Simply sensational – World Championships – Day 4

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%.

The vital 66 arrived right on cue, which still only meant 50-50, and VA still needed two perfectly fitting rolls at the end to save the gammon by a pip. Amazing. Never did a 15-10 lead feel so bad. Chris regathered and forged a dominating position in the next, but one which had some volatility. He became terribly anxious about getting gammoned and his checkers became too bashful. There’s no need to make the 12 here. The reception committee is crucial if VA leaps out, which he did:

The BG gods forgave Chris, but did not forgive him this, on the very next roll. He’s hit on the 8 point with the 4, but how to play the 3?

Paranoia has arrested Chris here. The price paid for cutting down on four shots to two is telling. No slotted landing point for the 5 prime. No builder for his board. An ungainly, stacked 4 point, and not getting away from [as Seb Wilkinson said on commentary], “the nonsense of 11 and 22”.

The dice duly went quack quack for 22, and we were at 15-12. Two hammerblows in a row that, and Chris’s vital organs were screaming – which softened him up for an unfortunate gammon in the next. At 15-16 Chris had the edge late in the race but then limped horribly with 31, 41 and worst of all 52 which took none of this three remaining checkers off. Shades of Barnes’ 31 from the other day. Askenazi simply wouldn’t lose a key race, and had now won three 17-15s on the spin, all of which when huge underdog. Victor left the arena shell-shocked and for such a jovial individual, was in no mood for messing: “no human interaction!” he barked to anyone who came close. Chris was much more sanguine. It was what it was. Victor played off 3.01 to Chris’ 6.57, not his best, but a big recovery from early doors when he was pushing double digits.

Crazy Undefeated Final

After Frank Figo defeated Balali we savoured an exceptional late night Undefeated final, where at 18-14 [19] a thrilling priming game saw VA have many rolls to take the match, but could never find that killer “leap” with FF closed out. So 18-15, post Crawford. Once again Victor was bossing the game, but check this out. As the commentator said: “any bad numbers here? 65 is not so good.” Out it popped!

The double slot appeared to be the only credible option, but it was all the invitation that Frank needed who promptly gammoned Victor for match. Simply breath-taking, and a return to the final for Frank, 29 years after his win in ’94.

The Stunning Vincent Resurrection

Elsewhere, my heart-breaker Alexis Vincent got into time trouble again, and in a highly unique occurrence, lost, buried his head in his hands, inconsolable, as a stunned crowd stood around in disbelief. 40 minutes later, he won the match.

Here’s what happened. Down to 34 seconds Alexis was up 10-9 and about to win Crawford against a two-point back game but left the last gasp shot. Dejan Maros hit. With so many ripped, he left Alexis a shot on his 6 in the bear-off in a situation similar to mine the previous night. Alexis hits these, and he duly fired off the 64. However! As he’s playing the forced move Maros prematurely picks up the dice and rolls. His play is far from automatic and both players focus on it: stay back and break his board or creep up. It’s a highly tense situation, and all Alexis knows is the next play is well underway. This tricks his mind into thinking he’s pressed his clock – but he never got the chance! After 20 seconds or so, Maros makes up his mind, goes to press the clock, sees it’s still running for Alexis, and then spends the next 15 seconds off his life in paradise as he watches Alexis’ clock run to zero with the crowd frozen in horror, knowing they couldn’t say anything. If they did they might get a bill for ca. €8,000 for interference. Clock down to zero, “you lose on time,” said Maros, offering his hand.

Except he didn’t. He didn’t lose on time. It wasn’t his go. His opponent ended his go under highly false pretences and this is the image to prove it.

It’s obfuscation, misdirection and distraction, and it’s not right. Fortunately justice prevailed and after a due and thorough investigation by Arda and the ruling committee, they were asked to replay the position but this time allow Vincent to end his play. He won the match in two seconds flat.

Elsewhere

In the Second Chance we still have female representation as the gutsy Martha Gjelseth was down to 2% at dmp vs Ziva but found the freak 17/1 joker and then still had more to do. She won her next too, bouquets to her.

And Chris ground down Balali so he is still in it, just 4 matches from the world title. A rematch with Ashkenazi awaits today.

Also, we can confirm that Warner Solomon of the UK has reached the final of the Intermediates. Great stuff Warner.

It was an amazing day’s play, and we have the Quarters and Semis of the 2nd Chance today which look like this:

• Mario Kuhl vs Ricardo Malas
• Alexis Vincent vs Martha Gjelseth
• Morten Holm vs Kengo Nakasuka
• Chris Rogers vs Victor Ashkenazi

 

There are two live streams throughout the tournament on Backgammon Galaxy’s Youtube channel with commentary from a host of experts. You can also stay up to date with the remaining results as they happen in both the World Championship and the parallel Intermediates.