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Back in Camden and, having recently run a Nordic Open Satellite
and the Cancerbackup Annual, this meant a more regular evening of
bg in which a healthy 42 players took part. T1 went to an £80
entry, T2 was a £25er, T3 (which was full before 7.00 pm) a £10er,
T4 another £10er, T5 a £5er Optional, T6 our 3rd £10er, T7 a 4
player £25er and T8 our 2nd £5er Optional. There were also lesson
matches, some head to head play and Simon Barget’s 3rd Quiz.
Simon’s Quiz was a relatively easy one position question which
produced 15 players submitting an answer. The Quiz and answer is
now published
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Andy Bell was with us this evening and added a copy of the
WSOB UK Masters 1st film (which has not yet been released to
the general public) as a prize for the winner of T1. Watch the bg
press for a release date.
I had the great pleasure of making a two announcements this
evening about matters I care greatly about. First was the annual
Cancerbackup Charity Tournament which we ran this year (two days
ago.) I played in this event in 2004, couldn’t make it in 2005
because I was helping my girlfriend’s youngest daughter find a
University and I was on a walkabout in New Zealand in 2007. Before
my girlfriend died of cancer in 2003 a cancer charity were of
great help to her. Which charity that was I have no idea and
frankly it’s too late to ask the one person who could answer that
question for me. That might appear to be rude to the departed but
Beste, as was her way, laughed her way to her last day and that
didn’t preclude jokes about her impending demise either so please
feel free to chortle ‘cause Beste would be. Then seeing as
Cancerbackup came into my life though my other passion,
backgammon, it seemed right to me to do what I can for them.
So yes, I was thrilled to do what I do best for Cancerbackup. Even
if I say so myself the event was a damned good day. £37,000 was
raised to fund those who support people with cancer. All that dosh,
it’s fair to say, was mostly made though a Lord Jeffrey Archer
Auction. Yes, folks he’s back! He was back last year too and made,
by all reports, a wonderful job of running an auction. Apparently
he fined people for speaking during his auction, fine people for
not bidding and even fined people for not paying attention. As one
who runs auctions I think it’s a fine idea! Beware – a seed has
been planting in my head - there might be a Backgammon Tournament
Archer Auction coming up soon if some players carry on hanging
back at the back of the Lockside Lounge instead of being up the
front at 7.00pm where they should be and if are not are likely to
mess the proceedings up. Proceeds to charity if a BTAA is run.
The day was a wonderful blend blend of “known backgammoners” and
those for whom this is the only tournament they play per annum. So
how did Bg in London players fare? Triumphs in Round 1 were fairly
equal which made for a continued good blend in the Main and
Consolation. Later 5 of last 8 players in both the Main and Conso
were Bg in London players. This was looking up. In the Semis
BgiL’s were 2 in the Conso (played each other) and 3 in the Main.
In the Finals the Bil came second in the Conso and in the Main
Andy Bell of the WSOB and a BGL player came runner up to Sean
Williams Champ ‘o’ Champs Bg Live in London 2007 and also a
Backgammon in Camden / City / London player. All in all may I say
I’m very proud of Bg in London players’ results at this event.
Ok – what is going to be the shortened version of
toomuchtosayeasily Backgammon in London ? As you’ll have just
likely stuttered though there are various options but I think one
should be adopted over all others. Here’s what I think we can
have: BgiL, BGiL, BgL, BGL, BiL, BgiLondon or BginLondon.
May I state that I don’t like BgL or BGL because it makes the “in”
unrepresented which, given it is part of the website name, I think
should be in there. Besides using the word “in” seems to me to be
in fashion. Take a look at the new Backgammon Players Social
Network site Groups page. There’s also Backgammon in Berlin,
Backgammon en Santiago, backgammon in cologne and Backgammon in
Tokyo. “In” is in around the world! Go with the flow I say. Let’s
keep the in.
So over to yous. Voting time is here folks. I ain’t making this
call ‘cause this one has got to be really workable to the majority
if it is to become everyday use.
Let’s give this Bg Players Soc Net thing a try as well. Answers on
the
Backgammon in London Group forum please.
A) BgiL
B) BGiL
C) BgL
D) BGL
E) BiL
F) BgiLondon
G) BginLondon
H) Other
The other announcement of the evening also concerned Sean
Williams. He and Zoe Cunningham have announced their engagement.
If ever I met two people who are entirely suited and wonderful for
each other these are they. They met at Cambridge University and
have never looked back since. The world really is their oyster but
if I mention food Zoe will be there like a flash so maybe I
shouldn’t have because she has probably already invented the
Oyster Smoothie. To give you an idea of how much they respect each
other the other day when Zoe had just lost her third consecutive
Satellite Final she was more interested in a position that had
given her trouble during the match. Zoe said “Sean thought my play
was the brilliant option even though it didn’t work out and that’s
praise enough for me.” Bg in London will not be available to run a
tournament on 23rd August 2008 – we’re off to a wedding we
wouldn’t miss for anything.
Ok, I’m sure I’ve rambled on for far too long and besides I was
told off the other day for making my reports too long. Fair point.
But I’ve not told you who won at this event yet so, back in track
Mike, here we go. It was Michael Michael who won T1 over Raj which
I must say pleases me because, as much as anything else, I don’t
have to post Raj’s photo for a third time in 2 months on the home
page. Congrats Michael who was also the finalist 2 weeks ago. Ken
Gibson made a fairly rare showing in Camden and won T2. Sean
Williams, him again, won T3. Sue Keeble got back into winning ways
by winning T4. In T5 new player Dan Andersson won but hadn’t
entered to Optional Pool so didn’t win no money. While he was
winning the final his partner, Helen, played Monica in a training
game or two. Dan and Helen were given a PartyGammon board
backgammon board so they can practice their new found skills
before the next event. In T6 Fintan, back for the first time in a
couple of months, was declared the winner. T7 was taken by, her
again, Zoe Cunningham. T8 went to also re-entered Phil Churton.
There were 5 new Bg in London players this week. Igor played in a
Tournament then received a training lesson from Graham and would
like some more lessons so these will be organised for him.
Sebastian who would like lessons too. Roger Barrett has no need of
a bg lesson because he’s a friend of Murray Sharp and Philip
Swart. And a Frenchman wandered in at 10pm, was impressed by the
sight he saw so he’s on the mailing list too now and we hope to
meet you properly soon.
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