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I really enjoyed this event – it was fun, the players were in a
relaxed mood and generally time wasn’t an issue. I can cram a day
as full of backgammon as is possible but sometimes this just isn’t
a good thing for the day – particularly when it is a social event.
A charity backgammon event is a social event – often an annual
gathering of a group – where backgammon is the excuse for meeting
but really seeing like minded old friends for a common cause is
the real reason for most of the players to attend. This Charity
has a very natural reason to choose backgammon as their theme of
the day simply because it is so much part of their culture to an
extent that they have been playing the game a lot longer then we
here in London have been doing so. Persians have a reputation of
playing with their emotions in full view and they most certainly
did so on this day which made it a lot of fun.
Home House was the venue – built in 1776 as a Palace of Pleasure
it still retains many of its original features including its
cylindrical staircase. Our playing rooms were downstairs which
lead on to a very pretty London garden. We had 22 players and
numerous spectators. After a Bloody Mary brunch our hostess
Shirley Elghanian commenced the day by welcoming all and honouring
last year’s winner Maryam and Ramin Pashaee. Maryam passed away
this year. The microphone was then handed over to me to explain
the format of the day - Group Auction, Main, Consolation, Calcutta
Auctions for last 8s, Jackpots for those who were unlucky to lose
and the introduction of Joker Cards. Next up was Chiva Tafazzoli
of the WBA who ran this tournament last year to do the Group
Auction. Chiva has a big presence about him and makes an excellent
Auctioneer.
With 22 players we had 6 1st Round matches to play, 4 2nd Round
matches that could commence straight away and 2 players waiting
for results from Round 1. All matches were playing in the drawing
room so the earlier quite hush that had encompassed the room was
banished for the day. As I expected I had a number of minor T.D.
decision to make as players got used to the rules this tournament
was being played by.
Peter Bennet struggled pretty well all the way – it highlighted
his ability to stand the test of plainer backgammon than he is
used to playing but he was to achieve his goal in the end. In his
first match (1st Round Main) I was surprised to see not only the
score considerably advanced for so soon after the commencement of
play but also that Peter was trailing 5-0 in a 7 pointer. As I
passed by other times the score flip-chart did slow down but
steadily increased in Peter’s favour. But not enough because
Farzin, who has increased his knowledge of our westernised game a
good bit these last two or so years, managed to claw up to the
required 7 points. Mr Bennet Consolation bound.
From Round 1 also Consolation bound were Chiva Tafazzoli (who had
a hard draw against Michael Michael), Max Montgomery, Abbas
Sharbatzadeh, Ali Ghaffarpour (3rd placed 2007) and Justin Silver
of the RAC. They all had a slight wait while the remaining 2nd
Round matches caught up to see if they got byes in 1st Round
Consolation or were required to play in Conso Round 1.
In Round 2 Main Danny Harouni lost to Farshad Eshraghi, Julian
Wilson won over Bahman Chahardehi, Kourosh Aalai lost to Reza
Maghzian in a match that attracted a lot of attention and Jahan
Abedi lost to Natasha Jenabzadeh who I had been informed was
probably our weakest player of the day.
In the 2 2nd Round matches that had required other results to come
though before they were played Romolo Mudu triumphed over a late
out of bed young man Richard Norman and Robin Hayley lost to young
man Michael-Henry Krayem (he who famously beat backgammon TV
presenter John Clark in the Cancerbackup Tournament 2008.)
We employed a tournament system whereby every player was
guaranteed at least two matches which worked (with the help of
some complex excel programming) very well indeed, meant we had 11
players in the Consolation Tournament and only 9 of the 22 players
had 2 matches, the remaining having at least 3 each.
Joker cards were, as mention, in operation during this event. It’s
an idea I borrowed from Charity Poker Tournaments where it has
proved successful. Every player was given upon registration one
joker card to be played at any time they chose. Sean Williams and
Zoe Cunningham were there on hand with laptops to run positions
though the computer to give the best play. Players could choose to
buy more joker cards for a donation of £20 to the charity. It’s
not something I would ever consider using in a serious money play
tournament but in a charity event it can have a place. And it
worked well. Not all of the joker cards were used but their
presence certainly added to the day and made it educational for
those that played them. Sean and Zoe saved the positions so we
will hopefully publish some of them soon.
As soon as the Consolation (which even though we had increased
match lengths due to the lower number of players than expected was
still in advance of schedule) was down to the last 8 we held a
Calcutta Auction of those players. Meanwhile the Main was down to
the last 9 players so we ran a Calcutta Auction for the Main as
well. Bidders proved to be generous in the full knowledge that the
charity would benefit further from these Auctions. Being a
Calcutta every player was entitled to buy 50% of themselves from
their owners and a number did.
Our last 8 in the Main were soon known: Michael Michael, Richard
Norman, Farshad Eshraghi, Julian Wilson, Reza Maghzian, Jahan
Abedi, Michael-Henry Krayem and Shino.
Shortly after our last 4 in the Consolation where known: Max
Montgomery, Natasha Jenabzadeh, Ali Ghaffarpour, and Peter Bennet.
Meanwhile a few of those knocked out had taken up on playing in
Mini-Jackpots, others joined the circles of spectators chatting or
watching matches – all in all it was a very social day with
competitive friendly backgammon the order of the day.
In the Main one of the three young men of the day – Richard Norman
- did a “Michael-Henry” and won over Michael Michael, Julian
Wilson proved his backgammon pedigree by winning over Farshad
Eshraghi, Jahan Abedi won over the impeccably dressed Reza
Maghzian and Shino (who was aware of Michael-Henry’s history) gave
the 1st young man no quarter.
In the Consolation Semis the form book suggested that Max would
wipe out Natasha while Ali versus Peter would be the match to
watch. But what on earth was the lowly considered Natasha doing in
the Semis? I watched her game – plain, simply backgammon, let the
boys play their silly complex games, Natasha focused on safe play
and a running game. It worked – Max was out, Natasha a Consolation
finalist. Peter again went heavily down in the start of his semi
match but tenacious play saw his scrape past Ali who’s game
seemed, from what I saw, faultless.
Over in the Main could young late out of bed still ruffled hair
man Richard Norman repeat his giant killing over Julian Wilson?
Would Shino, who seems to play better as tournaments progress,
discard Jahan? Answers: no and yes: Finalist Main: Julian Wilson
versus Shino.
Final Consolation; Natasha versus Peter and Natasha takes an early
lead of 7-2 in a 9 pointer. Peter is doing this match the hard way
as well. 7 away versus 2 away and the 2 away player is still
playing her cagey running game – surely she can win just 2 more
points before Peter wins 7. But Peter digs deep and starts his
fight back. 4-7. Peter offers a double and Natasha is not sure if
she should take or drop. So Natasha plays brilliantly by playing
her thus far held onto joker card. It looks to others like a
double/take but Sean brings the laptop over, position is entered
and a double/take is confirmed as the correct play. Natasha
follows the advice of the computer but the game swings Peter’s way
and the score becomes 5-7. Then 6-7. Can Peter do it? Can Natasha
halt his advance? Can the Lady win those two more precious points?
The crowd gathers round and Natasha finds herself in an
unaccustomed position of being in the backgammon limelight but
Peter is used to this and just plays his thought though
undisturbed game. Natasha cubes at two away – lesson needed there
but that can come on another day – Peter’s eyebrow raises a
millimetre which is a big facial expression for Peter and he
gladly takes. Shortly after Peter re-cubes to 4, Natasha takes and
we’re at effective double match point. Peter wins the game and the
match. My hat off to Natasha who played her game, the game she
knows and out did others that play the game to a deeper level by
sticking to her guns and oh so nearly was handsomely rewarded.
Even so she still came out with a plus on the day. Peter came with
the hope of winning a Crockford’s / Geoffrey Parker board and
achieved his goal.
Final Main: Julian Wilson versus Shino. Both have been around the
London backgammon scene for years – both have played big matches
before, Shino’s results have been the better but Julian can never
be discounted. In honour of the standing of the match a large
table and a Crockford’s board was set in the centre of the front
room. There was space a plenty for spectators and gathering in
they came to watch the drama unfold. Julian took the first game
but Shino then took a healthy lead of 7-2 in this 13 pointer.
Could Julian fight it back? He tried, he was close in many games
but never managed to pull the scores level as Shino motored
sternly on. That might suggest that the match wasn’t worthy or a
final but it was – the spectators would surely have drifted off
had it not been so but instead they increased in their numbers.
And really that’s the way it should be – all too often a final is
a lonely barren affair in serious tournaments. Not so here in this
social backgammon gathering for a good cause where all eyes poured
upon players and board. And what they saw was Shino march forever
on to the 13 point mark. Hard luck Julian, well played Shino.
Champagne flowed, prizes were awarded and hands were clapped. It
had been a fantastic way to spend a London Sunday – Home House and
garden is a wonderful location and the service was remarkably
good. The players had a good day of backgammon, the spectators
made the event a lovely social gathering and £1759 was raised for
the Magic of Persia charity.
From the point of view of Bg in London it was a wonderful day of
backgammon to direct. We quickly and successfully adapted the day
to the numbers that were there, I got to meet and work a little
with Chiva of the WBA hence proving that Bg T.D.s can indeed work
together for the betterment of backgammon and Bg in London did
some good for a charity. I was also honoured to receive a “thank
you” from MOP as well. This is a replica of the Cyrus Cylinder
encased in glass. The Cyrus Cylinder (539 B.C.) has been described
as the first charter of human rights and sums up very well the
ethos of the Magic of Persia charity. I’m primarily a backgammon
organiser, I’ve won a few trophies as a player but none of them
have suited me as well as this present of a instinct that goes so
well with me. I thank Magic of Persia.
We thank Crockfords Casino for their sponsorship of the 2 Jeffrey
Parker boards, as well as
I.B. Tauris Publications for the
magnificent Persian themed coffee table books that were given out
as prizes.
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