Venice 2001

13^th City of Venice International Backgammon Tournament (Lido, Venice, Italy, 5^th - 8^th July 2001)
	Almost 200 backgammon players from all around the world gathered at the Casino Municipale di Venezia at the Lido, like every year the point of action in Italy at summer and it was a great event because of the spacious tournament hall, the wonderful weather, the best tournament boards in the world and the comfortable atmosphere not only, but also because of the charming tournament staff. After beating the Argentinian Mario Bonfico in the semifinals, one of the best Italian players, Carlo Melzi had a home match in the finals against the Russian Jakov Nepomniatchy. Jakov won his semifinal´s match against Daniel Kuchen from Switzerland. At the finals (see picture) the Italian was leading the 23-point match by 13-5 when he offered an initial double that was too good to double and a pass according to Snowie (see diagram 1). Jakov seemed to talk to himself "Now or never!" and took. Two plays later Carlo Melzi had to play double threes (see diagram 2). The best play is to build the solid prime (13/7 11/5) against Black´s five checkers back. But the Italian searched for action by playing 5/2* 8/2 7/4*. And he got action. Black entered by double fours, White danced by rolling double fours as well and the following (correct) cube action was redouble - pass. So Jakov came back and won the match by winning the double matchpoint game. That´s backgammon!	Up to this final the Russian was well known as a winner of some intermediate flights. So why not reaching for the big ones - and he did it! Congratulations! Diagram 1 Carlo Melzi (13)(White) vs. Jakov Nepomniatchy (5)(Black) White on roll. Cube action?! Diagram 2 Carlo Melzi (13)(White) vs. Jakov Nepomniatchy (5)(Black) White to play 3-3.
	Results of the 13^th City of Venice Backgammon International Tournament:
	CHAMPION (82): Main: 1. JAKOV NEPOMNIATCHY (RUSSIA) 2. CARLO MELZI (ITALY) 3. MARIO BONFICO (ARGENTINA) 3. DANIEL KUCHEN (SWITZERLAND) Consolation: 1. IAN MACFARLANE (BRASIL) 2. JERRY GRANDELL (SWEDEN) 3. RINO MATHIS (SWITZERLAND) 3. ARTUR MURADIAN (ARMENIA) Last Chance: 1. ANDREA SIMONETTA (ITALY) 2. JERZY BENHKE (GERMANY) INTERMEDIATE (58): Main: 1. KHACIK MELIKIAN (ARMENIA) 2. LUCA LODI (ITALY) 3. STEFANO CECCHI (NORVEGIA) 3. JAMES BASS (UK) Consolation: 1. KAHA NATCHKEBIA (GEORGIA) 2. VALERIO SCREMIN (ITALY)3. FABIO CULTRERA (ITALY) 3. Dr. CYRUS AFCHANI (GERMANY) Last Chance: : 1. SIEGFRIED TONZER (GERMANY) 2. OLE FRIIS IVERSEN (NORWAY) WARM UP (139) 1. SAMI AKIROV (UK) 2. MATTHIAS KÖRNER (GERMANY)	BEGINNER (45): Main: 1. STEFANO CATANI (ITALY) 2. ENNIO GIOPPATO (ITALY) 3. CESARE NANTI (ITALY) 3. MASSIMO MORETTI (ITALY) Consolation: 1. FRANCA BOSCARI (ITALY) 2. PAOLO FRAGIACOMO (ITALY) 3. WOLF STEIBACH (GERMANY) 3. SERGEI DERMOIAN (ARMENIA) Last Chance: 1. UMBERTO VIANELLO (ITALY) 2. FRANCESCO FRASCÀ (ITALY) DOUBLE CONSULTATION UISP 1. GIL GALILI / SAM NOREN (USA/SWEDEN) 2. VINCENZO RICEPUTI / LUCIO PAZZANI (ITALY) DOUBLE CONSULTATION LUGANO 1. PAVEL BIELEWICZ / MORRIS MOSSERI (SWEDEN/USA) 2. MARCEL LIECHTI / LISE HOWARD (SWITZERLAND) SUPERJACKPOT (16) 1. /2. MARIO BONFICO (ARGENTINA) 1./2. SVEN RÜMKER (GERMANY)
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