Nordic Open 2024: Backgammon Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark
The Nordic Open 2024 took place at the Scandic Sluseholmen in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the midst of the Easter holidays, continuing a long-standing tradition. This tournament, one of the oldest grand slams of backgammon, saw a significant turnout of grandmasters, particularly from Scandinavia and Western Europe. In the main categories of the Nordic Open 2024, a total of 190 players participated, adding to the competitive atmosphere and excitement of the tournament.
Championship Division (66 Players), €850 Buy-in:
1st Place: Hans Liby (Norway) - Prize: €21,400 + €2,370
2nd Place: Alfredo Unes (Brazil) - Prize: €10,460
3rd Place: Elias Kritikos (Norway) - Prize: €4,750
4th-5th Place: Oliver Squire (GBR), Armen Khamchatryan (RUS) - Prize: €2,370
6th-8th Place: Timo Väätäinen (Finland), Michael Urban (Germany), Fredrik Carlsson (Sweden) - Prize: €1,260
Advanced Division (46 player), €350 buy-in:
1st Place: Rasmus G. Hansen (Denmark) - Prize: €6,440
2nd Place: Christian Bladt (Denmark) - Prize: €3,250
3rd Place: Lars Nielsen (Denmark) - Prize: €1,550
4th-5th Place: Marianne Husum (Norway), John Blem (Denmark) - Prize: €500
Intermediate Division (57 players), €150 buy-in:
1st Place: Kenneth Holt (Denmark) - Prize: €2,850
2nd Place: Ulrik Andersen (Denmark) - Prize: €1,400
3rd Place: Philip Magnussen (Denmark) - Prize: €700
4th-5th Place: Christian Skjæran (Denmark) - Thom Espen Brevig (Norway) - Prize: €225
Side Events:
UBC Denmark (8 players), €150 buy-in
1st Place: Jakob Rasmussen (Denmark) - Prize: Seat for UBC Contender
2nd Place: Justin Nowell (USA) - Prize: Seat for UBC Contender
Super Jackpot (32 players), €500 buy-in:
1st Place: Marcus Reinhard (Germany) - Prize: €7,000
2nd Place: Tristan Remille (France) - Prize: €3,500
3rd/4th Place: Lev Rosenfeld (Israel) - Prize: €1,790
3rd/4th Place: Dagfinn Snarheim (Norway) - Prize: €1,790
€2000 Highroller (6 players):
1st Place: Peter Jes Thomsen (Denmark) - Prize: €7,200
2nd Place: Marc Brockmann Olsen (Denmark) - Prize: €0
(The four players who didn't get a bye got half their buy-in back.)
Super Jackpot 2 (16 players), €500 buy-in:
1st Place: Oliver Squire (England) - Prize: €5,000
2nd Place: Jesper Mølgård (Denmark) - Prize: €2,040
Mini Jackpot (16 players), €100 buy-in:
1st Place: Rene Thor Poulsen (Denmark) - Prize: €680
2nd Place: Yan Kit Chan (England) - Prize: €330
3rd/4th Place: Flemming Mortensen (Denmark) - Prize: €170
3rd/4th Place: Grethe Welle (Norway) - Prize: €170
Mini Jackpot 2 (7 players), €100 buy-in:
1st Place: Christian Skjæran (Denmark) - Prize: €600
2nd Place: Annette Hansen (Denmark) - Prize €0
Redemption Event (20 players), €100 buy-in:
1st Place: Matti Tienari (Finland) - Prize: €850
2nd Place: Martha Gjelseth (Norway) - Prize: €420
3rd/4th Place: Flemming Mortensen (Denmark) - Prize: €170
3rd/4th Place: Grethe Welle (Norway) - Prize: €170
Doubles (35 teams), €400 buy-in:
1st Place: “Svempa” Noreen / Roland Sahlén (Sweden) - Prize: €6,130
2nd Place: Elias Kritikos / Katharina Olsen (Norway) - Prize: €3,060
3rd/4th Place: Vincent + Remille (France) - Prize: €1,530
3rd/4th Place: Larsen + Svinding (Denmark) - Prize: €1,530
Mix Doubles (22 teams), €100 buy-in:
1st Place: Andreas Becher + Pia Jeppesen (Denmark) - Prize: €940
2nd Place: Christian Bladt + Matilde Schmidt (Denmark) - Prize: €475
3rd/4th Place: Brigitte Nissen + Mads Andersen (Denmark) - Prize: €230
3rd/4th Place: Terao + Terao (Japan) - Prize: €230
Women’s Event (25 players), €50 buy-in:
1st Place: Barbara Fagone (Denmark) - Prize: €700
2nd Place: Linda Wallin (Sweden) - Prize: €300
Speed (42 players), €110 buy-in:
1st Place: Asbjorn Arntzen (Norway) - Prize: €2,000
2nd Place: Jens Ostermann-Petersen (Denmark) - Prize: €1,000
Team Event (11 teams), €300 buy-in:
1st Place: Eirik, Bjørnar, Marianne (Norway) - Prize: €2860
2nd Place: Andreas, Thorbjørn, Kristian (Denmark) - Prize: €0
Beginner Division (21 players), €0 buy-in:
1st Place: Andreas Boldt (Denmark)
2nd Place: Elias Stokholm (Denmark)
Junior Division (5 players), €0 buy-in:
1st Place: Frederik Dankelev (Denmark)
This year's Nordic Open in Copenhagen was a celebration of skill, competition, and camaraderie, showcasing the international appeal and vibrant community of backgammon players.