The UK Backgammon Federation
After his tough loss to Askenazi in the main, Chris Rogers had the dubious honour of facing up to him again in the quarter-finals of the 2nd Chance after Victor’s loss to Frigo. They had another fantastic battle, and this 4 cube by Victor is an absolute beauty, truly world class and one that only a very small percentage of us would find.
To be sure this was a day of pure drama, and we’ll start at the top with the Ashkenazi-Rogers semi final. Short of sleep and rest, Chris played the match in slugger mode with PR a secondary consideration, which at times rose to alarming levels. But he ground out a way to a 13-10 lead, and found a position that we all dream about. The facts are simple, VA has to get these men around in 5 rolls – if Chris misses all his doubles. Gammons are at 92%.
… but two stars survive, and Rogers in Main Semi.
On the face of it, our seven intrepid warriors finding just four wins yesterday [and 7 losses] is an ugly day, but we still have two shots at the World title. A big one, and his bridesmaid “Mini me.”
When the boys stand on their desks to salute to recently fired Robin Williams’ character in the rousing climax of Dead Poets Society, one can’t help but wonder if we have our very own John Keating in Dan Rovira. Philosophical, dreamy, lost in a world of theory, imagination and a thousand thoughts, all happening at roughly the same time. His blog is a kaleidoscope of Kerouac, Hemingway, Camus and Hunter S. Thomson. It is no accident that backgammon has stolen his heart. The intrigue, the organized chaos, the endless poetry. It captivates his mind and sense of wonder. He is a man who always looks mildy whamboozled. His A-Level English students at Worthing College must be taken for a wonderful ride each time he brandishes his chalk.
Perhaps the BGWC social media put it best, when it – somewhat brutally – listed players who fell on the first day in the field of 198 at Monte Carlo:
Michy, Mochy, Akiko, Azuki, Petko, Russell, O’Hagan, Wells, Tenland, Granstedt, Lylloff, Dogan, Snarheim, Pedersen, Royset, Zizka, Belene.
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