BGFed

Category: Tournaments

  • Vlissingen Blitz Masters International Backgammon Tournament, January 14-15, 2023

    Wrapping up the Vlissingen Blitz Masters International Backgammon Tournament that took place January 14-15, 2023, in the Fletcher Hotel, Vlissingen (NL).

    10 different nationalities were present.

    Live stream replays and final with XG analysis and commentary by Michel Lamote

    Live stream of the final between Christian Sørensen (left) and Bert Van Kerckhove (right), by Robin Bilderbeek (standing), aka Rain. Video with XG analysis and commentary by Michel Lamote

    Final between Christian Sørensen (left) and Bert Van Kerckhove, with XG analysis and commentary by Michel Lamote: https://youtu.be/z4djhgNDtFM

    Recording, transcription, and editing: Robin Bilderbeek, aka Rain.

    Masters Tournament

    The playing room in the Fletcher Hotel (Vlissingen) during the Masters tournament on January 14-15, 2023.

    53 participants

    • Winner: Christian Sørensen (Netherlands)
    • Finalist: Bert Van Kerckhove (Belgium)
    • Semifinalists: Peter van Rooij (Netherlands), Jürgen Schettler (Germany)
    • Quarterfinalists: Pim van Haastert (Netherlands), Ed Baars (Netherlands), Rogier van Gemert (Netherlands), Claudia Göhnert (Netherlands)

    Consulting doubles

    • Winners: Marcel Büker & Marcus Reinhard (Germany)
    • Finalists: Sander Weysters & Maurits Pino (Netherlands)

    Speedgammon

    • Winner: Pierre Viau (France)
    • 2nd place: Ray Joenoes (Netherlands)
    • 3rd place: Arthur Wright (United Kingdom)
    • 4th place: Michel Lamote (Belgium)

    Many thanks to:

    I hope to see all of you in 2024 at the weekend of January 13-14.

    Tournament director Paulus van Rooijen

    Sneak preview of some ideas:

    • a Master group (maximum 32 players) and an Amateur group (maximum 24 players)
    • Program for both groups:
      • Day 1: Qualification 5 rounds Swiss system (9 points)
      • Day 2: [a] Playoff of best 8 (11 points) or [b] Consulting Doubles / Speedgammon for who is eliminated from [a] or [b]

    Kind regards,

    — Paulus van Rooijen

  • Gent Open Backgammon XV

    On Sunday November 20th the fifteenth edition of the Gent Open Backgammon tournament was held at the premises of the Union Sandeman, home location of the Ghent Backgammon club. 7 rounds of 7-point matches had to be played during this all-day event. All matches were played with clock, 14m 12s delay. This Swiss style of tournament ensured a lot of action until the final round. Thanks to Toon Van Herreweghen’s tournament management software, entering results and making new pairings was so easy that tournament director Bert Van Kerckhove had the time to join the tournament as well. On top of that the players could follow the ranking and draw on a big projection and on their phones.

    Another feature of this tournament was the TV table, a setup from Robin Bilderbeek who has published the matches there on youtube.

    32 players showed up and got coffee cakes for breakfast. Between rounds 3 and 4 there was catering provided by Alf Martijn.

    All participants were playing in the same tournament mixing 14 masters, 12 intermediates and 6 beginners.

    As expected, after 4 rounds there remained 2 players with 4 points who would have to battle for taking the sole lead in the tournament. In the masters division it was Michel Lamote who prevailed in round 5 over Arthur Braacx making him the first player with 5 points, followed by Arthur, Zeki Dogustan and Paul van Dijke with 4 points.

    In the intermediates, after 5 rounds, Riza Yalçin and Sonja Custers lead with 4 points on a pack with 3 points.

    Beginner Hubert Verstraeten won 3 out of 5. Still without any win by then is Chantal Lensen, who allowed Nardy Pillards to score his first point.

    In round 6 it was Zeki who fell for a relentless Michel. Michel made a bid for the sole win if he could also win the final round. Arthur and Paul van Dijke both win their matches and have 5 wins out of 6. Sonja, Line and Mahir Yalçin share the lead in the intermediates with 4 wins.

    The final round would be decisive for the final results. If Paul van Dijke won from Michel there could be 2 or 3 players with 6 wins out of 7 and resistance points would decide the winner. Michel did not fail and won his 7th match to claim first prize, the trophy and the title in the masters division. Arthur won too and finished with 6 points taking second prize, followed by Zeki, Paul van Dijke and Paul Van Koningshoven who shared 3rd prize with 5 points.

    In the intermediates 7 players finished with 4 wins out of 7 and shared first and second prize. The trophy went to Pascal Vanneste who scored the most resistance points.

    Hubert Verstraeten scored 5 wins and took home the trophy in the beginners division and a DGT game clock as a bonus.

    Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to all players for attending.

    Also thank you to Alf for the catering, Nick for assisting the td, Robin for the feature table and Toon for use of the software. Thanks also to BGFed.be for the financial support.

    A special thank you for Ben Van den Brande for tending the bar on his own during the whole day.

    — Bert

    Winners of the Gent Open Backgammon XV, from left to right: Pascal Vanneste (Intermediates), Michel Lamote (Masters), Hubert Verstraeten (Beginners)

    Results

    Player Score RP
    Michel Lamote (M) 7 33
    Arthur Braacx (M) 6 30
    Zeki Dogustan (M) 5 34
    Paul van Dijke (M) 5 27
    Hubert Verstraeten (B) 5 26
    Paul Van Koningshoven (M) 5 24
    Pascal Vanneste (I) 4 31
    Riza Yalçin (I) 4 29
    Daniel Rozenberg (M) 4 28
    Itzhak Solsky (M) 4 28
    Sonja Custers (I) 4 28
    Mahir Yalçin (I) 4 24
    Firat Tekil (I) 4 23
    Johan Vervust (M) 4 22
    Dominique Leboulenger (M) 4 22
    Johan Brisaert (I) 4 22
    Ronny Conaert (I) 4 19
    Kristoffer Deweert (I) 3 27
    Alf Martijn (I) 3 27
    Nick De Ruyck (B) 3 23
    Vincent Hubert (B) 3 22
    Paulus Van Rooijen (M) 3 21
    Bert Van Kerckhove (M) 3 20
    Christian Standaert (I) 3 16
    Ed Baars (M) 2 28
    Koen De Poorter (I) 2 26
    Marjan Degraeve (B) 2 21
    Chantal Lensen (B) 2 12
    Eric de Bouter (I) 1 18
    Joseph Meyns (B) 1 17
    Nardy Pillards (M) 1 16
    Toon Van Herreweghen (M) 1 15

  • BGFed.be members perform well at 22nd Città di Jesolo tournament

    Jesolo is a luxurious bathing resort in the vicinity of Venice. The tournament is set in the pleasant Atlantico Hotel, where backgammon players are offered a wonderful deal: 85€ for a comfortable room with sea view and a three course dinner. A splendid arrangement.

    This year, four BGFed.be members made the trip and they all did well. Paulus Van Rooijen won the final of the speed tournament against Johan Huyck, a noteworthy feat in such a competitive field. Sassan Kachanian reached the semi-final of the Seniors Tournament, where he was beaten by Michel Lamote, who went on to win that side event (22 players). Sassan also reached the Final Eight of the Champions Division (58 players), where he was narrowly beaten by Carlo Melzi, one of Italy’s top grandmasters. This same Melzi was beaten in the semi-final by Michel, who went on to play the final against Giorgio Castellano, another Italian GM. Michel stood no chance in the final, losing 4-15, but could look back on a commendable performance : PR 3,16, but negative luck rate of 6,5. You can watch the final here.

    Jesolo 2022 finalists Italian GM Giorgio Castellano and Michel Lamote

    All in all, Jesolo is an event which is definitely worth marking in your backgammon calendar. The hotel, the beach, the food, the ambiance among the players, everything was top notch. (ML)

  • Michel Lamote reaches final of Swedish Open 2022

    The 40th Swedish Open was played in Stockholm between 30 June and 3 July 2022. The field in the Champions Division contained exactly 100 players, many of whom saw this event as preparation for the upcoming World Championship in Monaco in two weeks’ time. After four days of intense competition, Michel Lamote reached the Grand Final. It turned out to be an exciting 17-point match with numerous spectacular swings. In the end, the Swedish GM Thomas Tenland prevailed 17-12.

    The match can be viewed on YouTube on https://youtu.be/Fk3RNL2RxSg.

    All in all, a great achievement by Michel, who beat renowned GM’s from the UK (Gaz Owen), Sweden (Sven-Olav Norén, Johan Moazed), and Croatia (Mislav Kovacic) along the way. Congrats to Michel on an unexpected, but great achievement.

    Michel Lamote and GM Thomas Tenland reaching for the trophy right before the final of the Swedish Backgammon Open 2022 in Stockholm

  • Leuven Open 2020 cancelled

    We’ve been thinking hard and long about this one: another venue, another tournament format, etc. But in the end we see no other option. Sometimes, it’s just better to pass than to play on and risk a gammon.

    So, for the first time since 2009, there will be no Leuven Open Backgammon this year. We hope that the 12th edition can and will take place in 2021, with the familiar ingredients that give the tournament its unique flavour.

    Thank you for your understanding. Looking forward to better times when we can roll the dice together again.

    Take care,
    Henri, Johan & Nader

  • Results Brussels Friendly 99

    Dear backgammon friends and/or Backgammon Club Brussels members,

    For the first time since 3 months, we played live backgammon again with Brussels Friendly 99 on Friday the 3rd of July, 16 participants.

    Guy won 4 out of 4. Chantal, Ithzak, Johan B. & Kristoffer follow with 3 victories.

    Please, take a look at the July standings, after 4 rounds of the Brussels Friendly 2020 Championship ; note the performances from Alf & Johan B. (2x), Almira, Liliane & Lizbeth.

    Next round : Brussels Friendly 100, on the 7th of August. The Championship (11 rounds) is extended till February or March 2021.

    Keep on rolling,
    kind regards,
    Guy

  • Tournaments etc. postponed/cancelled (2)

    Due to the measures to limit the propagation of the COVID-19 virus, the following live backgammon activities are postponed or cancelled:

    • Leuven Monthly (Friday, April 24)
    • 4 Cubes rounds 2 & 3 (Sunday, April 26)
    • Brussels Friendly 100 (Friday, May 1)

    As soon as we have more information about the meeting possibilities, the BIC competition will be rescheduled. By now, our expectation is to postpone all matches by +/- 3 months (for ex. the D2 qualifying round-robin to be finished in June will be rescheduled till September).

    Online matches still valid for the rating list (see earlier post).

    Take care of yourself and those around you.

  • Results Brussels Friendly 98

    Dear backgammon friends and/or Backgammon Club Brussels members,

    Brussels Friendly 98 was played on Friday the 6th of March 2020, with 14 participants and the win for Dan Pascu with 4 victories. Congratulations !

    Impression of the Brussels Friendly 98 backgammon tournament at Tennis Club le Roseau, Uccle, on Friday, March 6, 2020. (Picture: LP)

    We welcomed one new member : Catherine Bogaert (from Lille, France) and wish her all the successes she deserves. She recently won a beautiful Hector Saxe backgammon board in a national tournament in Paris, wow !  

    Kristoffer De Weert, Luc Palmans & (again, in February too) Vincent Hubert follow with 3 victories.

    Please, take a look at the March standings (pdf), after 3 rounds of the Brussels Friendly 2020 Championship ; note the performances from Liliane Baptista (2x), Catherine, Chantal Lensen & Sabrina Vastapane.

    Next round : Brussels Friendly 99, on the 3rd of April.

    Ghent organises his annual Open on Saturday the 21st of March.

    Leuven organises his BG Leuven Monthly on Sunday the 22nd of March at 13.45 hours in ‘de Vaart’.

    Save the date : BF 100 on Friday the 1st of May at 09.30 hours (breakfast & lunch included in the 25,- € registration fee). 9 rounds of 5-point matches. Already registered : Almira Bucan, Catherine Bogaert, Theo Sarmanidis, Guy Van Middelem.

    Keep on rolling, kind regards, — Guy

  • Gent Open Backgammon XV

    Gent Open Backgammon

    Zaterdag 21 maart 2020

    Toernooi formaat

    Zwitsers, 7 ronden, matches tot 7 punten met klok.
    Klok: 14 minuten + 12 seconden per zet, Bronstein.

    Masters, intermediate en beginners samen in 1 tabel, Zwitsers syteem.

    Programma

    10u00 – 10u45 registratie en loting
    11u00 – 17u00 eerste 4 matches
    na 4 ronden 1 uur pauze
    18u00 – 23u00 laatste 3 matches
    23u00 prijsuitreiking

    Lokatie

    K.A. Club Union Sandeman
    Kantienberg 5
    9000 Gent
    België

  • Results Brussels Friendly 97

    Dear backgammon friends and/or Backgammon Club Brussels members,

    Brussels Friendly 97 was played on Friday the 7th of February, with 16 participants and the win for Lorenzo Pacini with 4 victories. Congratulations !

    We welcomed 2 new members : Chantal Lensen & Vincent Hubert and wish them all the successes they deserve.

    Martinos Stamboltsyan, Vincent, Theo Sarmanidis & Antoine Demey follow with 3 victories.

    Brussels Friendly Championship 2020: February standings

    Please, take a look at the above pdf document with the February standings, after 2 rounds of the Brussels Friendly 2020 Championship ; note the performances from Liliane Baptista (2x), Theo, Ithzak Solsky, Martinos, Cyrus Parastar, Almira Bucan and Vincent.

    Next round : Brussels Friendly 98, on the 6th of March.

    Leuven organises his BG Leuven Monthly on Sunday the 23rd of February at 13.45 hours in ‘de Vaart’.

    Save the date : BF 100 on Friday the 1st of May at 09.30 hours (breakfast & lunch included in the 25,- € registration fee).

    Keep on rolling, kind regards, Guy

  • Gibraltar Backgammon Championship 2020: Live Commentary by Michel Lamote assisted by International Grandmasters

    Last week, Michel Lamote was invited by the Danish Backgammon Federation to give commentary at their live stream at the Gibraltar Backgammon Championship 2020. Below is the link to the quarter final between Zdenek Zizka en Christian Munk-Christensen, played on February 8, 2020. For the commentary, Michel is assisted by the German top player Dirk Schiemann. Live XG analysis is provided as well. Watch, enjoy and learn!

    More videos at the Gibraltar Backgammon Championship YouTube channel. Look in particular at the video of the semi-final and the final, where Michel’s guests are grandmasters Jürgen Orlowski, Mick Larsen, and Elias Kritikos, and with Neil Kazaross giving input via the chat.

    Quarter final between Zdenek Ziska and Christian Munk-Christensen at the Gibraltar Backgammon Championship 2020. Live XG analysis and live commentary by Dirk Schiemann and Michel Lamote.

  • Red Beavers reach quarter finals at WBGF Team Championship 2020

    Headed by team captain Johan Huyck, the Red Beavers Alain Chif, Michel Lamote, Johan Segers and Geert Van der Stricht drove to the Grand Casino of Forges-les-Eaux (France) to participate at the 2020 edition of the WBGF Team Championship, January 7-9. Their ambition: to do better than in Budva (Montenegro, April 2019), where Belgium was eliminated by Denmark in the quarter finals.

    The Red Beavers 2020 in the playing room in the Grand Casino in Forges-les-Eaux (France), at the WBGF Team Championship, January 7-9.

    There were 17 countries divided in three groups. Belgium was in group B, together with Czechia, Cyprus, Turkey, Russia, and Germany. Victories against Cyprus and Russia and draws against Turkey and Germany were sufficient to reach the 2nd place in group B and a spot in the quarter final, in which Belgium met…

    Belgium vs Denmark at the start of the quarter finals of the WBGF Team Championship in the Grand Casino of Forges-les-Eaux, France, January 8, 2020.

    … Denmark again. Michel and Johan S. lost their matches relatively quickly, but Geert and Johan H. were close to winning theirs, raising hopes for a team consultation tie-breaker. But the Danish players, which are among the world’s strongest, proved hard to beat, and at the end, the Danes prevailed on every board. They went on to win the championship, before Greece (2nd) and France (3rd).

    Belgium continued to defeat Austria but lose from the UK, ending 6th, one place better than in 2019.

    The 2021 edition will take place in Trier, Germany. Can we do better still?

    Pictures and results:


  • Vlissingen Masters Rapid and Speed

    At the occasion of 60th birthday, Paul van Rooijen organised a great backgammon weekend in the Arion hotel at the waterfront of his home town, Vlissingen, on 4 and 5 January 2020.

    There were two tournaments, in Swiss format, with finals between the top-2 to determine the winner:

    • A Rapidgammon tournament on Saturday: 7-point matches, Bronstein timing with 5 minutes for the match plus 11 seconds per move;
    • A Speedgammon tournament on Sunday: 5-point matches, Bronstein timing with 2 minutes for the match plus 10 seconds per move.

    The tournaments also counted as the Belgian and Dutch rapid and speed championships, with BGFed.be offering the belgian trophies. Congratulations to the winners, Geert Van der Stricht (rapid) and Toon Van Herrweghen (speed). Toon also won the Open Championship of the speedgammon tournament.

    Organiser Paul van Rooijen addressing his guests at his 60th-birthday-party-and-backgammon-weekend in the Arion hotel in Vlissingen, January 4-5, 2020. Picture by Frank Viergever.

    Paul’s friend Frank Viergever took some beautiful pictures: http://www.frankviergever.nl/VBM20/index.html

    On Saturday evening, Paul invited all his guests to a fantastic dinner. Thank you, Paul!

    Results Rapidgammon (40 players)

    • Open Champion: Paul van Koningshoven, Runner-up: Marcus Reinhard
    • Champion of The Netherlands: Paul van Koningshoven, Runner-up: Misja Alma
    • Champion of Belgium: Geert Van der Stricht, Runner-up: Johan Segers
    • Ladies Prize: Tansu Alper, Runner-up: Eileen Mulvany
    • Best Irish Player: Tom Schnittger, Runner-up: Eileen Mulvany

    Results Speedgammon (28 players)

    • Results Speedgammon (28 players):
    • Open Champion: Toon Van Herreweghen
    • Champion of The Netherlands: Ed Baars
    • Champion of Belgium: Toon Van Herreweghen
    • Ladies Prize: Claudia Göhnert
    • Best Irish Player: Eileen Mulvany

  • The 11th Leuven Open Backgammon Championship

    For the 11th time, we’re going to get together and enjoy a whole day of backgammon in Leuven Open!

    Let’s mark our calendars: November 10th, 9:00 to 19:00, Brasserie De Abdijmolen.

    More info and registration

    Date: 10th November 2019
    Location: Brasserie De Abdijmolen, Abdij van Park 4, 3001 Heverlee
    Format: 7 rounds of 5-point matches, Swiss format, 10min bank time plus 12sec
    Registration fee, including breakfast and lunch: €29 (not later than Nov
    3rd), or €35 (cash payment at the event).

    Looking forward to seeing you in the event!


    Regards
    Backgammon Club Leuven

    Leuven Open 2019 trophies designed and produced by Waldo

  • World Championship 2019 in Monte Carlo

    From July 30 to August 4, follow your favourite players (among which two from Belgium) in Monte Carlo, Monaco, starting from the tournament website or via the online brackets. Good luck, Johan H. and Marc!

  • Vlissingen Blitz Masters, Jan 4-5, 2020

    Paulus van Rooijen celebrates his 60th birthday with two fast pace tournaments in two days.

    • Saturday, Jan 4, 2020: Rapidgammon, 7-point matches, 5 min. + 11 sec
    • Sunday, Jan 5, 2020: Speedgammon, 5-point matches, 2 min. + 10 sec.

    Contact: pro@zeelandnet.nl

  • BGFed.be represents Brussels in the European Intercity tournament in Paris

    Players from London, Berlin & Moscow joined Paris & 7 BGFed.be members on Friday the 31st of May for the 3rd Intercity week-end. Great organizer Ibrahima Guillard welcomes everybody with drinks ‘à volonté’ and we enjoyed nice lunches & dinners. Except a few format bugs, the tourneys went smoothly in a (noteworthy) very friendly atmosphere.

    In the Advanced Team tournament, BGFed.be team A (with Alain Chif, Michel Lamote, Marc Steyvers, Geert Van der Stricht and Guy Van Middelem) did well but lost narrowly from London (with some top stars) and Paris 2, finishing 3rd (Paris 2 won). Marc got 4 victories (out of 4), Geert 4 out of 5.

    In the Intermediate Team tournament, BGFed.be team B (with Sonja Custers & Lorenzo Pacini) tied for 1st place but was ranked 2nd due to a tie-breaking rule. Well-done!

    The Individual tournaments started on Saturday the 1st of June to finish next day on Sunday afternoon.

    In the Intermediate series (16 players), Alain & Lorenzo qualified for the Main finals (top 8) but, next day, failed in the ¼ finals. But Sonja won a prize & medal by winning the Consolation finals.

    At the Intercity tournament in Paris (May 2019), Sonja won the Consolation finals of the Intermediate series (16 players).

    In the Advanced series (39 players), Michel & Guy had a good run on Saturday (Michel 4 victories out of 6, Guy 5), qualified also for the Main finals (top 8). Michel’s run stopped in the ¼ finals, but Guy went on to win two more matches an played the Main final, losing narrowly to Paris-player Arthur Menez. A big runner-up trophy was his due.

    Guy played the main final of the advanced series (29 players). “Where in my house to put this trophy?”.

    Thanks, Ibrahima, for a wonderful event. See you all back in London next year, hopefully with 10 BGFed.be members.

    — GvM

  • Backgammon tournament in Uccle on Friday, May 3

    Dear backgammon friends,

    Under the auspices of BGFed.be, Cyrus Parastar organizes a backgammon evening on Friday the 3th of May at 19.45 hours.

    Take care, the location is : Tennis Club ‘le Roseau’, rue du Roseau 60 – 1180 Brussels (Uccle – Ukkel). Very easy parking on site, we’ve played there once last year.

    Results counting for the BGFed.be ranking. Please try to bring board and / or clock.

    Contact and registration : Cyrus Parastar 0487/41.33.12  cyrus.namin@gmail.com

    Hope you’ll enjoy that evening, keep on rolling, — Guy Van Middelem

  • Lentekampioenschap Brisaert vs De Weert

    Wat voorafging: nadat ik in de herst Kristoffer in zijn geboortedorp Kester in een millimeterspurt geklopt had met 5 – 4, waarna zijn vader prompt verhuisde naar een ander dorp, en ik daarna op een donkere winteravond aan de poorten van het kerkhof in Halle uitpakte met een 6 – 2 overwinning, de meestal rustige bewoners vandaar wat vibes gevend, ging ik voluit voor een 3 op 3.

    Kristoffer & Johan in front of the Gravensteen, Ghent

    De plaats die ik uitgekozen had is geliefd bij toeristen uit binnen- en buitenland: het Gravensteen in Gent. Mijn maliënkolder had ik thuisgelaten, ik dacht zijn verradelijke dubbels zo ook wel te kunnen ontwijken. Onder een lentezonnetje ging ik goed van start. Na 1 – 0 kwam ik op 2 – 0. Toen sloeg het om. Was het werkelijkheid of was het in mijn gedachten dat ik plots een ijselijke gil hoorde opstijgen vanuit de vergeetput? Als in een vertraagde film zag ik mijn tegenstreven zijn hand de cube in het bord leggen. Met een verbeten blik wachtte hij mijn antwoord af. Als een echte heldhaftige Brabantse Krijger nam ik de uitdaging en de cube aan. Ik zag me immers al 4 – 0 voorstaan, het afmaken, en met een achterwaartse salto luid jodelend de slotgracht induiken. Helaas, was het de geest van Jacob van Artevelde die een slechte nacht had gehad en verkoos zijn toorn op mij te laten neerdalen? Als in een kwade droom gebeurde het dat ik een gammon tegenkreeg: 2 – 4 voor mijn tegenspeler. Het werd effe zwart voor mijn ogen maar ik pepte mezelf moed in door te denken dat ik met twee winstspelletjes toch nog ging winnen. Het zat erin maar helaas ging ik uiteindelijk ten onder met te zware 2 – 5 cijfers. Proficiat aan Kristoffer, die nu 13 van onze 20 seizoenskampioenschappen gewonnen heeft.

    Moraal van het verhaal: laat nooit je maliënkolder thuis als je in het Gravensteen backgammon gaat spelen.

    Johan Brisaert

  • Annotated, commented video of Michel Lamote’s final of the Merit Montenegro 2019 on YouTube

    Alas, it wasn’t meant to be for Michel Lamote, at least this time. The final between him and Bakar Matikashvili (Georgia) of the 4th Merit Open International Backgammon Championship played on Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Hotel Splendid, Budva, Montenegro, could be followed on livestream on Youtube, with insightful live commentaries. Robin Bilderbeek has now added XG computer analysis to that video, and you can watch it here:

    Thank you, Robin, for this great piece of work!

  • Michel Lamote in the final of the 4th Merit Open in Montenegro

    Today at 14:00, Michel Lamote will play the final of the Main Tournament of the 4th Merit Open in Budva, Montenegro, against Bakar Matikashvili (Georgia). If Michel wins the 17 point match, he will have to win a second one, to 9 points, since Bakar has not yet been defeated while Michel has reached the final from the 2nd Chance. There’s a good chance the match will be live-streamed on YouTube, at the Merit Backgammon Tournament channel. Good luck, Michel!

    More information on the tournament’s Facebook page.

    4th Merit Open Montenegro Grand Prix Brackets

    Master Main 1/4
    https://bit.ly/2Iceews

    Master Main 2/4
    https://bit.ly/2P1SFPy

    Master Main 3/4
    https://bit.ly/2U6dJpb

    Master Main 4/4
    https://bit.ly/2Ici8W4

    Masters 2nd Chance 1/5
    https://bit.ly/2Kt4xLV

    Masters 2nd Chance 2/5
    https://bit.ly/2P7t3AP

    Masters 2nd Chance 3/5
    https://bit.ly/2X7ErzF

    Masters 2nd Chance 4/5
    https://bit.ly/2UaBFYy

    Masters 2nd Chance (final sheet) 5/5
    https://bit.ly/2X6wPx1

  • First national trophy for Dan Pascu

    Runner-up Kristoffer De Weert (left) and Belgian Champion 3-point matches Dan Pascu (right) just before the start of their final, played on Saturday, February 9, 2019, in the Arena, Wavre.

    The 3rd Belgium Championship 3-point matches, played on Saturday the 9th of February in the Arena in Wavre, crowned Dan Pascu, from Turnhout, beating – rather easily 2-0 – Kristoffer De Weert in a one-sided final.

    Ten participants played a Swiss tournament during 7 rounds of 2 matches per round to qualify 4 of them. Kristoffer finished on top with 10 victories out of 14, together with Dan, daddy Riza Yalçin and his son Mahir. Kristoffer won his semi-final against Mahir, Dan defeated Riza.

    We welcomed a new BGFed.be member, Nicolas Bivort, who did well, tying all his matches but losing twice against future winner Dan.

    The Arena in Wavre offered nice playing rooms, breakfast & lunch ; the atmosphere was excellent. Hopefully this Championship can gather more participants next year.

    — GvM

  • 3rd Belgian Championship 3-Point Matches

    Dear backgammon friends,

    BGFed.be kindly invites you to the 3rd Belgium Championship 3-point matches, at least 14 rounds, on Saturday the 9th of February 2019, in the Arena, avenue Pasteur 2A – 1300 Wavre, very easy parking. See all info on the included flyers [ EN | NL | FR ].

    9.15 hours : registration & breakfast ;
    10.00 hours : presumably Swiss movement tournament ;
    +/- 14.00 hours : light lunch ;
    +/- 21.15 hours : finals, cocktail drink, proclamation & prize-giving ceremony.

    Please, mandatory registration before Thursday the 7th of February and BYOB (try to bring a board and a clock).

    Already registered : Brisaert Johan, De Weert Kristoffer, Van Middelem Guy

    Come & join us, we expect a thrilling tourney !

    Hope to see you then,
    — Guy

  • 10th Leuven Open – 30 Participants and a Triple Winner

    10th Leuven Open – 30 Participants and a Triple Winner

  • 10th Leuven Open, Sun 11 Nov 2018

    10th Leuven Backgammon Open, Sun 11 Nov 2018

  • Sonja Custers becomes Beginners World Champion in Monte Carlo.

    Four consecutive victories (9-point matches + 11-point final) gave Sonja Custers (Leuven BC) the title of World Champion (!) in the Beginners Division.

    The final against a female player from Russia was a particularly tense affair. Sonja was able to come back from 0-6 down to reach equality at 9-9. In an unbearably exciting DMP-game, Sonja was able to keep a cool head under time pressure and eventually won after some gruelling swings of fortune.

    Although the playing field was small and the opposition modest, this title has a prestigious ring to it and should give Sonja the motivation and confidence to continue her dedicated efforts to improve her game. She will of course from this day forward no longer be allowed to compete with the Beginners, but will have to defend her colours in the Intermediate divisions. Surely a fine achievement after barely one year of study.

    Congratulations, Sonja!

  • EUBTC Gibraltar : Belgium fails to qualify for Final Four.

    In a tie-break with Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the UK, Belgium could not win sufficient 1-point matches to reach the Final Four.

    Currently, Sweden and Denmark are playing 1-point matches to see who will join Austria, Germany and Italy in the Final Four.

     

  • EUBTC Gibraltar : Belgium loses to UK 2-3 and becomes joined 4rth.

    With 19 victories, Belgium will have to play a 5-team play-off to decide who qualifies for the Final Four.

    Results :

    Marc Van Damme v Gaz Owen 1-0

    Michel Lamote v Raj Jansaari 1-0

    Geert Van der Stricht v Sebastian Wilkinson 0-1

    Johan Huyck v Tim Cross 0-1

    Guy Van Middelem v Eric McAlpine 0-1

  • EUBTC Gibraltar : 4-1 victory against Turkey keeps Red Devils in title race.

    Results :

    Marc Van Damme v Kader Turk 1-0

    Michel Lamote v Gural Bulut 0-1

    Geert Van der Stricht v Arda Findikoglu 1-0

    Johan Huyck v Gökhan Günes 1-0

    Guy Van Middelem v Fatih Simer 1-0

  • EUBTC Gibraltar : Belgium lose against Germany 2-3…

    The results :

    Marc Van Damme v Dirk Schiemann 0-1

    Michel Lamote v Tobias Hellwag 1-0

    Geert Van der Stricht v Jürgen Orlowski 0-1

    Johan Huyck v Volker Sonnabend 0-1

    Guy Van Middelem v Andreas Hoffman 1-0