JULY 2020: The Live 2020 UK Open has been replaced by an online tournament. For details click here. The information on this page relating to the cancelled live event no longer applies.
In 2021 it is anticipated that there will again be a live UK Open Tournament. If you are interested in running the 2021 UK Open please email the UKBGF for details as soon as possible. Applications need to be received by mid-August 2020. Click here for more information.
UK Open Cancellation Announcement, 2nd June 2020
It is still far from certain that running a live backgammon event in September would be workable, safe and successful. Rather than prolonging the uncertainty for everyone involved, we have therefore decided to cancel this event. No registration or entry fees have yet been paid by players, but if you have booked and prepaid for your accommodation at Woodland Grange you will need to contact them by email to obtain a refund. Details of how to do this appear at the top of the Venue and Hotel page.
Date: 4-6 September 2020;
Venue: Woodland Grange, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 6RN
How to register: Pre-registration is ESSENTIAL – see below and also the Registration and Venue pages
Tournament Directors: Peter Bennet and Raj Jansari
The TD team will include Mark Calderbank, Seán Jones, Shaun Goode (Co-TDs, Intermediates and side events), Rose Pfeffer-Ward (Assistant TD), Karen Jones (Social Players) and Máté Fehér (Match Streaming). We are pleased to confirm that Mark Calderbank’s IT system will again be used for both Masters and Intermediate flights.
Follow the links below for more information.
Venue
See the Venue and Hotel page for details of the full-board package deal for players…with unlimited hot drinks and snacks again included in the registration fee!
Following generally positive feedback from last year’s attendees, we are returning to Woodland Grange in September 2020. This venue has a rich heritage dating back to Victorian times with contemporary facilities ranging from complimentary, superfast internet access to a state-of-the-art fitness room, sauna and jacuzzi.
See the Venue and Hotel page for details of how to book your accommodation.
Guest of Honour
We are delighted to announce that one of the World’s best players, backgammon author, and BMAB Grandmaster, Michihito Kageyama (“Michy”) will be attending the UK Open and delivering a seminar which will be completely free to all registered players.
Registration
Pre-registration is essential. See the Registration page for details of how to pre-register for the Masters or Intermediates.
This page also includes guidance on eligibility to play in a particular flight.
Masters players: please also tell us if you want to play in the Super Jackpot, starting Friday evening, which will be limited to 32 players.
If required, please also remember to book your hotel accommodation.
IMPORTANT – Masters and Intermediate players must be present at the venue with all registration and entry fees paid by 10am on Saturday 5th September 2020.
Who’s Coming
Lists of pre-registered players for all flights can be found here. UK Open attendees from all six previous years are also listed.
Format and Schedule
Full details and timings of all events will appear here soon.
The Intermediate flight will again comprise a qualifying Swiss on Saturday, followed by Main and Consolation knockouts on Sunday (similar to last year).
The Masters flight this year will be a similar format to the Intermediates – full details to be announced soon.
There will be two separate competitions for Beginners and Social players, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, intended for players who are not familiar with the use of the doubling cube. Each of these competitions is expected to be completed by late afternoon on the same day.
Action will begin at 1pm on Friday 4th September with 8-player satellites for both Masters and Intermediate Flights. The Annual General Meeting of the UKBGF will be a little earlier this year, commencing at 4pm. All members are welcome to attend.
All Registration Fees, Entry Fees, and Side Pool payments for Masters and Intermediates must be paid by 10am on Saturday 5th September, with play commencing at 11am.
Michy’s seminar is provisionally scheduled for 9.30am on the Sunday morning. This will be free for all players to attend – don’t miss it!
All events are expected to be completed by early evening on Sunday 6th September.
Entry and Registration Fees
Full details of all Entry fees and side pools for both Main and side events will appear here shortly. We are pleased to announce that registration fees will again remain the same for the third year running – £50 for Masters and £35 for Intermediates – and these will include hot drinks and snacks throughout each day for all registered players, whether or not they are staying at Woodland Grange.
Prize Money
Total return is 100{19fe8604bc4b57db43b770fc7d7084f5684131af52d226911330e6a501ce6cdc} of entry fees. Breakdown of prize money to follow.
Added Prizes
The UK Open has been sponsored every year since 2014 by
We are delighted to announce that Geoffrey Parker Games are sponsoring the UK Open for the seventh year running. The winners of the Main Masters and Intermediate flights will receive vouchers redeemable towards GP boards, and a special doubling cube will again be presented to each winner in the Beginners category.
Match Streaming
Máté Fehér will again be in charge of live streaming selected matches via our dedicated UKBGF twitch tv channel. Whenever possible, and subject to availability of suitable commentators, expert commentary will accompany the live video stream. Internet speed and reliability are excellent at Woodland Grange, and Máté is an acknowledged expert in this field. Recordings of streamed matches from previous UK Opens, and other UKBGF-affiliated tournaments, can be reviewed on the UKBGF YouTube channel.
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