Entrants are reminded to familiarise themselves with the MSO Tournament Rules & Procedures (http://www.msoworld.com/rules/backgammon-t.html) especially where we differ slightly from International Rules. One instance is Rule 4.6 PREMATURE ACTION which states, "All premature actions, including premature rolls, shall stand if otherwise valid. An opponent who has yet to complete his turn or act upon the cube, may then do so with the foreknowledge of the premature roller's dice throw." This means that if you roll before your opponent has picked up their dice they can replay their move knowing what your roll is - It's like playing poker with your cards facing your oppponent; something to be avoided!

Another is Rule 2.2 TIME which states, "Matches shall start promptly at the appointed time. Three 5-minute recesses only are allowed per match." This doesn't mean three, 5-minute breaks each but three per match. Usually each player will call for a break and both agree on the timing of the third. If clocks are being used then write upon the score sheet the time remaining on each clock so that on your return you are satisfied that no-one has altered the amount of time remaining in your absence - It does happen, I assure you.

Finally, if you have any contentious points of rule, Rule 6.3 APPEALS states, "A player may appeal against the Director's ruling but must do so promptly, while timely redress may be obtained. To resolve an appeal, the Director shall convene a committee of three MSO Arbiters who shall hear the testimony and all relevant arguments from all parties and may overturn the Director's ruling by a unanimous vote. A fee of £20 per appeal is payable to the MSO and is refunded subject to the Director's decision being overturned." The £20 fee is imposed to inhibit players from lodging appeals against the Director's decision even though they know he is correct but hope to have it reversed if borderline. Take my advice, save your money; I have been directing tournaments for over 15 years now and know what I'm doing!

I recently asked a few players about their appearance at this year's games. I asked them all:

1. Are you attending this year?
2. If yes, what elements will you be entering?
3. If no, why not?
4. Could you provide a short profile of yourself?
5. Any other comments?

Here are some of their replies:

1. No, sorry
3. Going to a wedding, bad timing I'm afraid.
4. Half Scottish/half Belgian computer programmer currently into share trading (good game, very like BG!)
5. Nice to see cash prizes at MSO. Interesting to see if 3 day format is attractive/off-putting. Personally, I'm still finding it hard to find spare time for BG thanks to Sophie commitments. Maybe when she starts school!

1. Yes
2. The Olympic one for sure and - depending of my results - the British Championship.
3. n/a
4. See http://www.msoworld.com/brain/mental/toffoli.html

1. Yes
2. Only coming for the British Championship. I am Having treatment for cancer on the other days,-otherwise I would enter more elements.
4. See http://www.msoworld.com/mindzine/news/classic/bg/hollands_bio.html
5. Michael Crane does a great job. Many of us object to no money prizes being allowed - some players may stay away because of this.

1. I had planned to attend and as a matter of fact did make arrangements at work to this effect; however it depends on the state of my wife's health.
2. I was planning to attend the Weekend Tournament, Olympiad Championship and the British Open.
4. I am a 54 Year old multilingual, of Italo-Greek origin, born and brought up in the Sudan. Came to England as a student in 1963 and have been living here - more or less -since. Married (English wife), with two grown up children - son of 30 and daughter of 27. Profession: Chartered Engineer with a Diploma in Accountancy and Finance. Hobbies: BACKGAMMON, Reading and watching football (soccer); a very loyal West Ham United supporter.
5. I've said it all above!

1. Yes
2. The British Open bit at the weekend
4. Winner of a number of Biba tournaments: Hilton National, Sandy Osborne, Ranking tournament. Last 8 in Copenhagen this 2000, Semi-finalist in Liverpool 1999 and 2000

1. I'm not coming to this one.
3. Too little to travel for all the way from Denmark - so too speak (too expensive)

1. Yes
2. All except beginners (work permitting)
4. Large & loud. Winner of County Cups Trophy 1999 & 2000 , Sandy Osborne Trophy 1999, current b.i.b.a. Ranking & Knockout Grand Prix Champion. Last winner of National Backgammon Championship (n.b.p.s.) & winner of European Championship Warm Up 1999.
5. I am attending this years championship only because of MSO's support of Biba. I have boycotted previous Olympiads because backgammon & poker were singled out for non-awarding of prize money. I suggest anybody who thinks backgammon is a game of chance that they might like to test the theory against me at £50 a point.

1. I probably will be attending this year.
2. I havent decided which fields I will be going in yet.
4. A short profile of Hamsey! (nickname). Well I am like the request - short and have been a backgammon player for well over 10 years having been taught the game (without a doubling cube) by my parents and grandparents who used to play with me when I was 10 years old (according to my pip count that makes me about 21!). I live in London but am originally from Manchester and I started a monthly Casino sponsored tournament in Manchester about 10 years ago with a guaranteed minimum prize of £1000.

   I travel to international tournaments occasionally and have recently attended the Kaiserbrunnen tournaments in Brakel on a regular basis. I won the Consolation in the Championship division in Novemeber 1999 and then followed this up with a runners up in the UK finals at BIBA - you could say that I went out on a roll in the last millenium.

   This year I have been to the Marbella Open and I think my dice got sunstroke although the tournament was very relaxing and enjoyable.

   I play regularly in London and attend about half of the BIBA tournaments in a year.I also play on games grid.

1. No
3. Poor preparation
4. Competitive yet cooperative
5. The MSO event is growing in status with each year. It would, I'm sure be a priviledge for each and every individual taking part. Good luck and lots of success.

1. No
3. Too Far to travel from Newcastle
4. Five feet eight
5. Have it in Scotland!

It promises to be a great 10 days of backgammon action. I am looking forward to it immensely and I hope to see many familiar and new faces. Don't forget to register as soon as you can to avoid the dreaded £5.00 late penalty fee applied to entry forms postmarked after 12th August.