Thursday, July 30, 2026
Column CM167
World Matchplay 2026 – Finals Day
The final day of the World Matchplay in Blackpool was cool, windy, and wet – it began with the Women’s World Matchplay and concluded with the World Matchplay final.
While the Women’s World Matchplay was a high-quality, exciting tournament, the World Matchplay final …
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Charis' Column
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Column CM166
World Matchplay 2026 – Semi-finals (and another debutant!)
The semi-final evening was a rather short affair, largely due to Luke Littler – for him, Dirk van Duijvenbode was essentially little more than a glorified sparring partner.
The evening began with the semi-final between Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen. …
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Charis' Column
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Column CM165
World Matchplay 2026 – Quarter-finals (and another debutant!)
The quarter-finals were played over two evenings, and the only players involved who were not from the United Kingdom were the two Dutchmen, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Gian van Veen. Of all players van Duijvenbode was the only unseeded player.
In …
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Charis' ColumnSaturday, July 25, 2026
Column CM164
World Matchplay 2026 – Round Two
Unlike the first round, the second round offered a few more surprises. It was played over two evenings, with four matches each, featuring thirteen seeded and three unseeded players.
I spent the first evening at home but attended the second in person. There …
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Charis' Column
Friday, July 24, 2026
Column CM163
World Matchplay 2026 – First Round
The first round of the World Matchplay was somewhat overshadowed by the football World Cup; the schedule was only finalized once it was certain that England would not reach the final.
Consequently, reigning champion Luke Littler began his tournament on the opening night, …
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Charis' Column
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Column CM162
World MatchPlay 2026 – Debutants
As happens every year, there will be several debutants at the World Matchplay. Four players will stand on the stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for the first time: Germany’s Niko Springer, Dutchmen Niels Zonneveld and Kevin Doets, and Irishman William O’Connor, who …
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Charis' Column
Monday, June 29, 2026
Column CM161
Double 15, Double 15 – the 60th birthday of a legend
Yes, it is true – Canadian John Part is celebrating his 60th birthday today!
John Part was born in Toronto on June 29, 1966 – the 180th day of the year. He likes to jokingly attribute his career …
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Charis' Column
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Column CM160
The 2026 UK Open – Final Day
After the sixth round, only eight participants remained: three Englishmen, two Welshmen, one Northern Irishman, one Dutchman, and one Pole – Luke Littler, Rob Cross, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, Danny Noppert, and Krzysztof Ratajski.
This reflects the participating …
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Charis' ColumnSunday, March 8, 2026
Column CM159
Day Two of the 2026 UK Open
Day two of the UK Open started a little later. Only two rounds were played – one in each of the two sessions. In the fifth round, only four boards were in use, and in the sixth, only the main and secondary …
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Charis' ColumnSaturday, March 7, 2026
Column CM158
The first day of the 2026 UK Open
While there are numerous debutants on the UK Open stages every year, the field of participants also includes one player who has competed since the inaugural edition in 2003 and another who has been there every year since the second UK …
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Charis' Column