photo by Marcus Frazier

Willie Powell and Mose Johnson test each others wit in a game of checkers at the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center Monday afternoon

Two checkers’ generals do battle

By Marcus Frazier (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Natchez — At 800 Washington St. a battle is fought each day, well Monday through Friday at least.

Not a battle with swords or guns but a battle of wits and skill and for the right to be crowned king — a few times.

At a table in the game room of the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center sits Willie Powell on one side of the red and black battlefield and opposite of him his opponent, Mose Johnson.

The two face-off in a game of checkers daily after warming up with a few other table top games.

“We come here every day” Powell said. First we play dominos and then checkers. We make a day out of it,” he said.

Powell, the aggressor and eldest of the two at 77 years of age, periodically taunts his 66-year-old opponent.

“As soon as you get off it I’m on it,” he warns Johnson before a move. And “You’ve been playing checkers too long for that,” after a bad one.

Playing at a pace that would upset a novice the men barely have time to remove their hands from the board before their opponent’s hand reaches in for a new move.

As far as scores or tallies there are none.

“I win sometimes” said Johnson, “but we’re just playing for the fun of it.”

“Yeah, he wins sometimes,” added Powell, “but I win more.”