The 5th Cotswold Fireside Backgammon Tournament

The Bear of Rodborough Hotel is a former coaching inn set in a stunning location high above Stroud, surrounded by 300 acres of National Trust owned common land. The hotel has a fantastic character, all wood-panelled nooks and crannies, antique furniture, open log fires and comfortable sofas and arm-chairs.

The event will have the use of a dedicated (non-smoking) playing room and numerous other rooms, including the residents’ lounge.

The restaurant is one of the best in an area known for its good food, making full use of locally sourced ingredients, and the package negotiated includes table d’hote dinner and breakfast. Lunch is also available in the bar at very reasonable rates.

The larger venue (46 bedrooms at the Bear and plenty more locally) has allowed the Director to dispense with the limit on numbers and to offer three flights of backgammon: Champion, Intermediate and Amateur. The Amateur flight is introduced to encourage occasional players, especially the partners of more experienced players, and in this flight matches will be played without the use of the doubling cube. I hope that this will encourage people to bring partners with them to share what should be a fantastic weekend, especially as single bedrooms at the Bear are few in number, and the single-occupancy rate for a double room is rather pricey.

There will also be the usual programme of poker tournaments as well as evening jackpots.

The Championship flight is Open and will comprise best of three 7pt matches throughout, entry fee £140+£10.

The Intermediate flight is restricted to players who have never won the main or intermediate flight of a national or international tournament and who have never been ranked at ELO 1700 or more in BIBA or Gammonitis rankings. It will comprise a series of best of three 7pt matches throughout. Entry fee of £45+£5.

The Beginner flight is restricted to players who have never won any flight of a national or international tournament and who have never been ranked at ELO 1550 or more in BIBA or Gammonitis rankings. It will consist a single 5pt match through to the final which will be a single 7pt match. Matches will be played without the cube but gammons and backgammons will score in the normal way. Entry fee of £20+£5.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to exclude any player from the lower flights if information comes to light suggesting that he or she is attempting to play below his or her level of ability. Please ask if you think there may be doubt in this respect.