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Start of a new adventure.

Writer's picture: Geert VercruysseGeert Vercruysse

Updated: Apr 17, 2024


In 2021, I connected with a player from New Caledonia on lidraughts.org. Despite losing all 15 games we played, his resilience never waned. Recognizing his potential for growth, I offered to coach him, utilizing the robust study and analysis tools available on the platform. As we progressed, I learned more about him—a 70-year-old retiree who speaks French and shares my time zone. His rating had plummeted from 1500 to 936, but through our sessions, he began to improve, climbing back to a 1400 rating by 2022.


This experience inspired me to consider establishing a local club, despite the game’s relative obscurity compared to chess. After researching and visiting community houses, I found Coonara, which had the ideal facilities. However, the requirement for Public Liability insurance and the rental cost of $44 an hour nearly deterred me, as it starkly contrasted with the free council spaces in Belgium. The financial implications meant I’d have to charge attendees, which I feared would deter participation.


Nevertheless, I decided to proceed after consulting a close friend. Now, nearly two years later, I host 4 to 5 dedicated players weekly. Our sessions include games, exercises, and small simultaneous events, integrating both my online and local students. We hold biannual tournaments with modest prizes, inviting my Belgian and Dutch friends to join. The limited one-hour weekly sessions mean that players must engage with the material outside of class to improve. I teach essential techniques, known as coups or shots, which are critical to mastering the game. My students’ progress varies, but they’re beginning to grasp the game’s intricacies and its profound depth. The true beauty of draughts lies not on the surface but in the profound strategies and possibilities that unfold “Beyond the Board.”




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