Yesterday we played backgammon in relative tranquility, that is the noise level relative to a diesel locomotive was bearable. Today, from 8:30am until 10:00am pandemonium reigned with the arrival of well over 1500 children and their parents, all talking together and in a variety of languages. It was a latter day Tower of Babel; except it wasn't a tower - but I'm sure you understand what I'm trying to say.

However; as soon as their tournament started, The British Land UK Chess Challenge, a hush fell upon the room like hungry wolves on a three-legged lamb. I couldn't believe it, almost 1000 children all talking (if at all) in whispers..... bliss! Ah, if only backgammon players were as quiet - or well behaved..... bliss, indeed.

So, against this humming background the Weekend Tournament recommenced. Our medal winners from the Beginners Tournament joined in seamlessly and were pitched against the 3/3 from yesterday..... but, I missed out Steve Rimmer - he had also won 3/3 on the first day. Sorry Steve! Steve had an uphill struggle against Hugh Swann (Beginner) being 9-0 down at one time, pulling back to 9-5 but to no avail and Hugh emerged the victor.

Gary Lee continued his run of undefeated matches, this time beating John Broomfield in the 4th round. He then met Hugh Swann - a fellow Beginner in the 5th round.....

John Clark sailed very close to the wind, offering a recube to 8 to Robert Kimchi making it all for the match in the 4th round, it went to the bearoff which John won by a single pip! His next opponent was John Broomfield, playing out of his category but brought in as a top 3 player.

This time John (Clark) put that wind to good use and stormed his way to an 11-0 victory. John Broomfield was heard mumbling something about a sou'wester as he reeled drunkenly from the assault. So, JC has made it again, already sure of Silver, could he make it Gold (again)? Gary Lee or Hugh Swann would have their work cut out to prize the coveted Gold from his grasp.

.....Gary Lee sped ahead to a 9-1 lead and Hugh was at a loss as to how to stop him but managed to pull it to 9-3. John Clark, fresh from his win against John Broomfield sat and studied form, working out the best strategy for Gold. Unfortunately for Hugh, Gary recovered from a terrible roll of 64 to win the match 11-3. Next stop, John Clark.

With the score at 1-0 to John and both players down to 3 men, Gary shipped across a 2-cube in the position below:

11-Point Match Clark (Black) 1 Lee (White) 0 White on roll - Cube Action?

John needs 25% to take here and correctly drops this double. JellyFish L7 Evaluation confirms this decision:

In one game, during the bearoff, each player rolled very poor numbers, more often than not only bearing off one man at a time. Eventually, after John remarked, "I've forgotten what a 6 looks like!" the position was this:

White(Gary) on roll

Gary rolls 64 and takes 2 men off, John cranks up his dice cup and rolls out 52. Now, he has two choices, 5/0, 6/4 or 5/0 4/2. Which would you play? John made the correct play; 5/0, 5/2 giving himself 5%, the 2nd play would have been a little worse at 4.3%. It's these little edges that can make all the difference between winning and losing, and highlights the difference between a champion player and an also-ran.

The game progressed with John always ahead, he hit the Crawford at 10-7 and Gary was unable to take away the well deserved Gold (his 3rd Gold, and 5th medal). John now has earned the title Backgammon Grandmaster, having won the Olympiad in 1997, 1999 and now 2000. Congratulations, John.

So, who won the Silver and Bronze? Well, unfortunately, as he arrived via the 'back door' so to speak, Gary Lee had to win the 5th round to take Gold, Silver being out of his reach on the tie-break of opponents wins in 11-point matches. This year the Silver went to Simon Gasquoine and the Bronze to Richard Biddle (Gold Beginner 1997).

(from l to r) Richard Biddle - Bronze, John Clark - Gold and Simon Gasquoine - Silver

Overall it was a very enjoyable tournament and passed without incident - the way I like them.

Afterthought: A large sign in the hall where we played (Chess Challenge & Backgammon) said, quite clearly,

"NO FOOD TO BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES"

Weekend Tournament full results.