Melksham man hosts worldwide backgammon contest for charity

A Melksham man is hosting an international online backgammon tournament featuring some of the world’s top players to raise funds for a local children’s charity.

Ian Hedges will host the tournament, called the Hedgehogs Backgammon Charity Challenge, on 14th November via an online platform. The event is in aid of Stepping Stones in Trowbridge, which supports babies and children aged up to four from across the local area through therapy and developmental support.

“Stepping Stones may well be the most famous children’s charity across the globe,” said Ian. “It is being discussed worldwide, internationally. The response has been amazing.”

Backgammon is a two-player game in which opponents race to move 15 chequers around the board, following the roll of two dice.

The tournament has attracted 128 of the world’s most prestigious players from countries including Japan, Norway, Sweden, Australia and America. Among them are some of the game’s biggest names, including Japanese grand master Michihito Kageyama, the world’s first super grand master Masayuki Mochizuki, German backgammon legend Dirk Schiemann, and Britain’s Oliver Squire.

Ian said, “There will be seven grandmasters, 10 masters and two super grandmasters taking part.

“I have been playing backgammon for 10 years and I won the UK club’s championship with Team Bristol in Liverpool in 2022, so I know my way around but I have never directed a tournament. I won Bristol Rookie of the Year in 2022 and in the backgammon circle, I am known as ‘The Hedgehog’, so that is where the name comes from for this particular event.

“I wanted to run an event online and talk to the greatest players who have ever lived to see how far we can push the barriers. All players are paying a fee to enter and 50% of the fee, which will be about £1,600, will go directly to Stepping Stones.

“It is such an important part of our society, our society is a worldwide society because everyone in the world has bought into this really important mission. It’s been humbling for me.”