World of draughts focuses on Wageningen, hosting two championship matches

In the heart of the Netherlands, the 2022 World Chess Championship is taking place in Amsterdam. However, the spotlight is shifting towards the picturesque town of Wageningen, where an exciting world title match is scheduled to take place in the ceremonial room of the Wageningen town hall.

Darya Tkachenko, a former world and European draughts champion, is competing for the world title. Originally from Ukraine, Tkachenko has been residing in Wageningen since 2022, following her move due to the Russian invasion of her home country.

Tkachenko's opponent in the world title match is Viktoriia Motrichko, another Ukrainian and the current title holder. This highly anticipated match will consist of 12 games, scheduled from December 19 to 30.

Tkachenko, who has won the world title four times and the European title twice, has expressed a desire for an end to global disasters and a return to normal life. Her journey to the Dutch competition was facilitated by her contacts at the Wageningen draughts society WSDV, who helped her find a place in the domestic competition.

In the men's competition, Jan Groenendijk of Wageningen is competing against Yuriy Anikeev, the current world champion from Ukraine. This promising match adds to the excitement surrounding the world championship.

If a tie occurs in either of the world title matches, a tie break will take place on December 31. The outcome of these matches promises to shape the future of draughts competition and bring new champions to the forefront.

As the world championship unfolds in Wageningen, the town and its people are eagerly awaiting the results. The competition is not just a game of strategy and skill, but a testament to resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Stay tuned for updates on the world title matches and the exciting conclusion to the 2022 World Chess Championship in the Netherlands.