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This is the first ever international backgammon tournament in Macao, and in fact in all of
China. The tournament was organised and directed by the Macao Backgammon Association, Voting Member & China Representative of the World Backgammon Federation. The 1st Macao Open International Backgammon Championship was also amicably supported by the Japan Backgammon Society, and in particular by its chairman Mochizuki Masayuki (“Mochy”), who was also the co-organiser of our tournament. Mochy is 2-times backgammon World Champion, and is generally considered to be the best backgammonist in the world. His meticulous involvement and seasoned advice were indispensable to the tournament’s inaugural success. We extend our special thanks to him and to all our friends from Japan who came and lent us their extra support and encouragement.

The 1st Macao Open had over 50 participants, in the Eruditis (“Learned”) and the Laicis
(“Laymen”) categories combined, from 10 different countries. There were participants from Japan, China (including Hong Kong), Russia, Australia, Philippines, Germany, UK, France, Bulgaria, USA, and Canada. The national representatives are almost all amongst the best players in their respective countries - our Champion Tobias Hellwag is indisputably one of the best backgammonists in Germany, and indeed, in the world.

The tournament atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The Cantonese-Shanghainese dinner banquet with the tasting of Chinese wines on the first night of the tournament turned out to be a bombastic, hearty social event. On the final day, everybody stayed and watched the 3 finals (Sortitis Max; Duplicis; Eruditis) matches, played one after another at the Lou Kau Mansion, all video livestreamed, to the tournament venue (Rio at Fisherman’s Wharf), as well as to the Galaxy Backgammon YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/live/dn-s_pS2QWY?si=CxyjR-hUVHYMJzE5),
where backgammon lovers around the world can also watch and comment, live. We thank Mochy, Michihito Kageyama (Japan); David Wells, Carter Mattig (USA); and Michael Dyett (Australia) for providing the spirited commentary to those thrilling live-streamed matches. The tournament concluded with the prize-awarding ceremony, and a delicious dinner party in the iconic Antica Trattoria Italian restaurant.

Of special note is that fact that there were 4 players from mainland China, 2 from Zhuhai, 1 from Hebei, and 1 from Jiangsu. There had never been any participants from Mainland China in any backgammon tournament in the world before the 1st Macao Open. Diao Li Heng managed to fight till the last 16 in the Eruditis tournament, and Ao Jin Hui fought courageously in a Sortitis Final against Jay Bidal from Canada. Lilian Ding also fought bravely until the Finals in the Double Match Point (DMP) von Waldenblatt Backgammon Board Tournament, when she succumbed to the Bulgarian grandmaster Bogidar Iliev. We hope that this tournament is only the first for the many budding backgammonists rising up from China.

We wish to thank all those who lent their generous support to the production of the 1st Macao Open; to all our staff and working partners in Macao, all of whom had never even experienced a backgammon tournament before; and to all the players who crossed oceans just to support our initiative. We look forward to the next edition of the Macao Open International Backgammon Championship in the very near future!

After three full days of intense world-class backgammon playing amongst some of the best backgammonists in the world, the 1st Macao Open International Backgammon Championship was concluded on the 25th February 2024 at the UNESCO monument Lou Kau Mansion in Macao’s old city centre, with Tobias Hellwag (Germany) defeating Kazuhiro Saito (Japan), in a masterful display from both players. Congratulations to Tobias Hellwag, the Champion of the First Macao Open International Backgammon Championship!

1st Macao Open Backgammon Tournament
Went Out With a Bang!

Champion: Tobias Hellwag (Germany)
2nd: Kazuhiro Saito (Japan)
3rd: David Wells (USA), Herb Roman (USA)
Last Chance: Jan Jacobowitz (Germany), Hayase Kawashima (Japan)

Champion Team: Yuji Ogura / Fujioka Daisuke (Japan)
2nd: Carter Mattig (USA) / Cynthia Roberts (UK)

Champion: Malcolm Hutson (Australia)
2nd: Lito Frondoso (Philippines)

Champion: Celine Heuls (France)
2nd: Sophie Hutson (Australia)
3rd: Stuart Carroll (UK)

Champion: Bogidar Iliev (Bulgaria)
2nd: Lilian Ding (China)

Eruditis (Masters)

Duplicis (Doubles)

Sortitis Max (Max Jackpot)

Replay of Full Tournament