Day One of the Merit Open Main Events Underway
The 13th Merit Open International Backgammon Championship 2026 entered its main tournament phase on Wednesday, November 4. Running from November 3 to 8, the championship is hosted at the five-star Merit Park Hotel & Casino in Girne, Northern Cyprus.
While side events commenced on November 3 with competitions including Speedgammon, Super Speedgammon, Mini Jackpots, and the Seniors event, Wednesday, November 4, marks the official start of the premier Masters and Intermediates categories.
Today's schedule features three major brackets published on the GG Arena platform, each charting an independent tournament pathway: Master Undefeated, Intermediate Undefeated, and Wet Gammon Underwater.
Today's Three Featured Merit Open Brackets
1. Master Undefeated
The first bracket of the day is dedicated to the Master Undefeated flight. Contested within the prestigious Masters category, players battle to preserve their undefeated records and advance deep into the championship rounds.
The Masters division serves as the flagship competitive tier of the Merit Open, tailored for top-tier professionals and elite competitors. Main bracket matches are played to 13 points, expanding to 15 points in the semifinals and finals, while the Grand Final is contested to 17 points.
View the Master Undefeated Bracket and Live Results:
https://ggarena.app/tournament/cmvtw7zm70001wyqoi7k7mbj6
2. Intermediate Undefeated
The second bracket launched today is the Intermediate Undefeated division. Reserved for players in the Intermediate category, this flight mirrors the Masters structure along an undefeated trajectory.
The Intermediate division is tailored for competitive players operating at an intermediate proficiency level, governed by eligibility criteria defined for this category. Main bracket matches are 11 points, expanding to 13 points in the semifinals and finals, with the Grand Final played to 15 points.
View the Intermediate Undefeated Bracket and Live Results:
https://ggarena.app/tournament/cmvtw7zmq0005wyqo34m3r4lp
3. Wet Gammon Underwater (2 Lives)
The third bracket launched today is designated as Wet Gammon Underwater (2 Lives). This competition represents one of the unique and unconventional highlights of the Merit Open program, organized under a two-life elimination format.
Wet Gammon, or underwater backgammon, is a specialty novelty event on the Merit Open schedule. Alongside the classical competitive brackets, it brings an engaging and refreshing social dynamic to the festival.
View the Wet Gammon Underwater Bracket and Live Results:
https://ggarena.app/tournament/cmvub6nq90072mu08nfetgyb6
Merit Open 2026: A Landmark on the International Backgammon Calendar
The 13th edition of the Merit Open International Backgammon Championship takes place from November 3 to 8, 2026, at the five-star Merit Park Hotel & Casino in Girne, Northern Cyprus.
Organized in collaboration with the Merit Group and the Worldwide Backgammon Federation (WBF), the event is directed by tournament directors Marco Fornasir and Arda Findikoglu.
Having hosted premier international fields over many years, this edition of the Merit Open continues to provide a comprehensive slate of flights uniting professional stars and passionate amateurs under one roof.
Key details of the 2026 edition include:
Dates: November 3–8, 2026
Venue: Merit Park Hotel & Casino, Girne, Northern Cyprus
Added Prize Money: €30,000
Sanctioning Bodies: WBF and Turkish Backgammon Federation
Tournament Directors: Marco Fornasir and Arda Findikoglu
Primary Categories: Masters and Intermediates
How Is the €30,000 Added Prize Pool Distributed?
A premier attraction of this year's championship is the €30,000 in added prize money injected across tournament categories. This sum is provided on top of 100% of player entry fees returned directly to the prize pool.
The distribution of added prize money across the main divisions is scheduled as follows:
Masters: €20,000
Intermediates: €3,000
Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles: €5,000
Gammon Slam 2026: €2,000
The Masters division commands the lion's share of added value with €20,000. Meanwhile, the Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles tournament features a significant €5,000 added purse, making it one of the major events on the roster.
Upcoming Events on the Merit Open Schedule
The Merit Open itinerary extends well beyond today's opening three brackets. Over the coming days, competitors will contest a wide spectrum of competitive flights.
Second Chance
The Second Chance bracket offers players eliminated from the main draw an immediate opportunity to contend for titles and substantial prize pools.
Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles
The Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles is a headline team event of the championship, enriched by a €5,000 added prize fund.
Jackpot Competitions
Mega Jackpot, Super Jackpot, and Limited Jackpot flights are integrated throughout the week, featuring diverse entry tiers and formats.
Speedgammon and Super Speedgammon
Contested in five-point matches with strict clock settings, speed events deliver high-tempo action and thrilling spectator viewing.
Ladies Tournament
The dedicated Ladies Championship is scheduled to take place during the closing days of the festival.
Seniors Tournament
The Seniors Tournament in memory of Emil Mortuk offers seasoned veterans an exclusive competitive stage.
Mochy Featured at Merit Open 2026
A signature highlight of this edition is the participation of Masayuki "Mochy" Mochizuki, widely regarded as one of backgammon's greatest champions, who will headline a dedicated Q&A seminar.
Scheduled for November 7, this session provides an exclusive setting for attendees to explore game theory, elite decision-making, and high-stakes tournament preparation directly with Mochy.
Participation Field and Leading Contenders
The 13th Merit Open International Championship brings together over 400 players from across the globe. Competitors hailing from Iran, Turkey, Russia, and dozens of other nations have assembled to vie across all scheduled categories. This international gathering makes the Merit Open a premier summit of the backgammon world, pitting seasoned veterans against emerging contenders on the world stage.
Direct Links to All Merit Open 2026 Brackets
Follow the tournament action and view live scoring updates via the official links below:
Master Undefeated:
https://ggarena.app/tournament/cmvtw7zm70001wyqoi7k7mbj6Intermediate Undefeated:
https://ggarena.app/tournament/cmvtw7zmq0005wyqo34m3r4lpWet Gammon Underwater (2 Lives):
https://ggarena.app/tournament/cmvub6nq90072mu08nfetgyb6All Merit Open Tournaments:
https://ggarena.app/merit2026/tournaments
Summary
With the launch of the main brackets on Wednesday, November 4, the 13th Merit Open 2026 has entered its most decisive stage. The Master Undefeated, Intermediate Undefeated, and Wet Gammon Underwater brackets are the focal points of today's play, accessible live on the GG Arena platform.
Bolstered by €30,000 in added prize money, an international field, and a diverse flight program, the Merit Open remains an essential highlight of the global backgammon calendar. As results unfold over the coming days, comprehensive coverage will track title contenders and the performance of Iranian players across all divisions.