Michael Neagu

The Journey of a Strategic Master

Michael Neagu, hailing from Romania, embarked on his gaming journey at a tender age, mastering both chess and backgammon. However, during his teenage years, he veered towards contract bridge, temporarily shelving his passion for other games. It wasn’t until twenty-five years later that he rekindled his love for backgammon, discovering its intricacies anew, especially the strategic nuances of the doubling cube that eluded him in his youth.

Since re-entering the backgammon scene in 2016, Michael has become a formidable force in tournament play, traversing the American Backgammon Tour with remarkable success. His accolades include victories at prestigious events like ABT Wisconsin, ABT Tampa, Atlanta Masters, and Boston Masters, among others. Noteworthy cashes, including a finalist spot at ABT Los Angeles and Charlotte, solidified his reputation as a top contender.

Venturing beyond American shores in 2019, Michael clinched titles at the Northern Cyprus Open and the Merit Cyprus Super Jackpot, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with on the European circuit. Despite the pandemic-induced hiatus, Michael’s dominance persisted, triumphing in online tournaments and claiming titles such as the UK Legends Invitational and various ABT Online Tour events.

His crowning achievements came in the form of two world championship titles: the 2020 WBIF Online Speedgammon World Championship and the 2021 Live Team World Championship in Trier, Germany, where he represented Team Romania at the pinnacle of backgammon competition.

A scholar by nature, Michael holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and boasts an academic background, having imparted knowledge at esteemed Canadian universities. His mathematical prowess and analytical acumen lend depth to his gameplay, enabling him to navigate complex calculations and devise astute strategies in real-time, making him a formidable adversary across the backgammon board.
Though his live event appearances have dwindled post-2021, Michael’s prowess remains undiminished, evident in his consecutive victories at the Jamaica International Backgammon Championship in 2022 and 2023, the latter shared with his partner Leyla Zaloutskaya. With a blend of mathematical precision and strategic finesse, Michael continues to leave an indelible mark on the backgammon world, cementing his legacy as one of its most formidable players.