The Association for Development of Sports in Latvia organized the first ever long and short backgammon tournament to take place in Riga. A total of forty people competed in the first competition which lasted well into the night.

One competitor commented about how she was taught to play the game by her granny and daddy. Darya Safonova commented: “My whole family- mother and sister are used to play backgammon. We organize exciting meetings. I love this game since you still need to shoot the dice, and thus not only the skill but also the luck is of great importance.”

Agrafera Kosyna, the champion of Latvia attended the tournament and commented on the popularity of backgammon in the Baltic. Kosyan commented: “We have many times met with our Diaspora representatives. We invite our friends from other cities to come. Estonian Armenians visited us. Among players I was the only woman from Lativa. I have won the first place thrice. I have also received an Audience Award. In Armenia, many people play backgammon. In the evenings when you go out you see how all guys sit at boards.”

The first short backgammon tournament of Riga was won by Ashot Grigoryan and the long tournament was won by Armen Patochyan. Fun was had by all and it was a great success.






- 2009-06-29