September 2025 Newsletter: Four Years of Women's World of Backgammon: Markers of Progress
- karen.davis
- Oct 14
- 8 min read
This month marks the 4th anniversary of Women's World of Backgammon (WWB)—a milestone worth celebrating. In just four years, we've gone from a small initiative with a bold vision to a global community creating meaningful change for women in competitive backgammon. Along the way, we've learned, adapted, and expanded our focus to meet the needs of women players worldwide. Here's a look at what we've achieved—and where we're heading. We also celebrate the many other women's groups working towards our shared goal.
Showcasing Women at the Top: WWB Tournaments
From the beginning, WWB recognized the importance of showcasing the caliber of women's play at the highest levels.
WWB Invitational Cup (2025, inaugural) brought together 16 leading women players from around the world—including BMAB Masters and world champions—for a first-of-its-kind event. The goals were simple but powerful: show role models in action, provide learning opportunities through world-class play, and raise awareness about the strength of women in backgammon.
WWB Doubles has become a flagship event, now in its fourth year. In 2025, 32 teams from 13 countries took part. More than just competition, the event illustrates the power of learning through consultation, fosters networks of support, and allows players and viewers alike to learn from the dialogue between partners.
We've also pushed for the inclusion of women commentators, ensuring that women not only play but also serve as expert voices in the broadcast booth—treated with respect and recognition.
Recognizing and Rewarding Women's Achievements
WWB has been instrumental in providing sponsorships, awards, and visibility to women around the globe:
Supporting women winners of worldwide tournaments—both in-person and online—and spurring the offering of women's individual and team championships.
Incentivizing U.S. tournaments to include women-only events.
Urging women to enter the Players Cup and working to improve women's performance in BMAB events and celebrate those attaining Master status.
Publishing monthly newsletters to spotlight women's accomplishments and inspire others to aim higher.
Building Confidence and Skills: Coaching and Learning
Developing a pipeline of confident, competitive women players has been central to WWB's mission.
Peer Coaching Clinics: Over 40 women have enrolled, with 12–18 joining each weekly session. The goals: build relationships, improve skills, and increase confidence in competitive play.
Learning Sessions: These sessions—featuring expert play, commentary, seminars, watch parties, and XG-based highlights—have created a rich, enduring educational resource.
Markers of Progress and How WWB Has Evolved
Our collective efforts are starting to show impact:
More women achieving BMAB Master status – up from 3 four years ago to 10 today and more women participating in BMAB competitions.
A surge in women's events offered worldwide, up from 2 to 9 today in the U.S.
Increased participation of women at the championship/master/open level reaching an all-time high this September in New Orleans, double participation rates in 2022.
Greater visibility for women's role models in competitive play. More than 150 Learning Sessions held in four years, with over 150,000 views of 100+ videos on WWB's YouTube channel.
When we began, WWB focused primarily on financial sponsorship. But our 2022 survey with Backgammon Galaxy revealed that the #1 reason women hesitate to compete is intimidation.
That insight reshaped our mission. Today, we focus on:
Creating support networks for women.
Raising visibility of role models.
Providing opportunities for practice in women-only and doubles events.
Building confidence and skill through peer coaching.
Developing a video library of women playing competitive backgammon.
Highlighting achievements through newsletters, the website, and social media.
We are no longer just adding money to events—we are building an ecosystem of encouragement, visibility, and opportunity.
The Road Ahead
As WWB enters its fifth year, our mission remains clear: to expand opportunities, visibility, and confidence for women in backgammon. But to achieve lasting change, we must continue to work together—sharing strategies, creating models others can replicate, and spreading the movement worldwide.
Our next chapter depends on you: players, organizers, supporters, and allies. Join us in making competitive backgammon more inclusive, more visible, and more inspiring—for women and for the game itself.
– WWB Board of Directors, Karen Davis, Melanie Hughes & Irina Litzenberger
Women's U.S. Tournament Participation Hits an All-Time High
Something big happened in New Orleans this September. At the Gammon Geaux Backgammon Championships — the newest stop on the American Backgammon Tour (ABT), run by Bill Riles and Tara Mendicino — women showed up in record numbers and made their presence felt.
The tournament drew 139 players in the Open and Intermediate divisions, and 38 of them were women. That's 27% of the total field — more than double the 12% recorded in all 2022 ABT tournaments. Even in the Open division, participation has doubled to 12%, up from just 6% at ABT events three years ago. And in the Intermediate division, the numbers were even more striking: women accounted for almost half of the 57 entrants, compared to just one-fifth in 2022.
And it wasn't just about showing up — women were taking home trophies and prize money. Wendy Kaplan tied with Gerry Tansey for first in the Players Cup New Orleans BMAB, with Irina Litzenberger landing third out of 36 based on her strong 5.25 Performance Rating.
Photo credit: Gammon Geaux New Orleans Facebook page, Jason Dordel photographer.
The Intermediate bracket was practically a showcase for women players. They scooped up 5 of the 8 prizes, led by 15-year-old Olivia Upbin, who took 2nd place. Olivia won the Under 18 event at the Backgammon World Championships (see the WWB August Newsletter). Teri Harmon won the Consolation, edging out Olivia's mom, Sarah, who finished runner-up. Jennifer Kim took 3rd in Consolation, and Martha Ghio finished 2nd in the Last Chance.
Photo credit: Gammon Geaux New Orleans Facebook page, Jason Dordel photographer.
In Doubles, women also made their mark. Marianne Bowen teamed up with Steve Sax to capture 1st place in a tough 32-team field. In fact, every one of the top four Doubles teams had women players. Kara Schultz cashed in the Lafitte Limited Jackpot, while Carol Joy Cole and Karen Davis tied for 3rd in the Seniors event.
Parity hasn't been reached yet — not quite — but the momentum is undeniable. From 12% in the Open to nearly 50% in the Intermediate, women are rewriting the story of competitive backgammon in the U.S. And judging by New Orleans, this is just the beginning.
Photo credit: Gammon Geaux New Orleans Facebook page, Jason Dordel photographer.
Winning Women Around the World
Women are increasingly placing in American Backgammon Tour and international events.
Women placing in events in August-September 2025 include:
BRIGHTON SUMMER BACKGAMMON OPEN
August 15-17, 2025; Brighton, England
INTERMEDIATE (29): 2-Kathryn Addy.
DOUBLES CONSULTATION (16 teams): 1-Kathryn Addy & Michael Stansmore.
WARM-UP BONUS: 1-Rachel Rhodes.
WIN-A-BOARD: 1-Anna Price.
13th LIONS BACKGAMMON CUP
August 21-24, 2025; Bad Dürkheim, Germany
INTERMEDIATE (76): 3/4- Julia Jung
LIMITED JACKPOT I (32): 2-Susanne Lahme
LADIES CUP (23): 1/2-Marianne S. Husum (Norway) / Susanne Lahme.
4th ANNUAL JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
August 21-24, 2025; Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica
ADVANCED (14): 2-Lina Laksiouer (Canada),
DOUBLES (18 teams): 1-Gary Koscielny & Joan Koscielny (USA),
SUNDAY MASTERS JACKPOT (8): 1-Akiko Yazawa (Japan)
1st ARMENIAN BACKGAMMON GRAND PRIX
August 27-31, 2025; Yerevan, Armenia
MASTER CUP (64): 1-Akiko Yazawa (Japan)
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT (32): 1-Oksana Gayazova (Russia), 2-Leyla Zaloutskaya (USA), 3/4-Elena Gromenkova (Russia) / Sholeh Mohammadi (Sweden)
ABT - VIKING BACKGAMMON CLASSIC
August 27-September 1, 2025; Bloomington, Minnesota
VIKING BEGINNER (4): 1-Jennifer Zorek-Pressman (CT).
BERSERKER LIMITED JACKPOT (19): 2-Carol Joy Cole (MI).
PLAYERS CUP VIKING CLASSIC BMAB (26): 1/2-tie -John O'Hagan (IN) / Maggie Sweeney (MI),
RAINBOW BRIDGE DOUBLES (23 teams): 1-Terese Flynn (IL) & Kit Woolsey (CA), 2-
EARLY RAVEN - OPEN (22): 1-Carol Joy Cole (MI),
FRIDAY FRIGGA (32): 3/4-Carol Joy Cole (MI)
SHIELDMAIDEN CHALLENGE (16): 1-Lynda Clay (CO), 2-C.J. Cashman (MN).
JOKER BACKGAMMON BOARD RAFFLE: 1-Goldie Devalon (CO).
UKBGT - 11th UK BACKGAMMON OPEN
August 28-31, 2025; Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
FRIDAY EXTRA KNOCKOUT (22): 2-Anna Parker.
SATURDAY EXTRA CONSOLATION (29): 1-Anna Price.
INTERMEDIATES (85): 1-Jay Hayter.
GRANGE CUP (Last Chance) (63): 1-Ranbir Bains, 3/4-Kitty Carruthers.
VERY UNLUCKY LOSERS (28): 2-June Williamson.
SPEEDGAMMON (64): 3/4- Yas Turan.
ARTGAMMON FREEROLL III (64):, 2-Rachel Rhodes.
ABT - GAMMON GEAUX NEW ORLEANS BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIPS
September 10-14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana
ABT - INTERMEDIATE (57+15 rebuys): 2-Olivia Upbin (NY); 1C-Teri Harmon (CA), 2C-Sarah Upbin (NY), 3C/4C- Jennifer Kim (CA); 2LC-Martha Ghio (NY).
LAFITTE LIMITED JACKPOT (48): 4/6- Kara Schultz (CA).
PLAYERS CUP NEW ORLEANS BMAB (36): 1/2 tie -Wendy Kaplan (IL) (MO), 3/10- Irina Litzenberger (VA). PR winners: 3-Irina Litzenberger (VA) at 5.25, Unlucky Dice Award: Teri Harmon (CA) at -13.05.
NEW ORLEANS CINQEAUX DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Marianne Bowen (VA) & Steve Sax (CA), 2-Lulu Lira (TX) & Joe Urso (NY), 3/4-Martha Ghio (NY) & John Rockwell (CA) / Rebecca Lightbourn (Bahamas) & Phil Simborg (FL).
SENIORS (64): 3/4-Carol Joy Cole (MI) / Karen Davis (FL).
SPEEDGAMMON (32): 3/4- Carmen Tomlinson (TX).
BT - 19th BODRUM OPEN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP - WBF
September 12-14, 2025; Bodrum, Türkiye
ELITE CLUB SPECIAL PRIZE (22): 2-Gülderen Gücavli
"HABIBE CEBECI MEMORIAL" LADIES PRIZE (9): 1-Gülderen Gücavli, 2-Janette Hodgkinson (South Africa)
"BEDRI KORAMAN MEMORIAL" TRADITIONAL (30): 1-Gödze Diptas
"ALP EYYÜPOGLU MEMORIAL" DOUBLES (41 teams): 1-Arda Findikoglu & Janette Hodgkinson (South Africa)
MERIT SATELLITE #2 (16): 3/4-Janette Hodgkinson (South Africa)
New Initiative: Tournament Inclusivity Experience Survey (TIES)
Give your opinion! Promote your tournament!
As a woman, I want to have fun, to feel safe and respected by my opponent.
As a tournament organizer, I want to offer all my guests the best backgammon experience.
With Tournament Inclusivity Experience Survey (TIES), it will become easier. How does it work?
- We select 16 international backgammon tournaments all around the world. This selection will remain secret until the end of the survey.
- After each event, women participants take part in an anonymous poll. Questions concerning representation, appropriate behavior, fair play, safety and leadership.
- Organizers will receive players' feedback privately and anonymously for future improvements.
- Based on the data, each event will be rated by our team.
- In September 2026, the final TIES results will be revealed. You scored well? You'll be rewarded. Things to improve? You will be able to do it thanks to the provided feedback!
Let's learn more about each other. Let's create TIES together.
TIES team:
Josefin Bichler (Germany)
Tania Klimova (France)
Irina Litzenberger (USA)
Upcoming Events
October 29-Nov 2, Players Cup BMAB Boston and Boston Open, Sheraton Four Points, Newton, Ma, Rory Pascar director, 617-699-9100. Click here for more.
Nov 18-24, Players Cup BMAB Miami, Newport Hotel, Sunny Isles Beach, Avi Cohen director 786-999-2623. Click here for more.
Dec 4-7, Players Cup BMAB Los Angeles, California State Championship, Hilton, Los Angeles Airport, Candace Mayeron, producer, 310-422-1646.
Recent WWB YouTube Videos
2025 WWB Doubles Event Round 1:
2025 WWB Doubles Event Round 2:
2025 WWB Doubles Event Round 3:
2025 WWB Doubles SEMI-FINAL:
2025 WWB Doubles FINAL:
Additional Informational Sessions:
Comments