Mislav Kovačić

Winning is More Fun

Hailing from Croatia, Mislav Kovacic has swiftly ascended the ranks of international backgammon, leaving an indelible mark on the game in just a few short years. With a keen eye for opportunity and a deep understanding of the game’s intricacies, Kovacic has cemented himself as one of the youngest foremost figures in the backgammon world.

Kovacic’s journey into the realm of competitive backgammon began approximately seven years ago, although it was around five years ago that he began to approach the game with a more serious demeanor. His dedication and natural talent quickly garnered attention, culminating in his attainment of the esteemed title of Grandmaster (G3) in 2016, as bestowed by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB).

In 2019, Kovacic reached the pinnacle of backgammon excellence, clinching the coveted title of the world’s number-one ranked player according to the esteemed World Backgammon Rankings. His dominance extended beyond mere rankings, with over 40 cashes in various tournaments underlining his status as the most successful player in the World Backgammon Internet Federation (WBIF).

For Kovacic, backgammon transcends mere gameplay; it serves as a reflection of one’s character and capacity for growth. He famously remarked, “Backgammon is the art of seeing opportunity in every roll and leveraging it to achieve success.” This philosophy has undoubtedly guided his path to triumph time and again.

Among Kovacic’s many achievements, several standout victories punctuate his illustrious career. From winning the Prague Open in 2016, the Kazan Open LC in 2017 and the German Open in 2019 to clinching the Skopje Open Super Jackpot in 2022, his prowess on the backgammon board knows no bounds. Notable finals appearances in prestigious tournaments such as the Munich Open in 2016, the Frankfurt Masters in 2016, the Merit Open Dubrovnik Super Jackpot in 2016, the Nordic Open in 2018, the UK Open Super Jackpot in 2019, the German Open in 2022 and the Montenegro Grand Prix Main event in 2024 further attest to his consistent excellence.

Kovacic’s mastery of speed gammon sets him apart as a specialist in the realm of rapid decision-making. His ability to navigate complex scenarios under time pressure has propelled him to victory in numerous speedgammon tournaments, including the Nordic Open Speed tournament in 2017, the Beaulieu Challenge Superspeed in 2022, the Jesolo Speedgammon in 2022, the WBIF World Speed Championship in 2022 and the Montenegro Grand Prix Speedgammon in 2024. He also finished 2nd in the World Speedgammon Championship in 2017, the Merit Open Montenegro Superspeed in 2019, the Swedish Open Superspeed in 2019, and the Swedish Open Speedgammon in 2022.

Beyond his individual feats, Mislav Kovacic’s collaborative spirit shines through in his success in doubles events. A testament to his prowess was being invited to the World Team against Denmark in 2017 and winning the European Team Championship in 2015. Kovacic’s adeptness at playing as a cohesive unit has resulted in triumphs in doubles events worldwide, including victories in the Munich and Frankfurt Doubles in 2016. Additionally, he secured commendable 2nd place finishes in the German Open Doubles in 2018, the Cyprus Open Doubles in 2018, and the Venice Doubles in 2019, further solidifying his reputation as a team player par excellence.

As Kovacic continues to compete on both live and online fronts, his passion for the game remains undiminished. His dedication to honing his craft and sharing his expertise with others ensures that his legacy as a backgammon virtuoso will endure for years to come.