Bagai Bags Sydney in April 2003

by Mark Driver

Jeremy Bagai, visiting backgammon expert and author of Classic Backgammon Revisited, held a Backgammon seminar at the Mill Hill hotel on the 22nd April. The seminar attracted healthy and lively participation as Jeremy with the aid of club regulars, replayed a key game from the recent Pittsburgh Masters championship (which pitted Bagai against US tourney veteran Bob Glass). Jeremy provided an enlightening and entertaining move by move commentary on the game drawing from both his own knowledge base and the results of an extensive post-match computer analysis using the Snowie (neural net) backgammon software program. Participants were humbled and perhaps relieved to note that even the best players are not immune to the odd major blunder or two in the heat of battle .

The Mill Hill backgammon club extends thanks to Jeremy for taking the time to conduct the seminar and for his keen participation in the club tournaments and private chouettes during his stay in Sydney.

Jeremy also got around a bit while he was here...

He even managed to pick up a couple of birds!

A BBQ/Backgammon Fest was held on April 12. Wally and Sharon Bartelme put on a magnificent spread of food. Our host Wally had a good time (or maybe it's just because he has 4 of Mark's men trapped behind his 6-prime :)

Under Jeremy's watchful eye, the Sydneysiders try not to make errors.

Food, drink, backgammon and good company on the porch on a balmy Sydney evening - doesn't get much better than this.