubborn defence of Michael Francis who held on for a draw which gained him one point and pushed him into a tie for the second and third places with Cumberbatch. Jiaram took the fourth place after outplaying Michael Francis.

TOP Performers! In picture from right: Steve Bacchus, Khemraj Pooranmall and Jiaram, missing is Floyd Cumberbatch
TOP Performers! In picture from right: Steve Bacchus, Khemraj Pooranmall and Jiaram, missing is Floyd Cumberbatch

In a press release, GDA president Jairam lamented the length of time it took for some games and said the GDA was moving towards acquiring clocks for competition.

According to the release the GDA was looking to solicit the help of corporate Guyana to assist with the purchasing of the clocks.

The cost for one clock is approximately US$50.

Interested persons can contact Paul D’Anjou cell phone number 645-1002 or Jiaram on 614-6671 and 619-5296.

The GDA also stated that it would like to thank the sponsors for the tournament Lalta Gainda of Rubis Bel Air, Berbice Bridge Inc., Attorney-at-Law Elias Gentle, Khemraj Pooranmall, Ansa McAL and John Lewis Styles.