The Cambridge Open once again proved to be a fantastic weekend of backgammon, bringing together Masters, Intermediate and Novice players from across the country for two days of exciting competition.
Organised by Julia Hayward, the event combined fierce rivalry with a welcoming atmosphere, making it enjoyable for experienced tournament regulars and newcomers alike.
With players of all levels sharing the same venue, there was never a dull moment. From impressive victories to heartbreaking blunders (we’ve all been there!), every round had its share of excitement.
Congratulations go to Rachel Rhodes, who was crowned Cambridge Open Champion (for the second time) after defeating Andrew Selby.
The Consolation tournament turned into a Cambridge affair, with local club members Andrew Baxter and Ellh Karlaouzos battling it out in the final. Andrew eventually claimed the title, but it was a great achievement for both players and a proud moment for the Cambridge Backgammon Club to have two home players contesting the trophy.
The Last Chance competition was won by Liviu Ionescu, with Maria Dolphin finishing as runner-up, while Friday evening’s popular Warm-up event was won by Keith Gill, who overcame Cat Bucur in the final.
The Doubles competition provided plenty of entertainment, with teamwork, tactics and the occasional “What were you thinking?!” moment. Dan Rovira and Peter Hodson lifted the trophy after overcoming Cambridge pair Henry Stevenson and Goran Gelevski in the final. Henry and Goran can be proud of a superb run to the final, representing the home club with distinction.
The Novice tournament highlighted the next generation of players, with another one of Cambridge’s own Will Flack and Luana Frank, jointly winners, after an impressive weekend
Of course, backgammon has a habit of reminding us that no position is ever completely safe… and things can sometimes take a wild turn:
Beyond the trophies and results, the Cambridge Open was, above all, about bringing people together. New friendships were made, old ones renewed, stories exchanged between rounds, and everyone went home having learned something—whether about backgammon or simply about never trusting the dice!
A huge thank you goes to Julia Hayward for organising such a well-run event. From the smooth organisation to the welcoming atmosphere, the Cambridge Open continues to establish itself as one of the highlights of the backgammon calendar, and players are already looking forward to next year’s edition.