In a thrilling battle of wits, two of Jamaica’s top Pool/Checkers players, Jermaine ‘Tiger’ Delattibudiere and Ricardo Roach, are gearing up to take on their American counterparts in the prestigious American Pool Checkers Association (APCA) Championships 2024.

The tournament, set to unfold in Chicago, Illinois from July 29 to August 2, promises to be an electrifying clash of strategic thinking, analytical skills and focus.

Although top players from other countries, such as Ukraine, Africa, and Canada, are expected to participate, the majority of contestants will come from the host country, the USA.

The most intense battles and rivalries are expected to be between the top American and Jamaican players.

Unfortunately, Jamaica’s first and only International Grandmaster (GMI) Wayne ‘Shines’ Reid, who is the defending champion, will not be able to travel to this year’s tournament.

However, he is expected to travel to Moscow, Russia in September for the Draughts-64 World Championships. In Shines’ absence, Delattibudiere is expected to step up his game in an effort to take home the APCA Top Masters Championship Trophy for Jamaica.

Multi-winning national champion Top Master Alfred ‘East Point’ Barnett and Pan-American champion, International Master Alexander Katz, are the American favourites to win the Top Masters category.

Despite financial constraints, which resulted in the Jamaican team being half the size of the 2023 team, the duo is highly motivated to perform well.

Driven by their passion for the sport and determination to make their country proud, they have made significant financial sacrifices to contribute to their overseas journey.

They are also grateful for support and encouragement from others as they embark on this historic journey to the United States to compete in epic mind game battles of wits, with the aim of dominating in true Jamaican fashion.

The President of APCA, Albert Harrison, welcomes the attendance of Jamaican players in their championships. His leadership has seen an increased number of international players travelling to participate there.

With its rich talent pool, Jamaica has the potential to dominate the world of Draughts and Pool Checkers, much like its triumphs in sprinting. However, greater support is needed for the sport to be more successful in international competitions.

“Jamaica, being a very talented nation, has found a new frontier to compete and dominate,” said Delattibudiere.

“Both are very strong players, and I expect them to perform well,” said Mikoyan Robinson, Vice President of the Jamaica Draughts Association and President of Montego Bay Draughts Club.

Robinson, who is also a Justice of the Peace, accompanied the team to Sangster’s International Airport as they prepared to depart for the United States.