Baba Sy

Baba Sy (1962)

Baba Sy (1935 in Donaye, Senegal – August 20 1978) was a Senegalese international draughts player and the first world champion from Africa.

He is said to have been "discovered" by a French player visiting Dakar. In 1959 Baba Sy won the French championship in Châtellerault. A dispute in 1963-64 World Championship was undecided by his death in a car accident in 1978, but he was posthumously declared victor in 1986. The matter caused some debate over the years.

He is sometimes seen as a pioneer who paved the way for other African players.

Publications

• Ton Sijbrands: Le grand livre de Baba Sy = Het groot Baba Sy boek. Voorst, 1989. ISBN 90-71811-03-4
• Govert Westerveld: Baba Sy, the World Champion of 1963-1964 of 10×10 Draughts - Volume I. Blanca, 2015. ISBN 978-1-326-39729-6
• Govert Westerveld: Baba Sy, the World Champion of 1963-1964 of 10×10 Draughts- Volume II. Blanca, 2015. ISBN 978-1-326-43862-3

External links

• Official site for Baba Sy on a French language checkers site
• The Chess Drum