Dutch athlete Jan Groenendijk has claimed his first-ever World Draughts-100 Championship title.

The 26-year-old draughts player secured two victories against the previous world champion, Yuriy Anikeev, in a match held in Wageningen, Netherlands.

On December 30, 2024, Groenendijk won the last 12th game after all the previous rounds ended in draws. According to the regulations, two wins were required to claim the world champion title. After two draws in rapid games, Groenendijk achieved his second necessary victory in the third blitz game, played under shortened time controls.

This marks the first world championship title for Groenendijk. The Dutch draughts player had previously finished as runner-up three times in the World Championship. In 2023, he won silver, finishing behind Anikeev.

Final blitz game