OUT OF AFRICA

CONTENTS
Out of Africa 1
Chess and Bridge go Live 2
The MSO Art Gallery 2
Press Gang 3 2
Late Play-Off 2
Entrants by Country 2
Going for Gold 3
Results Section 4
Medals Table 4
Today's Events 4

Delbeck Champagne Prize Draw Challenge:

Submit your answers to the registration desk on level 2. Check Olympiad News for future questions!
1) Who holds the world record for speed reading?
2) Who prayed for mens sana in corpore sano?
3) What is the children's version of Oware being played at the MSO called?

'People nowadays tend to exercise their bodies. I feel that it's just as important to exercise the mind. Sex appeal and beauty go out the window if there's nothing in the head.' - Dani Behr, Evening Standard Hot Tickets magazine

OUT OF AFRICA

The promotion of the ancient game of Oware is one of the many success stories of the MSO. Hardly a soul passes by this area without pausing in fascination at the players seated on ornately carved wooden stools. These players mysteriously distribute tokens, which at first glance look like olives, among the hollows in an attractive standing board. The visual beauty of the entire display rivets spectators and TV crews, at least as much as the action of the competition.

Sadly, the Oware team competition failed to take place due to scheduling problems. But Seth Bonti and Glenda Trew of the Oware Society have transformed this misfortune into an opportunity, using the free time to introduce over 300 newcomers to the charms of the game. When top players Ian Paquette of Dominique, Sakili Richards of Antigua and Kofi Bonsu of Ghana ('devastating players' warns Bonti) arrive for the weekend, they may find a surprisingly large contingent facing them.

Bonti agrees that Oware has capitalised on its attractions. 'The game has an obvious aesthetic appeal, and it is so simple to play and learn. If this event were taking place in Africa there would be over 1,000 entrants, but now instead we're making new converts.'

A few questions about the background of Oware produces a mind-boggling wave of facts. Even the name can be confusing. The game has its roots in the ancient civilisations of Ethiopia and Egypt well over 3,000 years ago, and can be found under a bewildering number of guises around the world. The word Oware stems from Ghana, where it includes three versions (Abapa, Nam-Nam and Nampoudo), with similar variations proliferating from country to country.

How many countries play Oware? Bonti manages 'Ghana, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Antigua, Barbados, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, the Philippines, Ethiopia...' before I stop him. Suddenly he is off on a list of the different names for the game - Ayo, Bao, Kalak...

Here at the MSO they are playing a version with six hollows (houses) in front of each player, and two bowls on the side. Seth informs me that seven houses each is popular in Asia, and five is known as well. As we go around the display area I spot an unusual flat board with 32 houses, two of them square instead of round, and only one dish. To explain the difference between this and the more classic forms, Bonti only offers 'It's complex,' obviously recognising that I am now adrift in an ocean of information. Luckily, Oware is far easier to play than research. To learn, visit the Oware Society on level 2.

Where can you ...

Find out if you are a Pitta, Vata or Kapha mind/body type?
Challenge Chessmaster 5000?
Take a quick tour of the Internet?

Answer
At the Skandia Knowledge Café on level 3. Why not take a look!

Chess and Bridge go Live

The Mind Sports Olympiad on-line is virtually here! On Saturday 23 August 1997 at 9.00PM the first MSO virtual chess tournament will be launched. The event is open to all ages and all levels with great prizes to be won. The tournament will consist of five rounds of five-minute chess, with play-offs to be arranged if necessary. Entry is free. Enter by e-mail to mso@chessworks.com. The host of this prestigious event is the Internet ChessClub http://www.chessclub.com. Free software is also available from the site for anyone who wants to play in the tournament.

The companion Virtual Bridge individual championship will be held from Friday to Sunday, play starting at 2.00PM and 7.00PM. Bridge has been growing in cyberspace for some time and this tournament will link players around the globe. The event will use the sophisticated Bridge Player Live! software. Full details on website www.bridgeplayer.com.

The MSO Art Gallery

If you are lucky, you may meet artist Barry Martin on your visit to the MSO's gallery on level 6. Martin has assembled an impressive collection, some of which are for sale, with a varied approach to the common theme of games.

The first piece literally stands out from the others, a three-dimensional work by Dov Ben Chaim that reveals glimpses of different games when you slowly rotate it. 'Ben Chaim was taught by Vasarely, the procreator of Op Art,' says Martin, and goes on to explain some of his ideas behind the exhibition.

'Some of the works have a direct, explicit, approach to the games shown. Others were chosen because they have shapes - configurations - like puzzles in their own right. They are all flat surfaces so there is an immediate rapport with games - all are essentially two-dimensional boards.' He hopes that the more abstract works strike a chord by evoking a type of pattern and shape recognition shared by board games.

Unsurprisingly, there are tales and details behind most of the exhibits. There is a Marcel Duchamp which looks like a financial certificate. It is. 'Duchamp did this to raise money for a roulette system he devised, and sold them to his friends. This is a sort of IOU note.' Duchamp, a keen chessplayer, appears at the top, a shadowy, demonic figure that seems to be sporting horns. The horns are his hair, moulded with shampoo, Martin reveals.

Martin himself bridges the chess and art world. After much detective work, he was appalled to find Howard Staunton's burial plot, completely unmarked, near the pauper's row in Kensal Green Cemetery. Martin's most recent achievement was unveiled last month, a granite memorial finally honouring Staunton's place of rest.

Press Gang 3

Coverage of the MSO continues to expand. The BBC World Service for Latin America and Brasilian TV company Globo arrived today to spread the message even further.

Late Play-Off

The highlight of the chess has been the clash between Britain's two highest-ranked players, Michael Adams and Matthew Sadler. Last week at the British Championships in Hove, these two players finished joint first and the MSO has provided the opportunity for a 'play-off'. In a fierce struggle, Adams eventually repulsed a vicious sacrificial attack and won on time.

Mind Sports Olympiad - Entrants by Country

GOING FOR GOLD!

One of the most popular events at the Mind Sports Olympiad so far has been the backgammon tournament, the gold finals of which will be held on Friday. Olympiad News asked Chief Arbiter Haig Kessedjian, who runs the National Backgammon Players Society, about the growing backgammon scene in the UK and overseas.

How did you become interested in backgammon?

Well, although I have been based in the UK for about 30 years, I was born in Egypt, where there is a very strong backgammon tradition. Nowadays I run my own small construction company, playing backgammon and organising tournaments in my spare time.

How have things been going at the Mind Sports Olympiad?

We have had a fantastic response from both newcomers who have read about the event in the national press and from experienced players who are delighted to find something going on. We had about 90 players here on the first two days and are anticipating many more at the weekend.

How is backgammon organised in this country?

Most players join associations and societies and play in local events. There are dozens of small groups around the country, but not as many as for chess and bridge.

Are there many tournaments?

Yes, more and more. The highlight of the UK calendar is the national championship, which is held over a weekend and usually attracts around 80 players. Unfortunately, however, we are not allowed to offer prizes in tournaments as in the UK backgammon is classified as a 'game of chance' (bridge used to have the same problem but extensive lobbying led to a reclassification some years ago). This restriction has certainly hampered the development of the game over here.

Are prizes allowed in other countries?

Yes, the most prestigious tournament is the annual World Championship in Monte Carlo, which has been held for about 20 years. The first prize is around £35,000 and entry fees are £400. The championships, run on a knockout basis, last for one week and there are 'consolation flights' (plate tournaments) for players who are eliminated in the early rounds. There is no qualifying procedure for this - anyone can turn up and play. The element of chance means that nearly every year someone different wins.

So how does chance affect the results in backgammon?

There is a large element of luck, but over a very long playing period, skill will always triumph. If a match lasts five days, then the more skilful player certainly wins. However, the element of chance can cause considerable fluctuations in a player's ranking. In contrast, chess rankings are much more stable. Here for example, on Tuesday, a player who has won several national competitions struggled to qualify for the finals.

What are the big backgammon-playing countries?

The game is very popular in the USA, particularly in New York. The Americans have internationalised it, and introduced the crucial innovation of the doubling cube. The Danes also love to play and their experience offers a blueprint for how the game could advance in the UK. They have achieved two important breakthroughs: an understanding between backgammon and the law which allows games to be played publicly, particularly in cafés; and a sponsorship deal with Carlsberg which enables them to promote the game extensively.

What about the gambling element?

This is really a myth - backgammon can be a gambling game, but it is perfectly possible to play for fun. After all, if you want to gamble you can do so on tennis, golf, whatever, even though these are pure skill events. However, the development of backgammon has suffered due to a misplaced association with gambling.

What format do use in events?

Although in international tournaments a knockout system is used, here in the UK we have adapted the Swiss format from chess. This was brought in to keep the interest of players who might otherwise be on their way home after one defeat. No matter what their results, under the Swiss system at least the players know they will have plenty of games.

What are your thoughts on computer programmes for backgammon?

These are now very strong and make backgammon accessible for players who do not have easily accessible opponents to play against. However, playing a machine is not a substitute for the thrill of live action.

How strong are the computers?

Pretty good. I would guess that the best program would be ranked approximately 10th in the UK.

Are there big gambling games?

Yes, but they are played privately and writing about these is not permitted. It is curious that you can write about the strategy of backgammon, the tournaments, etc, but not about money games. Although you can't write about it, you are allowed to play for money in your home or even in prison!

Anyone interested in joining the National Backgammon Players Society, which is affiliated to the Worldwide Backgammon Federation in Switzerland, should write to: 27 Moorfield Road, Manchester M20 2UZ (Tel: 0161 438 0966).

Day Three Leaders and Medal Winners

Abalone

(Final placings and medals)

1 M. Tastet (France) gold
2 A. Perelson (S. Africa) silver
3 G. Cottogni (Italy) bronze

Entropy

(Final placings and medals)

1 M. Heasman (England) gold
2 P. Horlock (England) silver
3 S. Tavener (England) bronze

Lines of Action

(Final placings and medals)

1 F. Kok (Holland) gold
2 R. Wikman (Finland) silver
3 J. Bosley (New Zealand) bronze

Twixt

(Final placings and medals)

1 A. Randolph (USA) gold
2 D. Hassabis (England) silver
3 G. Hassabis (England) bronze

Chess

(after nine rounds)

1 M. Adams (England) 8/9
2-4 K. Arkell (England) 7/9
H.J. Plaskett (England)
M. Sadler (England)
5-7 J. Hodgson (England) 6.5/9
B. Lalic (Croatia)
A. Summerscale (England)

Draughts 10x10

(after ten rounds)

1-3 I. Kirzner (Ukraine) 13/20
G. Valneris (Latvia)
H. Wiersma (Holland)

Chinese Chess

(after six rounds)

1 F.Z. Chen (China) 5.5/6
2 W.W. Cheung (France) 5/6

Shogi

(after nine rounds)

1 E. Cheymol (France) 9/9
2 A. Hosking (England) 8/9
3-4 M. Sandeman (England) 7/9
S. Lamb (England)

Scrabble

(after nine rounds)

1 M. Thompson (England) 7/9 (507)
2 A. Killilea (England) 6/9 (669)
3 E. Simpson (England) 6/9 (575)
4 H. Lamabadusuriya (Sri Lanka) 6/9 (469)
5 D. Webb (England) 6/9 (278)
6 A. Cook (England) 6/9 (165)

Skat

(after 180 deals)

1 H.J. Schindler (Germany) 4028
2 Dr D. Beise (Germany) 3555
3 N. Schäfer (Germany) 3444
4 K. Poggenklas (Germany) 2084

Othello

(after ten rounds)

1 Suekuni (Japan) 9/10
2 T. Nakajima (Japan) 7/10

Go 19x19

(after three rounds)

1-2 Z. Guo (Holland) 3/3
E. Cali (France)

Go 13x13

(after seven rounds)

1-2 G. Zuan 6
S. Zhang
3 M. Holton (England) 4

Jigsaw Puzzles

(after three rounds)

1 R. Harwood (England) 506
2 A. Smith (England) 502
3 P. Wood (England) 310

Rummikub

(after twelve rounds)

1 G. Hassabis (England) 320
2 M. Naito (Japan) 299
3 H. Kitajima (Japan) 286
4 O. Omodera (Japan) 71

Backgammon

(qualifiers, to date, for Friday's gold section)

J. Balmforth, M. Barkwill, N. Carol, J. Clark, D. De Tuffoli, R. Hellman, M. Jahanbani, J. Kwee, S. Paliwoda, L. Powell, P. Rastan, S. Rimmer, A. Robertson and R. Sheehan.

Bridge Pairs

(qualifiers for today's final)

M. Beyer/J. Tesselaar, R. Eaton/A. Salam, P. Hasenson/D. Sherman, M. Gold/D. Higginson, D. Pearce/N. Anderson, S. Dannell/P. Shepperson, P. Hecht-Johansen/K. Blakset and P. Beckenham/D. Ettlinger.

Mind Sports Olympiad Medal Table after Day Three

TODAY'S EVENTS
Backgammon pm
Bridge pm
Chess am
Chinese Chess pm
Draughts (10x10) pm
Go (13x13) pm
Go (19x19) am
IQ pm
Japanese Chess am
Jigsaw Puzzles am
Mastermind day
Memory Skills day
Othello pm
Owari pm
Rummikub am
Scrabble am
Skat am
Stratego day
Zatre day

OLYMPIAD NEWS TEAM
Editor: Jon Tisdall
Production: Byron Jacobs and Andrew Kinsman (First Rank Publishing)

MIND SPORTS OLYMPIAD
PO Box 13388, London NW3 2ZF
Fax: 0171 482 0672 http://www.mindsports.co.uk/