KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) launched its 2026 Strategic Thinkers Campaign with a successful event at the Junction Draughts Club in St Elizabeth.

The event, which brought together more than 65 participants, including top players and notable personalities, marked a new era for Jamaican draughts as it promotes strategic and critical thinking through the game.

The JDA’s National Youth Champion Shavier Jaddo stole the show as he defeated Justin Angus 6-0 in traditional Jamaican Draughts and Samuel Peirce 2-0 in International Draughts-100 (10×10).

Jaddo’s impressive performance has cemented him as the youth champion and the holder of the top spot in Jamaican draughts in the Under-20 category.

IGM Wayne Reid, 2025 JDA National Champion, 2017 Pan-American Champion and 2025 APCA Champion, defeated Samuel Peirce 6-0 in Jamaican Draughts-64. It was a challenging day for Pierce, as he was also beaten by Top Master Jermaine Delattibudiere 6-0 in Jamaican Draughts.

Reid has been selected to represent Jamaica in the upcoming Pan American Championships, along with Federation Master Jermaine Hutchinson, Delattibudiere, Jaddo and others.

The JDA believes its efforts to promote the game and develop young talent are commendable, as the scientific benefits of playing draughts are well-documented, as it improves cognitive skills, problem-solving,and critical thinking.

The JDA says it will form two new draughts clubs at Iona and Brown’s Town High Schools in February, with specialist training programmes designed to help children think strategically and critically.

These special training programmes are known to help children improve in mathematics and other similar subjects.

The JDA has a packed calendar for 2026, with key events including the 10×10 Pan-American Championship in Suriname in April and the American Pool Checkers Association (APCA) National Tournament in Memphis, Tennessee, in July.

Their next event is scheduled for Sabina Park’s Stingers Camp and is partially sponsored by Caribbean Jewellers Limited.

The association says it is inviting more sponsors to come on board and support the growth of draughts in Jamaica.