Books and Bosses at Brussels Friendly 103

At the classy venue of the bridge rooms in the Royal Orée in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, 41 backgammon players from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and other countries gathered on a chilly but sunny Sunday morning for the Brussels Friendly 103 backgammon tournament. Energized by coffee, cake, and a cold or hot lunch served by the friendly staff at Orée, the players competed in a five-round Swiss tournament, with matches to 7 points. Main organiser Chantal Lensen and her team ensured that everybody felt welcome and that the tournament went smoothly and in good style.

Special guest was the German professional player Dirk Schiemann, author of “The Theory of Backgammon” and “To Hit or Not To Hit”. The latter book was also the prize for the winner of the tournament.

Final ranking after five rounds of the Brussels Friendly 103 backgammon tournament on Sunday, October 6, 2024, in Royal Orée, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

After four rounds, Kristoffer De Weert and Inge van den Dorpel were the only players left with four victories, and so they battled for the tournament victory in a direct confrontation. Kristoffer emerged as winner, confirming the high ranking he has been able to maintain in the Belgian rating list for many consecutive years. Congratulations also to Inge, who started playing tournaments less than a year ago and who’s seeing her study efforts pay off.

Happy faces at the end of the Brussels Friendly 103 backgammon tournament. From left to right: Chantal Lensen (organiser), Dirk Schiemann, backgammon professional and author of “To Hit or Not To Hit”, the first prize proudly shown by the winner, Kristoffer De Weert

A big thanks to Chantal, Daniel, Guy, Hubert and Vincent for the wonderful event!

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Live Backgammon in October

Club events

  • Antwerp: every Wednesday evening, starting on October 16, 19h, in Spéciale Belge Taproom, Pakt | Régine Beerplein 1, 2018 Antwerpen. Contact: Inge van den Dorpel, inge.van.den.dorpel@gmail.com
  • Brugge: every Thursday eveningSports bar Extra Time, Nijverheidsstraat 113, 8310 Assebroek. Contact: Line Vandamme, linevandamme@gmail.com
  • Brussels: every Thursday evening at 18h15, at The Black Beard — La Barbe Noire, Lakensestraat 166 Rue de Laeken, Brussels 1000
  • Ghent: every Tuesday evening, at 19h, at Union-Sandeman, Kantienberg 5, 9000 Gent
  • Leuven: Sunday, Sep 15, Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15, from 12:45, at Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele

Tournaments

Brussels Friendly 103, Sunday, October 6, 2024, in Royal Orée, Sint-Pieters-Woluwe.

Looking ahead

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4 Cubes 2024: Black Beard BG Brussels beats Leuven

In 2024, four teams compete for the 4 Cubes 2024 trophy: Brussels (champion 2023, captain Guy Van Middelem), Gent (captain: Bert Van Kerckhove), Leuven (captain: Johan Segers), and Black Beard BG Brussels, aka BBBB (captain: Daniel Rozenberg).

On Sunday, September 22, today, the duel between Leuven and BBBB took place in Sport & Squash Club De Vaart (Wilsele). Each team fielded 4 players. Three rounds of in total twelve 7-point matches were to decide which team would qualify for the duel against Gent, runner-up of 2023. In case of a 6-6 draw, a 5-point team consultation match would serve to break the tie.

Toon Van Herreweghen (Leuven) vs Daniel Rozenberg (captain of Black Beard BG Brussels) playing in Sport & Squash Club De Vaart (Wilsele) at the occasion of the 4 Cubes 2024, BGFed.be’s interclub competition.

After round 1, BBBB took the lead, 3-1. In rounds 2 and 3, Leuven fought hard to catch up, but to no avail, BBBB drawing each of the two rounds 2-2. Leuven vs BBBB ended therefore at 5-7, BBBB winning the confrontation. Congratulations!

The next step in the 4 Cubes 2024 competition is the duel between Gent, with home advantage, vs BBBB. At stake: a chance to challenge the 2023 champion, Brussels. Good luck to all and may the best team win!

LeuvenBlack Beard BG Brussels
Round 1
Michel LamoteDaniel Rozenberg01
Johan SegersVincent Hubert01
Toon Van HerreweghenHubert Verstraeten01
Luc PalmansChantal Lensen10
Round 2
Michel LamoteVincent Hubert01
Johan SegersDaniel Rozenberg01
Toon Van HerreweghenChantal Lensen10
Luc PalmansHubert Verstraeten10
Round 3
Michel LamoteHubert Verstraeten01
Toon Van HerreweghenDaniel Rozenberg10
Johan SegersChantal Lensen10
Luc PalmansVincent Hubert01
Total57
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15th Leuven Backgammon Open, Sun 10 Nov 2024

The 15h Leuven Open will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Leuven, the same venue as for the Leuven Monthly tournaments.

Please register in advance via the online registration form. The registration fee (including lunch) is €30 (for non-BGFed.be members it’s €40, the extra €10 including BGFed.be membership), to be paid not later than Monday November 4 by bank transfer to Backgammon Club Leuven, BE84 7360 4493 9659, mentioning “Leuven Open 2024”.

Information and registration.

The billiards room of Squash Club De Vaart in Wilsele, venue of the 15th Leuven Backgammon Open on November 10, 2024 (picture taken at the 14th edition on November 12, 2023).

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Second Belgian Backgammon Beach Day

The 2nd Belgian Backgammon Beach Day took place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Restaurant Villa Marie Joseph, Westende. Tournament director Johan Brisaert managed the event, hosting 14 players, who enjoyed a great day. The 1st prize was for Kristoffer De Weert, who won all his 7 matches. Christian Standaert and Rachid Assemiouni were 2nd and 3rd, respectively, each winning 5 matches. Congratulations!

Restaurant Villa Marie Joseph, Westende, venue of the 2nd Belgian Backgammon Beach Day on Saturday, September 14, 2024
Tournament Director Johan Brisaert (left), playing and organizing the 2nd Belgian Backgammon Beach Day

Podium of the 2nd Belgian Backgammon Beach Day, from left to right: Rachid Assemiouni (3rd), Kristoffer De Weert (1st), Christian Standaert (2nd)

Final ranking of the 2nd Belgian Backgammon Beach Day
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Live Backgammon in September

Club events

  • Brugge: every Thursday evening, Sports bar Extra Time, Nijverheidsstraat 113, 8310 Assebroek. Contact: Line Vandamme, linevandamme@gmail.com
  • Brussels: every Thursday evening at 18h15, at The Black Beard — La Barbe Noire, Lakensestraat 166 Rue de Laeken, Brussels 1000
  • Ghent: every Tuesday evening, at 19h, at Union-Sandeman, Kantienberg 5, 9000 Gent
  • Leuven: Sunday, Sep 15, Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15, from 12:45, at Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele

Tournaments

Belgian Backgammon Beach Day II, Saturday September 14, 2024, Restaurant Villa Marie Joseph, Henri Jasparlaan 150, 8434 Westende.

Looking ahead

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Backgammon Scenes and Tales – How Backgammon Imitates Blackjack

When you trap a couple of back checkers behind a strong prime, you sometimes see the remaining part of the opponent’s position – which was calm and orderly to this point – suddenly go berserk!

The result can be disastrous – but for whom?

https://bgfed.be/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/How-Backgammon-Imitates-Blackjack.pdf

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Belgian Backgammon Beach Day II, Saturday, September 14, 2024

After the success last year from the first Belgian Backgammon Beach Day, we are happy to invite you for part II, on September 14, 2024. The same nice venue, the same concept. Registration is open.

Schedule:

09:00 Welcome breakfast and coffee
10:00 Rounds 1 to 3
13:30 Sandwiches and soup
14:30 Rounds 4 to 7
19:00 Price ceremony

Restaurant Villa Marie Joseph
Henri Jasparlaan 150, Westende

300 meters from the beach

participation price: 30 € / person
account no. Johan Brisaert:
BE58 3101 2364 5279
(mention name & bg Westende)

max. 26 players

Swiss format, 7 rounds, 5-point matches
Clock: Bronstein, 10 minutes bank time
plus 12 seconds per move

Johan Brisaert
+32 (0)497 15 52 82

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Vlissingen Masters, Jan 11-12, 2025

Paulus van Rooijen invites you to participate in two exciting tournaments in two days:

On Saturday, January 11, 2025: Vlissingen Masters, 5 rounds Swiss system, 9-point matches, 18 min. + 12 sec., to qualify for a play-off (last 8). We expect 60 participants of 10 nationalities who will play in two separate groups: Champions and Advanced, each with a play-off.

On Sunday, January 12, 2025:
Play-off last 8 of each group (direct elimination);
Pro-Am Consulting Doubles, 5 rounds Swiss system, 7-point
matches, 21 min. + 12 sec.

Please bring your boards, clocks and friends and register in advance by email: pro@zeelandnet.nl for a weekend of fun at the seaside. Let’s start the new year with a backgammon party!

Venue: Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Arion
Boulevard Bankert 266
4382AC Vlissingen
The Netherlands

Flyer: https://bgfed.be/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vlissingen-2025.pdf

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Red Beaver League 2024-2025 Qualifiers

Through participation in the Red Beaver League Qualifiers (RBL Q), ambitious players can gain a place among the RBL Contenders (RBL C).

The two winners of RBL C from season 24-25 will then take on the two lowest-ranked players from RBL in March/April 2025.

The winners of these Relegation/Promotion duels will occupy places (11) and (12) on the RBL 25-26 starting grid.

Michel Lamote (RBL TD)

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