David Naylor (he who makes leather backgammon boards) met Richard Edgecliffe-Johnson of the RAC Backgammon Circle sometime in late 2003. They decided that a match should be played between the Captains of Industry and the Captains of Backgammon. However both were busy in the run up to Christmas, then David (slightly more than 21 years of age) went cycling around South East Asia for about 3 months so it was not until April 2004 that we really started to get down to the nitty-gritty of setting up a date. 

I was consulted upon the format. Proposed was a 16 player Knockout Tournament comprising of 8 players from each team. I'd already had other enquires as to how one should set about running a Team Backgammon Event but had never got round to actually doing anything about it so I sat down to work something out. Knockout would not do because players could end up playing members of their own team all evening long. The first premise had to be that each player would always play a member of the opposition. 1 point for a win, nothing for a loss. Enough backgammon to fill one evening with 16 players involved dictated 4 Rounds of 5 Point Crawford matches. But this could end in a draw so I thought we could have final 5 Point Match with all 8 players playing the other 8 players. I ran the idea by Paul Lamford. "Use the penalty shoot out principle" he announced. "You can't play a 5 Point Match - that would take too long - make it a 1 pointer. Keep the 8 players per side, Captain of each Team is the only player to move checkers - his Team members can consult".  Sorted.

Next I sat down at my computer and opened Excel. The entire Tournament would be run via a laptop on display to players so they could see the progress of the Tournament. I sent a copy of my first draft to David and Richard for their approval, both were happy and a few drafts later I had a fully programmed Team Tournament format that entailed the T.D. on the evening (me) hitting the keyboard a maximum 33 times. Easy.

The date was set by David and Richard, the venue would be the RAC in Pall Mall, London, drinks and sandwiches would be laid on, David provided a trophy and David and Richard set about gathering together their Teams.  

As it happened David was delayed in Italy and couldn't make it to the match so I found another player for the Stokey Gammoners. The RAC Backgammon circle also had a full 8 players.  

The Stokey Gammoners arrived (suitable attired though not usually attired for people from Stoke Newington) at the RAC at just after 6.45p.m. and were shown to the Library where we were to play. The RAC is one of London's best private members clubs, beautifully maintained and steeped in tradition. However the atmosphere is not stuffy at all - indeed we were given a warm welcome and a pleasant evening beckoned. 

The two Teams had minimal knowledge of each others backgammon ability. The Stokey Gammoners were fielding a pretty strong team - Paul Lamford (Twice British Backgammon Champion, author of 100 Backgammon Puzzles, Starting out in Backgammon and Advanced Backgammon and a World Championships and European Championships player), Simon Gasquoine (Co-author of Advanced Backgammon, author of the soon to be re-published Know your Game - Backgammon, World Championships and European Championships player and BIBA member), Andy Kindler (MSO, BIBA and World Championships player) Jon Sharpe (World Championships and BIBA player), Sean Williams (BIBA and MSO player), Zoe Cunningham (BIBA and MSO player), Robbie Richards (BIBA player and Le Patron of The Fox Reformed the well known backgammon venue) and Chrissi Howell (Fox Reformed Ladder Player). All also play or have played at The Fox Reformed in the Monday evening Tournaments and Annual Ladder. I'm unable to give such an impressive CV of the RAC players though I think their career CVs might be the more relevant.

Drinks having been poured, the format explained, I called out the 1st Round Matches and play commenced. 

The air was one of quiet concentration. As I wandered between the tables it was clear to me that everybody knew what they were doing and there were no weak players here. It looked as if this could be a close match. George versus Chrissi was the first match to finish and it was nice to see them as they continued chatting at their table for a while. Sean was disappointed to lose his match against Edward B. having been 4-0 up. Paul Lamford just lost to Edward L. but Jon, Andy, Robbie and Zoe won for the Stokeys and the last match to complete involved Simon G. (no surprise there) who lost to Mark of the RAC. Round 1 finished at 4 matches a piece. 

Round 2 was played as soon as Round 1 matches were finished. All was going well as far as the running of the Tournament was concerned and I had very little to do - always a good sign - so I toped up players drinks as they played. By the end of Round 2 we had 6 players on 2 wins each, 4 of them RAC players (Mark, Edward L. George and Edward B.) 2 of the Stokeys (Andy and Jon). Double Losers were 3 a piece but The RAC had pulled ahead by 1 match to leave the score at 9-7.

Players broke from play at 8.30 as sandwiches arrived and conversation flowed. As I expected this really was a very enjoyable social evening. A number of players present would meet again in Monte Carlo at the World Championships and tips were being exchanged.  

Ever the Task Master I knew it was my duty to get players back to the tables for Round 3 but this involved no more than me handing players a scorecard and pointing out their next opponent. Off they went and recommenced play. The first 5 matches completed in Round 3 were all won by The RAC. Stokeys were in danger of losing the match in the 3rd Round. The two Edwards, George and Mark were proving difficult opponents for Stokey players. But Paul and Chrissi won their matches leaving the Stokeys clinging on to force Round 4 needing to be played. The score going into Round 4 was 15 - 9 to The RAC. Stokeys had some work to do.   

2 more wins was the target for The RAC. On their performance so far this evening it looked very achievable but the Stokeys were not going to give up easily. The first match to finish was George versus Sean in which George maintained his 100% win rate. Paul beat Peter H. to holds the RAC at 16 wins. Zoe beat Peter M. A continued good run for the Stokeys and we could yet have a Final Play-off. In the next match Andy's rolls forced him to play a backgame against Edward L. but Andy never got the hit he needed to kick-start his game into a winning one and  Edward bore off his checkers to win this match. 17 wins to The RAC. Other matches were still being played and I saw no reason to let all the players still hard at it that the final result could not be altered. To their credit Stokeys won 5 of the 8 4th Round matches leaving the final score at 18-14 to the RAC. Congratulations to the RAC Backgammon Circle.

The individual results make for interesting reading too and special mention must be given to Mark Irens, George Jacobs and Edward Baliszewski who all finished on 4 out of 4.

So we moved onto the Prize Giving much to the pleasure of the RAC players. 


The evening didn't quite end there - a tour of the RAC was given by Richard to a number of the Stokey players and a couple of 50p chouettes were played.

All in all it was a very enjoyable evening and one which I'm sure the players would be happy to repeat. I'm sure we will see a return match at The Fox Reformed or somewhere like it soon. As far as the actual format of the tournament was concerned everybody seemed well pleased with it - my only complaint is that it did not go to a Final Play-off - something that I'm sure will be the making of this format as long as the English Football Team are not involved !