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2013 BACKGAMMON EVENTS

• Australian Open (Sydney) - 29-30/11, 1/12/13
• SA Spring Tournament - 24/11/13
• SA Angie Hambour Tournament - 30/6/13

4-5 May 13

2013 NSW Open

Congratulations to John Beeby (NSW) from Kevin Jessup (VIC).

Report, results and photos here.

26 Apr 13

New Zealand Backgammon Champs 2013

by Grant Hoffman

After there not being a New Zealand Champs since 2010 it was decided to run a Championship this year and to make it easy for anyone to play it would be online. We had the problem of making the entry fee reasonable who discourage players who wanted to “have a go”, whereas if it was not enough to cover travel costs some players would not come. So … there was no entry fee so anyone could have a go. This meant there was no prize money. It was organised by Grant Hoffman and Patrick Davey. To make sure that everyone played a lot of backgammon, it was a round robin event until the final 2 players played for the title.

18 players entered in 3 pools of 6. Only 2 players would promote from each pool, with the matches being 13 point matches played on FIBS. Players had to complete 1 match per week starting in February. The second round took the 6 who survived round 1 and divided them into 2 pools of 3 players. Only 1 player from each pool would go forward to the final. In pool 1, we had a three-way split with the winner being decided by taking the points won minus the points lost to decide the winner – Murray Richards, a very seasoned player. In pool 2, I (Grant Hoffman) managed to win both my matches (17 to 3, then 17 to 4) so I went into the final.

So the stage was set for Grant Hoffman versus Murray Richards in a 17 point match for the title of New Zealand Backgammon Champion 2013. In the final, it was truly a case of "first among equals". I managed to win 17 to 7 in a very close match where the score did not reflect how close it was.

Looking at the tournament as a whole, there were many players who could have won. A lot of good backgammon was played, and everyone had a great time. I would like to take the opportunity to particularly thank Patrick Davey for all his effort was running the website, technical support, and helping me through various issues. Yet again I have underestimated how much effort would be required to run the tournament and Patrick just made it all a lot easier.

AUSTRALIAN BACKGAMMON LEAGUE

Players are invited to become members and play on-line Australia Wide and start playing in March.
So take some time to have a look at their site http://www.australianbackgammonleague.com and let the organisers know if there are any problems in using it. The site is very new, like its organisers, so any feedback would be appreciated. The ABL will be sending posts from their FORUM to your registered email address, so please consider reading and responding to the topics raised. They are committed to open communication between players so that ABL work for all players. All registered players will be assigned a playing bracket for March and will receive details via email at the end of February. Any questions please do not hesitate to contact ABL via their website or e-mail.

http://www.australianbackgammonleague.com
AusBGLeague@hotmail.com

17 Feb 13 - SA OPEN - congratulations to Shane McNally (on the right in the photo below) from John O'Grady. Details on the Adelaide page.

05 Feb 13 - Backgammon returns to Perth!

Save your battery life and put the computer to sleep... because real Backgammon is returning to Perth!

If you're tired of the online time-wasters, trash-talkers, abandoned matches, bot-players and ridiculous dice outcomes...then join us and reconnect with the game, how it was meant to be played...Live & Direct.

The format is simple. Weekly Tournaments and Chouette at great venues, with a welcoming atmosphere, for both new and seasoned players. Weekly play has commenced at the The Empire Bar (Burswood) on Monday nights, with a 7pm (sharp) kick-off.

If you're interested in joining us, simply drop into The Empire Bar on Monday night and look for the Boards.

http://www.backgammon.net.au/

Alternatively you can email for additional info.

27 Jan 13 - IBC Round 2 - Mick plays Rod Covlin from the US. Rob Disney reports:

"Mick Dyett's form ran out in the latter stages of the round 2 match against American, Rod Covlin, on Sunday morning (still Australia Day in the US !).

Mick trailed 3-8 in the first set before a gammon and backgammon in games where Rod took the cube propelled Mick to a 13-8 win.

In the second set, cube takes were few and far between in the early going with the score getting to 3-3 before a cube was accepted. Mick lost that game by a pip then lost the next after cubing and having to drop a re-cube (a double 3 joker turned this game on it's head).

After drawing back at 7-7 Rod won a gammoned cube to take the set 11-7.

Set 3 started promisingly for Mick as he cubed early and was running away with a probable gammon until the inevitable late shot was left and hit. Rod worked his way to getting 2 of Mick's men back and cubed him out. Not to be deterred Mick hit back with a cubed gammon to lead 4-2 and 3 games later 6-4 but that was the end of the section. Rod reeled off 8 unanswered points including a last game backgammon to win 12-6."

Bad luck, Mick!

You can follow the tournament here.

26 Jan 13 - Australia Day Honours List. Nick Begakis AM, president of the SA Backgammon Association, is promoted to AO:

Nicholas Begakis AM, Torrens Park, SA. For distinguished service to business and commerce in South Australia through leadership in the food industry and the development of international trade, and to the community. Read more.

Congratulations to Nick and a big thanks to him for his tireless work supporting and promoting backgammon in SA. The Backgammon Association of South Australia (BASA) celebrates its 35th year in 2013.

14 Jan 13 - International Backgammon Championship Round 1 - Australia's Mick Dyett vs Turkey's Sedat Sorguven. Rob Disney acted as proctor for the match and reports:

"Mick Dyett won his first round match against Turkey's Sedat Sorguven in 3 very tight matches, 2 sets to 1, 11/8 10/11 11/10, to make the final 8 of the competition. The matchup took almost 4 hours to settle and Mick came from 3/8 in the final set. He scored 7 unanswered points to lead 10/8 before Sedat gammoned the Crawford game to tie it at 10. Mick gammoned the last game for the victory."