May / June 2026 Newsletter
May / June 2026 Newsletter-
The Women’s World Championship Team Tournament Comes to London
One of the things we love most about women’s backgammon is seeing players discover that competition can be exciting, supportive, challenging—and genuinely fun. This year, London will host an event that captures all of those things: the Women’s World Championship Team Tournament on 24-30 August 2026 at the Mercure Hotel, Earl’s Court, London.
Bringing together women from different countries, playing styles, and stages of their backgammon journey, this event promises to be a celebration not only of high-level play, but of the growing global community of women in backgammon.
Team competition brings something special to the tournament experience. Individual tournaments are wonderful tests of focus, skill, and resilience. Team events add another dimension entirely: teammates preparing together, supporting each other through difficult matches, celebrating victories together, and creating memories that often last long after the final match has finished.
One of the most exciting things about this championship is that it reminds us that world competition is more accessible than many people realize. A question we often hear is: How do women qualify for events like this? The answer is encouraging.
Qualification pathways are designed to create opportunities—not barriers. Women qualify through recognised competitive participation and selection pathways, creating a route for players who are willing to take that next step into tournament play. While national approaches vary, the broader message remains the same: you do not have to be a long-established champion to begin your journey toward world-level competition.
That is one of the reasons WWB continues to encourage women to enter tournaments, try new formats, play online events, and build competitive experience. Every event entered, every match played, and every connection made become part of building confidence and opening future opportunities.
London also adds another exciting development: alongside the team competition, there will be a women’s individual event, creating even more opportunities for women to participate and experience international competition. This reflects the continued growth and visibility of women’s backgammon and the increasing appetite for events designed to showcase women’s talent at every level.
What makes these championships so meaningful goes beyond titles and trophies.
Events like this create visibility. They encourage women who may be sitting on the sidelines to imagine themselves competing. They demonstrate that serious competition and a welcoming community can exist together. They help newer players see pathways forward and remind experienced players of the importance of supporting those coming behind them.
The international element also makes this event especially memorable. Players arrive representing different countries and backgammon communities, but many leave having built friendships, shared ideas, and strengthened connections across borders.
For spectators, this is a chance to watch excellent backgammon and support women competing at the highest level.
For players, it may be the moment that changes how they think about their own backgammon journey.
And for anyone reading this who has ever thought, “Maybe one day…”—perhaps this is your reminder that world championship participation starts exactly where every player starts: by entering one tournament, playing one match, and taking one step forward.
So make plans now to be a part of the experience. To date, 12 countries have registered for the WBGF Women’s World Team Championship National Teams - UKBGF – but there’s still time to join in. Even if you’re not on a Team, come watch first-class play in the women’s team event and play in the women’s individual event. If you can’t make it in person, follow the action by watching Streamed matches. Check out the details at: WBGF_WC_London_2026_flyer.pdf
We cannot wait to see London welcome teams from around the world—and to cheer them on.
On June 16, 2026, Martha Gjelseth and Hanna Thorsen played a 7-point Consultation Doubles Match against eXtreme Gammon, discussing their thought process, checker play, cube decisions, and strategic considerations as the match unfolded. Following the match, they reviewed and analyzed selected positions and answered questions from the live Zoom audience.
Martha was the winner of the 2026 Women’s World of Backgammon Invitational Cup, and Hanna was runner-up. Sixteen top women backgammon players from around the world competed in the online event held earlier this year.
Both Martha and Hanna are members of the Norwegian National Team, winners of the 2025 WBGF Women's Team Championship. Hanna earned the tournament's Best Individual Performance Award with an impressive 6-1 record. Both women are certified BMAB Masters, and Hanna recently achieved the prestigious M2 rating, a distinction held by only a handful of women worldwide.
The video of the WWB Learning Session may be found HERE.
Women’s Invitational Backgammon Weekend
For the fifth straight year, women have gathered at the stunning home of Jason Briggs in Palm Beach, FL, for a weekend chock full of opportunities to play, learn, and connect through backgammon. This isn't just an event—it is a celebration, a competition, and a fundraiser all in one, benefiting the Women's World of Backgammon Fund of the U.S. Backgammon Foundation.
Thanks to generous attendees, the weekend raised more than $6,000 to further women's participation and leadership in the game. Jason, a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Backgammon Foundation and the U.S. Backgammon Federation, has done an amazing job helping propel the rapidly-growing movement of backgammon, including the dramatic growth in the number of women players.
Launched in 2022 by Lisa Speer, the director of the Palm Beach Backgammon Women’s Club, the weekend event consists of a brunch honoring a woman backgammon player who has demonstrated leadership in advancing women’s backgammon; learning clinics led by world-class teachers; and an all-woman tournament. This year’s event was organized by Diana Vought and Karen Davis on May 2-3, 2026.
Candace Mayeron, producer of the California State Championship, was the honoree, with friend and grandmaster Steve Sax kicking off the brunch in her honor noting Candace’s impressive contributions as an impresario of backgammon and innovative leader, bringing show-business glamour and excitement to backgammon events. She produced the first American Backgammon Tournament with a woman’s only event. Today there are 12 women’s events at ABT tournaments with 227 entrants, up from 36 in 2021. She is a USBGF Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and a Diamond Inner Circle Sponsor of the Women’s World of Backgammon. Thirty-five women attended the brunch including previous honorees, backgammon world champions Lee Genud (1981) and Katie Scalamandre (2000); and Karen Davis, winner of the online WBIF Women’s World Championship (2024).
Congratulations to those who placed in the Women’s Tournament. Jason Briggs donated Crisloid backgammon boards and backgammon jewelry designed and produced by Augusta Lorber to the winners.
Women's Invitational Backgammon Weekend, 5/2-3/2026 (31) Palm Beach FL; Nano Cabrera directing; Karen Davis and Diana Vought producers.
🎲Championship (8): 1-Lee Genud; 2-Katie Scalamandre;1st Consolation Rosemary Steffen. 🎲Intermediate (23): 1-Lilly Simpson, 2-Linda Siris, 3-Pam Williams; Consolation: Tied for 1st Nancy Brown, Gigi Goyette (CA), Ann Hokanson.
WWB Recognition Awards
Women’s World of Backgammon is providing white puffer jackets to wear in chilly backgammon tournament rooms to women who win the women’s event at American Backgammon Tournaments. Awardees to date include:
Karen Davis (FL) -- Lady Liberty Cup, NY Metro Championship, January 2026
Carmen Tomlinson (TX) – Women’s Open Jackpot, 12th Texas Championship, February 2026
Lindsey Klein (NC) – WWB Cup, Charlotte Backgammon Invitational, April 2026
Maggie Diamantidis (CA/Greece) – WWB Cup, Cherry Blossom, April 2026
Marcy Kossar (MD) – WWB National Championship, Chicago Open, May 2026
Kara Schultz (CA) – Annie Oakley Shootout, Denver Wild West, June 2026
Winning Women Around the World
Women are increasingly placing in national and international events.
Women placing in events in mid- April 2025 to mid-June include:
DAVID SIEGEL MEMORIAL BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP (preliminary results)
June 10-14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada
INTERMEDIATE (28+12 rebuys): 2-Candace Mayeron (CA), 4/5 Jennifer Kim (CA); 1LC-Martha Ghio (NY)
WOMEN'S EVENT (8): 1-Candace Mayeron (CA), 2-Philippa Lightbourn (Bahamas).
DOUBLES CONSULTATION (24 teams): 2-Helder Pinheiro (CA) & Tangee Pinheiro (CA)
SENIORS OVERFLOW (8): 1-Jennifer Kim (CA), 2-Carmen Tomlinson (TX).
Candace Mayeron
3rd AUSTRIAN OPEN AND WBIF: June 5-7, 2026; Baden, Austria
MASTERS: 2-Pia Jeppesen
SUPER JACKPOT: 2-Miranda Moulton
SWING: 2-Martha Gjelseth
INTERMEDIATE: 2- Safiya Tracy; 3/4 -Lili Doubek
CONSULTING DOUBLES: 1-Martha Gjelseth and Asbjørn Arntzen; 3-Flavia Petersen and Eduardo Maciel
Irina Litzenberger
BT: WILD WEST SHOOTOUT: 8th ANNUAL DENVER OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
June 3-7, 2026; Denver, Colorado
ABT DIVISION 1 - BISON (50+24 rebuys): 2C-Irina Litzenberger (VA).
ABT DIVISION 2- GUNSLINGERS (32+18 rebuys): 1C-Marcy Kossar (MD),
ABT DIVISION 3 - WARRIORS (19+5 rebuys): 2-Jeanna Kish (TX);
WARRIOR JACKPOT DIVISION 3 (12): 1 2-Joan Koscielny (FL),
PLAYERS CUP DENVER BMAB (30): 2/6- Melissa Shin (CA) / PR winners: 4-Irina Litzenberger (VA) at 5.03,
ANNIE OAKLEY SHOOTOUT (16): 1-Kara Schulz (CA), 2-Irina Litzenberger (VA); 1C-Marcy Kossar (MD), 2C-Molly Anderson (NM).
DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Ray Fogerlund (NV) & Sue Will (IL),
SENIOR WRANGLERS (32): 3/4- Carol Joy Cole (MI).
IBF: GEORGIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 / WORLD LONGGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP
May 28-June 3, 2026; Tbilisi Sea New City, Georgia
BACKGAMMON WOMEN'S (64): 1-Elena Anatolevna Anuchina (Russia), 2-Selin Kurt Talipoglu (Türkiye), 3-Evgeniia Sergeevna Stepanova-Shishkina (Russia), 4-Gigasari Atena Zakizadeh (Iran).
BACKGAMMON 1-POINT (128): 2-Evgeniia Sergeevna Stepanova-Shishkina (Russia),
BACKGAMMON BLITZ (128): 4-Olga Aleksandrovna Ivanova (Russia).
WBIF YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (106)
1-Viktoriya Borzenkoya (RU) – winning after 14 Rounds with a 12 win/1 bye/2 loss record.
Merrin Rose
Viktoriya Borzenkoya
UKBGT: 12th UK BACKGAMMON OPEN
May 22-25, 2026; Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
WOODLAND CUP CONSOLATION (79): 1-Merrin Rose
The UK Backgammon Federation website blog noted: Even more impressive is Merrin Rose’s collection of wins to take the trophy: Lawrence Powell, Adrian Jones, Stuart Mann & Gaz Owen. Now that’s a fab four that would punch heavy at the World Teams! Huge congrats to her, and she’s secured the highest female British rating of all time – 1746 to Cecilia Rogers’ 1742.
INTERMEDIATES (75): 2-Kathryn Addy,
UNLUCKY LOSERS (22): 12-Jay Hayter.
UK DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP (32 teams): 2-Michele de Havilland & Peter Hodson
ARTGAMMON TRAVEL BOARD WARM UP I (64):, 2-Anna Price.
UKBGF BACKGAMMON AWARDS FOR 2025:
Outstanding Contribution: Gerald & Rosemary Whitehouse
British Player of the Year, Live: Anna Price
British Player of the Year, Online: Cecilia Rogers
Tournament Directors of the Year, Online: David & Rose Gallagher
ABT: 44th CHICAGO OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
May 20-25, 2026; Rosemont, Illinois
ABT OPEN (79): 4/6-Karen Davis (FL)
ABT INTERMEDIATE (78): 3/7-Dannia Esquivel (Costa Rica) / Sandra Sha (FL) / Olivia Upbin (NY) / Tiffany Van (TX)
ABT NOVICE (29): 1-Ece Agirbas (GA) 4/6-Linda Ring (IL)
PLAYERS CUP CHICAGO BMAB (42): Congratulations to Irina Litzenberger (VA) who won Iron Star #017!! 1-Irina Litzenberger (VA), 2/9- Karen Davis (FL) / Melissa Shin (CA). PR winners: 8-Karen Davis (FL) at 5.30, 10-Irina Litzenberger (VA) at 5.57.
INTERMEDIATE JACKPOT (32): 3/4-Tiffany Van (TX).
UNLUCKY DICE LAST CHANCE (19): 2-Joan Koscielny (FL).
WOMEN'S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (24): 1-Marcy Kossar (MD), 2-Terese Flynn (IL), 3-Carol Joy Cole (MI); 1C-Karen Davis (FL), 2C-Wendy Kaplan (IL).
DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Karen Davis (FL) & Wendy Kaplan (IL), 3/4- Patrick Horton (NY) & Lily Medalia (NY).
OVERFLOW DOUBLES (16 teams): 2-Anne Major (TX) & Todd Obadal (IA).
JUNIORS (32): 2-Amy Latek (WI), 3/4-Kelsey Rose (NY).
UKBGT: 2026 HARROGATE OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
May 15-17, 2026; Harrogate, United Kingdom
WOODEN SPOON KNOCKOUT: 1-Ruth Hibbert.
FRIDAY WARM UP: 1-Becca Bell, 2-Jim Majka.
SLAM: WBF: 4th GREEK GRAND PRIX INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON CRUISE
May 9-16, 2026; Greek Islands, Aegean Sea
DOUBLES (38 teams): 1-James Newman (United Kingdom) & June Williamson (Scotland),
SENIORS (96): 4/6- Antoinette-Marie Williams (USA).
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT (24): 1-Maricar Ustick (Australia), 2-Rowena Paliwoda (United Kingdom), 3-Antoinette-Marie Williams (USA).
DMP CHALLENGE (128): 2-Brenda Rosen (United Kingdom),
TBT: 3rd KUSADASI BACKGAMMON OPEN-WBF
May 1-3, 2026; Kusadasi, Türkiye
LADIES PRIZE (10): 2-Gülderen Gücavli.
DOUBLES CONSULTATION (36 teams): 1-Birgül Önder & Zafer Önder, 2-Gözde Diptas & Gülderen Gücavli
UKBGT: SCOTTISH OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
May 1-3, 2026; Aberdeen, Scotland
CHAMPIONSHIP (63): 1, 2-Anita Martin, 1LC-Beth Young, 2LC-Jenny Watson.
DOUBLES (16 teams): 1-Lawrence Powell & Catherine Seale.
FRIDAY NIGHT WARM UP (40): 2-Rachel Rhodes.
ABT: CHARLOTTE BACKGAMMON INVITATIONAL 2026
April 30-May 3, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina
ABT ADVANCED (48): 2-Samra Hadden (GA), 3-Mary Tobin (NC), 4/7- Joan Koscielny (FL) / Maggie Sweeney (MI).
HORNETS NEST DOUBLES (24 teams): 1-Samra Hadden (GA) & Mike Horri (GA), 2-Chris & Patty Knapp (MA),
WOMEN'S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON CUP (6): 1-Lindsey Klein (NC); 1C-Joanna Lein (OK).
JOKER BOARD TOURNAMENT (16): Board winners: Joshua Isaac (NY), Michael Klein (Cayman Islands).
CRISLOID BACKGAMMON BOARD RAFFLE: Winner: Maggie Sweeney (MI).
NOVICE AFTER-TOURNEY (8): 12-Jennifer Zorek-Pressman (CT).
18th INTERNATIONAL GERMAN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP
April 30-May 3, 2026; Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany
CHAMPIONSHIP (110): 3/4-Laila Leonhardt (Sweden)
BEGINNERS (32): 1-Michele Foglia (Switzerland), 3/4-Miriam Michel
LIMITED DOUBLES (24 teams): 1-Fred & Viktoria Brendler, 2-Kirsten Jensen (Denmark) & Max Petersen (Denmark).
SPEEDGAMMON II (8): 1-Ingrid Sonnabend.
LADIES CUP (31): 1-Corinna Blaschke, 2-Alexia Ragotzky, 3/4-Marianne Bowen (USA) / Sabine Brinkmann.
UKBGT: ST ALBANS OPEN BACKGAMMON
April 25-26, 2026; Wheathampstead, United Kingdom
OPEN (96): 2C-Becca Bell,
DISCONSOLATES (16): 1-Hannah Parente, 2-Cecilia Rogers.
MISCHANCE (16): 1-Rosalie Johnson,
LAST GASP (8): 2-Fraya Dravern.
Eva Zizkova
FMBGT: ISTAVDER 18th ANNIVERSARY BACKGAMMON FEAST
April 20-26, 2026; Istanbul, Türkiye
CHAMPIONSHIP (804): 10-Eva Zizkova (Czechia),
FMPR DIGITAL BOARD #4 (32): 1-Eva Zizkova (Czechia), 2
TEAM TOURNAMENT (44 teams): 1-ARKADAS: Nuray Sevimli / Ahmet Sevimli / Niyazi Ünlütürk / Janette Hodkingson (South Africa) / Osman Erkol,
LADIES SPECIAL – SULTANS OF BACKGAMMON (55): 1-Selin Kurt, 2-Maya Peycheva (Bulgaria), 3/4-Damla Karal / Serpil Ertürk.
SLAM: WBF: 8th MERIT OPEN MONTENEGRO GRAND PRIX BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP
April 14-18, 2026; Budva, Montenegro
MASTER (77): 6/8- Ingo Mohr (Germany);
LADIES TOURNAMENT (9): 1-Arezou Shafiei (France), 2-Miranda Moulton (United Kingdom), 3/4-Ketevani Natazde (Georgia) / Handan Parente (Türkiye).
URGENT: Be sure to sign up for the WBIF 2026 Women’s World Championship
June 30 Deadline for Registration – register at wbif.net WBIF International - Home
July 1-5 51st Michigan Summer Championship, Sheraton Novi, Michigan, Ben Friesen, director 810-348-1605
WWB Fireworks Cup begins July 5, Noon
https://michiganbackgammon.com/
27 July – 2 August 57th World Championship,
Fairmont Hotel, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Women’s World Championship
https://www.backgammonworldchampionship.com/
24-30 August World Backgammon Federation, Mercure Earls Hotel, London, UK
World Team Championship
Women’s World Team Championship
September 2-7 Viking Classic, Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Minnesota
April and Michael Mesich, Directors 1-612-703-3211
Shieldmaiden Women’s Event begins registration Sept 4 at 5 pm
https://www.vikingbackgammonclassic.com/
September 9-13 Gammon Geaux New Orleans, Kimpton Fonenot Hotel
Bill Riles and Tara Mendicino, Directors 281-703-9304
Women’s Open Jackpot First Start Sept 10, 8 pm
September 23-27 1st Music City Open, Holiday Inn, Nashville TN
Kristin Westerman, organizer; Rory Pascar director
Bachelorette Women’s Event First Start Sept 24 3 pm
https://musiccitybackgammon.com/home
NOTE!! Find a partner – Online WWB Doubles Tournament Starts October 1
October 7-12 Las Vegas Open, AC Hotel/Marriott, Las Vegas NV
Rory Pascar, director
WWB Women’s Cup
October 26-November 1 Boston Open, The Verve Hotel, Boston, Natick, MA
Rory Pascar, director, 617-699-9861 [email protected]
November 17-23 3rd Miami Open, Hilton Aventura, Miami, FL
Avi Cohen, producer 786-999-2623
Recent WWB YouTube Videos
WWB Learning Sessions
WWB Invitational Cup 1st/2nd Winners Martha Gjelseth and Hanna Thorsen Play Consulting Doubles Against XG based on June 16, 2026 WWB Learning Session [add link]
Peer Coaching: Briliancies and Blunders based on January 31, 2026 WWB Peer Coaching Tournament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auDD2gCFqjg&t=460s
Kara Schultz
Studying with a Backgammon Buddy Irina Litzenberger and Kara Schultz discussed checker and cube decisions as they played a 7-point Consulting Doubles match against the neural net software eXtreme Gammon on October 24, 2025. It illustrates how players preparing for a major backgammon tournament can study with a backgammon buddy partner to sharpen their game. The YouTube video of their live commentary can be found on the Women’s World of Backgammon YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHEb3sZIkg
WWB Invitational Cup Matches Available at https://www.youtube.com/@WomensWorldOfBackgammon/playlists:
Final
Martha Gjelseth v Hanna Thorsen
Round 6:
Kara Schutz v M Artha Gjelseth
Round 5:
Hanna Thorsen v Karen Davis
Martha Gjelseth v Eva Zizkova
Round 4:
Kara Schutz v Pia Jeppesen
Eva Zizkova v. Gulderen Gucavli
Melissa Shin vs. Hanna Thorsen
Round 3:
Akiko Yazawa v Kara Schultz
Hanna Thorsen vs Martha Gjelseth
Pid Jeppensen v. Irina Litzenberger
Round 2:
Melissa Shin v Martha Gjelseth
Kara Schultz v Cecilia Rogers
Akiko Yazawa v Merrin Rose
Pia Jeppesen v Hanna Thorsen
Katja Sophie Svendsen v Gulderen Gucavli
Eva Zizkova v Mirando Moulton
Round 1:
Miranda Moulton v Maya Peycheva
Merrin Rose v Pia Jeppensen
Melissa Shin v Katja Sophie Svendsen
Gulderen Gucavli v Karen Davis
Martha Gjelseth v. Akiko Yazawa
Eva Zizkova v. Kara Schultz
Additional Informational Sessions:
WWB Special Learning Session with Michy Kageyama – Improving Your Cube Decision Skills Premiered July 18, 2025
WWB Learning Session – Playing eXtreme Gammon to Improve Your Game with Steve Sax April 18, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6WIVYcjXbk&list=PLolfHyIVeeOQ5-U6Na6zpNNJUzlrDQRpT&index=3
WWB Learning Session – Using Anki Flashcards to Improve Your Game with Julius High https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXHiY7QdnN4&t=22s April 11, 2025
Introducing the New Women’s World of Backgammon Website!
We are excited to announce the launch of the all-new Women’s World of Backgammon website! Designed to better serve our growing global community, the new site offers an enhanced user experience, improved navigation, and expanded resources for women who love the game of backgammon.
Whether you're looking for tournament information, peer coaching opportunities, educational content, event schedules, newsletters, rankings, or ways to connect with women players around the world, you'll find it all in one place. The new website reflects our ongoing mission of promoting women’s participation, place, and preeminence in competitive backgammon.
We invite you to explore the new site, discover what's new, and join us as we continue building a stronger, more connected community for women in backgammon.
Visit us today at www.womensworldofbackgammon.com!
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