Born in Cheltenham UK in 1956, Julian Fetterlein started playing Backgammon in the early Eighties. After a 15 year break with education and employment he returned to the game. Julian has built up a reputation as perhaps the foremost British backgammon match player over the last 15-20 years, and has made a significant impact as a lecturer and teacher/trainer. Many of the newer generation of top players in the UK have thrived from his tutelage.

He achieved a record 16 consecutive wins at BIBA (British Isles Backgammon Association) and obtained the highest ever rating of 2103. After a period of perennial second places in the Bristol Open (twice), the London Open (twice) and the Las Vegas Open, main and consolation he seemingly discovered how to win. His notable recent tournament victories include winning the UK Finals and the UK Open. In 2015 he won the Birmingham Open, the Arena Cup and the first UK BMAB (UK) Ranking Tournament.

He attributes his Grandmaster title to the software developers who have finally produced a program clever enough to understand his game. His online nickname is "joolesf". (photo courtesy of David Startin)