NorthWest Draughts Federation

Alex Moiseyev Vs Hugh Devlin

This exhibition match will see Ireland’s top rated draughts Grandmaster Hugh Devlin play an exhibition match against the World 3 Move Champion Alex Moiseyev (USA). Both players are noted for their innovative play and this match is expected to be an exciting encounter. They have previously faced against each other across the board on two occasions with a drawn result.

Brief Biographies of the Contestants

Alex Moiseyev

Alexander Moiseyev (b.1959) was born in Moscow, Russia. He attended the Russian Sports Academy in Moscow and by the age of 15 years he had obtained a “Master” rating at Russian draughts. Alex immigrated to the USA in 1991 with his wife and family, and in 1996 he took up the Anglo-American game of draughts/checkers.

Alex’s success in our game has been astonishing. He has won the American Championships four times (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004), the Canadian Open Championships twice (2002, 2006), and has been runner-up in the British Open (2002). Alex has contested four World Championship Matches. His first World Championship Match was against Ron King (Barbados) in 2000 for the World GAYP Championship title which ended in a drawn match 3-3 & 18 draws. In 2003 Alex became the undisputed World (3 Move) Champion following his match with Ron King at Cookstown, Northern Ireland, which he won by a score of 8-2 and 25 draws. A further defence of this title against Ron King in the USA during 2005 resulted in a similar score of 8-3 and 25 draws. Alex has just completed his fourth World Championship match in Barbados earlier this month. Alex Moiseyev has consolidated his position as World Champion to the point that he is now the favourite to win any event he enters.

We are honoured to have Alex Moiseyev with us for this special event here in Inishowen. We hope that you will take the time to give Alex a “Cead Mile Failte” and perhaps take some time to study his games and admire his skills on the chequered board.

Hugh Devlin

Hugh Devlin (b.1959) is Ireland’s top ranked player and a native of Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. He is a former winner of the Irish Open Championships, Scottish Open Championships, British Open Championships, and British & Irish GAYP Championship. He has served at team captain of the Britain & Ireland team that contested the 8th International Match against the USA in 2005. Hugh currently serves as President of the world governing body for the game – the World Checkers Draughts Federation (WCDF), and also as Chairman of the NorthWest Draughts Federation (NWDF), and Vice-President of the Northern Federation of Draughts (NFD). Hugh has been editor of the NorthWest Draughts Federation Newsletter for the past nine years, and today he spends more time promoting the game than actually playing it.

Game One: 10-15 24-20 6-10 28-24 1-6 23-19 15-18 22x15 11x18 26-22 7-11 22x15 11x18 30-26 8-11 32-28 3-7 19-15 10x19 24x8 4x11 25-22 18x25 29x22 7-10 26-23 10-15 27-24 6-10 22-17 9-14 23-19 5-9* 17-13 14-18 13x6 2x9 21-17 9-13 17-14 drawn.

Game Two: 10-15 24-20 6-10 28-24 1-6 23-18 15-19 24x15 10x19 22-17 11-15 18x11 8x15 32-28 4-8 25-22 7-10 27-24 3-7 17-13 9-14 22-17 14-18 17-14 10x17 21x14 18-23 14-10! 7x14 20-16 8-11? 16x7 2x11 24-20 23-27 31x24 14-18 30-25 5-9 25-21 9-14 26-22 18x25 29x22 19-23 22-17 6-10 13-9 23-27 9-6 27-32 6-2 32-27 17-13 11-16 20x11 27x20 2-6 14-18 13-9 18-22 11-7 20-16 21-17 22-25 7-3 16-11 6-2 15-18 3-7 10-15 7x16 12x19 2-7 18-22 7-1015-18 drawn.

Game Three: H. Devlin (R) A. Moiseyev (W) 11-16 24-20 16-19 23x16 12x19 22-18 10-14 18-15 19-23 26x19 7-11 15-10 6x24 28x19 1-6 25-22 6-10 22-17 9-13 30-25 13x22 25x9 5x14 29-25 11-15 27-23 15x24 25-22 3-7 32-28 8-11 28x19 11-15 19-16 14-18 etc drawn.

Game Four: A. Moiseyev (R) Vs H. Devlin (W) 11-16 24-20 16-19 23x16 12x19 22-18 9-14 18x9 5x14 25-22 8-11 22-17 4-8 17-13 11-15 26-22 8-12 22-17 19-24 28x19 15x24 27-23 10-15 17x10 7x14 29-25 15-18 23-19 6-10 13-9 18-22 25x18 14x23 21-17 1-5 9-6 2x9 17-13 9-14 13-9 14-18 9-6 10-14 32-28 18-22 6-2 14-18 2-6 24-27 31x24 23-27 19-15 27-32 15-11 18-23 24-19 22-26 19-15 26-31 15-10 32-27 11-7 23-26 30x23 27x18 7-2 3-8 10-7 18-15 6-1 8-11 2-6 11-16 20x11 15x8 drawn.

Due to the over-run of some events these were the only games played. Match Result: All games drawn.

© NorthWest Draughts Federation 2002