As a warmup to the WBGF World Team Championship in London this August, team USA and team Iran, have arranged a series of friendly matches to be conducted on Backgammon Studio Heroes. Join the fun on YouTube to see two teams stacked with Grandmasters face off!

Each 13 point match will take place shortly after the prior match. The below schedule is an estimate of start times.

Friday 17th
1.⁠ ⁠G0 Gerry Tansey Vs G1 Edris Ashhadi @ 14:00 EDT
2.⁠ ⁠M1 Roberto Litzenberger Vs M1 Kaveh Farahani @ 15:00 EDT
3.⁠ ⁠G2 Steve Sax Vs G2 Hossein Aghili @ 16:00 EDT

Saturday 18th
4.⁠ ⁠G3 Joe Urso Vs G2 Behrad Ahmadi @ 10:00 EDT
5.⁠ ⁠G2 Petko Kostadinov Vs G2 Amir Eshraghi @ 11:30 EDT
6.⁠ ⁠G3 Thomas Keisler Vs G3 Roohi Andi @ 13:00 EDT
7.⁠ ⁠G2 John O’Hagan Vs G2 Mehdi Asdaghi @ 14:30 EDT
8.⁠ ⁠G2 Dmitriy Obukhov Vs G2 Amirali Tavakoli @ 16:00 EDT

Matches will be streamed on BackgammonCafe & Dmitriy Obukhov’s YouTube channels.

Day 1: Friday, July 17, 2026

Day 2: July 18, 2026

Team USA wins the friendly 6-2

• Match 1: Gerry Tansey defeats Edris Ashhadi 13-4
• Match 2: Kaveh Farahani defeats Roberto Litzenberger 13-8
• Match 3: Hossein Aghili defeats Steve Sax 13-1
• Match 4.⁠ ⁠Joe Urso defeats Behrad Ahmadi 13-7
• Match 5: Petko Kostadinov (USA) defeats Amir Eshraghi 13-9
• Match 6: Thomas Keisler (USA) defeats Roohi Andi 13-0
• Match 7: John O’Hagan (USA) defeats Mehdi Asdaghi 13-7
• Match 8: Dmitriy Obukhov (USA) defeats Amirali Tavakoli 13-4
  

July 1-5, 2026; Novi, Michigan

ABT OPEN (74): 1-Garry Kallos (Canada), 2-Gary Koscielny (FL), 3-Michael Mesich (MN), 4/5-Ricky Griggs (MI) / Marty Storer (NH), 6/8-Jim Airgood (MI) / Paul Belsito (MI) / David Habib (Canada); 1C-John Quinn (MI), 2C-Steve Sax (CA), 3C/4C-David Kettler (TX) / Frank Raposa (VA).

ABT INTERMEDIATE (43): 1-Victor De Oliveira (Canada), 2-Kathy Van Alstyne (HI), 3-Noah Monro (MI); 1C-Scott Richardson (IL), 2C-Gary Payne (MI), 3C/4C-Laura Granger (CO) / Alex Sakran (Canada).

ABT ADVANCED BEGINNER (8): 1-Jennifer Zorek-Pressman (CT), 2/4-Ed Marmol (HI) / Philip Ring (IL) / Andrew Sasinowski (MI).

PLAYERS CUP MICHIGAN BMAB (38): 1-Irina Litzenberger (VA), 2/9-Bill Calton (MI) / Julius High (FL) / Todd Obadal (IA) / Tom Rebelo (Canada) / David Stein (IL) / Jack Takala (MI) / Jon Vietor (CA) / Kit Woolsey (CA). PR winners: 1-Bill Calton (MI) at 3.79, 2-John O’Hagan (IN) at 3.95, 3-Frank Talbot (MI) at 4.24, 4-Marty Storer (NH) at 4.41, 5-Melissa Shin (CA) at 4.93, 6-Kit Woolsey (CA) at 5.16, 7-Michael Zakrajsek (DC) at 5.26, 8-Thomas Rebelo (Canada) at 5.96, 9-Michael Vena (NY) at 5.96. Unlucky Dice Award: Garry Kallos (Canada) at -16.86. Irina Litzenberger (VA) wins Iron Star #20, her 2nd Star.

SUPER JACKPOT (8): 1-David Stein (IL), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA).

MICHIGAN MASTERS JACKPOT (28): 1-Bill Calton (MI), 2-Matt Reklaitis (MA), 3/4-David Habib (Canada) / Boris Shafransky (MD).

AMATEUR JACKPOT (24): 1-Felix Goykhman (NJ), 2-David Smith (Canada), 3-April Mesich (MN).

DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Michael Zakrajsek (DC) & Mick Zakrajsek (IN), 2-Bill Calton (MI) & Tracy Parent (MI), 3/4-Justin Cutler (TN) & Mike Fujita (HI) / Chuck Bower (IN) & Jason Lee (MD).

LIMITED DOUBLES (8 teams): 1-Anne Major (TX) & Tony Materek (NJ), 2-Mike Giordano (MI) & Rhonda Monro (MI).

EMIL MORTUK SENIORS (48): 1-Jon Vietor (CA), 2-Wendy Kaplan (IL), 3-Farhad Forudi (OH), 4/6-Felix Goykhman (NJ) / Jim Ross (FL) / Philippe Salnave (FL).

PRINCE BARLOW JUNIORS (32): 1-David Habib (Canada), 2-Victor De Oliveira (Canada), 3/4-Marcus Montenegro (NY) / Boris Shafransky).

JUDY FIELD MEMORIAL BLITZ (128): 1-Jason Lee (MD), 2-Michael Zakrajsek (DC), 3/4-Cary Hoarty (CO) / John Klein (MD).

GREG MERRIMAN OPEN FIRECRACKER JACKPOT (16): 1-David Kettler (TX), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA).

GREG MERRIMAN INTERMEDIATE FIRECRACKER JACKPOT (8): 1-Vadim Brayman (MI).

WOMEN’S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON FIREWORKS CUP (13): 1/2-April Mesich (MN) / Akemi Ota (MI); 1C-Karen Davis (FL).

WARM-UP DIVISION 1 (16): 1-Gary Fritzsche (MI), 2/3-Julius High (MI) / Philippe Salnave (FL).

WARM-UP DIVISION 2 (24): 1/2-Brad King (MI) / Rhonda Monro (MI) 3/4-Ed Corey (CT) / Azim Rashidimalakshah (Canada).

AFTER TOURNAMENT TOURNEY (14): 1-John Stryker (IL), 2/3-Joshua Posthuma (MI) / Jon Vietor (CA).

ABT OPEN (38): 1-Roberto Litzenberger (VA), 2-Ben Friesen (MI), 3/6-Christopher Knapp (MA) / Bernard Pollara (NY) / Eric Sosna (NY) / Larry Whittenburg (IL).

ABT INTERMEDIATE (52): 1-Anatoliy Katsnelson (IL), 2-Kevin Heacox (IN), 3/7-Phil Franklin (KS) / Samra Hadden (GA) / Patty Knapp (MA) / Jason Lacny (IN) / Ian McGuigan (IN).

PLAYERS CUP SAINT LOUIS BMAB (22): 1-Joe Sylvester (MO), 2/4-William Bermingham / Mark Kaye (IL) / Todd Obadal (IA). PR winners: 1-Gerry Tansey (MO) at 2.33, 2-Ray Fogerlund (NV) at 5.42, 3-Jeb Horton (NC) at 5.88, 4-Joe Sylvester (MO) at 5.98. Unlucky Dice Award: Jessica Vargas (MO) at -11.28. Joe Sylvester (MO) won Iron Star #019.

$1,000 GATEWAY JACKPOT (4): 1-Todd Obadal (IA).

MASTERS JACKPOT (24): 1-John O’Hagan (IN), 2-Gerry Tansey (MO), 3-Todd Obadal (IA).

ADVANCED JACKPOT (16): 1-Ian McGuigan (IN), 2-Bill Hodes (IN).

INTERMEDIATE JACKPOT (16): 1-David Smith (Canada), 2-Anatoliy Katsnelson (IL).

TANSEY OPEN CHALLENGE (24): 1-Bernard Pollara (NY), 2-Sean Garber (IN), 3-Joe Calvaruso (OH).

WHITTENBURG INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGE (32): 1-Ian McGuigan (IN), 2-Serge Bondar (IL), 3/4-Bob Ellis (TN) / Eliot Spiro (MO).

NOVICE (12): 1-Jessica Vargas (MO), 2-Phil Mullins (MO).

QUICKIE / DMP (24): 1-Koray Agirbas (GA), 2-Sean Garber (IN).

CANCELGAMMON (48): 1-David Thomas (FL), 2-Joe Sylvester (MO), 3-Ben Friesen (MI), 4/6-Sean Garber (IN) / Eric Sosna (NY) / Brian Vance (MI).

DOUBLES (24 teams): 1-Kent Goulding (MD) & Mike Senkiewicz (NY), 2-Mehmet Agirbas (GA) & Dmitriy Obukhov (MI), 3-Bernard Pollara (NY) & Mal Woolley (NY).

MK GAMMON BOARD TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Larry Sosna (NY), 2-Rachel Walz (MO).

WARM UP (16): 1-Eric Sosna (MO), 2-David Thomas (FL).

AFTER TOURNAMENT (16): 1-April Mesich (MN), 2-David Steinberg (OH).

ABT DIVISION 1 – BISON (50+24 rebuys): 1-Richard Stubbe (TX), 2-Charles Raichle (CO), 3-Gus Contos (CA), 4/5-Scotty Kelland (CT) / David Kettler (TX); 1C-Jonah Seewald (CO), 2C-Irina Litzenberger (VA).

ABT DIVISION 2- GUNSLINGERS (32+18 rebuys): 1-William Reeves (CO), 2-Brett Hemes (MN), 3-David Gray (CA); 1C-Marcy Kossar (MD), 2C-Dan Eisenhauer (CO).

ABT DIVISION 3 – WARRIORS (19+5 rebuys): 1-Larry Arnold (AZ), 2-Jeanna Kish (TX); 1C-Bill McDonough (CO), 2C-Christian Lebegue (CO).

WILD HORSES SUPER JACKPOT (4): 1-Roberto Litzenberger (VA).

BISON JACKPOT DIVISION 1 (48): 1-Ethan Nissani (CO), 2-Al Hodis (NV), 3-Steve Sax (CA), 4/6-Dennis Culpepper (VA) / Patrick Enright (WA) / John O’Hagan (IN).

GUNSLINGER JACKPOT DIVISION 2 (32): 1-Lynn Lusk (CO), 2-Bodger Millerd (OR), 3/4-Brett Hemes (MN) / Nick Knebel (CO).

WARRIOR JACKPOT DIVISION 3 (12): 1-Proctor Ritchie (AZ), 2-Joan Koscielny (FL), 3-Mark Manning (CO).

PLAYERS CUP DENVER BMAB (30): 1-Marc Emrich (CO), 2/6-Dan Eisenhauer (CO) / Ray Fogerlund (NV) / Michael Pines (CA) / Melissa Shin (CA) / Marty Storer (NH). PR winners: 1-Marty Storer (NH) at 2.52, 2-Ray Fogerlund (NV) at 4.02, 3-David Klausa (CO) at 4.23, 4-Irina Litzenberger (VA) at 5.03, 5-Charlie Raichle (CO) at 5.33, 6-Dennis Culpepper (VA) at 5.71, 7-Marc Emrich (CO) at 5.98. Unlucky Dice Award: Bill Mcdonough (CO) at -19.96. Marc Emrich (CO) won Iron Star #018.

EARLY RUSTLER JACKPOT (8): 1-Lynn Lusk (CO).

GOLDRUSH / SPEEDGAMMON (16): 1-William Reeves (CO), 2-Ryan Jarvis (NM).

RUSTLER’S GAMBIT / CANCELGAMMON (32): 1-Roberto Litzenberger (VA), 2-Richard Siebold (CO), 3/4-Mario Savan (CA) / Kit Woolsey (CA).

ANNIE OAKLEY SHOOTOUT (16): 1-Kara Schulz (CA), 2-Irina Litzenberger (VA); 1C-Marcy Kossar (MD), 2C-Molly Anderson (NM).

EARLY SHOOTOUT (32): 1-Bill Lonergan (NY), 2-Richard Siebold (CO), 3/4-Gus Contos (CA) / Marty Storer (NH).

DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Ray Fogerlund (NV) & Sue Will (IL), 2-Dennis Culpepper (VA) & Marc Emrich (CO), 3/4-James Caristi (IN) & John O’Hagan (IN) / David Gray (CA) & Michael Pines (CA).

WOLF BLITZ (52): 1-Al Hodis (NV), 2-Tom Wheeler (TX).

SENIOR WRANGLERS (32): 1-Marty Storer (NH), 2-Ed Rosenblum (NM), 3/4-Larry Arnold (AZ) / Carol Joy Cole (MI).

YOUNG WRANGLERS ((16): 1-Bill Lonergan (NY), 2-Ryan Jarvis (NM).

LAST STAND (18): 1-Gary Koscielny (FL), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA).

ABT OPEN (79): 1-John O’Hagan (IN), 2-Anthony Niakiani (CA), 3-Michael Flohr (IL), 4/6-Karen Davis (FL) / Gennady Mekhanik (NJ) / David Wu (IL), 7/9-Saba Bejanishvili (GA) / Dennis Culpepper (VA) / Albert Steg (MA).

ABT INTERMEDIATE (78): 1-Dan Doherty (CA), 2-Graham Webb (WI), 3/7-Dannia Esquivel (Costa Rica) / Sandra Sha (FL) / Olivia Upbin (NY) / Tiffany Van (TX) / Josh Williams (IL), 8/9-Kevin AhTou (MN) / Mahdi Soleimani (Canada), 10/13-Mark Kaye (IL) / Jim Kyriacou (IL) / Joe Mazraani (Canada) / David Smith (Canada).

ABT NOVICE (29): 1-Ece Agirbas (GA), 2-Dan Carroll (WI), 3-Eric Jones (NY), 4/6-Linda Ring (IL) / Philip Ring (IL) / Harvey Vail (IL), 7/8-Sam Duray (IL) / Mark Schneider (IL), 9/11-Glenn Olson (IL) / Alana Parekh (IL) / Matthew Upbin (NY).

PLAYERS CUP CHICAGO BMAB (42): 1-Irina Litzenberger (VA), 2/9-Dennis Culpepper (VA) / Karen Davis (FL) / James DeRosier (LA) / Gene Eydelman (IL) / Faddoul Khoury (IL) / Todd Obadal (IA) / Melissa Shin (CA) / David Wu (NY). PR winners: 1-Dana Nazarian (CA) at 2.40, 2-David Wu (NY) at 3.65, 3-Albert Steg (MA) at 3.98, 4-Kit Woolsey (CA) at 4.05, 5-Ray Fogerlund (NV) at 4.35, 6-Dennis Culpepper (VA) at 4.68, 7-Frank Talbot (MI) at 5.26, 8-Karen Davis (FL) at 5.30, 9-Jeremy Ly (NY) at 5.45, 10-Irina Litzenberger (VA) at 5.57. Unlucky Dice Award: Mark Kaye (IL) at -25.42. Irina Litzenberger (VA) won Iron Star #017.

MARKOWITZ MASTERS (34): 1-Alexander Handin (CA), 2-Albert Steg (MA), 3/4-Victor Ashkenazi (NJ) / Richard Munitz (NY).

FASTER MASTER (16): 1-Alexander Handin (CA), 2-Gyl Savoie (MI).

LIMITED JACKPOT (8): 1-Mehmet Agirbas (GA).

INTERMEDIATE JACKPOT (32): 1-Christopher Martin (PA), 2-Dan Doherty (CA), 3/4-Peregrin Sadler (IL) / Tiffany Van (TX).

UNLUCKY DICE LAST CHANCE (19): 1-Kit Woolsey (CA), 2-Joan Koscielny (FL).

WOMEN’S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (24): 1-Marcy Kossar (MD), 2-Terese Flynn (IL), 3-Carol Joy Cole (MI); 1C-Karen Davis (FL), 2C-Wendy Kaplan (IL).

DOUBLES (32 teams): 1-Karen Davis (FL) & Wendy Kaplan (IL), 2-Efim Liberman (IL) & Allen Tish (CA), 3/4-Frank Frigo (CA) & Anthony Niakiani (CA) / Patrick Horton (NY) & Lily Medalia (NY).

OVERFLOW DOUBLES (16 teams): 1-Gerry Tansey (MO) & Matthew Upbin (NY), 2-Anne Major (TX) & Todd Obadal (IA).

CANCELGAMMON (32): 1-James Feher (MO), 2-David Todd (MI), 3/4-Koray Agirbas (GA) / Joseph Syta (NY).

SPEEDGAMMON (16): 1-James DeRosier (LA), 2-Joseph Syta (NY).

DMP (32): 1-Bill Lonergan (NY), 2-Paul Belsito (MI).

ZAVORAL BOARD TOURNAMENT (16): 1-Stuart Steen-Connolly (CA), 2-Joseph Syta (NY).

JUNIORS (32): 1-Bill Lonergan (NY), 2-Amy Latek (WI), 3/4-Kelsey Rose (NY) / Peregrin Sadler (IL).

SENIORS (32): 1-Ray Fogerlund (NV), 2-Bruce Russell (WI), 3/4-Marlon Aronstam (FL) / James Feher (MO).

JUNIORS vs SENIORS PLAYOFF (2): 1-Bill Lonergan (NY), 2-Ray Fogerlund (NV).

AFTER TOURNAMENT (16): 1-Daniel Rockoff (NJ), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA).

This is an INVITE ONLY tournament, so it’s important that you register your best player at the link below. 

Tournament Details:

• Registration Deadline: June 10, 2026 by end of day.
• First Draw: June 12th, 2026
• Format: 13 point match with ABT clock settings on Studio Heroes
• Rounds: Two weeks to finish each match
• Entry Fee: Free, Invite Only
• Requirement: You are the selected Club Champion by your director and/or fellow club members. You must have an active USBGF Membership and a Heroes account. Your name should also be linked to your affiliated Club in your USBGF profile.
• Prize Pool: 1st – $500, 2nd – $250, 3/4 – $125
• Prize Payout: Prize money can be applied towards ABT entry, online paid events or membership.

We encourage all clubs to nominate someone to join us in this exciting online backgammon competition. This championship offers a unique opportunity to test your skills, connect with fellow players, and be part of a great event in the backgammon community.

If you are not certain who to designate as your “champion”, we encourage you to run a 7 pt (or higher) tournament at your next club gathering and invite everyone to participate.

ABT OPEN (39): 1-Gary Koscielny (FL), 2-Michael Mesich (MN), 3/6-Ben Friesen (MI) / G.L. Harvie (NC) / Mike Horri (GA) / Roberto Litzenberger (VA).

ABT ADVANCED (48): 1-Alex Miller (FL), 2-Samra Hadden (GA), 3-Mary Tobin (NC), 4/7-Mark Kaye (IL) / Joan Koscielny (FL) / Maggie Sweeney (MI) / Medhat Tannous (IL).

ABT NOVICE (12): 1-Austin Hamilton (SC), 2/4-Steven Holtzer (NC) / George Kops (SC) / Peter Miller (SC).

QUEEN CITY CUP (24): 1-Phil Simborg (FL), 2-Ben Friesen (MI), 3-Adrian Nedelcu (IL).

CARDINAL CLASSIC (12): 1-Tyler Hathaway (NY), 2-Julius High (FL), 3-David Thomas (FL).

DOGWOOD ROYALE (16): 1-Bob Ellis (TN), 2-Michael Austin (NC).

CHARLOTTE PLAYERS CUP BMAB (16): 1/3-Avi Cohen (FL) / Ben Friesen (MI) / Robert Kratz (NC). PR winners: 1-Dennis Culpepper (VA) at 4.68, 2-Michael Klein (Germany/Cayman Islands) at 5.67, 3-Ray Fogerlund (NV) at 6.35, 4-Bob Azari (FL) at 6.66), 5-Ben Friesen (MI) at 6.86. Unlucky Dice Award: David Smith (Canada) at -9.38.

HORNETS NEST DOUBLES (24 teams): 1-Samra Hadden (GA) & Mike Horri (GA), 2-Chris & Patty Knapp (MA), 3-Michael Klein (Cayman Islands) & Bill Lonergan (NY).

THE COOLWOOD WARM-UP (32): 1-Avi Cohen (FL), 2-Michael Klein (Cayman (Islands); 1-Mike Horri (GA), 2C-Graham Webb (WI).

WOMEN’S WORLD OF BACKGAMMON CUP (6): 1-Lindsey Klein (NC); 1C-Joanna Lein (OK).

SENIORS (16): 1-David Kettler (TX), 2-Blake Fleetwood (NY).

JUNIORS (8): 1-Jonathan Hardigree (GA).

JOKER BOARD TOURNAMENT (16): Board winners: Joshua Isaac (NY), Michael Klein (Cayman Islands).

DOUBLETAKE MINI-MATCHES (32): 1-Jim Hickey (VA), 2-Ed Corey (CT), 3/4-Alan Epstein (GA) / Jonathan Hardigree (GA).

$50 JACKPOT (8): 1/2-Roberto Litzenberger (VA) / David Thomas (FL).

NOVICE AFTER-TOURNEY (8): 1-Willy Johnson (NC), 2-Jennifer Zorek-Pressman (CT).

The American Backgammon Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have achieved extraordinary playing results and/or have made extraordinary contributions to the game of backgammon in the United States. Candidates are not limited to American citizens, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

The 2026 Hall of Fame dinner will take place at the San Diego Backgammon Championship on March 10-14, 2027.

Use the Hall of Fame nomination form to nominate a candidate for this honor. All USBGF members in good standing are invited to nominate up to three candidates for consideration. The Hall of Fame Committee will vet the qualifications of the nominees. Please, carefully note the qualifications addressed below.

Candidates for the Hall of Fame should be individuals who have the following:

1. A significant body of work over a very substantial period of time, in or for the game of backgammon in the United States, as players, directors, authors, publishers, promoters, teachers, and/or innovators.
2. Realized exceptional accomplishments:
   1. Demonstrated remarkable skill through success over the board for decades.
   2. And/or gained achievements and recognition among the U.S. backgammon community for the majority of a long career.

The period of time suggested above by the phrases ”very substantial period of time,” “over the board for decades,” and “for the majority of a long career” should reflect a relevant backgammon career approaching twenty years or more.

Click here to go to the nomination form. You must be logged in to verify your USBGF membership.

Current members of the American Backgammon Hall of Fame:

Richard Munitz (2026); Marty Storer (2025); Lewis Deyong, Lee Genud, Wilcox Snellings (2024); Matvey “Falafel” Natanzon, Masayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki (2023); John O’Hagan, Art Benjamin (2022); Karen Davis (2021); Ed O’Laughlin (2020); Steve Sax (2019); Alexis Obolensky, Joe Sylvester (2018); Ray Fogerlund, Joseph Russell, Mike Svobodny (2017); Patrick Gibson, Tim Holland, Danny Kleinman, Howard Markowitz (2016); Nack Ballard, Carol Joy Cole, Barclay Cooke, Bill Davis, Malcolm Davis, Kent Goulding, Oswald Jacoby, Neil Kazaross, Paul Magriel, Bill Robertie, Mike Senkiewicz, Walter Trice, Kit Woolsey (2015).

To nominate a person for consideration on the 2026 Ballots for possible induction into the American Backgammon Hall of Fame, please use the Hall of Fame nomination form. You will need to be logged in to access the form.

You will be asked to complete the form with two main sections: (1) Notable awards and accomplishments such as ABT and international tournament wins, publications, produced events, Giants of Backgammon, etc., and (2) WHY do you think s/he should be considered. Provide at least one paragraph describing the nominee’s significant body of work in or for backgammon in the USA.

Should a member wish to re-nominate someone they have submitted in a prior year, they may do so; however, ALL nominations this year must include a new nomination form.  You must submit a new form. The Hall of Fame Committee will review all nominations and submit a recommended Ballot to the USBGF Board of Directors for approval. The approved Ballot will then go to the Hall of Fame electors to determine new inductees.

Joe Russell
Chairman, Hall of Fame Committee
U.S. Backgammon Federation