Encyclopaedia

Famous backgammon players

The champions who won the titles, the authors who wrote the classic books, and the theorists who worked out the doubling cube and match equity — the people who shaped the modern game.

Backgammon's modern era was made by a small cast of players and writers: the champions who proved what was possible over the board, the authors whose books turned folk wisdom into teachable method, and the theorists who first put hard numbers to the doubling cube and match play. The names below are grouped by the part they played — though many, of course, belong in more than one group.

British players

British · 1980s–present Chris Bray The UK's best-known backgammon writer. British · 1970s Joe Dwek British author of the 1970s classic 'Backgammon for Profit'. British · 1970s Phillip Martyn 1974 World Championship runner-up and author. British · 1990s–2000s Paul Lamford British Champion (1993) and prolific instructional author. British · 1960s–70s Lewis Deyong England-born early-era great, promoter and author.

Founders & early-era greats

Russian-American · 1960s–70s Prince Alexis Obolensky “The Father of Modern Backgammon” Organised the first international tournament and founded the World Backgammon Club. American · 1960s–70s Oswald Jacoby World Champion 1972 and co-author of the first analytically-minded backgammon book. American · 1960s–70s John R. Crawford Inventor of the Crawford rule, now standard in all match play. American · 1960s–70s Tim Holland Won the first World Championship in 1967, again in 1968 and 1971. American · 1950s–70s Barclay Cooke Among the strongest players of the boom era and a noted author. British · 1960s–70s Lewis Deyong England-born early-era great, promoter and author. American · 1978–present Carol Joy Cole “The Queen of Backgammon” Founder of the Flint club and keeper of the game's records.

Theorists & authors

American · 1970s–2000s Paul Magriel “X-22” World Champion 1978; author of "the Bible" of backgammon. American · 1976–present Bill Robertie Two-time World Champion and author of around ten classic books. American · 1980s–present Kit Woolsey Leading authority on the doubling cube and match play. American · 1980s–2000s Walter Trice Developed the Effective Pip Count; wrote Backgammon Boot Camp. American · 1970s–2010s Danny Kleinman Prolific author and early rigorous mathematician of the game. American · 1980s–present Nack Ballard Long-reigning world #1 Giant and inventor of Nackgammon. American · 1970s–present Neil Kazaross American Backgammon Tour all-time points leader; created Neil's Numbers. American · 1990s–present Marty Storer Strong player and respected analyst; author of Backgammon Praxis. American · 1990s–present Mary Hickey Author and analyst; co-wrote What's Your Game Plan? British · 1980s–present Chris Bray The UK's best-known backgammon writer. British · 1970s Joe Dwek British author of the 1970s classic 'Backgammon for Profit'. British · 1970s Phillip Martyn 1974 World Championship runner-up and author. British · 1990s–2000s Paul Lamford British Champion (1993) and prolific instructional author. American · 1980s–90s Kent Goulding Publisher of 'Inside Backgammon' and the first US rating system.

Modern & bot-era champions

American · 1980s–present Joe Sylvester World Amateur Champion 1983 and 1988 World Cup winner. Russian-born Israeli · 1990s–2010s Matvey Natanzon “Falafel” Ranked world #1 Giant twice; a legendary money-player story. Japanese · 2000s–present Masayuki Mochizuki “Mochy” Two-time World Champion and long-time world #1. Japanese · 2000s–present Michihito Kageyama “Michy” Top-tier modern player, author and teacher. Japanese · 2000s–present Akiko Yazawa Two-time World Champion; first woman to win the title twice. American · 1970s–80s Lee Genud World Champion 1981 and dominant tournament player. Swedish · 1990s–2010s Jörgen Granstedt Record-tying three-time World Champion. American · 1990s Wilcox Snellings Voted the #1 Giant of Backgammon in 1993 and 1997. American · 1980s–90s Mike Svobodny Won the World Championship, the World Cup and the Nordic Open. American · 1980s–90s Billy Horan Premier money player and two-time World Cup winner. American · 2000s–present Richard Munitz Three-time American Backgammon Tour champion and online-system builder.