22 May 2006
The 27th Chicago Open
The 27th Annual Chicago Open was announced for Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 to May 29, 2006, in Oak Brook, Illinois. The event was organised by the Prime Backgammon Club of Chicago together with the Nevada Backgammon Association, and it offered divisions for players of every level: championship, intermediate and beginners.
Divisions and formats
- Championship division: double elimination with progressive consolation, played as 13-point matches.
- Intermediate division: continuous play with a consolation event; every player was guaranteed eight matches.
- Beginners division: continuous play in 5-point matches, with at least five matches for each player.
- Memorial Day Masters: single elimination in 11-point matches.
In a double elimination event a player is knocked out only after a second loss, and the progressive consolation means that a player who loses in the main bracket drops into the consolation draw at a stage that reflects how far he or she had come. Continuous play, used in the intermediate and beginners divisions, keeps players at the board in a steady series of matches instead of a single knockout bracket, so newer players get plenty of practice over the weekend.
Side events
Alongside the main divisions the programme included a Mini-Match tournament, a doubles event and a blitz.
The Chicago Open was an invitation-only event, so players had to arrange an invitation with the organisers in advance. The tournament was expected to bring together players from beginners to experienced champions over the long holiday weekend.
Results from this and other events can be found in the latest news.