WEST Fifers will have their chance to pit their wits against the British Draughts champion this weekend.

Shane McCosker will be in action at the Kelty Community Centre tomorrow (Thursday) when local draughts players – and novices – are being offered the chance to take him on.

The following day, the draughts-man will compete in the Robert Stewart Memorial tournament in Kelty for members of the Scottish Draughts Association and those that have an official draughts ranking.

Sessions will take place throughout the weekend before the official presentation of prizes takes place on Sunday afternoon. 

The new tournament is a tribute to Robert Stewart, a world champion from Kelty who won the title for the first time 100 years ago. 

He reportedly lost only two out of 8,000 games, he was unbeaten for 21 years and held onto his crown from 1922 to 1933.

A century on from that first win, Stewart's exceptional feats of skill and strategy are being recognised by bringing the Scottish Draughts Championship to Kelty.

The annually held tournament will become part of the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship weekend, with the two events celebrating the history of the village. 

Earlier this year Donald Oliphant, of the Scottish Draughts Association, told the Times: “A century on from Robert Stewart claiming the world draughts title in 1922, the Scottish Draughts Association is delighted to partner with the coal carrying championship organisers to increase the profile of the game in 2022.

“This will allow the community and the rest of Scotland to see for themselves the high level of skill required to play the game at its highest level.

"Nearly everyone has played at draughts but very few move to the next level and begin to realise the vast depth of skill and knowledge required to become a master player.

"This competition gives an opportunity to the people of Fife to see world class draughts on their doorstep.”