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MM: Hi Nicky.
Congratulations on getting to the Semi-Finals of the
PartoucheGammon Tournament in Cannes 2008. Before we talk about
that can you tell our readers how long you have been playing
backgammon, how you have learnt the game and where you usually
play?
NC: I have been playing since 1994. I learnt the game from a
friend , went to my first BIBA tournament that year and have not
really stopped playing since. These days I play at BIBA and Camden
every month and this year I played abroad at the Nordic Open,
World Championships in Monte Carlo and the Cannes PartoucheGammon
tournament.
MM: You’ve been to a number of European mainland and overseas
tournaments now – can you tell us which you have been to and your
views on those events?
NC: I have been to the Las Vegas Tournament 3 times. This is my
favourite tournament as there is so much compressed into the 5
days of backgammon with the main tournament, doubles, jackpots and
blitzes. Also Vegas is a great place to explore when not playing.
The Nordic Open is fun, as it is a hotel miles from nowhere, and
too cold to go outside, so everyone stays in the hotel for 4 days
playing backgammon, socialising, drinking and eating together
which is not always the case at these big tournaments. I have also
been to the World Championship twice in Monte Carlo. This is the
one every one should enter at least once, but it is a very large
strong field (over 200 people) and once you lose it can be a long
6 days of non playing. This year was my first time in Cannes and I
would say it is the ideal long backgammon weekend of playing and
going out in Cannes which is very lively all year round.
MM: Can you tell us of some of the things that went on at the
PartoucheGammon Cannes tournament, your thoughts as you got
further and further?
NC: I went to Cannes to enjoy myself. After a first round bye I
beat a strong Dane and German player to get to the last 32. I felt
I played good aggressive backgammon, got my breaks won both games
13 -4. In round 4 I beat my good friend Rida Hassain from Egypt at
DMP with a minute left on the clock. Now I started to think
something good was happening. Raj and Mike Heard were also in the
last 16 but only I managed to get through, beating a strong
Russian player again at DMP with a minute left on the clock. In
the last 8 there was a big crowd watching me, and I had an amazing
game against Kenny Nielson of Denmark, again winning at DMP with
30 seconds left on the clock. After I won I had to do a television
interview with Jessica ( which I actually had practiced earlier
that morning ) Next stop was a certain Gus Hansen in the semi
final in front of TV cameras and close circuit TV. This would be
the biggest game of my career and I went into it with no nerves
determined to enjoy myself. I also made a mental note not to use
up too much time early in the match, otherwise the pressure would
be too much in the last few games, Although I played as well as I
could do (5.9 on Snowie) Gus was far too strong for me (playing at
2.9) and I was 6 nil down before losing 13 - 6. One moment I
remember was being 12 - 5 down needing 44 or better to stay in the
match and throwing 44. With no emotion on my face I looked up to
see the cameras pointing at me, 20 people watching me and another
50 watching on close circuit tv. Eric, the tournament Director ,
than announced on the microphone, ''Nicky Check, what a fighter ".
A good memory.
MM: You won the singles at Backgammon Live in London 2007, won a
Satellite to the WSOB in London 2007 and won (with Lawrence
Powell) the Doubles at the WSOB London 2007 before your success in
Cannes. To what do you attribute your success in all these events?
NC: A lot of studying - reading all the latest books, articles
and annotated games on the internet, and playing with Snowie every
day. I also analysis whenever I win or lose a match why I won or
lost - Was I lucky ? Did I play a stronger player ? Did I play
well, and if not, why not ? And obviously I have been playing a
lot in the last year.
MM: You’re also a supporter of Biba and sponsored the Biba British
Open 2008. What motivates you to support backgammon to such an
extent?
NC: I think Michael Crane at BIBA does a fantastic job. When I
first joined BIBA in 1994 there used to be a hundred people at his
tournaments. Most people who play anywhere in England have played
at BIBA, and that's the best place to go back, play in good
tournaments and meet new people of all skill levels.
MM: I gather you own a Mary Rose backgammon board. Can you tell us
something about this?
NC: I won a BIBA tournament in 1997 in Portsmouth sponsored by
the Mary Rose Trust. The first prize was a replica Board they
found on the Mary Rose ship which sunk in the 1600's and they had
just recently found.
MM: Do you think you’ll be going to many events next year?
NC: For sure - I hope to play in all BIBA tournaments, in
Camden and other UK tournaments as well as the World Championship
next year and all the overseas event organised by the World Series
of Backgammon.
MM: Thanks for this interview, congratulations and good luck in
the future. |
