By Achim Mueller: GammonVillage correspondent Achim Mueller files this hard-hitting final report following the completion of the 2008 World Championships of Backgammon.
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  Achim Mueller
 
Achim Mueller
2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
by Achim Mueller
15 July 2008 Back to News

GammonVillage correspondent Achim Mueller files this hard-hitting final report following the completion of the 2008 World Championships of Backgammon, held at the Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo, Monaco.


It's a bit difficult to write about a tournament you're playing in until the second last day, so I apologize in advance in case the reader finds too many of my own impressions in this article.
 
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2.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Gia
Date:  15 Jul 2008 20:54 EST

I find myself in total agreement with Mr. Rodman. I have enjoyed every minute of this site and the coverage of Monte Carlo. Maybe next year, I shall take a flight over to the land of stars and luxury yachts ;)

Thanks to Gammon Village once again for taking such good care of our game. Applause, applause, applause !!!!!

3.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
johnoh   Member has a photo available
Date:  15 Jul 2008 20:54 EST

Achim,

You write that "In the first 2 games, he (Sequeira) produced at least six or seven illegal moves that I had to correct!" Wow! I don't think I've ever played anyone who made that many illegal moves in a match of any length, let alone in the first 2 games. I wonder what kind of illegal plays these were. Were they the kind where he looks at several different alternative plays and then sets up a slightly different original position to play from or were they the kind where he miscounts the pips/misreads the dice? Also, were the illegal moves usually or always to his advantage?

Most players (myself included) do occasionally move the checkers around to look at various plays but almost never have a problem getting back to the original position. Once in a great while this sort of thing can happen but not several times per match.

I've never played against Mario and was therefore unaware that he does these kinds of things. If/when I do play against him, I'll make sure he plays everything legally.

Too bad you didn't take advantage of his hitting the clock moments before turning the cube. Against someone who constantly makes illegal plays, alters the original position, refuses to have his matches recorded on camera, insists on allowing illegal moves, etc. etc., I certainly would have.

It was nice meeting you in MC last week and congrats on a great tournament even though you fell a little short of winning the WC.

John O'Hagan

4.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Andiman   Member has a photo available
Date:  15 Jul 2008 21:27 EST

Why are players allowed to move checkers around endlessly before finalizing their move? I've seen this in live tournaments, and I have to admit, it is almost impossible to keep track of. Especially when someone rolls doubles, and starts to horse around and moves checkers back and forth, in doublets or singles, and back again, almost endlessly - did he move 5 or 4? It is completely unnerving and I have always suspected that a good cheater can take advantage of his opponent in this fahion. Everyone knows what I'[m talkng about.

Is it really such a ridiculous proposal to suggest that backgammon follow the chess example? - move your checkers and your move is final. That's it. Otherwise, make the move in your head and only move your checkers when you've made up your mind. These are rules that I would play by in a heartbeat. Otherwise, we need electronic boards to deny illegal moves period. And that doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon.

All the back and forth checker play is bulls***. It makes the game bushleague.

5.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
acepoint
Date:  15 Jul 2008 22:59 EST

@John: It might have been three games, but it was in the very beginning before he took his first break. And not all were in different positions. I once or twice corrected his second attempt to play legally. I remember a 33 at the end of the first game and a difficult to play 44 in the second game where he "tried" 5 4's. At the end of game two there was also a 22 where he fiddled around with a 22.

Again, I still believe this wasn't intentionally. In game two he got a few great numbers and I found myself behind with 7 checkers on the acepoint (fortunately undoubled). I would have been excited, too.

I also made one illegal play in this match which was corrected by him. And a friend told me that the same happened to me in round 2 where I put 2 checkers from the 6- to the 3-point with a 22. These things happen from time to time, but this amount in the beginning of the SF was really distracting.

I don't want to discuss about his behaviour over the board, but my guess regarding his average+ of illegal plays comes from "fiddling" too much, mostly with doubles.

Ciao

Achim

PS. It was also nice to meet you. Next time we should have a beer or two ;-).

6.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
bedu
Date:  15 Jul 2008 23:27 EST

I agree with the idea of adopting the "touch move" rule from chess for backgammon. The ability to visualize the resulting positions would be one of those factors that separate the men from the boys and the women from the girls, so to speak.

7.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Carter M
Date:  16 Jul 2008 05:15 EST

Wow..so this is what happens when I don't attend monte carlo =-)

8.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Stratton
Date:  16 Jul 2008 05:32 EST

Firstly may I add my thanks for the fantastic coverage; to be able to do that whilst playing your way into the semi- final must have taken an enormous effort.And I agree with all you sid about match recording, online broadcasts - even clocks, with which I've had some interesting experiences. About Mario Sequeira; I don't know him at all, but I played (and lost to)him at the WSOB in London last November. We played with clocks then as well. I don't remember any funny moves, so may be it was just the pressure of the semis and final. Presumably, when the illegal moves were pointed out to him, he didn't try to say that they weren't illegal - he accepted and put the checkers in their correct position. And you know, most of the time it's not a problem If I have to try out a move, I often put the checkers I've moved slightly away from the points I've moved them too, so I and my opponent can clearly see what has been moved and where to.

Once again well done and thank you (and Gammonvillage) Brian Lever

9.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
acepoint
Date:  16 Jul 2008 07:06 EST

I have to correct me. I made a play (I remember it was a 44 in the outfield after hitting a decisive shot) and he corrected me playing it illegally. I have to admit that I didn't recognize this during the move so I was obviously also under heavy pressure.

Ciao

Achim

10.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Perry
Date:  16 Jul 2008 09:13 EST

if a player makes several illegal moves in a match being monitored by a referee, the referee should intervene as soon as the number of illegal moves are 'excessive' in the judgement of the referee. If the opponent does not 'catch' these plays, they should stand, but the referee should at least speak up and advise the offending player that if his opponent points out future illegal plays they will result in penalty points. I personally would support a change in the rules explicitly permitting a referee to point out illegal plays after a warning,so his opponent does not have to give this aspect undue attention.

When playing an eariler round, particularly in the world championship's, a player faced with such circumstances as occured in Achim's match, in my view, should have called for a director and explained what occured. The director should have had the match monitored, at least for a period of time, to make certain the illegal moves were not recurring. I want to emphasize that calling for a referee doesn't mean you are not a nice guy or that your opponent is trying to cheat. You are entitled to have your opponent held accountable for illegal actions.

I am adding my thanks for the excellent coverage as well and look forward to meeting you at some tournament event in the future.

Perry Gartner

11.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Coolrey
Date:  16 Jul 2008 09:16 EST

Actually it seems to me that you should be happy to play with someone making illegal moves, for the rules allow you to punish him. You will have to pay attention, of course, but if you have trouble with that during the semi-finals of the World Championship... When WILL you be alert?

Normally when you forcefully correct a player who makes illegal plays, to his advantage or not, then he is reluctant to try it again. It looks to me like Mario took you out of your game better than you managed to affect his. With all the spectators and the assistance of the TD on occaision you could have taken control of this match with a no nonsense attitude.

You note that your own carlessness cost you because you made an illegal move of your own. You have to do better than THAT, it seems to me.

I didn't really understand when you said that Mario insisted on "illegal moves standing" during this match. That is ALWAYS the case. One must remain alert and correct illegal plays that favor his opponent, while also having a license to punish him by making them stand when they are to his detriment. IMHO, by not calling the director on the occaisions when he "fiddled with his checkers" so much that he forgot the original position you failed to provide a deterrent to such actions in the future.

It's a shame that it is possible in backgammon for a player to try and take advantage by making illegal moves with slight of hand or bad intent, but if you have played in MC 5 times... There is no excuse for being inattentive.

It sounds like you were dominated psychologically by an opponent who played with the same error rate as you did, and you lost, predictably. Psychology is very important in Backgammon! I bet you will change something about your demeanor over the board next time!

12.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
CamFella
Date:  16 Jul 2008 11:55 EST

As several people have already pointed out, I think the touch move should be applied as in chess. The first time I played in a local tourney here in Toronto, I was quite surprised to see players moving checkers around until they were satisfied. Would this not remedy some problems that Achim had experienced OR is this just too new-school ?

13.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
acepoint
Date:  16 Jul 2008 12:46 EST

@Coolrey: In Denmark (that's where I usually play when I've time) you can agree - and maybe insist (but mostly need not to do so) - on playing "legal moves."

In this case a referee or the match recorder can point on an illegal move even if the opponent doesn't recognize it. In MC a referee does only interfer if a player asks for it right at the moment when the illegal play happened.

If someone thinks that always being alert of possible illegal moves is a neccessary skill in big tournaments then we can also discuss whether referees at soccer worldchampionships are still neccessary.

Ciao

Achim

14.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
JLee
Date:  16 Jul 2008 17:11 EST

---------- It was even worse when he asked me in later games what the correct position was after he just spent minutes fiddling around with his checkers. Since he insisted on playing with "accepting illegal moves" before the match started, it wouldn't have helped to call a referee during the match. ----------

I disagree. A player has a responsibility to make legal plays. If he is consistently making illegal plays, it's clearly against the spirit of the game.

---------- He also produced two nasty incidents later on. In one game, he turned the cube with his right hand but pressed the clock shortly before with his left. It was maybe a second or so earlier, but because he had done this a few times already, I politely asked him henceforth, to first make his decision and then press the clock. ----------

That's fair play and good sportsmanship.

---------- Sequeira at once insisted on putting it on his 10-point. I couldn't believe my ears. ----------

There is a CLEAR difference between intentionally (albeit illegally) placing a checker on a point and accidentally placing a checker somewhere. It's really not entirely clear to me exactly what happened.

Consider a situation where I hit a checker, place it on the bar, and as I pick up my checkers, the checker on the bar falls off the bar and onto a point. There is no way anybody could possibly claim that the checker belongs on the point.

...

I want to point out that most of Coolrey's comments are right on the money... part of what will make you a great tournament player is maintaining your cool under extreme pressure and gamesmanship by your opponent.

One thing that Ray doesn't point out is that if the opponent is consciously or subconsciously making illegal moves ONLY to his benefit, then you stand no benefit -- in fact it COSTS you something, since you have to employ CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

I'm sorry you had such a troubling experience... playing in the semifinals of the world championship should be one of the great experiences of your backgammon life, and it sounds like it was somewhat marred. Take it for what it was... you are a semifinalist in one of the most important BG tournaments in the world. Congratulations on such a great run.

JLee

15.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
YQUEM
Date:  16 Jul 2008 21:34 EST

congrats Achim , very nice job. salut

fatima simonsen aka EU_IT_YQUEM

16.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Nightmare
Date:  16 Jul 2008 21:47 EST

You guys had 199 players in the championship event and you think it is a good idea to run it at the same time then the WSOP? The WSOP had only 6844 players this year and how many do you think play backgammon? Let me think real hard would I rather play for a first price of 9.1 million + the bracelet + another 1 million at least if I make the final table or would I rather play backgammon? Give me a break. Congrats to Lars and Bob.

17.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
Coolrey
Date:  17 Jul 2008 09:16 EST

Achim, I apologize to you if my comments sounded harsh or critical. Agreeing to play legal moves is cool, I guess, but when you went to MC... Or almost any other tournament around the world, there are rules in place in the event an opponent makes an illegal play, and no provision for agreeing not to allow them!

Those rules are vulnerable to individual interpretation, and those looking for an advantage may view them thusly:

What if I make an illegal move EVERY play to my advantage? I gain if my opponent does not correct me. Therefore I should do this as often as possible until such time as I am prevented from doing so.

I don't know if you were assigned a "referee" in your semi- final match, but I reached the final 8 a few years ago and never had one. Once you noticed that there were problems you should have secured one and or registered a complaint.

It kind of looks like you did not want to cause a scene, and wanted the match to be decided by the backgammon alone. From the tone of your article, your more experienced opponent did not feel the need to play nice. This obviously upset you and affected your game, and you sought solace in the fact that the spectators were sympathetic to your cause.

Apparently your gf was barred from recording this match by your opponent. A sure sign that your more experienced adversary was out to take control of the match psychologically from the outset. At that point you need to consider the contest a WAR, and fight fire with fire.

With the money and prestige on the line, I am sure you were taking it seriously but perhaps you were taken aback when the match conditions were not as "gentlemanly" as they had been in your former match with previous World Champ Royset.

It is unfortunate that you had a nightmare in the semi- finals of the World Championship... But by not speaking up you doomed other players to the same fate. Someone else will have to speak up next time because you never did.

Doing so after the fact will cause your opponent to be scrutinized carefully now, and if you think he took offense when you questioned his motives during the match then how do you think he will react now?

Espceially since the ONLY time a monitor was summoned he ruled AGAIST YOU... For failing to play legally. What if Mario writes an article that you were the guy making illegal plays now?

Failing to be assertive by calling a director to verify and expose his tendency for making illegal plays reinforced the notion that he would not suffer any consequences or punishment as a result of them. Since there is no evidence, except what some spectators may say, then the whole argument becomes your word against his. I can't imagine that he agrees with what you!

I don't know either one of you two very well, but I do know that Mario has been around as long as I have... About 30 years. I don't remember anyone challenging his integrity before. One has to be careful about what they write, as you seem to realize when you say:

...I cannot say it was on purpose, but it is quite annoying and distracting when you always have to watch your opponents moves...

However your article gives the general impression that you believe it to have been deliberate.

For the good of backgammon it was your responsibility to summon a referee:

...Since he insisted on playing with "accepting illegal moves" before the match started, it wouldn't have helped to call a referee during the match...

BECAUSE he insisted on accepting illegal moves!

You look like a young man to me and you have had remarkable success in having reached the semi-finals of the World Championship twice. I surmise that you must be a great player, and a fine gentleman. However, when there is money and prestige on the line you cannot expect everyone else to conduct themselves in the same fashion and you must be prepared to deal with psychological "interference".

I can tell you from experience that a more assertive approach would have served you well in this match. I am sure that it was a great lesson for you, and I am very sorry but I think you will have nightmares about it for a long time. You may never reach the semifinals again, but if you do... I think you will be more prepared. Not everyone plays nice when the pressure is on!

Congratulations on your fine result and good luck in the future. I'll play "legal moves" with you in Vegas, if you come!

RF

18.
Subject:  Re: 2008 World Backgammon Championships - Final Report
From: 
acepoint
Date:  17 Jul 2008 12:45 EST

Hi Ray,

you don't need to apology. Your comments were critical and probably right, but not harsh.

You wrote: "Apparently your gf was barred from recording this match by your opponent..."

No she wasn't. She wss exhausted because she had a small collapse because of low blood sugar that morning (she suffers from diabetics) and I decided to let someone else record the match. Sequeira agreed in manual recording but strictly disallowed a camera.

You wrote: "Since there is no evidence, except what some spectators may say, then the whole argument becomes your word against his. I can't imagine that he agrees with what you!"

Well, a lot of spectators have seen this and, in addition, the final (quote Falafel: "I can't remember a match with so many illegal plays."). Nonetheless the question is not what happened to me but what happens to a tournament that calls itself the worldchampionship.

You may have noticed that the closing report was published on tuesday. At Saturday night I wrote a short e-mail to GV that I need some distance from the match before writing about it. The crucial factor mentioning what happend during the SF was that the same illegal moves occured at the final also.

You wrote: "However your article gives the general impression that you believe it to have been deliberate."

From http://www.bgonline.org/forums/webbbs_config.pl?read=21652 "I explicitely say here that I don't think he cheated intentionally in the meaning of putting the checkers illegaly on certain points to his advantage. He rather seemed to be irritated after I corrected all the moves."

If you or someone else had a different impression I have to apology. Nonetheless illegal moves seldom produce "random equity". Usually you put your checkers where you want them to be.

BTW, I'm 44 ;-).

Ciao

Achim

 

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