14 May 2006

18th European Backgammon Championship, Velden 2006

The WBF (Worldwide Backgammon Federation) announced the 18th European Backgammon Championship, held together with the 5th Velden Backgammon Open in Velden, Austria, from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May 2006. Play was by WBF invitation, and tournament matches took precedence over any other play at the venue.

Official European titles

The event counted for the official title of European Champion in each category, sanctioned by the WBF. Matches were played on professional tournament boards, with dice provided by the organisers. The main tournament had three flights:

Each flight had a main draw, a progressive consolation and a last chance tournament. Trophies were planned for the winners of all three categories, as well as a Ladies Prize, a Ladies Tournament, a Warm-up and One Point Matches. The WBF President offered a special trophy to the 2006 European Champions in Formula 1, 2 and 3.

Programme

• Thursday 18 May: registration from 15:30, start of side events and One Point Matches, public draw for the Warm-up at 16:30 (free for registered players) and its start at 17:00, draw for the Sperti Trophy (free for WBF supporters) at 21:30 and its start at 22:00.
• Friday 19 May: Warm-up and Sperti Trophy continued; registration from 17:00, welcome reception at 20:00, public draw at 21:30 and start of the Main Tournament at 22:00.
• Saturday 20 May: Main Tournament continued from 15:00 with the start of the Progressive Consolation; Ladies Tournament from 22:00.
• Sunday 21 May: Last Chance Tournament at 14:00, finals from 14:30, closing dinner and awards ceremony at 21:00.

The winner of the Sperti Trophy was to receive a special backgammon board offered by Alfredo and Maria Sperti.

Past winners

Velden Open: 2002 Heinz Edy (Austria), 2003 Vazgen Matevosyan (Armenia), 2004 and 2005 François Tardieu (France).

WBF-sanctioned European Champions: