Game over!

The extreme backgammon competition is over, the poll is closed and we are happy to announce the winners:

1st place: oolong and the Primeminister: “Bourmese Roulette” - 32 votes (44%)
2nd place: Mattia and Roberto - “Touching the void” -  27 votes (37%)
3rd place: el cabron and the Primeminister - “Steps to Enlightenment” - 6 votes (8%)

I will extent this post later this week with a more detailed analysis

Congratulations to all the winners are respect to everyone participating! I will get in touch with you about the prizes! Rock on!

extreme backgammon competition - the final poll!

The extreme backgammon crew is proud to announce the final stage of the xbg competition! We selected the five most extreme entries and now it’s up to you to choose the winner! Remember that it’s not only about the glory and the fame, it’s also about the nice real money accounts on GammonEmpire! So check the finalists again and vote for your favorite picture! Click on the heading to go to full post and on the photo to enlarge! Enjoy! Poll ends on Sunday, 25th of April @ 23:59!

1. Mattia and Roberto - “Touching the void”:
   
2. Vincenzo and Juan - “Rebirth”:
   
3. oolong and the Primeminister - “Bourmese Roulette”:
   
4. el cabron and the primeminister - “steps to enlightenment”:
   
5. Chloe and Eva - “History of Backgammon”:
   

History of backgammon

The first real version of Backgammon has likely originated in India or in China. Due to the trade connections between the two civilizations it is difficult to point out a definitive origin of the game, but the Indian game Parcheesi bears enough similarity to modern Backgammon to be recognized as the first ancient version of the game. [http://winningbackgammon.info/]

The very origin of Backgammon is sill not sufficiently clarified but it is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia - today Iran, Iraq and Syria. But it might be the case that it received some of his final touch in India. Maybe some Indians were playing backgammon around Jaipur a long time ago sitting on the wall same as Chloe and Eva here. Looks like another way to backgammon enlightenment…

Steps to enlightenment

oolongs match versus buddha was main topic in Bagan for quite a while and even eclipsed his victory over Ken - “the prime minister” during the xbg trophy. Ken was so thrilled by oolongs stories touching backgammon heaven that he planned to do the same. But how if there is no buddha around? Exactly!

There we go! Closer to backgammon heaven! Ken managed to convince Spanish backgammon shooting star Xavi - better known as “el cabrón” - to play a match on the very top of an ancient temple close to Bagan.

Ken was happy to be close to backgammon enlightenment while Xavi was fighting vertigo… Result: 17-0!

Buddha Backgammon

oolong was still in ecstasy after proceeding to the semi final of the India xbg trophy as he received an invitation to play a friendly match against buddha around the Bagan area. What an incredible privilege! Honour whom honour is due! I do not have to tell you that oolong had no chance at all in the game - doubled down to earth… Buddha was impressively demonstrating that it’s a long and stony way to backgammon enlightenment and that life equals suffering. oolong asked for deliverance…

Burmese roulette!

The extreme backgammon competition is in full swing (and this one counts!) but we surly do not want to forget about the “All India extreme backgammon trophy“. The xbg crew is still on the road to cover this unique event staged on another upper extremity level. And we are proud to provide you details from one of the quarter finals. It is our backgammon star oolong facing Japanese Grandmaster Ken “the prime minister” Sato.

The match took place on the ancient temple site of Bagan / Myanmar. The trophy organizers decided to set an important sign for the people of Myanmar and the world choosing this spot. Although “the prime minister” is up to every trick playing Russian Backgammon for 25 years, oolong eventually won a dramatic game although it looked like Russian Roulette in deciding situations.

oolong made it thus to the semifinal - Congratulations by now for this extraterrestrial performance! Be prepared for more thrilling action! Semis soon!!!

The competition - Half time!

Yes - 3 pictures found their way to this blog - taking part in the extreme backgammon competition. But there are still almost 4 weeks left! Check out the submitted photos and keep some new ones coming…

Backgammon, Wellness and re-birth…

Scenario: unspoiled nature
Predominant element: water
Mission: wellness

These words describe the Spa center of Pré-Saint-Didier, a wonderful treasure that is now sparkling again in the heart of the Valle d’Aosta, a timeless location that gives a new meaning to the concept of Spa center, wellness and re-birth.

This passage is scraped from the official site of Terme di Pré-Saint-Didier - close to Courmayeur. Nothing much to add there as you can see:

Juan and Vincenzo had of course other things in mind:

• Scenario: the winner gets the free spot next to beautiful lady in typical Prés-Saint-Didier gear…
• Predominant element: testosterone
• Mission: extreme backgammon

Over the edge!

Jennifer sent us a photo to enter the extreme backgammon competition. There must be some extreme backgammon fans out there in climbing the Mont Blanc and chilling around Courmayeur…

Your are wondering where the opponent is?

For my extreme backgammon debut, I decided to up the Mont Blanche in Courmayeur to ski (not sit in a bar, some one needs to explain extreme sport to Mattia and Roberto : ). Having had several nights enjoying ’socialising’ in the town, my opponent beat me without effort. As any self respecting Nordie would do, I was forced to push my opponent over the edge, hence why she ’s not in the photo …it was however when the rock you can see in the photo proceeded to outwit me that I decided it was time to throw myself off… extra points for being first female on the blog??

Extreme points for being the first female on the blog!

Touching the void!

Some Mountaineers may touch the void once in a while, but the point where their will to survive slowly turns into and endless agony is just the beginning for extreme backgammon heros Roberto and Mattia. Climbing Mountains to push limits is worth telling, but the real boundaries are crushed elsewhere. Our backgammon heros Roberto and Mattia made it to Point Helbronner to move extreme backgammon to a new level. A nice icy breeze and temperatures around -20 degrees @ 3462m might sound scary to you but real backgammon players manage situations like that blindfold. OK - their equipment was excellent - we have to say that…

We love backgammon because it’s a real game. A new situation after every roll. This nice game characteristic gives Roberto the chance to enjoy the stunning views while Mattia is about to analyze his roll to hopefully continue building his prime. That’s extreme backgammon style and probably beyond anything you would dare to invent!?

This is the first submission to enter the extreme backgammon competition - well done guys!