South Africans well ranked in Checkers!

Standings as received from the WCDF

The World Checkers Draughts Federation (WCDF) has just released the standings for the World Cup.

Of course all the usual faces are there, and the men's section is dominated by the Italian players.

Well done to Sergio Scarpetta for winning the title!
However, South Africa did do well,

In the men's section, South Africa has no less than three players in the top twenty.

The highest placed South African, is none other than SA National Champion, Francois Mouton from Tuks Mindsports Club.
Lubabalo Kondlo, is just behind Francois, and it will be interesting to see if Lubabalo takes on Francois directly.

In the women's section, Sharné Nortjé fought her way into third place with Lucille Brown and Sonja Brown finishing in 6th and 10th places respectively.


Sharné Nortjé also represents the Tuks university Mindsports Club.

Needless to say MSSA is very proud of all its checkers players.

2015 MSSA Management Board Awards

Elishia Retief - Mind Sports Person of the Year

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) revealed at its Annual General Meeting the recipients of its prestigious Management Board Awards for the 2015 year.

It is always difficult for the Board to make these awards with so many outstanding performances from which to choose. Thus, the entire membership is enrolled in making nominations, and it is from these nominations that the final choice is made.

Elishia Retief – Elishia needs no introduction. Elishia is the female World Champion for no less than two years in a row. Her standard of play is thus at its peak, and her level of sportsmanship is without compare.

Lubabalo Kondlo – Lubabalo represented South Africa in Checkers in the USA, Italy and Wales in South Africa. Lububalo finished in sixth place in the World Qualifying Championships.

Kyle Turnbull - At 15 Kyle is one of South Africa's rising stars. Kyle played in online test matches against Austria and Zimbabwe in which he carried himself with distinction. Kyle too is unbeaten for three years in South African major championships.

Jason Batzofin – Jason is a two times Junior World Champion for Ancients Wargames. His dedication is unparalleled. Jason too, is committed to development and promotion of the game.

Morizane Boyes – It is not hard to praise Morizane. If MSSA requires assistance, Morizane is there. Her willingness to help, administrate, umpire and organise seems to know no bounds. Morizane is also South Africa's only internationally accredited umpire for eSports.

Andrew Rose of MyCommunity - The website has given MSSA fantastic coverageto MSSA and eSports. The dedication shown by Andrew to eSports is truly remarkable.

MWEB – MWEB has sponsored MSSA for three years in a row as MSSA''s headline sponsor. With MWEB's sponsorship, much has been able to be achieved in all fields. Standards have been improved, and South Africa has moved from being ranked in 18^th place to 12^th place in the world.

The sponsorship has also allowed MSSA to do vital development works in townships and rural areas which are beginning to show fruit.

Mind Sports Person of the Year:	Elishia Retief	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
Board Gamer of the Year:	Lubabalo Kondlo	Dr Niederhoffer Memorial CC
Computer Gamer of the Year:	Kyle Turnbull	HTS Witbank
Wargamer of the Year:	Jason Batzofin	St John's College
Volunteer of the Year:	Morizane Boyes	HTS Witbank
Mind Sports Writer of the Year:	Andrew Rose	MyCommunity
Best Sponsor of the Year:	MWEB

Checkers World Cup

Lubabalo Kondlo concentrating on a game of Checkers/Draughts

South African Checkers players are reminded that the SA National Championships counts towards the World Cup.

Players get points in each stage of the World Cup according to tournament finishes by the following table. An individual's three best results shown in official stages go into the overall World Cup standings. World Cup standings are separate among men and women.

Taken Place	Points
1	22
2	18
3	15
4	13
5	12
6	11

South Africa's Protea Team member, Mr. Lubabalo Kondlo, is currently in 11th position with 18 points having earned such points at the Welsh Open.

Lubabalo does well at the 2015 WCDF GAYP Qualifying Trials

Lubabalo Kondlo 

The WCDF held its 2015 edition of its Go-As-You-Please Qualifying Trial in Knighton, Wales, from 21 to 24 September 2015.

The MSSA had nominated Lubabalo Kondlo (from Port Elizabeth) for the event, and Lubabalo was ready to give it his all.

Unfortunately, Lubabalo had a poor start in the first two rounds, but quickly made up for it by the enjd of the fourth game on the second day. At the end of the second day, Lububalo found himself yapping at the heels of the leaders.

By the end of the sixth round on the third day, Lububalo found himself in tie first place.

Lubabalo maintained this position to the end of the championships when, as WCDF president Dr Richard Beckwith puts it, "On tie-breaker calculation, Michele Borghetti (Italy) won, and Lubabalo was 6th.  Nine players were separated by one point.".

Thus the championship was extremely close, with Lubabalo losing out only on a tie-breaker.

Lubabalo co-winner at checkers event in Missouri, USA

Lubabalo Kondlo proudly displaying his re-award of Eastern Cape Provincial Colours.

On 19 to 21 June 2015, Lubabalo Kondlo played in the Missouri tournament.

It was great that US supporters helped to donate for his travel so that Lubabalo could attend.

It's an interesting tournament format that is half three-move restriction and half 11-man ballot (four rounds of each).

Alex Moiseyev (fondly remembered by Thabo Mokoena and Rhonnie Manana) also participated..

There was a Grand Total Cash Prize Fund $8,860.00

MASTERS: Final Positions: 8 rounds | 4rds of 3-Move and 4rds of 11-Man, playing 3 rounds Friday, 3 rounds Saturday & 2 rounds Sunday with a Total of $6,615.00 Cash Prize Fund for the Masters Division.

Alex Moiseyev and Lubabalo Kondlo ended up as co-Champions for 1st Place, splitting 1st place cash $1,700 + 2nd place cash $1,100 as $1,400.00 each - Alex Moiseyev & 

3. Jim Morrison – Glasgow, KY 20 $900.00

South African MSSA 2014 Management Board Awards:

The MSSA announced its annual Management Board Awards at its Annual General Meeting held on 7 December 2014.

The awards are in recognition to the gamers, media and sponsors that have shown exceptional levels of commitment, dedication, loyalty and excellence in the calendar year ending 15 November 2014.

Thus for many there will be no surprise when they see who the winners are.

However, it should be noted that there are more females than ever before in the final awards.

Morizane Boyes becomes the first female to win the position of Mind Sports Person of the year.

Morizane has shown exceptional skills in all aspects of her involvement in the the MSSA. Everything she has done has been with a passion, and everything she has done, she has done well - so well, that Morizane moved from being an administrator to being a player on the national MWEB Protea team and a respected competitor at the 2014 IeSF World Championships.

The full list of the recipients for 2014 are:

Mind Sports Person of the Year:	Morizane Boyes	All Stars
Board Gamer of the Year:	Lubabalo Kondlo	Dr Niederhoffer Memorial CC
Computer Gamer of the Year:	Barry West	Tuks Mind Sports Club
Wargamer of the Year:	Elishia Retief	Old Edwardian Wargames Club
Volunteer of the Year:	Louis Brown	All Stars
Mind Sports Writer of the Year:	Kyle Wolmarans	MWEB GAMEZONE
Best Sponsor of the Year:	MWEB