Christos Groutsos, a doctor from Trikala, a city in northwestern Thessaly, Greece, is the best backgammon (better known in Greece as tavli) player in the country. Groutsos has also gained international titles for his playing, as he became world champion in 2009 in international backgammon games.
The doctor from Trikala is highly regarded among the backgammon players nationwide; for two consequent years (2012-2013) he is the reigning champion of tavli in Greece, keeping him at number one in the Elo rating system.
Christos Groutsos lives and works in Trikala, but his reputation as the best backgammon player has passed Greece’s borders. He has even accepted a personal invitation to participate in international backgammon championship in China!
According to thessalianews.gr, Groutsos is a member of the Greek Backgammon Federation for years and has presented the best skills of a clever player, while the Athenian president of the Federation, Michalis Proukakis, talks about him in admiration stating that he is on the top of the pyramid with the best players in the country and is worthy to represent Greece abroad.
Groutsos stated to the local newspaper “Eleftheria” that he begun competitive tavli in the 80’s as a medical student, prompted by a very old player Antonis Maltezopoulos. “Until then I only played tavli in cafes…” he stressed adding that he was challenged by deepening his knowledge of the game.
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