What a week it was for the Women's Team USA in Sweden. It was the first-ever Women’s World Team Championships, with teams from eight countries competing. Thanks to the World Backgammon Federation (WBGF) and the World Backgammon Internet Federation (WBIF), there are now both in-person and online Women’s Team Championships, as well as annual online Women’s World Championships. The in-person Women’s World Championship is coming up in two short weeks at the Backgammon World Championships in Monte Carlo.
Women’s World of Backgammon has been pleased to support these efforts by providing added money to the individual online championships, jackets to Team USA in this year’s inaugural event in Stockholm, and outreach to get the word out to women about these opportunities to compete on the worldwide stage.
The six women members of Women’s Team USA arrived in Stockholm ready to play. And, we played our hearts out! Two of our board members were on the Women’s Team USA: Karen Davis, who served as captain, and Irina Litzenberger, along with Rain Ackerman, Lynda Clay, Teri Harmon, and Leyla Zaloutskaya. We were thrilled to win the event after tough matches with Norway in the semi-finals and the U.K. in the final. The Republic of Georgia finished third, defeating Norway in the playoff.
We met and caucused with many of the other women from the seven other countries who sent women's teams. We arrived home with our heads spinning from so many positive ideas about additional things we can do to promote women's competition in the sport. More on that soon.
We received a number of inquiries about how the U.S. women's team was chosen. Teams are sent by each country through the Backgammon Federation for that country. So, in the case of the women's team from the USA, the U.S. Backgammon Federation (USBGF) selected the team. Every American woman who participated in last year’s WBIF Online Women’s World Championship was sent an email asking if they were interested in being considered for the team with the understanding that they would pay their own expenses. Teams may have as many as six members, with three women playing in any given round. Six women responded, so the choice was easy.
As the women’s backgammon community grows and interest in these events takes off, we believe it is important to have protocols to ensure decisions like who is invited to play on the team are made with care. We are going to put together recommendations to send to the USBGF to help ensure we get the strongest team possible, with a seamless process that is inclusive of all women from the United States who want to play. If you have suggestions for what that might look like, please email them to us here.
And, we thank you for the question. Transparency is important to our organization, and we know that we can always do better when we ramp up our efforts if our following believes their ideas are welcome.
Our best to you all during these warm summer months.
– The Board of Directors
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Women in Backgammon in the 70s:
Meet Mary Zita Jacoby
She was good, Mary Zita Jacoby. Very good. Some say as good as her husband, Oswald Jacoby, but she didn't play as much. She was raising the children, and well, you know. Busy. By the way, she was also a world class tennis player before she married Oswald.
Paul Magriel, in 1979, wrote this column for The New York Times.
NY TIMES: FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth Opera Guild held its sixth annual backgammon tournament last weekend. At the end of the first day’s play an unusual result was observed: Three of the eight remaining undefeated players belonged to the same family. Oswald and Mary Zita Jacoby, who soon will observe their 47th wedding anniversary, and their son, James, are all noted for their exceptional games-playing abilities.
The next day Oswald Jacoby, a former backgammon world champion, and Mary Zita Jacoby, one of the better woman players, won their respective quarter-final matches and found themselves paired against each other in the semifinals. The match was a close and hard-fought contest. Mary Zita rallied from far behind to win at double match point.
Tom Weaver, a West Coast expert now living in Houston, earned first place by defeating Mary Zita Jacoby in the finals. Dan Keenan triumphed over Brice Evans to take the intermediate, and Phil Burleson won the beginners.
The diagrammed position is taken from the 15-point finals match with Weaver (Black) leading Jacoby (White), 14 to 9. Black has already borne off four men and his only concern now is to avoid being hit.
With the roll of 3-1, the obvious move for Black is 3/off, 3/2. Although this move is temporarily safe, the resulting position leaves much to be desired. On the immediate next roll, Black will be forced to give a shot more than one half the time (20 chances out of 36). Furthermore, one third of the time (12 chances out of 36), Black will be obliged to give a double direct short.
Weaver discovered a daring alternative. The correct play is 5/2/1*, hitting loose(unprotected) on the 1-point. Black seeks to avoid later difficulties by voluntarily yielding White an immediate single direct shot. White is given the chance to reenter from the bar with a 1 to hit back and win the game. If White misses, however, he may be forced to reenter instead on the 4-point or 6-point. By driving White off the 1-point, Black will now be in excellent condition to complete his bearoff with little or no danger.
The obvious “safe” play merely postpones the danger. If White is allowed to stay on the 1-point, it is extremely likely that Black will have to leave at least one shot later on. By forcing the issue immediately, Black greatly reduces the chance of leaving double shots and repeating shots.
Note that it is important for Black to play 5/2/1*, hitting only one man, instead of 5/4*/1*, hitting both White’s blots. Black wants White to reenter at once. Hitting the extra man increases the danger of White’s staying out and then getting an additional shot.
We went to Art Benjamin, champion himself and one of our earliest and strongest cheerleaders. What does he think of Magriel's POV?
"It's an interesting choice. As you see in the rollout, this daring play is an error. Magriel fails to talk about the score, which is crucial. At almost any other score, this daring play would be a big blunder. For example, in a money game, 5/1* is a 0.215 blunder (according XG++). The reason for this is Black's ability to double on the next turn. By making the safe play and letting White roll, Black simply cashes on the next turn and risks nothing. (Black is not "too good to double" since Black wins about 55% gammons, which is not twice as high as the 30% losses.)
It is true that the safe play has the potential to leave a double shot, but notice that if Black rolls doubles or any number with a deuce in it or 41, then he leaves no shot. That's 18 rolls out of 36, and some of the rolls merely leave a shot on the ace point, which is no worse than he is volunteering with the risky play. At the end of the day, the safe play wins about 4% more games than the daring one."
- Art Benjamin
She was quite a player. Just quiet about it. Wish she was around today. Would love to have her commentary on some of the matches we promote.
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Women's World of Backgammon Ten Burning Questions with Hanna Polyakova
Ah, the wisdom of women sharing what works for us in doing anything well. We’re delighted to share with you Ten Burning Questions. The interview features the teen backgammon sensation from Russia, Hanna Polyakova. It is available on our YouTube channel. Some of Hanna's answers will surprise you, some will teach you, and some will entertain you. Her passion and commitment will inspire you. We hope you will watch Hanna's interview and forward it to your friends.
Hanna is a rising star in the backgammon world, known for her clever YouTube channel and, more importantly, for her ferocious commitment to learning the game. She bemoans a 7 PR during her interview, sharing she is hoping for a 4. You will find her focus in all things to be admirable, and her start, which was in chess, is never a surprise for a backgammon player.
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Final Match of the WWB Mixed Doubles Tournament
After four months of top-caliber play, the third Women's World of Backgammon Mixed Doubles online tournament drew to a close Sunday, June 30. In all, 47 mixed doubles teams competed in the Championship and Intermediate divisions. Sixteen countries had players in the event.
In this exciting final Championship match, Kara Schultz, winner of the 2023 Online World Women's Championship, and her backgammon partner David Vakil, a Backgammon Masters Awarding Body Master Class 2 and Karen Davis, WWB co-founder and Giant of Backgammon along with her backgammon partner Kent Goulding, both American Backgammon Hall of Famers, encountered numerous difficult decisions. Listen as these world-class players discuss cube and checker decisions with their backgammon partners throughout an exciting match.
Below, watch the detailed post-match play-by-play analysis by Grandmasters Marty Storer and Kit Woolsey, aided and abetted by the players. It’s a lot of backgammon expertise and insight packed into these fascinating videos.
If you have friends or family that love backgammon as much as you, or maybe they are just learning to play, you can use the link below to forward this newsletter to them and ask them to subscribe!
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Winning Women Around the World
Women are increasingly placing in American Backgammon Tour and international events. In June/July they included:
WBGF - WORLD TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP & 42nd SWEDISH BACKGAMMON OPEN (preliminary results)
July 8-14, 2024; Stockholm, Sweden
WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (8 teams): 1-USA (Rain Ackerman, Lynda Clay, Captain Karen Davis, Teri Harmon, Irina Litzenberger, Leyla Zaloutskaya), 2-United Kingdom (Rebecca Bell, Captain Julia Hayward, Anna Parker, Anna Price, Rachel Rhodes, Merrin Rose), 3-Georgia (Natia Arjevanidze, Khatuna Giorgobiani, Captain Marina Pirveli).
Best Individual Performance Award: Kaia Osbakk (Norway) with 5 points.
INTERMEDIATES (70): 4/5 Gitte Dalgaard (Denmark)/Laurence Sinitzky (France)
SUPER JACKPOT #2 (32): 3/4 Karen Davis
ABT - 49th MICHIGAN SUMMER BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 3-7, 2024; Novi, Michigan
ABT OPEN (98): 2-Wendy Kaplan (IL),
ABT INTERMEDIATE (71): 3C/4C-Peggy Culpepper (VA)
ABT LIMITED (16): 1-Joan Koscielny (FL), 2-Rhonda Woodbury (IL);
LIMITED DOUBLES (8 teams): 1-Noah Monro (MI) & Rhonda Monro (IL), 2-Hannah DeRosier (LA) & Jim DeRosier (LA).
FRANK TALBOT NEWCOMER FREE ROLL (37): 1-Hannah DeRosier (LA)
WOMEN'S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON FIREWORKS CUP (20): 1-Lynn Ehrlich (FL), 2-Marcy Kossar (MD); 1C-Samra Hadden (GA), 2C-Terri Fishel (MN).
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Inaugural Women's World Team Championships
The Inaugural Women’s World Team Championships was held in Stockholm, Sweden, at the renowned Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden from 8-10 July, 2024. This historic event was created by the World Backgammon Federation (WBGF) and sponsored by the Women’s World of Backgammon.
The Women’s Team USA won the event with team members: Rain Ackerman, Lynda Clay, Karen Davis (captain), Teri Harmon, Irina Litzenberger, and Leyla Zaloutskaya. The Women’s Team UK finished second with team members: Becca Bell, Anna Clark, Julia Hayward (captain), Anna Price, Rachel Rhodes, and Merrin Rose. The Republic of Georgia won third place, with Norway finishing fourth. Kaia Osbakk from Norway won the Best Individual Performance Award with her record of 5-0. All the teams fielded strong teams of women players, resulting in closely contested matches. It was an exciting, joyous occasion!
USA Wins!
Eight countries sent teams to compete: Denmark, France, the Republic of Georgia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The format was an initial round-robin phase with 3-player teams playing 11-point matches against teams from each of the other participating countries. Round wins went to teams with at least two players winning their individual matches. Two points were awarded for each team round, and individual player match wins were awarded one point. In the event of a tie for team round points, individual player match points broke the ties. The top four teams played in a playoff.
The inception of this tournament is a direct result of the tireless efforts of World Backgammon Federation (WBGF) President Bernhard Mayr; tournament producer Jörgen Granstedt, three-time world backgammon champion and Chairman of the Swedish Backgammon Federation; tournament director Arda Fındıkoğlu, one of Europe’s foremost backgammon tournament directors; and Women's World of Backgammon (WWB) co-founded by WBGF Deputy General Secretary Karen Davis from the USA. Their mission has been clear: to amplify women's participation in backgammon, a game of strategy, skill, and luck. The result of their efforts is this landmark event, which was a thrilling showcase of talent and competition.
Karen Davis, reflecting on the journey, expressed her excitement:
The first ever Women's World Team Tournament by the WBGF is not just a competition; it's a celebration of progress, inclusivity, and the enduring allure of backgammon.
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Fireworks in Michigan
Carol Joy Cole, director of the Michigan Summer Championships held in the suburbs of Detroit for over four decades, was honored in a tournament-long celebration of her retirement from the directorship role. Tributes included numerous gifts including a backgammon board with her image, cake and champagne, and a video with glowing comments from her friends, staff, and colleagues.
The tournament had one of its largest fields of participants ever, with 185 entrants in the ABT Open, Intermediate, and Limited divisions – many of whom made a special effort to attend out of their affection for Carol and appreciation of her leadership over the years. She was honored in 2015 by her selection into the American Backgammon Hall of Fame inaugural cohort.
Wendy Kaplan (IL), hot on her heels after winning the Women’s National Championship in Chicago, went undefeated in the Championship bracket, losing in the Final Playoffs to Bill Calton from Michigan. It was the second time women players have come within a hair of taking the ABT Championship division in 2024 – with the year only half over. Marcy Kossar (MD) narrowly lost to Victor Ashkenazi in the Championship division at the 2024 Cherry Blossom Championship in April.
The Women’s World of Backgammon Fireworks Cup had 20 entrants. Lynn Ehrlich (FL) won the final against Marcy Kossar (MD). Lynn was delighted to win the first-place prize, including $500 in added money and a WWB board donated by Women’s World of Backgammon. Samra Hadden (GA) won the Consolation, defeating Terri Fishel (MN) in the Consolation final.
Irina Litzenberger (VA) continued to display her prowess in the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB) Players Cup Michigan, ranking 15th out of 32 on the basis of PR with a 6.16 PR. Marjie Harbrecht (6.86 PR) and Leslie Lockett (8.19 PR) also played in the event.
Women were in the Winner’s Circle in both the ABT Intermediate and the ABT Limited divisions. Petty Culpepper (VA) tied for 3rd in the Intermediate division. In the Limited division, Joan Koscielny (FL) took first place, while Rhonda Woodbury (IL) finished second. Congratulations to all!
Young Hannah DeRosier (LA), age 13, has burst on the tournament scene this year. She came in second with her father, Jim DeRosier, in the Limited Doubles, losing to Ronda Monro (MI) and her son Noah Monro in the final. Hannah also won the Frank Talbot Newcomer Free Roll with 37 participants. Congratulations, Hannah, and welcome to the Women’s World of Backgammon.
ABT - 49th MICHIGAN SUMMER BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 3-7, 2024; Novi, Michigan
ABT OPEN (98): 2-Wendy Kaplan (IL),
ABT INTERMEDIATE (71): 3C/4C-Peggy Culpepper (VA)
ABT LIMITED (16): 1-Joan Koscielny (FL), 2-Rhonda Woodbury (IL);
LIMITED DOUBLES (8 teams): 1-Noah Monro (MI) & Rhonda Monro (IL), 2-Hannah DeRosier (LA) & Jim DeRosier (LA).
FRANK TALBOT NEWCOMER FREE ROLL (37): 1-Hannah DeRosier (LA)
WOMEN'S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON FIREWORKS CUP (20): 1-Lynn Ehrlich (FL), 2-Marcy Kossar (MD); 1C-Samra Hadden (GA), 2C-Terri Fishel (MN).
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Upcoming Events
July 27-August 4 – Backgammon World Championship, Fairmont Hotel, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Click here for details.
August 8-11 – Wisconsin Championships, Best Western, Madison, WI Jack Edelson, Director, 516-650-4329. Click here for details.
August 10-16 – World Backgammon Federation World Doubles/Backgammon Festival, Stadt-Palais, Aachen, Germany Marcus Reinhard and Jürgen Schettler, Producers. Click here for details.
August 28- Sept 2 – Viking Classic and BMAB, Hilton, Bloomington MN, April and Michael Mesich, Directors, 612-703-3211. Click here for details.
Sept 26-29 – St. Louis Gateway Open and BMAB, Holiday Inn Airport, MO, 314-749-9687, David Todd and Jim Feher directors. Click here for details.
Sept 26-30 – 3rd Jamaica Championship, Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Click here for details.
October 16 -- BMAB Denver, Ben Friesen director held in conjunction with the 6th Wild West Shootout, October 16-20, Embassy Suites, Denver, CO Dan Minardi Director, 303-356-3679. Click here for details.
November 5-10, Worldwide Backgammon Federation, 11th Merit International Open, Kyrenia, North Cyprus, Arda Fındıkoğlu President WBF –
Turkey; Marco Fornasir – General Secretary, WBF
Click here for details.
November 19-25 – Miami Open and BMAB, Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, Sunny Isles Beach, FL, Avi Cohen Tournament producer, 786/999-2623;
MiamiOpenBG@gmail.com; Arda Fındıkoğlu, President
WBF – Turkey, Head director; David Presser (Israel), Boot Camp director; Roberto Litzenberger BMAB director. Click here for details.
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