Thursday, 21 July 2011
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
What an unbelievable couple of Semi-Finals here in Monte Carlo
A fantastic day of backgammon here at the World Championships. In the first semi-final Weaver took on Gullotta. The match went to DMP. Weaver had 2 checkers off and had a nice distribuion against Gullotta's ace-point anchor. Only 65 would blot. Out pops 65. Gullotta hits. His board is hardly perfect so there is hope for Weaver yet but it is not to be. Weaver looks shell shocked but wishes his opponent luck in the next round - ever the gentleman.
Then in the second semi-final Suzuki comes back from 19-10 down to Mochi to level at 20 all. Then he loses 2 points to go 22-20 down. Then he gets it back to DMP. By this time he is down to just 29 seconds on his clock. Mochy is playing a holding game but rolls double 66 that forces him to break contact and move into a bad race.
Suzuki could still lose on time or lose the race. And then the clock breaks! It starts flashing at 1:00 each and then starts counting upwards! Consternation amongst the spectators. Both players agree to roll the race out without a clock.
Mochi cannot find the big numbers he needs and Suzuki rolls his way into the backgammon history books.
It should be a great final tomorrow. My money is on Suzuki but don't write Gullotta off just yet. It's backgammon and anything can happen.
Then in the second semi-final Suzuki comes back from 19-10 down to Mochi to level at 20 all. Then he loses 2 points to go 22-20 down. Then he gets it back to DMP. By this time he is down to just 29 seconds on his clock. Mochy is playing a holding game but rolls double 66 that forces him to break contact and move into a bad race.
Suzuki could still lose on time or lose the race. And then the clock breaks! It starts flashing at 1:00 each and then starts counting upwards! Consternation amongst the spectators. Both players agree to roll the race out without a clock.
Mochi cannot find the big numbers he needs and Suzuki rolls his way into the backgammon history books.
It should be a great final tomorrow. My money is on Suzuki but don't write Gullotta off just yet. It's backgammon and anything can happen.
Knocked out the team tournament
Lost both of my matches.
My record this year so far: Played 6 Lost 5.
It's a good job I am recording all my matches.
Twittering semi-final updates
Miran sensibly suggested that I use twitter rather than this blog to post live semi-final updates...
Please find my Twitter account here:
Twitter Account
Please find my Twitter account here:
Twitter Account
Excellent film of the London Open by Zoe Cunningham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt__f5ru-hY
Unfortunately the interviews are a bit noisy. But the opening is great.
Unfortunately the interviews are a bit noisy. But the opening is great.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Sorry for the lack of updates today
Play started late at 3:00 p.m. My match didn't finish till a few minutes ago.
I lost again.
Instead of doing a proper post-mortem I am going to the pub with Myke and Lawrence (also out) to drink my body weight in Sancerre.
Tony, John and Rachel are all doing very well in the Second Consolation - more updates as I have them.
Martin is also doing well in the second conso.
The Main semi-finals do not start until tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also the team tournament. I am entered with John and Lawrence. We are called JLS.
I lost again.
Instead of doing a proper post-mortem I am going to the pub with Myke and Lawrence (also out) to drink my body weight in Sancerre.
Tony, John and Rachel are all doing very well in the Second Consolation - more updates as I have them.
Martin is also doing well in the second conso.
The Main semi-finals do not start until tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also the team tournament. I am entered with John and Lawrence. We are called JLS.
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