Suriname is strongly represented at the Tobago Open World Cup 2026 in Trinidad and Tobago. During the international tournament, the Surinamese draughts players will have the opportunity to compete against several world champions and other players from the international draughts elite.
The Surinamese delegation is led by national champion and Federation Master Gerson Bendt. Semi-champion Arwien Bhagwandas and former champion and international grandmaster Guno Burleson are also part of the delegation.
Niaaz Salarbaks, Phavan Basdewsing, Arief Salarbaks, Santosh Bhagwandas, Debipersad Sharvan, Stanley Moetoer, Rinaldo Kemnaad, Marcel Oostburg, Cliff Karijdrono and Ramanand Gangaram Panday are also listed as participants. The delegation includes eight Federation Masters, one international grandmaster, one candidate Federation Master and four players without an international title.
World champions at the start
The field of participants includes Dutch world champion Jan Groenendijk and runner-up Jitse Slump. Dutch grandmaster Martijn van IJzendoorn, who has Surinamese roots, is also taking part.
Women’s world champion Viktoriia Motrichko and former world champions Alexander Shvartsman and Guntis Valneris are also on the list of participants. Strong participation is also expected from the Pan-American region.
According to the latest data from the international draughts federation, sixty players from nineteen countries have registered. Among them are 48 holders of international titles. The official tournament page lists a prize pool of US$ 40,000. (results.fmjd.org)
Nine rounds
The Tobago Open is played under the Swiss system and consists of nine rounds. The first round is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at 3 p.m. The final round will be played on Thursday, September 17, followed by the closing ceremony that same evening. The performances of the Surinamese draughts players and the current standings can be followed throughout the tournament via the official FMJD results page.
Editorial note: the submitted text states that Suriname is sending fourteen draughts players, but only thirteen names are mentioned. The name of the fourteenth participant is missing. The official tournament page also lists US$ 40,000 in prize money, not US$ 45,000.
