backgammon tournament
START INTERNATIONAL

Season 2024/2025
December 16, 2024 – April 21, 2025
Russian Backgammon Federation, together with the TV START channel, are eager to present
the Start International tournament.
This is a sports tournament of a new specialized TV format, which will take place for the first time.

All the matches of the tournament are played live in the TV studio.
Matches are held every Monday. Broadcast includes two matches of 56 min session each.
A total of 32 matches, 18 game days.
The tournament is held in 2 stages:
  • I Round

    Round Robin Tournament
    28 matches, 14 weeks
  • II Round

    Playoff

    – 2 semi-finals

    – Match for the 3rd place

    – Final match

Meet the players
  • Atsamaz Arsagov
    Winner and prize-winner of major international tournaments. Sports Director and Executive Committee member of the Russian Backgammon Federation.
    • Representing Russia
  • Sergey Erokhin
    Grand Master G3 , 2024 Russian vice-champion in Speedgammon. The winner of the 1st Merit Open 2013 tournament. 2015 World Championship finalist. 2018 Monte Carlo Open finalist. Winner of the 9th Merit Open-2021, doubles.
    • Representing Russia
  • Michihito Kageyama
    Grand Master G0, tournament winner: Gothenburg Open, Munich Open, Portugal Open, Athens Open, Mallorca Open, Menton Open.
    • Representing Japan
  • Masayuki Mochizuki
    Super Grand Master S2, 2009 and 2021 World Champion, four-time winner of the Ultimate Backgammon Championship (UBC).
    • Representing Japan
  • Jurgen Orlowski
    Winner and prize-winner of major international tournaments.
    • Representing Germany
  • Sergey Petuhov
    Prize-winner of international tournaments, winner and prize-winner of major all-Russian tournaments. 2024 Vice-champion of Russia in long backgammon.
    • Representing Russia
  • Aykut Uzel
    2021 Dubai Oasis Champion. Two-time finalist of Istavder Cyprus Open Main, Masters.
    • Representing Turkey
  • Mikael Vardanyan
    Grand Master G2, 2024 Russian champion. Winner and prize-winner of major international and all-Russian tournaments.
    • Representing Russia
upcoming MATCHES
27.01.2025
16:45 MSK
GMT+3
Aykut Uzel – Sergey Petuhov
Aykut Uzel – Atsamaz Arsagov
Standings
Where to watch live broadcasts