Wrapping up the Vlissingen Blitz Masters International Backgammon Tournament that took place on January 10-12, 2025:
64 players of 11 different nationalities were present.
Championship Division (44):
– Winner: Tilman Söhnchen (Germany)
– Finalist: Geert Van der Stricht (Belgium)
– Semifinalists: Ray Joenoes (Netherlands), Arthur Braacx (Netherlands)
– Quarterfinalists: Jürgen Schettler (Germany), Csaba Daday (Romania), Daniel Rozenberg (Belgium), Michel Lamote (Belgium)
Advanced Division (20):
– Winner: Robert Vledderman (Netherlands)
– Finalist: Joseph Meyns (Belgium)
– Semifinalists: Miriam Wieck (Germany), Kris Claeys (Belgium)
Superjackpot (11):
– Winner: Steven Hoeylaerts (Belgium)
– Finalist: Bert Van Kerckhove (Belgium)
Speedgammon (7):
– Winner: Katalin Veszeli (Hungary)
Pro-Am Doubles (7 teams): Winners: Marc Friebe (Germany) & Rosie Flack (England)
Warm-up Doubles (8 teams):
– Winners: Team “Old School”: Jürgen Schettler & Rainer Jöller (Germany)
– Finalists: World Champions: Oliver Squire (England) & Anna Sofía Eysturstein (Faroe Islands)
Special thanks to:
- Belgium Backgammon Federation: https://bgfed.be/ for their support
- Fletcher Arion-Vlissingen: https://www.fletcherhotelvlissingen.nl for their hospitality
- Nardy Pillards: https://www.amstergammon.nl/ and Paul Brennan for their invaluable assistance in hosting this tournament
- Bruno Mikael Eysturstein: https://www.instagram.com/brunomikaeleysturstein/ for a ton of great photographs
- Firat Tekil for the wonderful live transcription and live stream,
- Gianlazzaro Sanna: https://www.youtube.com/@glsbackgammon for his insightful expert live commentary
- All participants for their fighting spirit, sporting attitude and the trust they have placed in me.
Very special thanks to Oliver and Anna Sofía for being such ambassadors for the game we love so much.
— Paulus van Rooijen
