Ba - Itoua
The top three of the African championship: winner Tarordel Itouta ( middle), Cesar Mouanda (left) and the dethroned champion Joël N'cho Atse (right).
Photograph: Leopold Kouogueu

Ba - Itoua

To applet

Tardorel Itoua claims the African title with boldness and flair

Author: Jean Marc Ndjofang
09-01-2025

Africa has a new champion: 27-year-old Tardorel Itoua. The Congolese player from Brazzaville learned draughts on the streets. Since 2016, he has traveled across West and Central Africa, challenging local draughts players. Itoua plays with strength and speed, and his vibrant personality has earned him a loyal group of supporters. The African champion makes no secret of his plans to thoroughly prepare for the upcoming World Championship.

Originally scheduled from November 21 to December 7, 2024, the 20th edition of the African Men’s Individual Championship was held from December 1 to 16, 2024, in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, due to some administrative and official state reasons. The tournament took place at Hotel Pacific, located in the heart of the city.

On December 10, the 4th edition of the African Individual Men’s Blitz Championship was held. On this day, the General Assembly of the African Draughts Federation (CAJD) convened to elect a new executive committee, led by the new CAJD President, Dr. Oumar Thiero (formerly the General Secretary in the outgoing board).

Despite the critical security situation in the rural areas of the country, the CAJD, in collaboration with the Burkina Faso Draughts Federation (FBJD), managed to ensure an adequate organization of the event with optimal facilities for all participating players.

The official opening ceremony took place on December 9, 2024, presided over by the Minister of Sports, Youth, and Employment of Burkina Faso, Anûuyirtole Somda Roland. He was assisted by the President of the CAJD, Ibrahim Douah Sissoko, and FMJD players' representative Jean Marc Ndjofang.

Thirty-two players from thirteen countries (Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, and Togo) competed at a high level in the tournament. Among them were five International Grandmasters (GMI) (Jean Marc Ndjofang, Joël N’cho Atse, Bassirou Ba, Ndiaga Samb, and Abdoulaye Der), one International Master (IM) (Camara Moussa), and two Federation Masters (FM) (Clavin Landry NGA and Jacques Kpangni Aka).

Notably, this was a new record for the number of participating countries in an African Championship since the first edition in 1980 in Bamako, Mali (won by Bassirou Ba). 1980 was also the founding year of the CAJD.

Sportively and emotionally, it was a successful and rich event based on the final results. It was one of the strongest African championships ever, with four former African champions present: reigning champion Joël N'cho Atse, Bassirou Ba, Jean Marc Ndjofang, and Ndiaga Samb.

Africa is the continent where draughts is more popular than anywhere else in the world. Draughts is the most important mind sport in Africa, both in terms of widespread practice and the performance of African players who have been competing at a high level for decades. Moreover, I often say: draughts in Africa is a powerful motto of socialization. It brings people from different cultures and social classes together around a board.

In most countries south of the Sahara, draughts is played everywhere: in cities, in rural areas, and in neighborhoods. The 64-square draughts game is especially popular in eastern and southern Africa, while the 100-square version is more common in western and central Africa. This is due to the easy availability and low cost of boards and other materials.

In Africa, people gather after work around a board to play but also to talk about various everyday topics. In cities like Abidjan, Dakar, Yaoundé, Brazzaville, and Kinshasa, there are at least ten to fifteen draughts clubs per city. These clubs are often located in places called “Grand Place,” “Maquis,” “Dojo,” or simply “Club.” Play is continuous throughout the day.

There are many talented players who do not participate in tournaments or official competitions. They don't even know how to record a game or use a clock, but their playing level is above average. The biggest problem in Africa is the lack of a strong organization to ensure regular and well-organized tournaments. As a result, draughts is often played as a passion in informal settings rather than as a fully recognized sport with all the required rules and conditions.

The African Championship is held every two years, and for many African players, this is their only international competition. This means that many young and talented people do not receive enough support to develop their skills. Everyone still tries to play in their own creative way.

The thirty-two players registered for the event were divided into four groups of eight players, based on their ratings and playing strength. The top three players from each group advanced to the final, a Round Robin tournament with twelve players. The results of the group stage were carried over into the final.

After eleven rounds of Round Robin, we had a new African champion! The revelation and sensation of the tournament: TARDOREL ITOUA, African Champion 2024, who automatically earned the GMI title. A fantastic achievement. His compatriot César Mouanda (Republic of Congo) finished second thanks to a crucial victory in the final round against Samb. He also earned the GMI title.

The 27-year-old Itoua hails from the Republic of Congo, with Brazzaville as the capital of the country (located in the Central Africa subregion). Since his teenage years, he has been a passionate draughts player, learning the game on the streets of his homeland – like most draughts players in African countries. His distinction is that he is a true draughts fanatic. Since 2016, he has traveled across West and Central Africa, from country to country, playing against stronger players and learning draughts in different cultures and styles. His first appearance was during the 18th edition of the African Individual Championship in 2018 in Thiès (Senegal), where he finished in fifth place.

Itoua has a strong character, marked by his courage, confidence, and exuberance as a player. This unique character has earned him many fans and supporters in Africa.

The new African champion now says to the entire draughts community that he is preparing very well to win the upcoming World Championship! This championship, with 48 participants divided into four groups, is likely to be held in June 2025 in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. The final decision by the government is still awaited. Hopefully, this will be confirmed soon in the interest of the global draughts community and, especially, African players, who always face visa and administrative issues when World Championships are held in Europe or elsewhere.

Itoua's technical style is simple but strong and efficient. He plays quickly and is highly creative in the classical system. He demonstrated his strength and clear ambition to perform well during the 2024 African Championship from his first game in Group C, consisting of:

  • Tardoral Itoua (Republic of Congo)

  • Bassirou Ba (Senegal)

  • Francis Victor Seka (Ivory Coast)

  • Daouda RCO Sawadogo (Burkina Faso)

  • Maxime Johnson (Benin)

  • Ngoma Pélerin Kiaku (Congo DRC)

  • Telmoudane Ahmed (Mauritania)

  • Selom Cleva Mensah-Etsi (Togo)

Itoua won his group with a total of 12 points: five victories and three draws. He impressed everyone by defeating both second-placed Ba and third-placed Seka in his group. Taking the maximum score of 4 points into the final was already a significant sign of his eventual victory.

I will choose to analyze Itoua’s first game in this tournament against three-time (1980, 1996, 2003) African Champion Ba, who was the big favorite in Group C.

Bassirou Ba - Tardorel Itoua

1.32-28...This opening is highly favored by our esteemed African champion, grandmaster Bassirou Ba, who is 73 years old. 1....19-232.28x1914x233.37-3210-144.41-37...
If White continues with 4.34-2923x345.39x3014-19he must watch out for 6.30-25?!18-22!?7.25x2322-288.33x2217x26after which the White piece on square 23 is in danger. White could also theoretically continue with 4.34-3014-195.30-25followed by some interesting response possibilities for Black, like 5....17-216.25x1419x10and 5...17-22 6.25x14 9x20. 4....14-195.34-30?!...
It’s better to continue with 5.34-2923x346.39x305-107.44-3910-148.40-34etc. With more flexible game variations for White according to Black’s developments. 5....5-10A normal and good move. It provides an easy plan for Black to bring the piece from square 5 to square 14. The weak piece is gone, helping to build a strong center. 6.30-2510-14
Black is ready to move forward after completing the development of its left diagonal side, whereas White is still working on formulating a plan. 7.40-34...Better here for White to continue with 7.46-41!with the double advantage of firstly avoiding Black from playing 16-21, and secondly, to quickly develop the weak piece on square 46 and its long diagonal line at the same time.
For instance: 17-218.32-28Of 8.31-2621-279.32x2116x2710.40-34etc., after which White can attempt to surround the Black attack. 23x329.37x2821-26Not 9...19-23?10.28x1021-2611.25x1426x4612.10-5!9x2013.33-28with a win for White. 10.41-3716-2111.40-3412-1712.38-3217-2213.28x1721x12etc. 7....16-21!
8.34-29...If White continues with 8.31-26then Black can just exchange 8....21-27!9.32x2123-2810.33x2218x16with a better position in the classic system for Black, Itoua feels comfortable in such a system. Possible is also 8.47-41and if Blacks plays, now or later, 8....21-26it can be followed by the exchange to the center with 9.32-2823x3210.37x2826x3711.41x328....23x349.39x3011-1610.45-406-1111.40-341-6The psychological aspect of this game was that Ba was playing for a draw due to a lack of energy. He mentioned after the game that he couldn’t sleep well the night before. This could explain why the Senegalese played so passively in this encounter.
On the other hand, Itoua built a plan to apply pressure on his opponent throughout the game, expecting a mistake at any time. The Congolese was mentally and psychologically better prepared than Ba to approach both this game and the tournament. 12.32-28...With this move, Ba finally decided to bring a piece to the center, with the direct consequence of developing his long diagonal. 12....21-2613.37-32!...
13....26x3714.32x41?!...A passive move. Better is 14.42x31Then the weak piece on 46 can easily be promoted to square 37, and the piece on 47 to 42, in order to build a strong center formation with 'Barteling’s diamond' (28/31/32/33/37/38/42/48).
For instance, a possible variant is:
14....17-2215.28x1712x2116.46-41?!19-24!?17.30x1021-2618.25x1426x3019.35x249x2920.10-511-1721.5-374-1022.37x518-2323.5x116x17with an almost aqual position.

But after this passive backward exchange by Bassirou Ba (his friendly nickname in Africa is "Grand Bass"), it gives Tardorel enough opportunities to start attacking and gain some positional advantages. 14....17-22!15.28x1712x21
The pressure has started.We could see how enthusiastic Tardorel felt on the board at that moment.
16.41-378-1217.46-4111-1718.34-2919-23
19.37-32?!...This is a passive move. Grand Bass just gives Tardorel an easy attack. I think 19.36-31would be better here, as it would help gain control of square 27 and blocks Black’s attack on the right side. 19....23x3420.30x39with a possible continuation 20....21-2621.31-277-1122.41-3617-2123.38-3212-1724.43-3820-2425.39-34and both sides are in balance. 19....23x3420.30x3921-2721.32x2116x27!
Just a normal continuation for Black. Tardorel continues to apply pressure. 22.39-34?!...Grand Bass seems not to understand what is going on. He just continues to play passively. A more active plan for White would be 22.33-28!and, no matter Black's next moves, White can simply exchange Black's piece on square 27 by 38-32x32 to reconquer the center and make it equal. 22....13-1923.44-399-1324.41-374-9?!24...7-11is more convenient in order to keep the possible formation 6/11/17 and to ensure that after 25.37-32After 25.33-28follows 25....2-8with active play. Black's outpost remains preserved by 25...11-1626.32x2116x2725.37-32!...
Yes! Just to repel the opposing attack by removing the piece on 27. Now, Grand Bass seems to realize the danger he is facing. 25....6-11!A good move to quickly activate the weak piece on the wing. 26.32x2117x26
27.50-44?!...Grand Bass is merely repeating a passive plan. Let’s take a quick overview of White's position:

• No pieces occupy the center of the board.
• No control over active squares such as 27, 28, or 32.
• No dynamic structure or initiative for White.
• Pieces are positioned mainly on the sides of the board.
• Repeatedly exchanging pieces backwards does nothing to establish an effective plan. A dynamic plan for White could be: 27.38-3220-2428.43-3811-1729.42-377-1130.49-4317-2131.47-4211-1632.33-2821-2733.32x2126x1734.34-30with an equal position and possibilities for both sides. 27....11-1728.34-30?!18-2329.36-31?!...
Why not 29. 38-32! followed by 43-38, 42-37, and 47-42, with the aim of later occupying square 27? White can utilize the Black piece on 26 for tactical purposes and to counter Black's attack on the left wing. 29....26x3730.42x3120-24With fewer pieces on the left side, Black aims to maintain pressure there. Therefore, White must establish a strong defense to balance the distribution of pieces on the board. 31.38-3212-1832.43-387-12
33.49-43?!...Grand Bass could build a sharp plan from here by trying to restrain Black in the center: 33.33-282-7And now: A)24-29??is not possible because of 34.39-34!29x4035.30-24!A)34.31-27!Now White controls the strategic square 27. 23-29!35.47-4235.28-23?19x3736.30x8is not good because of 36....29-33!37.38x2918-22B+. 29-3436.38-3334x4337.49x3818-2238.27x1812x2339.42-3713-1840.37-3118-22After 40...23-29?!is 41.32-27!and 44-39, possibly leading to a better position for White. 41.48-427-1142.33-29etc. = B)Worse is the variant 34.39-34with the following possibilities: B1)Black's best response is 34....18-22!!35.25-20White has no better move than this one, which resolves a weak piece on his short wing. 35.38-33??is immediately losing after 13-18!!After 35.47-4222x33Black clearly has the advantage, regardless of whether White captures on square 18 or 20. In both cases, Black takes control of a strong center. 22x4236.20x1812x2337.48x3715-20Still, it is better for Black. B2)If Black continues with 34...14-2035.25x149x2036.31-27!36.30-25??20-2537.44-39And now: B2a)3-938.39-339-1439.34-2923x3440.30x39etc. = B2b)37...24-2938.49-4329x4039.35x4425x3440.39x3023-2941.43-39This seems to be a sharp move from White. After 41....29-34Black can try a temptation trap:
B2b1)If White is tempted to 42.28-23?19x3743.27-2234x3244.22x2Black has a simple counter in 44....18-23!!with the capture of the White king. B2b2)This means that White must simply respond by 42.30-25!34x4343.48x39!3-944.47-4219-2445.38-339-1446.42-37And now: B2b2a)46....17-2147.27x1614-2048.25x1413-1949.14x2318x2750.28-2315-2051.44-4024-30=B2b2b)46...14-1947.28-22??47.25-20!is better for White, due to 24-30??48.28-22!!W+. 17x2848.32x1424-30!!49.25x3413-19!B+. 33....2-734.47-41...
34....24-29?!It was also possible for Itoua to continue with 34...18-2235.41-3613-1836.48-427-11!37.32-28!23x3238.38x27and now Black has a strong continuation in 38....9-13!14-20etc. =. 11-1639.33-2822x3340.39x2818-2341.28-2217x2842.27-2116x2743.31x3312-1744.43-38etc. =. White has to be careful for 39.43-3822-28!40.33x2217x2841.38-33?18-23!42.33x2223-28!43.22x3314-20!44.25x2313-1845.30x1918x47B+. 35.33x2414-2036.25x149x29
37.30-25...I think, due to fear, Grand Bass refused to play here 37.39-33It looks dangerous because of the many gaps, which could lead to a potential combination. However, after several checks, I didn't find any winning or particularly interesting combination for Black: 37....17-22The following idea leads to an equal position: 37...3-938.33x249-14=But if White tries to keep the piece then the worse may happen: 39.32-2714-2040.44-3920x2941.39-33??And boom! 41....29-34!42.30x3917-21!43.27x1623-28!44.33x2218x47B+. 38.33x2422-2839.41-3728-3340.38x2923x2541.32-2819x3042.35x243-943.43-399-1444.44-4014-2045.28-23=. 37.41-37is no better because of 37....29-34or even 37...17-2238.39-3329-3439.30x3922-2840.33x2218x36=38.30-24=37....3-938.41-367-11
39.32-27?!...What a bad move! In such a position, the formation 27/31/36 is weak because it is not active. The passivity of Bassirou Ba in this game was constant and unbelievable. The piece on 36 needs some space to be developed as quickly as possible. White just removed a piece (32) from the center to the side (27). 39.39-33?is not suitable because of 18-22!40.33x2419x3041.35x24and now 41....22-27!As White is in a defensive situation, it would be better to simply play here: 39.31-27!After 39....9-1440.39-33!the King combination for Black to 49 is not good: 40....23-28?41.32x3414-2042.25x2318x49
After 43.33-28!Black loses a piece, but with correct play, still just manages to avoid losing the game: 11-16?!Better is 43...12-18!44.38-3249x3845.32x4313-19!46.43-3818-2347.38-3223-2948.36-3129-3449.48-4315-2050.31-2611-16etc. =. 44.38-3249x3845.32x4317-21?Here, 45...12-18!is still necessary for Black. 46.27-2212-1847.48-4218x2748.42-37
48....27-32More demanding for White is 48...13-1949.37-3119-2350.28x1927-32but the endgame after 51.31-26!32-3752.26x1737-4253.43-38!42x3354.17-12looks hopeless for Black. 49.28-23!49.28-22?also seems appealing, but is not enough to secure a win. 32x4150.36x47And Black must fight to secure a draw, though with limited chances for success.
For example: 50....21-2751.35-3015-2052.30-2513-1920-2453.23-19!W+. 53.25x14!W+. 39....9-1440.39-3319-24
41.44-39...Maybe 41.35-3024x3542.33x24to try to lessen the Black’s pressure. 41....23-28!This is a strong move to initiate a decisive attack in the center. Now, the three White pieces on squares 27, 31, and 36 are isolated and out of the battle. If the White piece were on square 32 instead of 31, this option wouldn't be available for Black. 42.33x2217x2843.27-2115-20!
A prominent move. All the Black's pieces are active.The pressure is getting higher on White's side. Psychologically the main problem in such circumstances is that the defender is losing more energy and his lucidity is getting lower than the attacker. Also, with less time, it doesn't help to always find the best moves or options.
Anyway! Grand Bass is still alive in this game. But for how long? Let’s see further… 44.39-33...What else? Maybe 44.39-3429x4045.35x44could provide more breathing room. 44....28x3945.43x2318x2946.48-43...The defensive option chosen by Grand Bass is difficult, but it gives him some chances to secure a draw. However, he needs to play with surgical precision. 46....29-33!It is just the normal and efficient way for Itoua to get an advantage in the endgame. 47.38x2924x33
48.31-26!?...48.21-16?!13-18!49.16x712x1offers Black good endgame chances. 48....20-24!Indeed! 49.36-3113-18
50.31-27??...White can logically play only one move. Whether it is losing or not, it is 50.21-16It is even forced to stay alive! But Ba made a big and terrible mistake here. Perhaps due to a miscalculation, which was also a result of tiredness. The 73-year-old grandmaster and three-time African champion could not withstand the pressure that the young Itoua (who could be his son) kept putting on him throughout the entire game.

White could simply fight for a draw via 50.21-16, and now two short variants: A)11-17?!51.31-2718-2352.26-2117x2653.16-11etc. Draw. B)50...24-2951.16x712x152.35-3018-2353.26-21!33-3923-2854.21-171-755.31-2629-3456.30x3933x4457.43-39!44x3358.26-21etc. Draw. 54.43x3429x4055.21-17!1-7If 55...40-4456.17-1244-4957.12-849-3858.8-238-1559.30-2415x2660.2-19=56.30-24!23-2957.24x3340-4458.31-2644-4944-5059.25-20=59.26-21!49x1660.17-11etc. =.
After 50. 21-16. All the variations lead to a draw. 31-27?? was an unexpected gift from Grand Bass to Itoua, perhaps to celebrate the upcoming new year of 2025! 50....11-16
Itoua didn’t need to be asked twice to accept this precious gift.
51.27-22...What else to do? 51....18x27!!52.21x32...
Black realised his crucial and fatal mistake. After 52....33-38!!53.32-27?!...White has no tempo to capture the Black King. This is what Grand Bass missed in his calculation. He gave up! But maybe Grand Bass could still fight a bit longer after 53.43-3938x2754.39-3427-3255.34-2955.35-30?24x3556.34-2914-19!57.25-2019-24!etc. B+. 24x3356.35-3032-3757.30-2437-41but after 58.24-2041-46!59.20x912-1760.9-433-3961.4-1539-4462.15-4744-50Black still wins.

We can conclude at the end of the analysis of this interesting game that Grand Bass suffered constant and fierce pressure from the young Itoua Tardorel from the beginning of the game until the end, which eventually led to the old Senegalese Lion of Teranga breaking down. This important victory for Itoua certainly boosted his mental and moral strength, reinforcing his determination to conquer the continental African title, which he won hands down with bravery, panache, and great conviction.
Future opponents of Itoua at the 2025 World Championship have been warned!