Belgian Individual Championship 2024 on June 15 & 16

The Belgian Individual Championship (BIC) 2024 takes place on Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16, 2024, at Tennis-Hockey-Bridge Club Orée, Drève des Brûlés 59, 1150 Brussels.

Swiss tournament format: 9 rounds of 9-point matches. Rounds 1 to 5 are played on Saturday, rounds 6 to 9 on Sunday.

Registration: 25 euro. The winner receives the BIC Trophy 2024.

Registration and information: Guy Van Middelem, 0476 41 86 88 or guy.van.middelem@gmail.com

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Gent Backgammon Open XVII on Sunday, February 11, 2024

Dear Backgammon friend,

I’d like to invite you to participate in the 17th edition of the Gent Open Backgammon tournament which will take place on Sunday February 11, 2024, from 10h to 23h.

This is a special edition in the sense that it will take place for the last time in the cellars of St. Peter’s Abbey on the Kantienberg 5, 9000 Gent. So for those who want to experience this again at our current playground, this is a unique opportunity.

Total number of participants is limited to 40. Only players that registered beforehand are certain of a seat.

Kind regards, — Bert Van Kerckhove

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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.
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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!

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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.
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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

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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.
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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).
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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.

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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.

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