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

Results courtesy of Chicago Point

ABT CHAMPIONSHIP (37): 1-Kit Woolsey (CA), 2-Lynda Clay (CO), 3-John O’Hagan (IN), 4/5-Jim Airgood (MI) / Joe Calvaruso (OH); 1C-Irina Litzenberger (VA), 2C-Ryan Rebelo (Canada).

ABT ADVANCED (34): 1-Ian McGuigan (IN), 2-Peter Swartwout (PA), 3-David Smith (Canada), 4/5-Dan Doherty (CA) / Ken Drees (OH); 1C-David Steinberg (OH), 2C-Patty Knapp (MA).

OHIO PLAYERS CUP BMAB (26): 1-Dmitriy Obukhov (MI), 2/6-Gershon Distenfeld (FL) / Robert Ellis (TN) / Kent Goulding (MD) / Mark Kaye (IL) / Irina Litzenberger (VA). PR winners: 1-Neil Kazaross (IL) at 3.23, 2-Frank Frigo (CA) at 3.45, 3-Dmitriy Obukhov (MI) at 4.36, 4-Roberto Litzenberger (VA) at 5.00, 5-Kit Woolsey (CA) at 5.64, 6-Brian Sposit (OH) at 5.78. Unlucky Dice Award: Brian Sposit (OH) at -14.86.

MASTERS JACKPOT (16): 1-Michael Vena (NY), 2-Boris Shafransky (MD).

LIMITED JACKPOT (12): 1-Brian Vance (MI), 2-Ray Cifani (OH), 3-Julius High (FL).

NOVICE (6): 1-Chris Winters (PA), 2-Austin Hamilton (SC).

DOUBLES: 1-Vlad Eydelman (WI) & Carl James (TX), 2-Tigran Avanesian (OH) & Boris Shafransky (MD).

SENIORS (8): 1-Bonnie Rogoff (OH).

JUNIORS (8): 1-Bill Lonergan (NY).

BLITZ (16): 1-Julius High (FL), 2-Mark Milkie (IN).

WARM-UP (26): 1-Joe Miller (OH), 2-Bill Lonergan (NY), 3-Brian Sposit (OH).

AFTER-TOURNEY TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Ed Corey (CT).

Results courtesy ChicagoPoint

ABT CHAMPIONSHIP (56): 1-Rory Pascar (IL), 2-Kit Woolsey (CA); 1C-Petko Kostadinov (SC), 2C-Saba Bejanishvili (GA); 1LC-Kent Goulding (MD), 2LC-Sean Garber (IN).

ABT ADVANCED (51): 1-Laura Granger (MI), 2-Ann Major (TX); 1C-Homer Hector (GA), 2C-Jeremy Moulton (GA); 1LC-Scott Redfern (GA), 2LC-Karen Janowsky (NY), 3LC/4LC-Rob Reynolds (GA) / Maggie Sweeney (MI).

NOVICE (8): 1-Debbie Quinn (IN).

PLAYERS CUP ATLANTA BMAB (24): 1-Marlon Aronstam (FL), 2/4-Bob Azari (FL) / Karen Davis (FL) / Todd Obadal (IA). PR winners: 1-Marty Storer (NH) at 2.54, 2-Kit Woolsey (CA) at 4.19, 3-Kent Goulding (MD) at 4.55, 4-Irina Litzenberger (VA) at 5.56. Unlucky Dice winner: Julius High (FL) at -9.81.

SUPER JACKPOT (8): 1-Michael Comisac (SC), 2-Michihito Kageyama (Japan).

TAYLOR/WILENSKY MASTERS (24): 1-Dennis Culpepper (VA), 2-Saba Bejanishvili (GA), 3-Jim Hickey (NC).

ATLANTA CUP LIMITED JACKPOT (24): 1-Julius High (FL), 2-Mehmet Agirbas (GA).

SORG MEMORIAL INTERMEDIATE JACKPOT (16): 1-Casey Willett (TN), 2-Roland Leutert (FL).

SPEEDGAMMON (16): 1-Rob Reynolds (GA), 2-Tyler Buchman (NC).

DOUBLES (27 teams): 1-Michael Comisac (SC) & Gary Payne (MI), 2-P.J. Macali (OH) & Boris Shafransky (MD), 3/4-Molly & Pete Anderson (NM) / Jeb & Paul Horton (NC).

JUNIORS (24): 1-Rob Reynolds (GA), 2-Gary Koscielny (FL), 3-Amy Latek (WI).

SENIORS (24): 1-Rollow Mickle (TN), 2-Jerry Ungar (FL), 3-Jeanna Kish (TX).

DMP (16): 1-Mehmet Agirbas (GA), 2-Amy Latek (WI).

BOARD TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Michael Comisac (SC).

$50 JACKPOT (8): 1-Samra Hadden (GA).

WARM-UP TOURNAMENT (8): 1-Kevin Jones (FL), 2-Phillip Rahm (MN); 1C-Garrett Brown (GA).

Results Courtesy Chicago Point

ABT GEOFFREY PARKER CHAMPIONSHIP (110+48 rebuys): 1-Benjamin Hugon (TX), 2-Saba Bejanishvili (GA), 3/4-Art Benjamin (CA) / Jörgen Granstedt (Sweden); 1C-Frank Frigo (CA), 2C-David Kettler (TX), 3C/4C-Roberto Litzenberger (VA) / David Todd (MO); 1LC-Irina Litzenberger (VA), 2LC-Petko Kostadinov (SC), 3LC/4LC-Victor Ashkenazi (NJ) / Matt Reklaitis (MA).

ABT INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (57+15 rebuys): 1-Jim DeRosier (LA), 2-James Osburn (TX); 1C-Greg Miller (AK), 2C-Mona Mazza (CA), 3C/4C-John Hay (DC) / David Simpson (CA); 1LC-Mak Danburg-Wyld (WA), 2LC-Jeanna Kish (TX).

$1500 SUPER JACKPOT (32): 1-Joe Urso (NY), 2-Ed Ahola (MA), 3/4-Saba Bejanishvili (GA) / Gerry Tansey (MO).

MALCOLM DAVIS LONGHORN MASTERS JACKPOT (64): 1-Greg Aponte (TX), 2-David Kettler (TX), 3/4-Ben Friesen (MI) / Frank Talbot (MI), 5/8-Boris Dekhtyar (NY) / Doug Mayfield (TX) / Julian Minwalla (United Kingdom) / Ian Terry (TX).

ALAMO CLASSIC LIMITED JACKPOT (48): 1-Dan Minardi (CO), 2-Lynn Lusk (CO), 3-Tiffany Van (TX), 4/6-Aaron Foust (NV) / Chris Markey (TX) / Gary Oleson (TX).

TEXAS CLASSIC ADVANCED JACKPOT (13): 1-John Hay (DC), 2-Wayland Augur (CA).

UBC REGIONAL CONTENDER (12): 1-Michihito Kageyama (Japan), 2-Frank Frigo (CA).

PLAYERS CUP SAN ANTONIO BMAB (40): 1/3-Selwyn Scarborough (NY) / Frank Talbot (MI) / Tommy Tallarico (CA), 4/10-Gregory Aponte (TX) / Chuck Bower (IN) / Lynda Clay (CO) / Sean Garber (IN) / Neil Kazaross (IL) / Michael Vosgueritchian (CA) / Kit Woolsey (CA). PR winners: 1-Neil Kazaross (IL) at 3.54, 2-Frank Talbot (MI) at 4.25, 3-Thomas Keisler (CA) at 4.76, 4-Michael Vosgueritchian (CA) at 4.94, 5-Kevin Finch (PA) at 5.52, 6/7-Sean Garber (IN) at 5.60 / Kit Woolsey (CA) at 5.60, 8-Ken Bame (CA) at 5.67, 9-Gregory Aponte (TX) at 5.75, 10-Robert Virnig (CA) at 5.80. Unlucky Dice Award: Bob Kamp (IL) at -14.73.

WOMEN’S OPEN JACKPOT (32): 1-Carmen Tomlinson (TX), 2-Karen Davis (FL), 3/4-Carol Joy Cole (MI) / Candace Mayeron (CA).

NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP (22): 1-Stewart Browning (TX), 2-Wesley Phillip (TX); 1C-Kristina Grim (Germany).

SAN ANTONIO CINCO DOUBLES (48 teams): 1-Leslie Lockett (IL) & Kit Woolsey (CA), 2-Vlad Eydelman (WI) & Manuel Perito (Costa Rica), 3-Art Benjamin (CA) & Matthew Upbin (NY), 4/6-Geoff Hall (United Kingdom) & Chris Rogers (United Kingdom) / Richard Munitz (NY) & Olivia Upbin (NY) / Kara Schulz (CA) & Jonah Seewald (CO).

ACE POINT DMP TOURNAMENT (64): 1-Rudy Langenbach (TX), 2-Todd Obadal (IA).

SENIORS (64): 1-Al Hodis (NV), 2-Jeanette Powers (TX), 3/4-Geoff Hall (United Kingdom) / Tom Keisler (CA).

SENIORS OVERFLOW (32): 1-Tommy Tallarico (CA), 2-Bob Zimmerman (ME), 3/4-Josh Findley (TX) / Mike Snow (TX).

SPEEDGAMMON (48): 1-Robert Virnig (CA), 2-Lynda Clay (CO), 3-David Todd (MO).

FIESTA MIXED BLITZ (64): 1-Mike Snow (TX), 2-Al Hodis (NV).

$100 JACKPOT (8): 1/2 split-Ray Fogerlund (NV) / Sarah Upbin (NY).

$50 JACKPOT (8): 1-Jennifer Kim (CA), 2-Doug Mayfield (TX).
$50 JACKPOT (8): 1-Todd Obadal (IA), 2-Sarah Upbin (NY).

• Registration Deadline: February 23rd, 2026 by end of day.
• First Draw: February 24th, 2026 @ 12 PM EST
• Format: 5-Loss Swiss – ensuring play continues over a substantial part of the year. Players will be notified of their matches by email and must schedule play with their opponent at their mutual convenience. There will be a 12-day deadline to complete each round and report the result.
• Entry Fee: FREE for all USBGF members (a true freeroll!)
• Prize Pool: $1,000 prize pool awarded to the top 5 finalists
• Prize Payout: Prizes are awarded as credit to your USBGF account and may be applied at any time towards entry into ABT events, USBGF online events, USBGF membership, or other USBGF purchases
• Consult the tournament’s About tab for full details.

We encourage all backgammon players, from world-class to passionate amateurs, 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.

New to USBGF online tournaments? Learn how to get started here.

We look forward to your participation and wish you the best of luck in the tournament!