The 13th Merit Open International Backgammon Championship 2026 will take place from November 3 to 8, 2026, at the five-star Merit Park Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. The event features €30,000 in added prize money and is expected to welcome players from different countries.
Alongside the main Masters and Intermediates divisions, the tournament will feature jackpots, doubles, speed backgammon, women's and seniors' competitions. A question-and-answer session with renowned backgammon player Masayuki 'Mochy' Mochizuki is also on the program.
Below, we cover the complete daily schedule, prize distribution, entry fees, tournament rules, accommodation rates and airport transfer arrangements.
Merit Open 2026: Tournament Overview
- Official name: 13th Merit Open International Backgammon Championship
- Dates: November 3–8, 2026 (12–17 Aban 1405 in the Persian calendar)
- Venue: Merit Park Hotel & Casino, Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus
- Registration begins: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Added prize money: €30,000
- Main divisions: Masters and Intermediates
- Announced organizing bodies: World Backgammon Federation (WBF) and Turkish Backgammon Federation
The main tournament begins on Wednesday, November 4, while side events and the welcome ceremony start on Tuesday.
Complete Merit Open 2026 Schedule
The event begins with player registration on Monday, November 2, and continues through Sunday, November 8. The final day features championship matches and the awards ceremony.
Monday, November 2, 2026
This day is dedicated to participant registration at Merit Park Hotel. Players arriving at the venue can complete their registration and initial arrangements.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Throughout the day: Player registration continues
- 1:00 PM: 11th Middle East BMAB Championship begins
- 2:00 PM: Mini Jackpots, Speedgammon, Super Speedgammon, the seniors' tournament in memory of Emil Mutog, and one-point competitions begin
- 9:00 PM: Welcome speech and reception
- 10:00 PM: Registration deadline
- Midnight: Public draw for the main divisions
Important: Players planning to enter the main divisions must complete registration before 10:00 PM on Tuesday.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
The main Masters and Intermediates competitions begin at 2:00 PM. Masters is intended for advanced and professional players, while entry into Intermediates is subject to specific eligibility requirements.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Second Chance competitions begin at 1:00 PM. The main tournaments and other scheduled events continue alongside them.
Friday, November 6, 2026
- 1:00 PM: Tournament play continues
- 3:00 PM: Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles begins
- 11:00 PM: Mega Jackpot and Women's Tournament draws
The Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles is one of the day's major events, featuring €5,000 in added prize money.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
- 1:00 PM: Mega Jackpot and Women's Tournament begin
- 3:30 PM: Super Jackpot and Limited Jackpot begin
- 6:30 PM: Free question-and-answer session with Masayuki 'Mochy' Mochizuki
The session with Mochy offers an opportunity for players interested in game analysis and professional decision-making to ask questions directly to one of the world's best-known backgammon players.
Sunday, November 8, 2026
- 12:00 PM: Last Chance competitions begin
- 2:00 PM: Finals begin
- 9:30 PM: Closing ceremony, farewell reception and prize presentation at Merit Park Hotel
How Much Prize Money Is Available at Merit Open 2026?
The organizers have allocated €30,000 in added prize money for the 13th championship. This amount is separate from tournament entry fees. According to the event brochure, 100% of players' entry fees return to the prize pools, with the added money contributing further to the total. Registration fees are calculated separately from tournament entry fees.
Added Prize Money by Division
- Masters: €20,000
- Intermediates: €3,000
- Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles: €5,000
- Gammon Slam 2026: €2,000
Masters receives the largest allocation, accounting for €20,000 of the total €30,000 added prize money.
Masters Prize Distribution
According to the brochure, the announced percentages for the Masters division are:
- Champion: 35%
- Finalist: 16%
- Third place: 8%
- Fourth place: 4%
- Fifth place: 4%
- Sixth through ninth places: 2% each
- Tenth through sixteenth places: 1% each
- Undefeated bracket winner: 5%
- Undefeated bracket finalist: 2%
- Each player eliminated in the Undefeated semifinals: 1%
- Last Chance winner: 5%
- Last Chance finalist: 2%
- Each player eliminated in the Last Chance semifinals: 1%
For example, 35% of €20,000 equals €7,000. However, the combined percentages in this distribution exceed 100%. The exact calculation method and rules for combining prizes therefore require confirmation from the organizers. This example should not be treated as the champion's confirmed payout.
Intermediates Prize Distribution
The Intermediates division has €3,000 in added prize money. The brochure lists the following percentages:
- Champion: 40%
- Finalist: 18%
- Third place: 9%
- Fourth place: 4.5%
- Fifth place: 4.5%
- Sixth through ninth places: 2% each
- Undefeated bracket winner: 4%
- Undefeated bracket finalist: 2%
- Each player eliminated in the Undefeated semifinals: 1%
- Last Chance winner: 5.5%
- Last Chance finalist: 2.5%
The combined percentages in this table also exceed 100%. Players should confirm the final calculation method and prize payment conditions with tournament officials.
Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles Prizes
The Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles tournament has €5,000 in added prize money:
- Winning team: 50%, equivalent to €2,500
- Runner-up team: 25%, equivalent to €1,250
- Each semifinalist team: 12.5%, equivalent to €625
These amounts represent only the added prize money. Any share of the players' entry-fee prize pool is separate. An additional €2,000 has also been allocated to Gammon Slam 2026.
Merit Open 2026 Registration and Entry Fees
The cost of entering a tournament consists of two separate amounts: the competition entry fee and the registration fee. Entry fees contribute to the prize pool, while registration fees cover event services.
- Masters: €400 entry fee, €100 registration fee, €500 total
- Intermediates: €100 entry fee, €100 registration fee, €200 total
- Mega Jackpot: €1,840 entry fee, €160 registration fee, €2,000 total
- Super Jackpot: €920 entry fee, €80 registration fee, €1,000 total
- Limited Jackpot: €225 entry fee, €25 registration fee, €250 total
- Doubles, per team: €320 entry fee, €80 registration fee, €400 total
- Speedgammon and Super Speedgammon: €40 entry fee, €10 registration fee, €50 total
- Women's and Seniors' tournaments: €50 entry fee, €10 registration fee, €60 total
- Presidential Cup, one-point competition: €8 entry fee, €2 registration fee, €10 total
Players entering Masters must pay €500 in total, while the complete Intermediates fee is €200. Among the jackpot events, Mega Jackpot has the highest total fee at €2,000.
Who Qualifies for a Registration Discount?
According to the brochure, WBF sponsors, ELITE-TR members and the first 16 players to register qualify for a €20 discount on registration fees for the main divisions. The exact eligibility requirements should be confirmed during registration.
What Does the Registration Fee Include?
- Complimentary food and beverages in the playing hall
- Drinks at the welcome reception
- Specially designed trophies for winners
- Admission to the closing gala on Sunday, November 8
According to the announced conditions, all payments at the tournament venue must be made in cash. Players should plan ahead to ensure they have enough cash for their entry and registration fees.
Tournament Rules and Match Lengths
Match lengths vary depending on the competition and tournament stage. In some divisions, semifinals and finals are played to higher point totals than earlier rounds.
Masters Match Lengths
- Main competition: 13-point matches
- Semifinals and final: 15-point matches
- Grand Final: 17-point match
- Second Chance: 9-point matches, with 11-point semifinals and final
- Last Chance: 5-point matches, with a 7-point final
Intermediates Match Lengths
- Main competition: 11-point matches
- Semifinals and final: 13-point matches
- Grand Final: 15-point match
- Second Chance: 7-point matches, with 9-point semifinals and final
- Last Chance: 5-point matches, with a 7-point final
Side Event Match Lengths
- Mega Jackpot: 13-point matches, including the final
- Super Jackpot: 11-point matches, including the final
- Limited Jackpot: 9-point matches, including the final
- Doubles: 7-point matches, with a 9-point final
- Speedgammon and Super Speedgammon: 5-point matches, including the final
- Women's Tournament: 7-point matches, with a 9-point final
- Seniors aged over 50: 7-point matches, with a 9-point final
- Presidential Cup: One-point matches, including the final
Who Is Eligible for the Intermediates Division?
One important aspect of Merit Open 2026 concerns eligibility for the Intermediates division. This category is intended for intermediate-level players, and not everyone qualifies.
According to the announced rules, the following players are not eligible:
- Players who have recently won an intermediate-level championship
- Players holding a BMAB professional (M) ranking or higher
- Players with a known Performance Rating (PR) of 6.5 or lower
Performance Rating measures the quality of a player's decisions in backgammon, with lower values generally indicating more accurate play. For example, a player with a recognized PR of 6.2 would not qualify for Intermediates under the announced restriction.
Players should confirm their eligibility with tournament officials before paying their registration fees to avoid problems during registration.
Merit Park Hotel Accommodation: Room Rates and Discounts
The five-star Merit Park Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia is the tournament venue. Players staying at the hotel can attend matches without daily travel from another property.
Daily Room Rates
- Single room: €265 per night
- Double room: €350 per night
- Triple room: €475 per night
These rates are based on the Ultra All Inclusive package, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Stay Seven Nights and Pay for Six
The hotel offers tournament participants a Stay 7 – Pay 6 promotion. Guests booking seven nights pay for only six.
- Single room: Standard seven-night cost €1,855; promotional cost €1,590
- Double room: Standard seven-night cost €2,450; promotional cost €2,100
- Triple room: Standard seven-night cost €3,325; promotional cost €2,850
Event guests also receive a 10% discount on paid hotel services. This discount does not apply to shisha.
To access the special rates, mention 'Backgammon' when booking. Direct hotel reservations: mp.reservation@merithotels.com.
Airports and Transfers to Merit Park Hotel
Participants have two main airport options for traveling to Northern Cyprus:
- Ercan Airport: Approximately 50 kilometers from Merit Park Hotel
- Larnaca Airport: Located in southern Cyprus, approximately 90 kilometers from the hotel
Players arriving through Larnaca should also check border-crossing requirements and necessary travel documents. These conditions depend on the traveler's nationality and documentation.
Airport Transfer Arrangements
According to the brochure, group transfers at special rates can be arranged for flights on November 2, 3 and 9, 2026.
Players requiring group or private transfers must send their flight details to the hotel no later than October 27, 2026, corresponding to 5 Aban 1405 in the Persian calendar.
Transfer coordination email: mp.reservation@merithotels.com.
Requests submitted after the announced deadline will not qualify for group transfers.
General Rules and Important Information for Participants
- Payments: All payments at the tournament venue must be made in cash.
- Casino access: Only individuals over 25 years old with photographic identification may enter the casino. This restriction applies to the casino and does not necessarily extend to all tournament areas.
- Smoking: Smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
- Alcoholic beverages: Alcohol is not served in the tournament playing hall.
- Intermediates eligibility: Players must verify their eligibility before registering.
- Hotel reservations and transfers: Participants must observe the announced deadlines to qualify for special rates and services.
Estimated Cost of Attending Merit Open 2026
To estimate the travel budget, consider a player staying alone in a single room at Merit Park Hotel and using the seven-night stay promotion.
Seven nights of accommodation would cost €1,590. If the player enters Masters, the additional €500 entry and registration fee brings the combined hotel and tournament cost to €2,090.
If the same player enters Intermediates instead, the combined accommodation and tournament cost would be €1,790.
Alternatively, two players sharing a double room and splitting the cost equally would each pay €1,050 for seven nights under the promotional rate.
These calculations exclude airfare, airport transfers, personal expenses and entry fees for additional tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Merit Open 2026
When will Merit Open 2026 take place?
The 13th championship will run from November 3 to 8, 2026. Registration begins on November 2.
Where will the tournament be held?
The event will take place at the five-star Merit Park Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus.
How much prize money is available?
The organizers have allocated €30,000 in added prize money across the tournament divisions. Prize pools funded by players' entry fees are separate and will be added to this amount.
How much does it cost to enter Masters?
The total Masters fee is €500, consisting of a €400 tournament entry fee and a €100 registration fee.
How much does it cost to enter Intermediates?
The total fee is €200. Players must also meet the division's eligibility and ranking requirements.
Is there a women's tournament?
Yes. The Women's Tournament begins on Saturday, November 7, and the total participation fee is €60.
Can players enter the doubles tournament?
Yes. The Ion Ressu Memorial Doubles begins on Friday, November 6. The total entry and registration cost is €400 per team, and the competition features €5,000 in added prize money.
Does Merit Park Hotel offer accommodation discounts?
Yes. Under the Stay 7 – Pay 6 promotion, guests receive seven nights of accommodation for the price of six. A 10% discount also applies to certain paid hotel services.
What is the airport transfer request deadline?
The announced deadline for submitting flight information and requesting group transfers is October 27, 2026.
Conclusion
The 13th Merit Open will take place from November 3 to 8, 2026, in Northern Cyprus. Its main attractions include €30,000 in added prize money, Masters and Intermediates competitions, doubles, jackpots and several side events.
For players planning to attend, tournament entry fees are only part of the budget. Accommodation, flights, airport transfers and division eligibility requirements also affect travel arrangements.
Before finalizing reservations, confirm the latest conditions with the organizers and hotel. In particular, prize distribution calculations, Intermediates eligibility and registration deadlines require verification.
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