2005 World Backgammon Championship – Monte Carlo, Monaco

  With US$320,000 in prize money and played in beautiful Monte Carlo, Monaco, it’s no wonder the World Backgammon Championship is touted as one of the most popular tournaments for backgammon enthusiasts around the world. Amid the splendor of The Fairmont Monte Carlo, a five star hotel formerly know as the Grand Hotel, the 30th World Tournament did not disappoint — offering up an ambiance of luxury and a nail-biting conclusion to the final match.

  The main event of the Championship Flight came down to an exciting and intense 25-point final match between Dennis Carlston (USA) and John O’Hagan (USA). Carlston and O’Hagen grappled for the advantage, point by point, with neither player holding more than a 2-point lead at any time. Congratulations to Dennis Carlston for emerging as the 2005 champion! Carlston’s victory earned him US100, 000 in prize money. John O’Hagen is followed as runner-up by semi-finalists Gerard Duruz (Switzerland) and Gil Davidovitz (Israel).

  Olivier Schneider (Germany ) won the Intermediate flight main event ahead of runner-up Avetis Rostomovan (Armenia) and semi-finalists Cyrille Fauquet (France) and Alessandro Bonacici (Italy). Manuel Avetissan (Armenia) was the Beginners Flight winner, followed by runner-up Carina Meile (Denmark), and semi-finalists Elayne Feinstein (USA) and Annette Nielsen (Dennmark). Congratulations to all.

  Participants were treated to a welcoming cocktail reception on July 11, a black-tie gala dinner on July 12, and an awards ceremony and cocktail party on July 18. The Fairmont Monte Carlo is a beautiful, upscale hotel and offers fine restaurants, casino, and views of Monte Carlo. True Money Games, as keynote sponsor, joined regular sponsors Fortis Watches for the July 11 – 17 tournament, meaning hundreds of fans around the were able to view the tournament live for the first time at truemoneygames.com. With the advent of online viewing, popularity for the tournament and prize money is expected to rise sharply, given the large and growing number of people playing online backgammon around the world.