MS1 : Paul and Robin wrap up Zeeland Series (Paul wins 5-1).

Paul at Brugge Backgammon Day last February (foto : Frank Viergever)

In the course of 6 weeks, Paul Van Dijke (Brugge BC) and Robin Bilderbeek (Gent BC – no picture available) played six 13-point matches. Robin filmed and transcribed the action so both players could study their errors and get a footing in the BMS Grading Table. Here is how they did :

Zeeland Series : Paul’s PR

Paul routinely plays at Expert level, but appears to have missed an opportunity here to make a splash with a 5+ (or better) PR. Of course, in a MS1 series, players need to play solidly 6 matches in a row, which is quite demanding. With this result, Paul makes his entry in the BMS Grading Table and narrowly finds a M3 grading. He is thereby the 5th player in the country to post a Master grading. This grading is still provisionary, however,  since Paul has not reached the required 150 EP target.

Zeeland Series : Robin’s PR

This is a more than respectable performance by Robin, who lives just across the border in Hulst. Not more than a year ago, Robin was one of many players who had obviously progressed from Beginner to Intermediate level, but showed no signs of  improving to Advanced level. In the past half year, however, Robin has devoted a lot of time to the game, recording and transcribing several matches every week. Playing in the Sandeman in Gent every Tuesday does not hurt either. In this MS1 series, Robin played 2 matches below 5, but overall his performance was too fickle to deserve the label Expert. It seems Robin is just one good performance away from an Expert grading.

Well done both players!

M

(The upgraded BMS Grading Table can be found by clicking on BMS(BE) in the black banner above)