To set the scene… Season 1 of the UKBGF league drew to a close this week, fifty-seven divisions of 6 players makes an awful lot of backgammon! The final match to be played in Division 1 was played on the final day. At that point Gaz Owen was already the inaugural champion, on points difference, and one relegation place had been decided. But various permutations of outcomes for the rest were still possible, with the winner of this match having an eye on reaching second place, and the loser having to avoid a heavy defeat in order to avoid the drop.

 

Stuart Mann (Stuby) vs Tim Cross (Timster)

UKBGF League Div 1: 25th March 2021

by David Potter

Watch the match here.
I was fortunate enough to sit in on the streaming of this match between Stuart and Tim. Our commentator was Chris Bray, who is also in Division 1. Chris, in case you didn’t know, is a leading British player, The Times backgammon columnist, author of many backgammon books and teacher. He gave such expert analysis of the match, and so quickly. I could barely keep up.
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