The Alabama State Checker Tournament had thirty players from eleven states that vied for the championship at the Galley Restaurant Friday and Saturday. Individual state champions included Larry Pollard, Alabama, Michael Holmes, Kentucky,  Albert Tucker, Louisiana, Clifford Daniels, Mississippi, Larry Keen, Tennessee, who was also the 2002 National 3-move champ. Ed King, 93, Texas traveled all the way from Dallas to play as he did last year.

World Mind Sports Games Gold Medalist in Checkers and ACF World Champion, Alex Moiseye, traveled from Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Moiseyev told of his early start in checkers, past matches and the downfall of checkers and other board games in general. He said "If checkers could get some official support from the government, it would make a comeback in popularity."