IBF Launches the First-Ever Official World Longgammon Championship and Georgian Grand Prix  

The International Backgammon Federation (IBF), under the leadership of Umar Kremlev, has officially launched competitions unprecedented in both scale and significance: the first-ever official World Longgammon Championship and the prestigious Georgian Grand Prix.

Events of this level mark a major milestone in the development of backgammon, elevating the game to a new standard of international sporting competition and representing an important step in the implementation of IBF’s global strategy to promote backgammon as an intellectual sport.

More than 500 players from 60 countries are taking part in the competitions. The participants represent every continent, ranging from traditional backgammon powerhouses such as Russia, Türkiye, Armenia, and Iran to rapidly developing backgammon communities in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and China.

The tournament program features a record-breaking 12 disciplines, while the total prize fund amounts to an impressive USD 500,000, underscoring the high status and attractiveness of these events. Fair play is ensured by 20 top-level international arbiters from five countries.

Particular attention is focused on Team Russia, one of the world’s leading forces in the sport. Nearly 140 Russian players have arrived in Tbilisi, including 36 members of the national team. Their success is no coincidence: at the recent Asian Grand Prix in Tashkent, the Russian team delivered an outstanding performance, winning a record 17 medals, including 5 gold medals.

IBF President Umar Kremlev commented:

"We are witnessing tremendous interest not only in backgammon but also in board games around the world. That is why we are working on the creation of an International Board Games Association. IBF plans to organize continental tournaments every quarter and a World Championship every two years. In addition, we aim to hold a Board Games Olympics in the future.

Playing board games helps people develop intellectually and spend quality time at home in a warm and comfortable atmosphere with family and friends. Our goal is to see board games played in every home and every family, bringing together families, nations, and people across the world."

The competitions are being held from May 28 to June 3 at the modern Hualing Hotels & Preference complex, where nearly 200 gaming tables have been installed. Fans and participants can follow the action and results in real time through the IBF Information System website.

The event partners include the information television channel Moscow 24, the national internet quality assessment service MegaBitus, and SeaBreeze.

Photos from the opening ceremony are here.