Special to The Leader

The District 8 & Texas State Championship Checkers Tournament will be held in Vidor, TX on June 2-3, 2017 at the Holiday Inn Express. This is recognized by the American Checker Federation as one of the major National Tournaments in America. The top placing player that resides in District 8 will be the District 8 Champion which is a five state area of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Kansas. The Texas resident that places highest will be recognized as the Texas State Checkers Champion.
The cost of the tournament will be $20 and must be registered with the ACF. Registration is possible the morning of the tournament. Prize money will be given out to winners of the Masters and Minors Division. The Masters Division will be for veteran ACF Players. The Minor Division will be for those new to the ACF tournaments. The prize money pot will be $1200.
There will also be an Amateur Division for all new comers which will be no registration fee and winner will be awarded a Trophy and named Texas State Novice Champion. All ages are welcome. If you are a checker players and would like to see how you stack up against local competition, come give it a try! We hope to have enough youth and children to have a younger division to name a Youth Champion.
The tournament will be a 3-move ballot opening tournament. Information may be obtained at www.district8checkers.com. Registration will begin at 8:00 on Friday morning. Games will be played all day Friday and will conclude at noon on Saturday. Contact Watson Franks atwatpics@aol.com to register in advance. You may also call Watson at 409-201-2543 to register or get information.
Director Watson Franks is a resident of Vidor and also a competitor at National Checkers Tournament. Franks says, “We are hoping to have a great turnout of the Southeast Texas Area. The tournament will coincide with the Vidor Barbque Festival. Come out and test your skill against the best in the country!”