Saturday, 7 February 2026

Newly-affiliated Backgammon clubs are ready to get things rolling…

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

Cape Town Backgammon is proud to formally announce its affiliation with Mind­ Sports South Africa (MSSA) — a meaningful milestone for our club and for backgammon in the Western Cape.

This affiliation recognises not only where Cape Town Backgammon is today, but also the steady, community-driven journey that has brought us here.

A decade of growth, community, and competition

Cape Town Backgammon was founded in June 2013 by two brothers with a simple idea: to create a regular, welcoming space to play backgammon in Cape Town. What began as informal local meet-ups has grown year on year into a structured and increasingly visible backgammon community.

Over the past decade, the club has:

  • Hosted live tournaments in Cape Town
  • Run online round-robin leagues, connecting players across regions
  • Introduced annual awards celebrating performance, improvement, and contribution to the community
  • Actively supported local players competing at international events

Perhaps most notably, Cape Town Backgammon proudly supported Doron Claxton, who reached the final of the Backgammon World Championships in Monte Carlo in 2025 — a landmark achievement for South African backgammon.

Mind sportS SA affiliation and the Cape Town Open 2026

Affiliation with MSSA represents an important step forward: aligning Cape Town Backgammon with recognised national structures, governance, and player pathways.

Our first major milestone under this affiliation will be the Cape Town Open, taking place from 20–22 February 2026, officially endorsed by MSSA as a Regional Championship.

In addition to the Open division, regional colours will be awarded to the best-performing players in the following categories:

  • Open
  • Female
  • Youth (U-25)
  • Junior (U-18)

This event is designed to showcase competitive excellence while also highlighting the inclusivity and developmental focus of backgammon as a recognised mindsport.

Growing the game — especially in schools

A central focus for Cape Town Backgammon is growing the game, particularly among younger players. We are actively committed to introducing backgammon into schools in Cape Town and surrounding areas, where it serves as a powerful tool for developing:

  • Strategic thinking
  • Probability awareness
  • Decision-making under uncertainty
  • Sportsmanship and resilience

Backgammon’s blend of skill, mathematics, and psychology makes it uniquely well suited to the educational space, and we see enormous potential for growth at grassroots level.

Social play in the city

Alongside structured competition, Cape Town Backgammon continues to host regular social evenings in the Cape Town CBD. These sessions are intentionally relaxed and inclusive — a perfect opportunity to:

  • Meet new people
  • Learn the game or improve your skills
  • Play casual or competitive matches in a friendly environment

Whether you’re a seasoned tournament player or completely new to backgammon, social nights remain the heartbeat of the club.

A connected, welcoming community

Our community extends well beyond Cape Town. Through active WhatsApp groups, Cape Town Backgammon players are closely connected with South African backgammon players across the country, as well as an international network of enthusiasts and competitors.

New members are always welcome — whether you’re curious about learning the game, looking for regular competition, or aiming to compete at national and international level.

Affiliation with MSSA marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Cape Town Backgammon. We look forward to building stronger pathways for players, hosting high-quality events, and continuing to grow a vibrant backgammon community in Cape Town and beyond.

Additional reading:
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