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Read the full report here.

Read the report here.

Read the report here.

The Red Beavers were on the move.

As several planes lifted off from Zaventem toward Athens on the first April weekend, seven determined Belgians were heading for Kamena Vourla, Greece—a picturesque battlefield where the world’s best backgammon nations would collide. The mission? Represent Belgium at the World Championship Backgammon for national teams, and fight for a place among the elite.

Our group was no walk in the park: reigning giants Denmark, alongside evenly matched opponents from Austria, Georgia, and Switzerland. Ukraine rounded out the pool—technically the underdog, but in backgammon, luck doesn’t read rankings.

DAY 1: A Roaring Start, A Narrow Miss

We came out swinging, dispatching Ukraine with a commanding 4–1 victory that set the tone for a thrilling campaign. Confidence was high. Then came Austria—a key duel for group supremacy. After four fierce boards, the score was tied 2–2. The decider? Michel Lamote, razor-sharp and battle-ready, stepped into the spotlight. He played a brilliant match… but the dice had their own story to tell. Austria edged us 3–2.

The drama didn’t stop there. Switzerland awaited in Round 3, and once again, it came down to a final board. And once again, the dice denied us by a hair’s breadth. Another 2–3 loss. Tension high. Stakes higher.

DAY 2: Firepower and Frustration

With qualification on the line, Day 2 was do-or-die.

First up: Denmark, the top dogs. The Beavers came armed with world-class play, posting a blistering team Performance Rating of 3.55—elite by any standard. But when the dust settled, the deciding board slipped away once more. The cruel poetry of the game repeated itself.

Our last group match, against Georgia, had become a formality—but not for our team. We fought. We bled. We fell, 2–3. Three heartbreakers in one tournament. It happens. Not often. But it happens.

Pride, Potential, and a Promise

Despite the results, there was so much to be proud of. Our level of play was exceptional, driven by the presence and mentorship of Belgium’s very first Grandmaster—Marc Van Damme.

Newcomers Firat Tekil and Csaba Daday brought youthful fire to the team and proved they belonged on the international stage. Every member—Geert, Guy, Marc, Michel, Firat, Csaba and our Team Captain Johan Huyck—battled hard, backed one another, and wore the Red Beaver badge with pride.

Backgammon is a game of skill, nerve, and sometimes… a little heartbreak. You can love the dice. You can hate them. But ultimately, you must meet them with a smile.

Thank you, Team Belgium.
You made us dream, you made us proud—and next year in London…

Written & Edited : Johan Huyck / Alf

On Wednesday 23/05, the first showdown of the 4 Cubes backgammon season ignited the board as Antwerp 1 faced off against Gent 2. The venue was charged, the dice were hot, and the tension could be sliced at moments. Representing the teams were: from left to right

Antonio (G), Inge (A), Steven (G), Rachid (A), Kris (A), Yani (A), Mundo (G), Alf (G) — and keeping the fire under control, tournament organizer Guy Van Middelem.

🎲 Round 1: Fireworks from the First Roll
Inge struck first blood, taking down Steven. Yani outmaneuvered Mundo in a tense game peppered with disputes over moves and dice values. Meanwhile, Antonio powered past Rachid, and Alf pulled off the comeback of the round — down 0-4 after a doubled gammon, he slipped through a vault keyhole to beat Kris and clinch the draw for Gent. Score: 2 – 2

💥 Round 2: Lightning Strikes and Spinach Power
Inge was unstoppable, toppling Mundo. Kris snatched victory from Steven in a DMP thriller after a miraculous double hit from the bar — lightning, literally, from the cube gods! Alf, once again, was deep in the trenches at 0–6 against Rachid, but cracked open a can of spinach and fought back tooth and nail to claim another unlikely win. In the round’s headline match, Antonio narrowly edged Yani in a high-octane battle filled with emotion, controversy, and flaring tempers. Accidents in paradise and blood on the dancefloor…… Yani exited the building — and Antwerp, down a soldier, faced round 3 short-handed. Score: 4 – 4

🏁 Round 3: Gent Closes the Deal
With only three Antwerp players left standing, the odds tilted. Mundo worked his way past Rachid and comeback-king Alf crawled out of a deep pit once more against Inge with a cube on 8 and sealed the deal, delivering Gent 2 their first 4 Cubes victory of the season!

If this opening match was any indication, we’re in for an explosive season.

Read his report here.

Congratulations to Inge who won the April edition of the Brussels Monthly!

(Nederlands beneden)

On April 27th, you can enjoy a backgammon meeting in the Folk Museum while passersby get to know our beloved game.

Do you like to share your passion? Or show the game for a while?

All played matches count for the rating, and there will be a treat waiting for you.

Combine your hobby with a day trip to Bruges and bring your friends or family. Do they like to do (also) something else? The Folk Museum is open for free, to travel back to the childhood of the 1950s and 60s in the brand-new exhibition ‘Children of the past’.

The youngest visitors can have fun at the various play stations.

Let us know if you will play all afternoon or just for a while. We will reserve a chair for you.

https://forms.gle/VQo3fxuxdtJ4P2Th7

Speel op een unieke locatie op Erfgoeddag 27/04/2025: Backgammon Brugge nodigt je uit

Op 27 april kan je in het volkskundemuseum vrij genieten van een backgammonontmoeting in alle mogelijke vormen: een korte of een lange match, double consultation,… terwijl toevallige passanten onze geliefde bezigheid leren kennen.

Breng jij graag je passie over? Of kom je graag eventjes meespelen?

Alle gespeelde matchen tellen voor de rating en er zal een traktatie voor je klaar staan.

Combineer je hobby met een daguitstap in Brugge en breng je vrienden of familie mee. Doen zij graag (ook) iets anders? Het Volkskundemuseum is gratis open. Daar reis je terug naar de kindertijd van de jaren ‘50 en ‘60 in de gloednieuwe opstelling ‘Kinderen van toen’.

De jongste bezoekers kunnen zich uitleven aan de verschillende spelstations.

Laat weten of je heel de namiddag of slechts eventjes meespeelt, dan houden we een stoel voor je vrij.

A Backgammon Battle!

What a day! The Gent Open XVIII shattered records with 39 passionate players battling it out in a thrilling, all-day backgammon marathon. From the first roll of the dice at 11 AM until the final showdown, every match was a clash of wits, strategy, and a bit of luck.

With seven intense rounds ahead, competitors fueled up on coffee and cake before diving into the action. No matter their level—beginner, intermediate, or master—every player was thrown into the same Swiss tournament, ensuring unpredictable matchups and fierce competition.

Round-by-Round Action
Round 1:
Steven Segaert gets the bye, the camera, and a free point. Meanwhile, Michel claims victory in the Bierbeekse Derby against Sonja.
Round 2:
Kalin Stefanov takes down Michel Lamote, Sonja beats Ed Baars, and in the Brussels showdown, Vincent Hubert prevails over Chantal Lensen. Sverre enjoys a bye—and some photography duties.
Round 3:
Bert secures his third point, defeating his angstgegner Paul van Koningshoven, while Alf buries Marc Van Damme. Sonja snatches another win, and Ed gets the bye.
Round 4:
Five players remain undefeated at 3-0: Alf Martin, Bert Van Kerckhove, Nick De Ruyck, Kalin Stefanov, and Jürgen Schettler. Bert, Nick, and Jürgen emerge victorious, standing as the last three perfect-score players.
Round 5:
The pressure mounts! Nick edges out Jürgen, while Bert barely escapes with a win against Arthur Braacx. Alf, Sonja, Riza Yalçin, and Steven Segaert all secure crucial victories.
Round 6:
The battle at the top intensifies! Bert remains unstoppable, defeating Nick to stand alone at 6. Alf and Jürgen bounce back, keeping their hopes alive. Meanwhile, Linsey Van Campen remains unlucky, still searching for a win.
The Grand Finale – Round 7!
With three players dropping out, an odd number remains. Linsey takes the final bye.

• Bert (6) vs. Jürgen (5) – A high-stakes duel for the Masters title!
• Nick (5) vs. Alf (5) – Who will take the Intermediates?
• Sonja (5) vs. Kalin (4) – A last shot at glory!

In the end:
🏆 Bert defeats Jürgen to claim the Masters title!
🏆 Alf outplays Nick and shares the Intermediate title with Sonja! (Alf takes home the trophy on resistance points.)
🏆 Riza Yalçin emerges as the best beginner, overtaking Hubert Verstraeten in the final rankings!
Jürgen and Horst Büchner share 2nd and 3rd place in the Masters, while Sverre, Steven Segaert, and Kris Claeys tie for third in the Intermediates.

A Tournament to Remember!
After the prize ceremony, players stayed on to celebrate, unwind, and relive the day’s biggest moments.

The final results can be found here.

Final Thanks
A huge shoutout to:
🎲 Alf Martijn for the fantastic catering!
🎲 Nick De Ruyck for top-notch assistance!
🎲 Toon Van Herreweghen for the smooth ludite tournament software!
🎲 Liva & team for keeping everyone refreshed at the bar!
🎲 And most of all—YOU, the players! Thank you for making this event such a success!
See you all at the next Gent Open!