Jack Francis, 35 (1996), is one of the most exciting players to burst onto the international checkers scene in recent times. In two years he has placed fourth at the 1995 and 1996 U.S. national tournaments and in 1996 won the British Open to qualify for a world title match. At the U.S three move restriction tournament in Danville, Virginia, in November 1996 he finished a joint second with Richard Hallett and Jim Morrison but fourth in terms of honour points. He is an aggressive cross-the-board player who relies on reading the board to conquer his opponents. Francis is a 1991 Barbados champion regarded locally as the second best player behind fellow compatriot and double world champion, Ronald King. In June, 1996 he was declared a joint winner (along with Cornell Checkers) in the inaugural TOYOTA-ACER computer vs humans checkers tournament held in Bridgetown, Barbados.