July 31st to August 5th was the dates for the 2nd Gogi Bukia Memorial Georgian Open. The Backgammon tournament was the second stop on the European Backgammon Tour and was created in memory of the late Gogi Bukia and would take place in Tbilisi. The event was kicked off with a gala dinner at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel in the Republic of Georgia.

The winner of the tournament would receive 30,000 Euros that were added to the prize pool and a free seat to the 6th French Open in Enghien-les-Bains in Paris, France. That event is set to take place in October of this year.

Several players from different countries made it to the final: Georgian players, Russian, Iranian, and Armenian players as well. The two final players who made it to the final table were Fabrizio Lo Surdo, Italian and Cem Duran, who is Turkish. Cem Duran won the masters and the win to the 6th French Open in Paris France in October.

Results for the 2nd Gogi Bukia Memorial Georgian Open:

Masters (28+4)
Main Winner: Cem Duran (Turkey)
Main Finalist: Fabrizio Lo Surdo (Italy)
Main Semi-Finalist: Jürgen Orlowski (Germany)
Main Semi-Finalist: Zurab Mikaia (Georgia)
Consolation Winner: Kakhaber Natchkebia (Georgia)
Consolation Finalist: Nodar Gagua (Georgia)
Last Chance Winner: Rezo Tskhovrebashvili (Georgia)

Intermediate (28+ 3)

Main Winner: Rambiz Khalili (Iran)
Main Finalist: Chiva Tafazzoli (Iran)
Main Semi-Finalist: Boris Danelia (Georgia)
Main Semi-Finalist: Zurab Margvelashvili (Georgia)
Consolation Winner: Badri Lominadze (Georgia)
Consolation Finalist: David Tevdoradze (Georgia)
Last Chance Winner: Sergey Grinev (Russia)

Amateurs (12)

Winner: Kakha Kurtzikidze (Georgia)
2nd Place: Marina Gurgenidze (Georgia)
3rd Place: Janguli Esebua (Georgia)

Doubles Pro/Am (16 Teams)

Winners: Bob Wachtel & self
Finalist: Boris Mamporia (Russia) & Givi Shengelia (Georgia)
Exhibition Match Georgia vs. Rest of the World:
Georgian Team: Nodar Gagua (Captain), Kakhaber Natchkebia, Gocha Chokhonelidze, Tamas Giorgobiani, David Tevdoradze
Rest of the world: Matvey Natanzon (Captain / Israel), Bob Wachtel (USA), Jürgen Orlowski (Germany), Artur Muradian (Armenia), Tassilo Rzymann (Austria)
Tassilo Rzymann wins over David Tevdoradze
Gocha Chokhonelidze wins over Artur Muradian
Matvey Natanzon wins over Nodar Gagua
Tamas Giorgobiani wins over Bob Wachtel
Kakhaber Natchkeabia wins over Jürgen Orlowski
Georgia wins 3:2 over Rest of the world

Davis Doubles (7+1 Rebuy)

Winners: Morten Holm (DK) + Sander Lylloff (DK)
Finalists: Leonid Riskin (UKR) + Dr. Jakob Garal (UKR)
Special Trophy: Khachik Melykian / Armenia (Elegance Prize)
Special Trophy: Arut Martirosian / Armenia (Fair-play Prize)
Special Trophy: Marina Gurgenidze / Georgia (Ladies´ Trophy)
Best Georgian Player: Zurab Mikaia
Ruling Committee: Chiva Tafazzoli (Iran) / Matvey Natanzon


- 2008-08-19