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.
Hotel Scandic Sluseholmen, Copenhagen, Denmark
**Championship Division (66 Players), €850 Buy-in:**1st Place: Hans Liby (Norway) - Prize: €21,400 + €2,3702nd 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: €2,3706th-8th Place: Timo Väätäinen (Finland), Michael Urban (Germany), Fredrik Carlsson (Sweden) - Prize: €1,260
The winner Hans Liby from Norway.
3rd place finisher Elias Kritikos (Norway) on the left and 2nd place Alfredo Unes (Brazil) on the right.
**Advanced Division (46 player), €350 buy-in:**1st Place: Rasmus G. Hansen (Denmark) - Prize: €6,440 2nd Place: Christian Bladt (Denmark) - Prize: €3,2503rd 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.