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International Draughts
Marcel Kosters
My condolences to the family and friends of
Ali Kadir Benzer.
Ali was kind, generous and had a great sense of humour. He had a flair that remains unmatched in the draughts world. He leaves a big void and many personal and dear memories.
In and for draughts, Ali has done so much. He earned his place in draughts history and these words are only a hint of what Ali has meant for our beautiful game(s).
Ali enlarged the draughts world and brought it together in and outside of Türkiye. Both athletes and administrators. Draughts champions such as Fayik Yildiz, Natalia Sadowska, Alexander Shvartsman, Viktoriya Motrichko, Göksel Kaya, Darya Tkachenko, Jean Marc Ndjofang, Alexander Georgiev, to name only a few, all came together in Türkiye. Also chess champion and draughts amateur Vasily Ivanchuk was a regular guest.
Administrators and ambassadors such as Lelio Marcos, Fadi Omran, Ndongo Fall, Jasem Ahmad Alali, Baterdene Chimmedorj, Harry Otten, Frank Teer and Johan Demasure were also among the many and regular guests of Ali. I too have very fond memories of the numerous occasions on which Ali invited me to Türkiye.
Ali established the Turkish draughts federation and its office and organized
many new dama and draughts tournaments in Türkiye. But also in The Netherlands, Poland and Uzbekistan, to name just a few other countries. Ali was instrumental in the creation of the FMJD section Turkish draughts.
These last years, Ali and I both had been less active in the international draughts organisation and our contact had watered down. Now, many good memories remain.
Bron: Facebook Ali Kadir Benzer:
Ahmet Murat ÇelikAli Kadir Benzer
V E F A T D U Y U R U
Our friend Ali Kadir Benzer, the president of the Turkish Checkers Federation and who had a lot of services to our checkers, who had scored striking tournaments at international levels, has passed away. I wish God's mercy to our deceased friend, patience and condolences to his family, his loved ones and the Dama community.
May she rest in peace.
Ahmet Murat STEEL
Aydınlık Newspaper Checker Solutions columnist.