Worcester Intermediates 2024

Garry Jones

This, the third Worcester Intermediates Open, was well attended by a full field of 64 players from across the country, many trying to increase their tour points total, but the majority just out for a good day of backgammon.  The highs and the lows of this incredible game.  Will the dice go my way?  Will I play to my true potential?  Will they have those lovely cookies like last year?

The usual team of Sean Jones, David Sanders and Kevin Jones are present to make sure things go smoothly to ensure a good player experience.  Every year at this competition someone is playing in their first tournament because it is a good tournament to experience what a tournament is all about.  Those seasoned players that have been to many tournaments already know and appreciate the intensity of the play, but for new players who have not experienced this, the Worcester Intermediates is a great tournament to be a part of.  With a very low registration fee (fifteen pounds with lunch) and an entry fee of twenty pounds it is a relatively inexpensive day out in Worcester with lots of backgammon to play on the day.

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Main Winner: Robert Breen
Main Runner-up: Hannah Parente
Main Semi-finalists: Mark Smyth, CJ Uttley
 
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Elgar Trophy Winner: Art Williams
Elgar Trophy Runner-up: Serban Murgu
Elgar Trophy Semi-finalists: Michele de Havilland, Philip Cherrington

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Severn Cup Winner: Nick Close
Severn Cup Runner-up: Shof Miah

​Unlucky 8 Winner: Sarah Jolliff
 
  
One great moment of the day was the pure joy shown by Shof Miah who won her first tournament trophy.  More delight was never seen in someone coming runner up!  It is a lesson to all, to enjoy those special moments that are so hard won in the game of backgammon.  It was a real intermediate moment to be so proud and delighted to win a first trophy!  Intermediates are arguably the future of backgammon and must be encouraged to keep going.  The delight of Shof makes everyone hopeful and strive to get that trophy!
 
Traditionally, at the end of the day, when the tournament directors are winding the tournament down, pizzas are ordered while the last few finals are played.  One story was funny, as Art Williams, who won the Elgar Trophy and personally commented on how beautiful the trophies were, drove back to his hotel only to realise that he had left his trophy behind!  We were well into our pizzas when Art turned up again to reclaim the trophy after having to drive right across Worcester to retrieve it. 
A great day, some great competitors, some fine gameplay, and no issues.  Intermediate tournaments are where the basic foundations are laid down; how to roll dice, how to use a clock, what does ‘Legal Moves’ or ‘Responsible Moves’ mean, what is a premature roll and how is it dealt with, how many hands you can use to play, which way to bear off with the clock and so many other particulars of tournament backgammon play are learned. 
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Worcester’s next tournament is the infamous Turkey Tournament, from the same people that brought you the Intermediate and Bunny Bash Tournaments.  Worcester’s favourite tournament and longest running tournament (10th Year), The Turkey Tourney is a tournament run specifically to raise money for a Charity.  Register soon! 
https://worcester-turkey.weebly.com/
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