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| We’re delighted to invite interested women to play in the 5th Online WWB Doubles Tournament! |
| Having tried various combinations of man-woman, woman-woman teams, and Open division-Intermediate division teams over the years, the WWB Online Doubles Tournament welcomes women playing with either a man or another woman. |
| We will have one division and encourage Intermediate-level women to team up with an Open-level man or woman. If you would like to participate but need help finding a suitable backgammon partner, please let us know! |
| Entry & Prize Pool |
| The team entry fee is $100, with 100% of entry fees returned to the top four finishing teams, along with an additional $1,000 in prize money donated by WWB. |
| The prize pool will be distributed: |
| 50% — Winning team |
| 25% — Second-place team |
| 12.5% — Each semifinalist team |
| Registration |
| Registration opens October 13, 2026. |
| The tournament is limited to 32 teams. Registration will close on November 3, 2026, or when 32 teams have registered, whichever comes first. |
| Register by completing the online registration form: |
| https://www.womensworldofbackgammon.com/doublestournamentregistration |
| Only one registration form is needed per team. |
| Please be sure to include current contact information for both players, including email and WhatsApp or phone number, as this information will be used to help opponents contact one another to schedule matches. |
| The $100 team entry fee must be received no later than November 3. When submitting payment, please include the reference “2026 WWB Doubles Tournament Entry Fee.” |
| Payment should be sent to Karen via: |
| PayPal: [email protected] — please mark payment as Family & Friends |
| Venmo: Karen-Davis-419; phone 917-488-5364 |
| Zelle: [email protected]; phone 917-488-5364 |
| Kristin Westerman is the Tournament Organizer and Tournament Director. Questions about the event may be directed to Kristin at [email protected]. |
| Tournament Format |
| Matches will be 9 points and played online on Heroes 3 (Heroes.BackgammonStudio.com) in the WWB Doubles Tournament Room. |
| The tournament will be single elimination with no buy-backs and is capped at 32 teams. |
| Clock settings are 15 seconds per play plus 27 minutes of reserve time. |
| Tournament brackets will be managed through Challonge.com, and participants will receive a link to the tournament bracket once the draw has been completed. |
| Scheduling & Playing Your Matches |
| Once the bracket is released, each team is responsible for contacting its opponents, arranging a mutually agreeable match time, and completing the match by the posted deadline for that round. |
| Participant contact information will be provided so teams can communicate directly with their opponents by phone, email or WhatsApp to schedule their matches. |
| Because players will be participating from around the world and across multiple time zones, there is no single scheduled tournament play time. Each matchup schedules its own match within the allotted round window. |
| Please do not wait until the round deadline to begin coordinating with your opponents. Contact them as soon as your matchup is known and make sure your match is completed on or before the deadline for that round so the tournament can remain on schedule. |
| During the match, doubles partners should communicate with one another by WhatsApp or cell phone, allowing partners to consult throughout play on checker plays, cube decisions, and strategy. |
| WWB Watch Parties & Learning Sessions |
| Selected matches may be featured as WWB Watch Parties/Learning Sessions on Zoom, giving spectators an opportunity to watch the match and, when appropriate, listen as partners discuss checker plays, cube decisions, and strategy. |
| All teams should submit their agreed-upon match date and time at least two days in advance so that WWB can consider the match for a Zoom Watch Party. |
| Submit your scheduled match time here: |
| https://forms.gle/hXcKWa456P9v4zcx9 |
| 2026 Tournament Schedule |
| Registration Opens — October 13 |
| Registration & Payment Deadline — November 3Registration may close earlier if the 32-team maximum is reached. |
| Random Draw & Bracket Released — November 4The draw may be completed earlier if registration fills before November 3. |
| Tournament Play Begins — Immediately After the Draw |
| Round 1 Deadline — November 18 |
| Round 2 Deadline — November 29 |
| Round 3 Deadline — December 9 |
| Semifinal Deadline — December 20 |
| Final Deadline — December 29 |
| We look forward to this event every year with great anticipation. It’s an opportunity to play excellent backgammon, learn from one another, and get to know players from around the world. |
| Find your partner, get registered, and don’t miss out on the fun! |
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| Report from London |
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By Karen Davis
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“Holy moly!” That’s how streaming commentator Kristin Westerman summed it up as she commentated on the Final of the WBGF Women’s Team Backgammon Championship in London, August 24-30. It all hinged on the final match between Melissa Shin (USA) and Catherine Thomé (Iran). With single-digit seconds remaining on both their clocks, a storm of jokers and anti-jokers swung the match lead back and forth. When the whirlwind had passed, the USA claimed the match win and the trophy to become the 2026 Women’s World Team Champions! If you missed it, be sure to watch the Final on the USBGF YouTube channel.
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| The captain of the Iranian team, Zhina Bergström, led her team to the final, with masterful leadership and stellar playing skill. She received the Most Valuable Player of the Event award with her 9 – 0 win-loss record. Norway, winner of the second annual event, finished third. |
| Now in its third year, the World Backgammon Federation Women’s World Team Championship has established itself as a premier event. The number of competing teams has doubled since its inaugural two years ago in Stockholm, Sweden, where the USA also claimed the title of WBGF World Women’s Team Champions! The competition is not just about the contest between national teams, but also the fierce competition to make the team. It is inspiring countless women to improve their game and compete in prestigious national and Backgammon Masters Awarding Body events in order to qualify for participation. |
| It was the beginning of a wonderful week of women’s backgammon. Pia Jeppesen (Denmark) held a streaming audience spellbound as she fought her way to the top of a 226-player field in the WBGF World Individual Championship. She played an amazing Grandmaster-class performance in the final with an eXtreme Gammon Performance Rating (PR) of 2, while losing to fellow Danish player Frederik Mikkelsen whose PR was a very respectable 4. Inja Myhr (Denmark) won the Last Chance in the Intermediate Individual Championship division, in a field of 173 players. |
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| Next up for tough individual competition was the Women’s World Cup, which attracted 79 participants. This is one of the largest women’s individual events on the circuit; and Lynda Clay, Women’s Team USA captain, scored a great coup by taking the title. She also won two more events: the Limited Jackpot and the Speedgammon Overflow, for a total of four trophies and four cashes! Second place in the Women’s went to Martha Gjelseth (Norway) a BMAB Master and recent winner of the Women’s World of Backgammon Invitational Cup. Martha Ghio, winner of this year’s BGWC Women’s World Championship in Monte Carlo, finished 3rd/4th along with Hanna Thorsen, a BMAB Master and Most Valuable Player at last year’s WBGF Women’s Team Championship in Greece. |
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| Women were well represented in the side events and the winners’ circle. The top two Doubles teams included strong women players: |
| Winner: Dagfinn H. Snarheim/Marianne S. Husum - Norway/Norway |
| Finalist: Carter Mattig/Linda Wallin - USA/Sweden |
| The intrepid Lynda Clay won the £150 LIMITED JACKPOT, with Kristin Westerman (USA) in second. Lynda also won the Speedgammon Overflow. The Iranian team captain Zhina Bergström was a semi-finalist. Karen Davis (USA) won the Seniors Overflow. |
| But the list of winners doesn’t capture the most important results – the friendships forged, the spirit of sportsmanship, and the joy of sharing the experience of women on the world stage of backgammon. Before the competition even began, Afsaneh Koohestani, a member of the Iranian women’s team, hosted a dinner for early-arriving Americans at her exclusive private club the Royal Automobile Club (Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, is the president). Lucky dinner companions included Candace Mayeron, Lynda Clay, Kara Schultz and Martha Ghio. |
| In return, after the Finals, Martha Ghio graciously hosted a dinner for the U.S. and Iranian women’s teams where the clinking of glasses captured the warmth and admiration over the board. |
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| Hanna Thorsen summed up the event best with a post on social media: |
| “World Women's team event has been the nicest tournament I have ever attended! Everything is running smoothly. Everyone is adhering to the rules. That is nice. |
| “But much more important, the spirit of sportsmanship and the joy of the game is so clearly present in the room. Mixed in with intense concentration and the rattle of the dice I hear opponents laugh together and see women from all countries hug each other, both for consolation and congratulations, and for friendship. |
| ”A huge thank you to all players for your courtesy and for making this such a joyous event!” |
| Finally, let’s give a heartfelt thank you to the organizers, sponsors and supporters who made it all possible, with special mention to: |
| Backgammon.com – especially the wonderful dinner celebration with Women’s Team USA |
| Women’s World of Backgammon |
| Cubed.London |
| Tony Diamantidis |
| Dino's Fine Jewelry & Watches |
| Greek Women's Team |
| Manopoulos |
| Plus Individual Donors and Sponsors. |
| Reprinted with permission from PrimeTime Backgammon Fall 2026. |
| Gitte Andersen - Oslo BMAB |
| On July 11th I had the pleasure of being invited to Oslo, to play in the first international BMAB tournament only for women. We were 8 who participated and we came from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. |
| Sunshine and backgammon nerdiness, spiced up with swimming trips in the fjord, cold rose, delicious food and more backgammon nerdiness, set the scene for an absolutely fantastic weekend! |
| The men (including several Grandmasters) were in charge of hosting in the form of live transcription, bestowing praise, testing of streaming equipment, and moral support for post-traumatic cube decisions! |
| But there was also a new player from Oslo. She had just learned how to use eXtreme Gammon and threw herself into live transcribing with great success! So cool! |
| A big thank you to everyone who helped make the weekend great! Participants as helpers!! |
| Thank you to Oslo Backgammon Club for sponsoring food and to BMAB for sponsoring the first international Women's BMAB! |
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| TIES Survey |
| Women’s World of Backgammon is pleased to distribute the findings of the 2025-2026 TIES Survey of women participating in major tournaments around the world. The survey was designed, administered, and analyzed by Josefin Bichler, Tania Klimova, and Irina Litzenberger. |
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| Winning Women Around the World |
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| 🌍 The Traveling Board: Upcoming Backgammon Tournaments Around the World |
| Where will backgammon take you next? |
| One of the wonderful things about backgammon is that wherever you travel, there’s a good chance you’ll find a community of players ready to welcome you! |
| Whether you’re planning your next tournament adventure, looking for an excuse to explore somewhere new, or simply curious about where people are playing, we’ve put together a list of upcoming tournaments around the world. |
| We’ve included tournament websites and registration links wherever available, along with federation calendars for events that haven’t yet published their own registration information. |
| SPECIAL WWB EVENT |
| WWB Online Doubles Tournament |
| November 5, 2026 | Online |
| Find a partner and join us for the 5th Women’s World of Backgammon Online Doubles Tournament! |
| Registration is limited to the first 32 teams, so don’t wait to secure your spot. |
| Register for the WWB Doubles Tournament |
| 🇺🇸 UNITED STATES |
| Boston Open |
| October 28–November 1, 2026 | Natick, MassachusettsThe Verve Hotel Boston Natick |
| Tournament Director: Rory Pascar |
| Phone: 617-699-9100 |
| Women’s Event: WWB Women’s Cup |
| Boston Open Tournament Website |
| 3rd Miami Open |
| November 17–23, 2026 | Aventura, FloridaHilton Miami Aventura |
| Tournament Producer: Avi Cohen |
| Phone: 786-999-2623 |
| Women’s Event: WWB Women’s Cup |
| Miami Open Tournament Website & Registration |
| 49th California State Championship |
| December 2–6, 2026 | Los Angeles, CaliforniaHilton Los Angeles Airport |
| Tournament Producer: Candace Mayeron |
| Phone: 310-422-1646 |
| Women’s Event: Wonder Women Jackpot |
| California State Championship Information |
| 20th New York Metropolitan Open |
| January 6–10, 2027 | Jersey City, New JerseyHyatt Regency on the Hudson |
| Tournament Producer: Lynn Ehrlich |
| Phone: 408-529-6769 |
| Women’s Event: Lady Liberty Cup |
| New York Metropolitan Open Tournament Website |
| Texas Backgammon Championships |
| February 9–14, 2027 | San Antonio, TexasEmbassy Suites Riverwalk |
| Tournament Directors: Bill Riles & Tara Mendicino |
| Phone: 281-703-9304 |
| Women’s Event: Women’s Open Jackpot |
| Texas Backgammon Championships Event Information |
| Atlanta Classic |
| February 25–28, 2027 | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Tournament Director: Jonathan Hardigree |
| Phone: 678-720-6161 |
| Atlanta Classic Tournament Website |
| USBGF National Championship / San Diego Backgammon Championship |
| March 9–14, 2027 | San Diego, CaliforniaThe Westin San Diego Bayview |
| Tournament Director: Ben Friesen |
| Phone: 810-348-1695 |
| Women’s Event: USBGF–WWB Women’s National Championship |
| San Diego Backgammon Championship Website & Registration |
| For additional U.S. tournaments throughout the year: |
| USBGF American Backgammon Tour Calendar |
| 🇪🇺 EUROPE |
| Irish Open |
| October 16–18, 2026 | Ireland |
| Irish Open Tournament Website |
| Swiss Championship |
| October 16–18, 2026 | Switzerland |
| Tournament Information |
| Aachen Backgammon Festival |
| October 20–25, 2026 | Aachen, Germany |
| WBGF Tournament Calendar |
| Cyprus Open |
| October 28–November 1, 2026 | Northern Cyprus |
| Tournament & Registration Information |
| Grand Pasha Open |
| November 1–3, 2026 | Northern Cyprus |
| Tournament & Registration Information |
| Merit Open |
| November 3–8, 2026 | Northern Cyprus |
| WBGF Tournament Calendar |
| Costa d’Amalfi |
| November 12–15, 2026 | Italy |
| Costa d'Amalfi Tournament Website |
| Milan Open |
| December 4–6, 2026 | Milan, Italy |
| Milan Open Tournament Website |
| London Open |
| December 11–13, 2026 | London, England |
| UKBGF Event Information |
| Istanbul Open |
| January 15–17, 2027 | Istanbul, Türkiye |
| WBGF Tournament Calendar |
| Gibraltar Open |
| January 27–31, 2027 | Gibraltar |
| Tournament Information |
| Scottish Open |
| April 30–May 2, 2027 | Scotland |
| Scottish Open Tournament Website |
| International German Championships |
| May 14–17, 2027 | Germany |
| WBGF Tournament Calendar |
| Sheffield Open |
| May 28–30, 2027 | Sheffield, England |
| Sheffield Open Registration |
| Portuguese Open |
| June 16–20, 2027 | Portugal |
| WBGF Tournament Calendar |
| Cambridge Open |
| July 2–4, 2027 | Cambridge, England |
| UKBGF Event Information |
| For additional European tournaments: |
| World Backgammon Federation Tournament Calendar |
| 🌍 AFRICA |
| South Sinai Tournament |
| November 11–15, 2026 | Egypt |
| Tournament Information |
| Africa Open |
| December 2–6, 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Africa Open Official Website |
| 🌏 ASIA & OCEANIA |
| Australian Championships |
| October 15–18, 2026 | Australia |
| Australian Championships Tournament Website |
| The Kiwi |
| June 5–6, 2027 | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Tournament Information |
| 🇯🇵 Looking for Backgammon in Japan? |
| Japan has an active backgammon community, with tournaments and local events held throughout the year. |
| Japanese International Tournament Calendar |
| 🌎 SOUTH AMERICA |
| Backgammon communities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay offer opportunities for players to connect, although we haven’t confirmed dates for upcoming major tournaments in these countries. |
| For information about national organizations, regional events, and additional international tournaments: |
| World Backgammon Federation |
| Where Will Backgammon Take You Next? |
| Whether it’s a weekend tournament a few hours from home or an international adventure, backgammon gives us a wonderful reason to explore new places, reconnect with old friends, and make a few new ones along the way. |
| And if you’re visiting somewhere new, consider reaching out to the local backgammon community. You might discover that you already have friends waiting for you! |
| Have a tournament you’d like us to feature? |
| Send the event details and registration website to [email protected]. We’d love to help spread the word! |
| Tournament dates, locations, venues, and registration availability are subject to change. Please confirm all details directly with tournament organizers before making travel arrangements. |
