ULDIS LAPIKENS RETAINS HIS TITLE AT THE MINDSPORTS OLYMPIAD 2003
May 5th 2003
Report by Liz Barker, Tournament Director

Following Chris Bray’s mention of Liz Barker and Gammonitis in the Independent a few weeks ago, the MSO Cambridge (a subsidiary of the main London MSO) invited me to direct the backgammon section of their event in May. I was only too pleased to agree and it made for a very special backgammon filled Bank Holiday weekend.  

A gang of us decided to try to make a dent in our Hilton Honours Points (overwhelmingly accrued through frequent attendance at BIBA tournaments) and stay on for an extra night in Coventry after the County Cups. Sadly, this necessitated a 7.30am roll-call for breakfast and a high speed convoy to Cambridge, but we all arrived safely, on time and in one piece. 

Backgammon was first introduced to the MSO Cambridge in 2002 and attracted 12 players for a Swiss Format, one day event. Due to the late publicity of this year’s event we decided to run a similar format and anticipated a small increase in attendance. Indeed, attendance was up – we fielded 14 players in a 6 round 7 point Swiss. My only regret was that we didn’t attract 15 players – because then I could have played too!

Uldis seemed to have only one goal in mind… to defend his title from the previous year. He beat John Slattery in the first round and then triumphed over Lawrence Powell, Paul Sambell, Paul Gilbertson and Jane Oxley to score 5 wins out of 5 matches.  

Meanwhile, Slatts (fresh from his triumph at the County Cups and hungry for more trophies) was not going to let losing in the first round get in the way. After losing to Uldis, he beat Jane Oxley, Andrew Sarjeant, Grant Jewsbury and Paul Gilbertson, making 4 out of 5. 

So to round 6. Uldis Lapikens (5) received the toughest of his potential draws; Martin Hemming (3). John Slattery (4), also got a tough opponent; Lawrence Powell (3). It was a real battle for first and second place and elsewhere in the tournament, heavy battles were in action for third place. Jane Oxley (3) was playing Grant Jewsbury (3) and Paul Gilbertson (3) faced Paul Sambell (2). The simplest result would have been for Uldis to beat Martin, thus achieving 6/6 and first place; John Slattery to beat Lawrence to make 5/6 and second place, and Paul Sambell to beat Paul Gilbertson preventing him from achieving 4/6 meaning that Jane or Grant would take third place with 4/6. 

But since when was a Swiss format EVER simple? 

In the end, Martin beat Uldis, Slatts beat Lawrence, Paul won obviously, but of the Gilbertson variety and Jane squeezed a doubled gammon out of Grant to win her match.  

There is much debate about the fairest way to settle a tie in a Swiss format – perhaps this should be the next vote for the Gammonitis Have Your Say? As a player, I like to decide a tie on a play off because then you are in control of your own destiny and are not forced to rely on the performances of other players in other matches. As a TD, I acknowledge that it is not always simple to administer a play off situation, particularly if more than two people are contenders for the same placing. Wherever I can, I like to take the opportunity to talk to the players and ensure that a solution is reached that satisfies everyone involved. 

First and second place was simple; Slatts and Uldis were very keen to play a 7 point play off, or “final” to decide a winner. I had a chat with Paul Gilbertson, Jane and Martin to discuss their options. A short round robin style play off was proposed by Martin but quickly vetoed by Paul who said that he was not interested in winning third place and had played enough that weekend, so would resign himself from the play off and take 5^th place. This left a simple play off between Jane and Martin, both eager to take home a trophy for their children. 

Martin and Jane battle for third place

For the second time in one weekend a trophy just eluded Jane – so close and yet so far. Uldis however, was determined to take the title for the second year running and secure in the knowledge that he had already beaten Slatts that day, proceeded to do it again.

Uldis puts Slatts on the bar

On behalf of Gammonitis and the players, I would like to extend our thanks to the Parkside Community College for providing the venue, the sponsors Hitachi Europe,
Games and Puzzles, Keith W Nash & Co (Patent Attorneys) and the MSO Cambridge for the hours of administration involved in setting up such an event.

 
Uldis Lapikens retains his title

John Slattery takes second place

Martin Hemming wins a third place trophy for his son

FULL RESULTS