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!
