Charles Hill wins the October Beavers and Raccoons!
The second Beavers and Raccoons night was contested by 14 of London's most genial backgammon people.
Players mingled in the restaurant area of the Adam Street Club - many preparing for the competition ahead with a reinforcing gin and tonic or large glass of red.
The Adam Street Club had reserved the entire restaurant for backgammon and the playing area was spacious and accommodating.
Beavers and Raccoons is all about new ways of playing backgammon and this night was to be no exception.
In the first round guests competed in a frantic 1-point free-for-all in an attempt to qualify for the Raccoons Tournament. Only the top 7 players would go through with those missing out joining the Beavers Tournament. Players had an hour of playing as many 1-point matches as possible against as many different opponents as possible with each win scoring a point. The action was fast and wild as players tried to play as many matches as they could in the time available.
Technologist and presenter, Zoe Cunningham, was joint first after the first round alongside Nicholas Monson and Italian Sergio Riboldi with an impressive 5 wins apiece. Charles Hill, Michael Michael, Martin Barkwill and Chris Dennistoun completed the Raccoons with strong performances. Michael Michael’s qualification was particularly impressive as he had only played three matches and had spent the rest of the time socialising - a true Beavers and Raccoons man!
Play adjourned at 8:30 p.m. so that we could sample some of Adam Street’s justifiably famous cooking.
The second half of the evening kicked off with two 7-player knock-outs with matches played to 5-points.
In the Beavers Tournament the first-round match to watch was best-selling crime novelist, Hilary Bonner, playing backgammon aficionado, Susanne Evers.
The Adam Street Club had reserved the entire restaurant for backgammon and the playing area was spacious and accommodating.
Beavers and Raccoons is all about new ways of playing backgammon and this night was to be no exception.
In the first round guests competed in a frantic 1-point free-for-all in an attempt to qualify for the Raccoons Tournament. Only the top 7 players would go through with those missing out joining the Beavers Tournament. Players had an hour of playing as many 1-point matches as possible against as many different opponents as possible with each win scoring a point. The action was fast and wild as players tried to play as many matches as they could in the time available.
Technologist and presenter, Zoe Cunningham, was joint first after the first round alongside Nicholas Monson and Italian Sergio Riboldi with an impressive 5 wins apiece. Charles Hill, Michael Michael, Martin Barkwill and Chris Dennistoun completed the Raccoons with strong performances. Michael Michael’s qualification was particularly impressive as he had only played three matches and had spent the rest of the time socialising - a true Beavers and Raccoons man!
Play adjourned at 8:30 p.m. so that we could sample some of Adam Street’s justifiably famous cooking.
The second half of the evening kicked off with two 7-player knock-outs with matches played to 5-points.
In the Beavers Tournament the first-round match to watch was best-selling crime novelist, Hilary Bonner, playing backgammon aficionado, Susanne Evers.
Hilary triumphed but was defeated in the semi-final by James Minter who had also knocked out Lawrence Powell.
Ioannis Argyrou defeated Sean Williams and Stavros Nicola to join James in the Beavers Bracket Final.
Ioannis Argyrou defeated Sean Williams and Stavros Nicola to join James in the Beavers Bracket Final.
Stavros was triumphant winning £100 although James quickly recovered as Zoe Cunningham presented him with his £50 entry back.
In the Raccoons Tournament Nicholas Monson got the bye but was defeated in the semi-final by Martin Barkwill who had despatched Sergio Riboldi in the first round.
Zoe Cunningham continued her run of form defeating Chris Dennistoun but fell victim to Charles Hill following his defeat of Michael Michael.
As such it was Charles and Martin who faced each other in the Raccoons Final with £200 going to the winner and £50 to the runner-up.
Zoe Cunningham continued her run of form defeating Chris Dennistoun but fell victim to Charles Hill following his defeat of Michael Michael.
As such it was Charles and Martin who faced each other in the Raccoons Final with £200 going to the winner and £50 to the runner-up.
The very first game was a thriller with the cube getting up to 4!
Charles (White) recubed Martin (Red) in the position below.
Charles (White) recubed Martin (Red) in the position below.
Match to 5. White on roll. White recubes. Can Red take?
Martin thought for a while before taking the cube. A brave take but a correct one. Unfortunately for Martin he couldn’t turn it around and went on to lose the match.
Charles Hill was victorious and received his £200 from Zoe Cunningham.
Martin thought for a while before taking the cube. A brave take but a correct one. Unfortunately for Martin he couldn’t turn it around and went on to lose the match.
Charles Hill was victorious and received his £200 from Zoe Cunningham.
The next Beavers and Raccoons backgammon evening will take place on 20th January. If you would like to come you can buy a ticket by clicking here.