Live Backgammon in December

Save the Union-Sandeman, venue of the Backgammon Club Ghent, and please sign the petition.

Club gatherings

  • 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: Leuven Monthly on Sunday, December 17, from 12:45, at Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele

Looking ahead

  • Vlissingen Masters, Saturday and Sunday 13-14 January, 2024, Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Arion, Boulevard Bankert 266, 4382AC Vlissingen, The Netherlands.
Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

Save the Union-Sandeman, venue of the Backgammon Club Ghent

The K.A. Union-Sandeman vzw, a thriving bridge, billiards, and backgammon club, is being evicted from its premises by the city of Ghent after 42 years of rent. The city of Ghent promised to find a solution, but one has not yet been found. At the end of January 2024, the club will have to move out.

Please consider signing this petition to try and keep this venue as the meeting point of the Backgammon Club Ghent.

https://petitie.be/petitions/red-de-union-sandeman

Thank you for your support!

Posted in Clubs | Tagged | Leave a comment

Live Backgammon in November

Congratulations to the club of Brussels, winner of the 4 Cubes 2023!

Club gatherings

  • Brugge: alternatingly on Thursday or Friday 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
  • 14th Leuven Open: Sunday, November 12, 2023. Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele. There are 32 confirmed participants already, but there are still a few places left. Registration closes on November 6.
  • Leuven Monthly on Sunday, November 19, from 12:45, at Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele

Looking ahead

  • Vlissingen Masters, Saturday and Sunday 13-14 January, 2024, Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Arion, Boulevard Bankert 266, 4382AC Vlissingen, The Netherlands.
Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

4 Cubes 2023: Triumph Against the Odds

In the wake of their thrilling semi-final victory against Leuven in Spring, the Brussels team, led by captain Guy Van Middelem and featuring Kristoffer De Weert, Ithzak Solsky, Paul van Dijke, and Paulus van Rooijen, had their sights set on redemption. They were determined to avenge their heartbreaking loss in the previous year’s final against Ghent and secure their club’s first-ever championship trophy.

However, their opponents from Ghent, led by captain Geert Van der Stricht and comprising Robin Bilderbeek, Johan Huyck, Marc van Damme, and Bert Van Kerckhove, were no pushovers. With most of them representing our national BGFed.be Red Beavers team, they were the heavy favorites.

The duel took place on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, in the beautiful Sandeman clubhouse in Ghent. The tone was set in the initial round of the duel, where Brussels found themselves trailing 4-1 in a race to 8 points. At this point, it appeared as though a one-sided contest was on the horizon, with the prospect of a quick exit back home looming over Brussels. But in true Brussels fashion, their indomitable fighting spirit kicked in, and they managed to level the score at 5-5 after the second round.

The pivotal decider round, Round 3, would determine the fate of the championship. Guy and Paul secured relatively comfortable victories, yielding a Brussels advantage of 5-7, with only one point needed. However, Paulus and Ithzak faced tough opposition, resulting in a 7-7 draw. The fate of the championship came down to the clash between Kristoffer and Bert.

For a moment, the outlook appeared uncertain for Brussels, but momentum swung in their favor at just the right time. Kristoffer, battling the clock, fought valiantly and clinched the match with a 7-4 score. With a hard-fought 7-8 victory, Brussels seized the coveted trophy, and the celebrations during the after-party lasted well into the night.

The 4 Cubes 2023 final team from Brussels proudly showing the 4 trophy after their victory in the Sandeman in Ghent: Kristoffer, Ithzak, Paulus, Guy and Paul. (Photo GVdS)

We invite you to join us for the presentation of the 4 Cubes at the weekly Brussels evening, hosted at the ‘Black Beard’ (Lakensestraat 166 Rue de Laeken, 1000 Brussels) on Thursday, November 2nd, at approximately 6:15 PM. We look forward to seeing you there.

Warm regards,

Guy Van Middelem

Posted in The 4 Cubes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Live Backgammon in October

Congratulations to Johan Brisaert, winner and organizer of the 1st Belgian Backgammon Beach Day!

Club gatherings

  • Brugge: alternatingly on Thursday or Friday 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: Leuven Monthly on Sunday, October 15, from 12:45, at Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele

Looking ahead

  • 4 Cubes 2023: final Ghent vs Brussels on Tuesday, October 24, at Union Sandeman, Kantienberg 5, 9000 Ghent.
  • 14th Leuven Open: Sunday, November 12, 2023. Sport & Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Wilsele.
  • Vlissingen Masters, Saturday and Sunday 13-14 January, 2024, Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Arion, Boulevard Bankert 266, 4382AC Vlissingen, The Netherlands.
Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

Successful and Enjoyable 1st Belgian Backgammon Beach Day

The first edition of the Belgian Backgammon Beach Day took place on Sunday, September 10, 2023, in Hotel-Restaurant Villa Marie-Joseph, Westende, a few blocks away from the beach. Sixteen players were treated on delicious breakfast and lunch while playing seven 5-point backgammon matches in the beautiful retro setting of the hotel. During breaks, ice cream and cocktails could be enjoyed on the sunny terrace.

Live backgammon action at the 1st Belgian Backgammon Beach Day on September 10, 2023, at the Villa Marie-Joseph in Westende

Tournament organiser Johan Brisaert took amicable care of his guests while efficiently administering the tournament with the free ludite tournament software. This did not stop him from actually winning the tournament with six victories out of seven matches. Thanks and congratulations! Second and third place were for Johan Segers and Michel Lamote, each winning five matches. The elegant mermaid trophies were generously sponsored by BGFed.be.

Podium of the 1st Belgian Backgammon Beach Day, on September 10, 2023, in Westende. From left to right: Michel Lamote (3), Johan Brisaert (1, organiser), Johan Segers (2).
Posted in Tournaments | Tagged | Leave a comment

14th Leuven Backgammon Open, Sunday 12 Nov 2023

The 14h Leuven Open will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2023, in Squash Club De Vaart, Kolonel Begaultlaan 15, 3012 Leuven. This is the same venue as the one for the Leuven Monthly tournaments but it is different from last year’s venue.

Information and registration.

Posted in Announcements | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Return of the Vlissingen Blitz Masters

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

On Saturday January 13, 2024: 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 14, 2024: Play-off last 8 of each group (direct elimination). Superjackpot (direct elimination) 9-point matches, 18 min. + 12 sec. Speedgammon, (Swiss) 5-point matches, 2 min. + 10 sec.

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

Detailed info in the flyer.

Posted in Announcements, Tournaments | Tagged | Leave a comment

Red Beaver League: Bert, Johan S. and Maurits book important victories

In Level 4, Bert Van Kerckhove and Johan Segers awaited the winners of the Level 5 duels Guy Van Middelem and Itzhak Solsky. In Level 5, Maurits Pino and Alain Chif played their Barrage duel.

Based on recent Performance Rating (PR) performances Bert had to be the favourite against Guy, but the latter is known for his competitiveness and never-give-up attitude. Bert took a good start, winning match 1 (M1, 7-3) with a far better PR: 2-0. Guy regrouped in M2, winning 7-5 and taking advantage of Bert’s below-par PR to score two points: 2-2. All to fight for in M3 then. Guy, who is always at his best when he smells victory, rolled Bert off the board (7-0) and found a decent PR of 7,28. Not enough though to take the two points, as Bert rose to the occasion with a World Class PR of 4,10 (!), thus securing a 3-3 draw and a win based on Overall PR. This means that Bert progresses to Level 3 where he will meet Paul van Dijke. Guy’s aim from now on is to consolidate his conquered ground in Level 4.

The second much anticipated Level 4 duel was played at Johan’s place in Korbeek-Lo. His opponent was the upstart phenom Itzhak Solsky, who steamrollered the opposition in last year’s RBL Qualifiers (RBLQ) and hammered Maurits Pino in Level 5. Nobody could predict the outcome of this duel and a tense affair it was to be. Itzhak won M1 (7-4), but his 6+ PR was not good enough to take a second point as Johan came up with a strong 4,8: 1-1. After lunch on the shady garden terrace, both players saw the roles reversed in M2: Johan took a 6-0 lead, but Itzhak came back: 6-6. Johan ended up winning the agonizingly difficult DMP game, but his 6+ PR was not enough to beat Itzhak’s extremely strong 3,73 PR (!!): 2-2. With OPR’s now extremely close, M3 was going to be decisive. Johan won it comfortably (7-0), but would he be able to outperform Itzhak? He did, with a stellar 1,46 PR (!!!): 4-2. Itzhak accepted defeat with grace and rewarded both Johan and me (TR) with fantastic impromptu renderings of Chopin and Beethoven on Johan’s home piano, leaving both watchers grateful and visibly moved. Johan now progresses to Level 3 where he will meet Paulus van Rooijen (3 September), whereas Itzhak will play Guy in the Level 4 Barrage duel.

Having lost their first-round duels in Level 5, Maurits and Alain now need to start winning if they want to stay in the RBL. The duel took place at Maurits’ spacious and airy apartment, optimal playing conditions for a crucial RBL encounter. Maurits won M1 (7-3) with a strong 6+ PR, leaving Alain trailing 2-0. Alain, who staged last season a memorable comeback from 1-5 down against Nick De Ruyck, was not intimidated and won M2 (7-3) with a PR of 9,93, beating Maurits’ PR of 9,99 with an excruciatingly small margin of 0,06: 2-2. Since nobody could be sure if these PRs would hold under the sharper XG ++ analysis, both players remained in the dark as to the exact score, 2-2 or 3-1. That is, however, part of the format as there is no time between matches to do the time-consuming re-analysis. Maurits left nothing to chance in M3: he produced his best PR of the season (5,57!) and eventually won the match after some harrowing turnarounds: 4-2. Note: XG++ did reverse the PRs of M2 to 10,38 (Maurits) vs 10,42 (Alain) yielding an official result of 5-1.

Maurits can now secure his spot in Level 5 by winning against the loser of the Guy v Itzhak duel, whereas Alain is set to play the winner of RBLQ in the spring of 2024.

Upcoming program: Paulus van Rooijen v Johan Segers (L3), Paul van Dijke v Bert Van Kerckhove (L3) and Guy Van Middelem v Itzhak Solsky (L4 Barrage).

For RBL — Michel

Posted in Red Beaver League | Leave a comment

In memoriam Johan Swyngedouw

Johan Swyngedouw (26/03/1954 – 03/07/2023), member of the Backgammon Club Brugge

Johan Swyngedouw, an active member of the Backgammon Club Brugge, passed a way a few days ago. His lively and joyful presence will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family. Obituary: [web | pdf].

Posted in Members | Tagged | Leave a comment