After a thrilling final in Leamington Spa last Sunday (August 31), Ramsgate resident Jay Hayter won the UK Backgammon Federation’s (UKBGF) Open Championship.
Jay, a member of the East Kent Backgammon Club in Canterbury, beat 85 competitors from around the UK and scooped victory over her final opponent with a 9-8 win. #
It was an exciting final, watched by some of the UKs best players, both at Leamington Spa and via live-streamed coverage. Earlier in the game, Jay was 1-8 behind but gradually clawed her way back to win with a nail-biting final game with just 7 seconds remaining on her clock.
Jay, who has been playing competitively for only two years, has already won a number of other UK tournament trophies.
She said: “I’m so happy to be bringing the UK Open Championship title back to Kent. It was a mentally challenging three days of playing backgammon against super talented players from around the UK.”
Jay is also a founding member of the UKBGF’s Women’s Committee, promoting the growth of the game at all levels among under-represented groups, particularly women. She said: “Backgammon is such as accessible sport and open to people of all backgrounds and abilities. It’s a game that requires little knowledge to start with, just the interest to try something new and challenging”.
Jay has helped the East Kent Backgammon Club host a number of get-to-know-the-game events around Canterbury, where members of the public are invited to try out the game of backgammon.
She added: “It’s an exciting time to be part of the game, particularly as the East Kent Backgammon Club will be hosting the UK Open Championship next year, when I may get the opportunity to win the 2026 title!”
Details about the East Kent Backgammon Club can be found at eastkentbackgammonclub.com
Details about the UKBGF can be found at ukbgf.com
Congratulations Jay – well done!
Yes, Well done Jay.