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Download UPDATE!
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Thanks to German backgammon expert, Harald Johanni, Editor & Publisher of the now defunct, Backgammon Magazin, the score of the final match is available here.
Harald is a prolific recorder of backgammon matches and has been covering all the major tournaments for many years. If you see someone sat scribbling away frantically at a tournament, this will be Harald.
If you would like to be on Harald's mailing list and receive up-to-the-minute game and match files, contact him on harald.johanni@nuernberg.netsurf.de for further information.
To download the action in Jellyfish .mat format right-click
here and choose save to disk.
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WORLD CUP CHALLENGE - THE FINAL
The finals were an exciting match to watch - even though according to Abe Mosseri the checker play and doubling wasn't of the standard expected of a 'world cup' final. Certainly the mainly Turkish partisan crowd watching their man Ergin Ongel were happy; this was evident by their shouting and cheering, moaning and jeering as the match swung back and forth. Karsten Bolge from Denmark wasn't without his fans too; which made for a lively match this side of the screen.
The first few games went nearly all Karsten's way and he sped to a 7-1 lead but Ergin pulled back to level at 8-8. During the next game, Ergin was well ahead, bearing off when he had to leave a blot in his home board with 4 men on his 1-point. Karsten, holding a 2-cube and facing an almost certain gammon loss, hit the blot, Ergin danced and a little later Karsten took the points on a 4-cube re-double during the bearoff that Ergin had to pass. Ergin 8, Karsten 10.
The next game was of little interest generally and quickly passed with the point going to Karsten. The following game very quickly went into a 'no contact' game and the better dice of Ergin gained him the point. The score now standing at Ergin 9, Karsten 11.
The ability to roll lots of 4s in the next game - especially off the bar several times, enabled Ergin to really put the pressure on Karsten. Facing another almost certain gammon and again holding a 2-cube, Karsten rolled a miracle 66 and just scraped in and off - You should have heard the cheering and jeering from the respective camps! For the second time the match goes level. Ergin 11, Karsten 11.
It was at this point in the match that Turkish television turned up to interview Ergin. We spectators were not aware of this and we thought the match had restarted at the next game, when in actual fact it was only a demonstration game for the cameras. Abe began commenting and almost had a fit when he saw the appalling play!
After the television crew had departed the game resumed. Karsten took a suspect 2-cube and not long later ended up dancing on the bar for several moves and eventually went on to lose the gammon, whereat Ergin took the lead for the first time. Ergin 15, Karsten 11.
With Ergin in the lead, Karsten had to pull something out of the hat, and this he did in the next game. After a long encounter the game went to the bearoff, Karsten doubled and Ergin took but it was of no use to him as Karsten went on to win the two points. Ergin 15, Karsten 13.
Rolling a great 61 from the 24-point (using the 1 first) Ergin hurdled over a five point prime to hit Karsten's blot on the 8-point, Ergin then doubled next roll and Karsten had to pass. This game should really have gone to Karsten but he did not double earlier when he could have cashed. Ergin 16, Karsten 13.
After dancing on 2-point board with 66, Ergin was doubled out by Karsten. Ergin 16, Karsten 14.
In the next game Karsten gave a very early double which according to Abe was far too early, but to everyone's surprise, Ergin passed. The scores were beginning to come closer now. Ergin 16, Karsten 15.
The next two games were over fairly quickly each one being a double, pass. Ergin won the first one and in the second one Karsten doubled after losing his market and predictably Ergin dropped. Ergin 17, Karsten 16.
Ergin should have played a crucial 54 from his 6-point, opening up his board but instead he moved from the mid-point leaving an unnecessary blot. This was hit and Karsten cubed him out after Ergin danced. For the third time the game is level. Ergin 17, Karsten 17.
The next game was a quick double/pass with the point going to Karsten. At last he noses in front again. Ergin 17, Karsten 18.
Once again, this time for the fourth time, the match draws level. Ergin played a very poor 54 leaving a blot which ultimately led to him losing this game. Ergin 18, Karsten 18.
During the next game there was panic and pandemonium our side of the screen when the video link was lost. Frantic pulling and pushing of cables eventually restored the picture, thank goodness. We were informed by the tournament director that the clocks were now down to: Karsten, 15 minutes, Ergin, 30 minutes. However this was changed later when 15 minutes was added to each of the clocks as the director, at the start of the match had allowed an extra 15 minutes for the commentary. Despite the fact that these extra minutes were added to the clocks didn't alter the majority opinion that this match was taking too long anyway, with both players, but especially Karsten, taking far too long over obvious plays.
The match continued with Ergin offering a 2-cube which Karsten took. Ergin played a poor 63 leaving a shot which Karsten hit and the game swung his way when he rolled 63 off the bar hitting and running. Ergin danced on his next roll missing a blot on Karsten's 4-point, much to the bitter annoyance of the Turks. He later re-entered and came round with the man eventually leaving a double shot on his 11-point. There was a massive roar from the assembled Turks when Karsten failed to hit the blot. This game began very slowly and ended with an exciting finale. Ergin is now in the home stretch needing just 3 points for victory. Ergin 20, Karsten 18.
Ergin further consolidated his lead by offering a double that Karsten passes. Ergin 21, Karsten 18.
According to Abe in the next game Karsten doubles well after losing his market and Ergin happily drops. Ergin 21, Karsten 19.
The entire crowd goes mad when Karsten offers a 'crazy double', (Abe's words), which is an easy take for Ergin giving him the match should he win this game. Ergin did play a bad 53 and got away with it and he went on to win the two points he needed to become the first Turk to win the Turkish World Cup Challenge. Ergin 23, Karsten 19.
- Michael Crane
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