Sunday, 3 August 2025

Backgammon: South African Player Reaches World Championship Final in Monte Carlo

Doron Claxton, from Cape Town, deep in thought in his semi-final match at the Backgammon World Championship.

For many South Africans, backgammon might conjure nostalgic memories of a game played on a coffee table, dice clattering on wood, and moments of triumph or despair in a race to bear off the final checker. But backgammon is more than a casual pastime—it's a globally respected mind sport with international competition, elite rankings, and now, a South African in the final of the World Championship in Monte Carlo.

Yes, you read that correctly!

Doron Claxton, a long-standing and much-loved player in the Cape Town Backgammon scene, has just accomplished what no South African has done before : he's reached the final of the Backgammon World Championship.

What makes Doron's run even more remarkable is the way it started - on a bit of a whim. Spurred by instinct and opportunity, Doron entered the tournament and received a bye in the first round. From there, the road to the final was anything but easy. Facing a lineup of world-class competitors, Doron strung together a series of stunning wins, including a victory over fellow Capetonian, Dirk Howsley, and Lebanese Grandmaster Toni Bernaba.

In the quarterfinal, Doron came up against Chris Rogers, falling behind 8–13 in a match to 17. What followed was a display of tenacity and strategic mastery. He clawed his way back to win the match, showing grit and resilience under pressure.

After a short rest, Doron faced Christoph Wagener in the semi-final. This match was streamed live on the Backgammon Galaxy YouTube channel, with expert commentary from Justin Nowell and legendary Japanese pro Masayuki "Michi" Mochizuki. Once again, Doron found himself trailing. But with calm under fire and a superbly timed use of the doubling cube, he shifted the dynamics and closed the match 17–14, booking his seat at the final table.

On Sunday, 3 August 2025, Doron will face Finland’s Timo Vaatainen in the championship match, streamed live on YouTube at 3:00 PM (Monaco time – which is also SA time). You can catch it on the Backgammon Galaxy YouTube channel, and we encourage every South African mind sport enthusiast to tune in and support. The site is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zndiQmd15B8

This moment marks not only a personal triumph for Doron but also a milestone for South African backgammon. While the game has long had a passionate following in pockets across the country, formal structures under the Mind Sports South Africa umbrella are just starting to take shape. To date, no backgammon clubs are officially affiliated with MSSA—but that is about to change. Cape Town Backgammon is preparing to become the first affiliate, with Johannesburg Backgammon also showing strong signs of interest.

Backgammon is a mind sport that blends mathematical probability, psychological intuition, and high-stakes decision-making. It rewards focus, strategy, and risk management. As such, it sits proudly alongside other disciplines already recognized by MSSA and SASCOC.

With Doron Claxton now representing South Africa on the world’s biggest stage, there has never been a better time for players—new and experienced—to pick up the dice, join a club, and roll their way into this exciting global community.

Watch the Final

📅 Date: Sunday 3 August 2025

🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (SA/Monaco time)

📺 Live on: Backgammon Galaxy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zndiQmd15B8

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