Portuguese Open 2006 - Day 2

By Tournament Director Chiva Tafazzoli (WBA)

Second day of the Portuguese Open backgammon event. It started with some clouds and heavy rains very early in the morning. But around noon, sunshine and clear skies were back to welcome the players.

Players were fascinated by the venue and the playing rooms. 

Participants of the "Portuguese Open" slowly arrived to sign up while the second round of the "Grand Prix d'Estoril" (doubles consulting) was played with the follwing results:

Matos / Costa Lima (Portugal) win over Muradian / Rostomian (Armenia)

Santo-Roman / Mercier (France) win over Shino / Lestrade (Japan/Monaco)

Tardieu / Babillon (France) win over Rego / Cardoso (Portugal)

Reinhardt / Haase (Germany) win over Rohr / himself (France)

Registration closed at 8.30 pm and the public draw took place after the welcome cocktail which was at 9 pm. The bracket of 32 was overbooked and 4 extra-rounds had to be played. All matches were to 13 points.

The probably most amazing match was between Portuguese Jorge Figuereido and backgammon Giant Mike Svobodny. The whole match took less than 7 minutes. The cube went to 8 and Mike lost it gammon. Match over!

Artur Muradian from Armenia also finished his first round within 3 games, losing one cubeless game, one game on cube 4 and another game on cube 4 gammon. Next time Artur!

The Intermediate Division had a full bracket of 16 and quickly advanced to the quarter-finals.

Tomorrow will be the semi-finals of the Doubles and the Consolation will start in the late afternoon.

It is planned that we all leave the playing room in time for some midnight clubbing at the beautiful "Tamariz Bar, Club & Lounge", on the beaches facing the casino.

Let the fun continue and stay tuned for news from Portuguese Open 3rd Day.