JAPANMasayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki
1979– · Error-rate discipline
World champion and leader of Japan's modern school — meticulous preparation, ruthless self-review and the lowest error rates ever recorded.
LIVESEEDED EVENT DATA
Monte Carlo, Monaco · Double elimination · Match play to 25
Monte Carlo World Championship
QUARTERFINALS IN PROGRESS · QUARTERFINALS
The game's world championship, in the room where it has always been played.
Standings
Where the match left it.
- 1M. MochizukiQF
- 2M. NatanzonQF
- 3G. HansenQF
- 4J. JacobsQF
Seeded standings — not a live feed.
Players
Who to watch here.
JAPAN
ISRAEL / USAMatvey “Falafel” Natanzon
1968–2020 · Pure feel for the game
The most beloved player of the modern era — self-taught on a beach in Tel Aviv, world number one, and the heart of every room he entered.
DENMARKGus Hansen
1974– · Fearless aggression
World-class in two games. Brought poker courage to the backgammon cube and won where purists said his style couldn't survive.
Venue
Where it is being played.
MONTE CARLO, MONACO
Tournament · Every July · World Championship
The Salle des Étoiles during world championship week — the parlor of parlors.
Watch
Analysis from the circuit.
MATCH ANALYSISSplit or Slot: The Opening's Oldest Argument
Fifty years of debate over 4-3 and 2-1 — what the bots settled and what they didn't.
Archive Analysis · Advanced