No 16 • July - December 1994 Editor: Panos Gerontopoulos Dutch and Germans win PHILIP MORRIS European Mixed

INSIDE 1 EBL Gold Medal to 1 Dutch and Germans tri- David Bardach ...... 2 umph in record-attended 1994 PHILIP MORRIS • Editorial 2 1 European Schools European Mixed Championship introduced • David Bardach honoured 2 Championships ...... 8-9 as Junior Championship • 1994 European Youth Championships 3 takes off in • Letter from the President 4 1 Israel has become a the Netherlands ...... 3 • 9th Worldwide Bridge Contest 4 bridge promise land ...... 11 • Royal distinction to André Boekhorst 5 1 André Boekhorst was • Interview with Jon Baldursson 6 1 European Bridge is ex- honoured by the Queen of • 1994 GENERALI Masters 7 panding 3% every year .. 11 the Netherlands ...... 5 • 1994 PHILIP MORRIS European Mixed 8-9 • Israel: a promise bridge-land 10 1 Meet World Masters 1 How natural or artificial • European Ladies Jamboree 11 champion Jon Baldursson should bidding systems of Iceland ...... 6 • Readers’ Corner 12 be? ...... 12 • Convention Cards get computerized 13 1 Baldursson and Smith • New Books 14 1 How can a Convention win 1994 GENERALI World • Competition Calendar 15 Card be completed with a Masters ...... 7 personal computer ...... 13

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 2 EBL Review July-December 1994

Editorial THE HIGHEST DISTINCTION

Going through the pages of this is- sue, one may notice the ‘inconsisten- EBL Gold Medal cy’ between the growth and the ac- tivities of bridge in certain parts of to David Bardach Europe and the zone as a whole, and the completely different picture which exist in other areas of the con- tinent. This ‘inconsistency’ is not only re- David Bardach of Israel, the lated to bridge, of course, but fol- Honourary Secretary of the European lows the existing situation in almost Bridge League who died last summer, all aspects of life between Western was awarded posthumously and Eastern countries. the EBL Gold Medal for his services The statistical table on page 11 to international bridge for 15 years. speaks better than any words. Al- The Gold Medal Goeffrey Butler of Great Britain though European bridge is steadily is the League’s highest distinction. (1975), Jaime Ortiz-Patiño of growing, the increase in membership Only three other persons Switzerland (1983) and does not come from where it is most have received it in the past: Nils Jensen of Sweden (1987). needed, but from the countries whose figures are - and have been for many years - prospering. The cure of this imbalance is the Debbie Wolff (1936-1994) most serious challenge we face to- day. In theory, everything is clear: Debbie Wolff, wife of Her amiable character the EBL and the developed countries World Bridge Federation won the hearts of the peo- should help, while the countries who President Bobby Wolff ple she met and worked get the help must make good use of died 5 April, after a long with. Europeans have a it. battle against cancer. vivid remembrance of her In practice, the situation leaves An ACBL Life Master visit to the Menton Cham- much to be desired. Despite the un- and a fine player, Debbie pionships last year - and, questionable good will, the lack of a offered great support to quite appropriately, EBL specific plan for the support of the her husband, especially President José Damiani Eastern countries is obvious. Unfor- during his term as Pres- dedicated the 1994 GEN- tunately, circumstantial help is not ident of the ACBL and ERALI Masters to her going to win the battle. then of the WBF. memory. On the other hand, it is not con- structive that almost all the help re- quested by the Eastern countries has the form of financial support for the Ed Theus (1913-1994) participation of certain players in big tournaments. Offers, like the Promo- Ed Theus, President of Directors in 1961 and was time he was First Vice tion Week seminar organized by the the World Bridge Feder- re-elected eight times, President. He was later ap- EBL last year, pass more or less un- ation Congress, died at the serving a record 27 con- pointed President of the noticed, although they touch upon age of 80, in Oklahoma secutive years on the WBF Congress, which po- the core of the problem. City, USA, 3 April 1994. board. He was President of sition he retained until last All of us need, therefore, a new at- Ed Theus was a talented ACBL in 1969 and Chair- year. titude. The situation is not easy, nor player, and had many suc- man of the Board in 1970. Ed Theus captained will the problems be solved in a day. cesses at the bridge table In 1989, he was named North American teams to However, if we don’t start, we shall including second place in ACBL President Emeritus, the Bermuda Bowl twice. never finish. And we must finish, for the ACBL Life Masters the only person so hon- As a lawyer, he had a the sake of bridge - and all of us. Pairs 1966. However, it oured. keen interest on the Laws was as an administrator In 1969, Theus was of the game. He served on and a tireless worker for elected North American the ACBL Laws Commis- the game that he made his delegate to the World sion, and chaired the mark in North America Bridge Federation and International Laws Com- and World bridge. joined the WBF Executive mission which revised the Theus was first elected Council. He remained Laws of Duplicate Bridge to the ACBL Board of there until 1986, at which in 1987.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS July-December 1994 EBL Review 3 Spectacular launch of the European Schools Championship

Palaiseau 1992 The European School Team Championship, the new official tournament open exclusively to players up to 20 years old, is making a most spectacular launch. Thirteen countries have announced their participation in the inaugural event which starts in Arnhem, The Netherlands, 18 July 1994. The tournament will run as a separate series at the same time as the established European Junior Team Championship which is for players up to 25. The two se- ries together form the European Youth Team Championships. The 14th European Junior Championship starts in Arnhem a few days earlier, 15 July, to accommodate entries from 22 countries. Both series will end 24 July. Every European NCBO is entitled to July, followed by the first round of play. enter one team in each of the two series - Commencing Saturday, three matches Juniors and Schools. The winner will be will be played each day, but some ses- determined by the result of a round-robin sions will be left free for sightseeing and Some concentrate on the future, while others are still exploring the past ... of 20-board matches played by all partici- for giving players the opportunity of get- pants. ting together and socializing. The wel- In the Juniors, the new European come for the Schools participants is on champions will receive the David Pigot Monday 18 July; play will follow the Cup, earning the right, together with the same schedule as the Juniors. other medallists, to represent Europe in Vugraph will be in operation during all the 5th World Junior Championship sessions, admittance to the playing rooms scheduled to take place in Bali, Indo- will be limited. nesia, next summer. The first ever Euro- The Daily Bulletin will be transmitted pean champions of the Schools series will all over the world daily by means of the be awarded a new Cup, especially donat- Internet electronic world-wide network. ed by EBL President José Damiani. The Prize-giving Ceremony for both The venue of this year’s Champion- series is on the evening of Sunday 24 ... How it went? ships is the magnificent National Sports July. This will mark the end of a demand- I am not at all sure; it could be bad ... Center Papendal, situated on the outskirts ing event which is expected to go on of Arnhem. Many Dutch national teams record as one of the best organized ever. train in this center and the facilities are This is guaranteed by the experience and superb. great efforts of the Dutch Bridge Feder- The Opening Ceremony for the Juniors ation, and the support of many interna- will take place the evening of Friday 15 tional experts in the various fields.

The PEPSI International The 2nd University Youth Bridge Festival Championship

... who cares? An International Youth Three tournaments followed: Following the first most Let’s calculate the results first ... Festival was held in Den a Swiss Teams for Juniors and successful event last year in Bosch, the Netherlands, 12-16 Under-20s, a pairs tournament Antwerp, the 2nd European January 1994, sponsored by for Pupils (aged 12-15) and a University Bridge Cham- PEPSI. Minibridge event for players pionship will take place in Eight European countries 9-12 years old. Lisbon, Portugal, 22-28 (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, The Swiss Junior Teams August 1994. France, Germany, Great Brit- were won by Netherlands II, The event is organized by the European Community ain, Italy and Poland) were in- with Great Britain second and Bridge League and Federa- vited to send teams to join two Denmark third. The best under- çao Portuguesa de Bridge, Dutch teams in the main com- 20s team was Poland. under the auspices of FISU, petition. A full house with more than and it is open to one national The main team tournament, 250 players, guests, parents, team from each country of played as a round-robin, was spectators and the Press, was the European Union. won by Denmark. Great Brit- enough for the organizers to For information and en- ... and then we can speculate, ain finished second and Italy announce a 16-nation event tries, please contact the while waiting for the scores! third. next year. Portuguese Federation.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 4 EBL Review July-December 1994

Letter from Playing bridge with pleasure the President Following Menton, this is the sec- The image of bridge has improved ond time we heard words of praise tremendously, as the result of the gen- from the hotels we used for our tour- eral improvement of the players’ atti- naments. They both extended their tude. wish to have us back again and Despite the pressure of the game at again... this high level, the relationship of the oday, For all of us - players and adminis- players with one another and with the I am particularly pleased to be T trators - this carries, of course, a sig- organizers, the Press, the kibitzers and addressing the players. nificant meaning, since not only is our the hotel staff was a model of courtesy There is no doubt that the aim of the economic power and enthusiasm. fully recognized, European Bridge League is to offer We are on the way of making bridge but we are also our players the best possible organiza- more and more attractive, at least for liked as individu- tion and playing conditions at our the players themselves. Hopefully, this events, since in this way we enable als. will soon be extended to the specta- them to have a pleasant time at the The second tors, too. game. contest of this We must take into account the dif- That’s the reason why I am so proud year was the ference between people who like to of our most recent tournaments. GENERALI watch football or tennis, and those Thanks to the encouragement and Masters who like to play bridge. support of PHILIP MORRIS, the Championships. We should be pleased that we have European Mixed Championships set Here, we expe- achieved at least one of our goals: to a new record last March in Barcelona. rienced the same enjoy our game. A record, not only in terms of num- favourable situa- Thank you for playing bridge with bers, but also regarding the fantastic tion. pleasure! ambiance we all enjoyed in a magnifi- cent venue. Despite the difficult task they faced, I t is significant for the management and personnel of the bridge players to be liked Pricesa Sofia Hotel were very courte- ous and efficient. also as individuals

New Zealanders win 9th Worldwide Bridge Contest

The 9th Worldwide Bridge The best Europeans were Eiffel Tower in Paris, the White E/W in Stockholm. Contest, held in bridge clubs M.Hoskins-A.Southwell of House Hotel in London and the At the same time, a ‘long dis- all over the globe on 10 and 11 Great Britain who finished in Grand Hotel in Stockholm. At tance computer match’ was June, was a great success. fifth place with 1844 p., and the the same time, Chinese players, played using EPSON comput- Nearly 100,000 players spread best North Americans Sue J. including the Vice Prime Min- ers linked by modem. in 5 continents, 90 countries Cooper-Hugh W. Hughes of ister and several Ministers, Elisabeth Delor and Colette and 3,000 cities took part in the USA, who ended up sixth with could watch heats being played Lise competed from the Eiffel ever popular tournament. 1792 p. in Paris. Tower against Kay Praddy This year, the winners came Other high towers where and Norman Salway who from New Zealand. Playing in Technology at the top heats where held were Mont- played at the White House the Wangharei club, A. Bouw- real’s Olympic Tower, New Hotel in London. The match er and J.Ruddell scored 1932 The high level of the tourna- York’s Empire State Building ended with the French pair win- points to top the general classi- ment was matched by the tech- and the American Club in ning 54 to 46. fication. They were followed nical resources provided by Tokyo. The special ‘tourna- As always, participants of the by Fournier-Hedoux (1873 p.) FRANCE TELECOM, the tech- ment of the stars’ held there Worldwide contest were bene- who played in Saudi Arabia, nical partner of the event. was won by Michel Abecassis fited from a well-designed and Liyanming-Hanwenz- Thanks to satellite links, pic- and Philippe Soulet playing booklet containing all of the hong of China (1862 p.) tures of the heat being played in N/S in Paris, and Tommy hands of the tournament, ex- The two biggest zones did the People’s Great Hall in Gullberg and Madeleine pertly analyzed by Omar not repeat last year’s success. Beijing could be viewed at the Swanström who played as Sharif.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS July-December 1994 EBL Review 5

Boekhorst receives royal distinction

André Boekhorst, First Vice President of the European Bridge League, received a high level distinction by the Queen of the Netherlands for his contribution to bridge over many years.

oekhorst, 60, entered the Exec- knighthood Oranje Nassau for his great • Henk van Aarst (NBB Honourary B utive Committee of Nederlandse contribution. This is the third highest dis- Member and former Treasurer): A perfect Bridge Bond (NBB) as a member tinction in the Netherlands, out of a total leader who kept bridge out of scandals in 1965. In 1974 he became Honourary of 30 distinctions. and negative publicity. He could have Secretary and served at this post until Boekhorst was active in almost all stayed for years and years without losing 1989, when he was unanimously elected fields, and especially the Juniors. He the overwhelming support he always en- President. considers the introduction of bridge in joyed; unfortunately for NBB, he found At the European level, André Boek- the world of politicians and business that he had enough. horst became active for the first time in leaders as his greatest achievement. • Jaap Kokkes (former top player): A 1968, when he became the Chairman of Indeed, bridge is nowadays fully accept- diplomat, who gets along with everyone. the then newly-founded EBL Youth ed and recognized in the Netherlands. • Enri Leufkens (World Champion): Committee and organized the 1st Euro- During his presidency he set the goal The first charming, nice and humorous pean Junior Championship in Prague. He of the NBB’s reaching a total member- President I have seen. His speeches... - remained at the same post for 17 years, ship of 100,000! At the time of his pre- my goodness, nobody is better! during which European Junior Bridge mature resignation, NBB membership • Ton Schipperheyn (Author and rose to full status. In 1973 he was elected stood at an astonishing 97,000. This is Administrator): He gave so many impuls- to the Executive Committee, and was re- the highest in Europe, and the second es. Wherever he went activity started and elected in 1977 and 1981. In 1983 he be- highest in the World following the people got busy and worked hard. An in- came the League’s Second Vice Pres- United States - a country with a popula- spiring leader who left the scene once he ident and in 1987 its First Vice President. tion of 250,000,000 compared to had made everybody busy. Holland’s 15,000,000. Premature resignation • Heleen van der Velde (Principal of Great Leader the school where Boekhorst is employ- Boekhorst stepped down from the ed): He creates superb pedagogical cli- Presidency of Nederlandse Bridge Bond Perhaps André Boekhorst’s personality max with great sense of humour and he is last June, rejecting widespread pressure is best described through the comments always relaxed with the students. I would to continue in office. of prominent people and his collabora- praise God if I had only people like him. At the NBB Annual General Meeting tors in the Netherlands. Here is a small held in Aardenburg, Zoeland, 250 repre- collection of such comments as pub- Epilogue sentatives of the Federation’s 30 districts lished in the Dutch Press: What does André Boekhorst say bid farewell to the person who had serv- • Til Gardeniers (Minister of Culture about himself? As always he keeps it ed the game more than anybody else in and personal friend): André is a man I short but right to the point: Enough is the country for 29 consecutive years! like to meet every day. A great leader enough! My successor, Laurens Hoede- It was most fitting that Her Majesty’s with an impressive social engagement maker, is 16 years younger and a very the Queen of the Netherlands chose this who made bridge so popular in the good one. Thanks to everybody for the moment for awarding him the order of Netherlands. support they offered me.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 6 EBL Review July-December 1994

FACTFILE Meet... • Born 1954; married with 3 children • 1986 Olympiad: Reached last 6 of Rosenblum in Miami Beach • 1988: Won Nordic championships • 1989: 2nd in Cavendish Calcutta, New York • 1991: Fourth in European Team Championships in Killarney • 1991: Won NEC Bermuda Bowl in Yokohama • 1994: Won first GENERALI World Masters in Paris Jon Baldursson

Patrick Jourdain interviews Iceland’s World Champion

Congratulations, Jon, on win- We finished fourth in the Europeans cause I thought it handicapped some of ning the Second GENERALI held in Killarney, and, luckily for us, this the other competitors more. I don’t play Masters, but the first to which was the first time the top four had quali- rubber bridge, but that didn’t seem to be the world’s best players have fied for the Bermuda Bowl. We went on a disadvantage. My policy of opening been invited. Can we start, Yokohama and won. light seemed to work well. please, however, at the begin- It was the first Open World Team title ning. for Iceland in any sport. The final was What are your interests outside I was born in 1954 in Reykjavik, to a broadcast live from Japan onto prime bridge? large family where my father was a man- time television and radio in Iceland, and I am a 21-handicap golfer. We have ager in the fishing industry. I am now an it was front-page news in all the papers. many courses in Iceland, but, sadly, can accountant with Icelandair. We were treated as heroes when we re- only play 5 months of the year. As a turned, and a grateful government gave a I am married to Elin Bjarnadottir, with youngster I was a good chess player with headquarters to our Federation. two boys aged 6 and 8, and a teenage an ELO rating of 1875, but I gave it up at step-son. the age of 16. We were told the Icelandic team had strenuous physical training How did you start playing If you had a magic wand and before Yokohama. Is that true? bridge? could change something about Yes. We climbed mountains, and met modern bridge, what would it I left school when I was 18, and started twice a week in a gym for football, bas- be? training as a printer. The same year I was ketball, and weight-training. Stamina is taught bridge by my friends, and began I would like all systems, even Strong important in these long bridge events. going to the local club. Two years later I Pass, to be permitted at a much lower Even now we have five pairs training for was selected for the Icelandic Junior level. It might seem unfair at first, but the 1995 Europeans, twice a week. My team, and the following year I was in the people would find the strange methods new partner is Thorbjornsson, who won Open team which went to the 1975 Euro- became familiar. pean Championships held in Brighton. the Nordic championships in ‘88 and ‘92. Would you like to end with a What successes have you had How did you find playing in the message for the bridge public? Individual this year in Paris? with Iceland in international Don’t worry, be happy! I used to be irri- bridge? You need luck to win, of course. The oth- tated at the table, but things have gone We did well in the 1986 Olympiad, er competitors were kind enough to play better for me since I became more even- reaching the last six of the Rosenblum, better when they partnered me, than tempered. and a couple of years later we won the when they played against me! Nordic Championships. But the key year My usual system is Strong Club, but I Thank you, Jon, for your time. was 1991. was happy to play the standard one be- And well done indeed.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS July-December 1994 EBL Review 7

Jon Baldursson of Iceland Nicola Smith of Great Britain win GENERALI World Masters

Following the great success of the GENERALI European The 2nd GENERALI Masters Individual was a triumph Individual in 1992, the project was repeated and expanded for the European players. Jon Baldursson of Iceland won the this year to include expert players from all WBF Zones. Men’s series, followed by Christian Mari and J.-M.Roudi- 52 men players and 28 women gathered in Paris’ Sofitel nesco of France, and Jan Westerhof of the Netherlands, while Hotel, 27-29 April, to compete in this prestigious tournament Nicola Smith of Great Britain, P.Flodqvist of Sweden and in which only natural bidding systems were allowed. B.Cronier of France topped the Women’s series.

Almost all top European players were Flodqvist of Sweden did well in the first MEN present in Paris, while the USA was rep- and second sessions respectively, but at resented by Edgar Kaplan and Hugh the end the British champion prevailed in 1 BALDURSSON ICE 55.17 Ross in the Men, and Kerri Sanborn style to win the event by no less than 4%! 2 MARI FRA 55.10 (previously Shuman) in the Women. The 3 ROUDINESCO FRA 54.17 key figures from the other Zones were - WESTERHOF NTH 54.17 Zia Mahmood of Pakistan, Gabriel WOMEN 5 VERSACE ITA 53.82 Chagas of Brazil, Steve Hamaoui of 6 CHAGAS BRA 53.48 Venezuela and Zwang Weili of China. 1 SMITH GBR 61.21 7 SZWARC FRA 53.26 The Men 2 FLODQVIST SWE 57.51 3 CRONIER FRA 56.28 8 ABECASSIS FRA 53.18 The Men’s series was played in four 9 HELGEMO NOR 52.76 sessions. Henri Szwarc of France took 4 LINDINGER AUT 54.53 10 FORRESTER GBR 52.24 an early lead with an exceptional score 5 VAN DER PAS NTH 53.70 11 HAMAOUI VEN 51.92 (67.56%), followed by Gabriel Chagas. 6 MIDSKOG SWE 53.19 12 ROHOWSKY GER 51.78 One session later, Szwarc and Chagas 7 VRIEND NTH 52.47 13 ROBSON GBR 51.77 were still doing well, but Mari and Rou- 8 BESSIS FRA 52.37 14 MORATH SWE 51.22 dinesco had overtaken them. Neverthe- 9 VON ARNIM GER 51.95 15 SOULET FRA 50.94 less, the tournament had a new leader:the 10 LANDY GBR 51.65 sole Icelander in the field, Jon Baldurs- 16 SUSSEL FRA 50.83 11 LISE FRA 51.54 son. The battle for the title continued al- 17 JANSEN NTH 50.74 most until the end, but Baldursson was 12 GAVIARD FRA 51.23 18 DUMBOVICH HUN 50.68 not to be beaten. He finished first, closely 13 ZENKEL GER 51.13 19 FUCIK AUT 50.59 followed by Mari, with Roudinesco and 14 FISCHER AUT 50.41 20 BIRMAN ISR 50.59 Westerhof of the Netherlands 1% behind. 15 ERHART AUT 50.21 21 DE BOER NTH 50.50 The Women 16 BROCK GBR 50.00 22 BESSE SWI 50.49 17 ROVERA ITA 49.90 23 AUJALEU FRA 50.42 This series was played in three ses- 18 AVON FRA 48.56 24 FLODQVIST SWE 50.36 sions, and Nicola Smith of Great Britain 19 RYMAN SWE 48.46 went ahead from the very beginning. 25 LEBEL FRA 50.36 Véronique Bessis of France and Pyttsi 20 WEIGKRICHT AUT 47.74

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 8 EBL Review The Netherlands win PHILIP European Mixed Teams EUROPEAN The 3rd PHILIP MORRIS European Mixed Cham- by Danish Judy NORRIS and the pionships, held in Hotel Princesa Sofia, Barcelona, French combination of Hervé MOUIEL. Spain, 22-27 March 1994, was a record success. It was the first time that France did not 110 teams from 24 countries took part in the first win the European Mixed Teams title, although tournament, the Mixed Teams, where the Dutch team they qualified two teams to the semifinals. CHO- of Marijke van der PAS won the gold medal, followed DOROWSKA of Poland won the Consolation Swiss.

The MIXED TEAMS started as a 12- round swiss tournament; at stake was one of the first four qualifying places. France, the title holders and winners of the previous two events, started well, but was strongly challenged by Greece, Finland, Germany and Belgium. The situation changed after the half- way mark, and, with four rounds to go, the top six contenders were all from dif- ferent countries: Poland, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Germany and France. At the end of the swiss, van der Pas of the Netherlands qualified first, followed by Norris of Denmark, and two French The victorious van der PAS team of the Netherlands; below teams: Mouiel and Lesguillier. left runners-up NORRIS of Denmark and right MOUIEL of France In the semifinals, van der Pas had no difficulty beating Lesguillier, 57-14, and advancing to the final, but the other match was close with Norris emerging as winners by a margin of 9 IMPs, 51-42. Van der Pas’ top form was confirmed in the final, which was close only in the first half. The final score of 78-24 gave the Dutch (Marijke van der Pas, Kees Tammens, Anton Maas, Bep Vriend) a well-deserved European title.

MIXED TEAMS

1 van der Pas NTH 11 Lise FRA 255 22 van der Neut NTH 241 2 Norris DEN 12 Handley GBR 254 23 Lalanne FRA 240 3 Mouiel FRA 13 Corn FRA 254 24 Roussel FRA 240 4 Lesguiller FRA 14 Dussol FRA 252 25 Kaplan FRA 239 15 Koumetz FRA 250 26 Gotard GER 239 5 Chodorowska POL 262 16 von Arnim GER 249 27 Toibin IRE 239 6 Vlahaki GRE 257 17 Burgay ITA 249 28 Barry IRE 239 7 Glazer FRA 257 18 Baxter GBR 245 29 Schaufelberger FRA 239 8 Foley GBR 256 19 Das FRA 245 30 Lara POR 239 9 Serf FRA 256 20 Harasimovicz POL 243 31 Delmouly FRA 238 10 Polet BEL 255 21 Velut FRA 241 32 Pascual Soler SPA 237

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS MORRIS EBL Review 9 Germany wins European Mixed Pairs

With 374 pairs from 29 countries tak- The silver medal went to Andrea and Kurt FEICHT- ing part, the Mixed Pairs competition also INGER of Austria, and the bronze to Daniele surpassed any previous record of attendance. ALOUCHE-GAVIARD and Alain LEVY of France. Amidst Europe’s finest players, Sabine The Consolation tournament for the non-qualifiers ZENKEL and Georg NIPPGEN of Germany scor- gave the opportunity for a first-ever international dis- CHAMPIONSHIPSed a clear victory, finishing well ahead of the field. tinction for Russia, thanks to PANINA-ROSENBLUM.

The MIXED PAIRS was played in two stages: qualifying and final, with a consolation tournament provided for those failing to qualify. From the very beginning, Odile Olivier and Frank Louchart of France led the race of the front runners, closely followed by Zenkel-Nippgen, and a num- ber of other pairs further behind. The Germans took the lead after the first session of the final, when Olivier- Louchart dropped to fifth place. Aben- Lormant and Gaviard-Levy of France, to- gether with Colonna-Ligambi of Italy were placed in between. The final session was a triumph for Austria’s Andrea and Kurt Feichtinger Pair winners Sabine Zenkel and Georg Nippgen of Germany; below who came from behind to end up second, runners-up K. & A. Feichtinger (Austria), and third-placed D.Gaviard-A.Levy (France) but Sabine Zenkel and Georg Nippgen were not to be caught. Improving their position, Daniele Allouche-Gaviard and Alain Levy of France finished third. The 1994 PHILIP MORRIS European Mixed Championships was also a great organizational success, thanks both to the sponsor’s generous support and the great efforts of the PHILIP MORRIS Market- ing Manager Pierre Balliger.

MIXED PAIRS

• FINAL 11 Nehmert-Marsal GER 55.66 • CONSOLATION 1 Zenkel-Nippgen GER 59.78 12 Oldroyd-Davies GBR 55.47 1 Panina-Rosenblum RUS 57.37 2 Feichtinger-Feichtinger AUT 58.31 13 Polet-Polet BEL 55.23 2 Eythorsdottir-Palsson ICE 57.25 3 Allouche-Levy FRA 58.13 14 Lesguillier-Lesguillier FRA 55.19 3 Joegne-Schweitzer FRA 57.25 4 Guillaumin-Guillaumin FRA 57.79 15 Riberol-Pacault FRA 54.98 4 Stawowy-Kirmse GER 56.97 5 Riviere-Voldoire FRA 57.46 16 Babot-Graupera SPA 54.97 5 Sanders-McCarthy GBR 56.61 6 Aben-Lormant FRA 57.33 17 Sicard-Defranchi FRA 54.46 6 Forti-Forti ITA 55.92 7 Colonna-Ligambi ITA 56.85 18 Ollivier-Louchart FRA 54.36 7 Kass-Kass FRA 55.86 8 Terraneo-Terraneo AUT 56.28 19 Vriend-Maas NTH 54.33 8 van Zwol-Berendregt NTH 55.25 9 Crozet-Crozet FRA 55.97 20 Nahmens-Adad FRA 54.23 9 Deleva-Cheprokov BUL 55.17 10 Poulain-Bo FRA 55.83 21 von Arnim-Reps GER 54.06 10 Almirall-Marimon SPA 55.10

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 10 EBL Review July-December 1994 Israel: a promise bridge-land

• 10,000 members in 50 clubs • Good international record • Annual Festival • Government supports bridge

our juniors won the gold medal. Interview with In 1975, the Open team came second in the Europeans and third in the subse- quent Bermuda Bowl. Ten years later Seligman and I were in the Israeli Open team which repeated both these results. At the last Olympiad in Salsomaggiore we won our Round Robin pool, and last year we won the European Community championships. Our Women won the Community title in 1991, and have had several second places in major championships. Tell me about the Annual Israeli Festival. Tell me something, David, about the structure of the Israeli It is held in Tel Aviv in February. It start- Federation and your role within ed in 1966 and we now attract over a it. thousand players for 10 days. Last year we had over a hundred visitors from We have about 50 affiliated clubs with some 20 countries, and five different some 10,000 members. Of these 6,000 continents! Many of them are well- join the Federation individually to play in David Birman known names, and our Invitation Pairs in tournaments. The clubs elect delegates to Official of the memory of Rixi Markus was very strong. an Electoral College which chooses a Israeli Bridge Federation Over the 10 days there was $20,000 in Council of 50, and an Executive Board of by Patrick Jourdain five. The Chairman is Meir Shani. The cash prizes. Federation has an office in Haifa with three employees. years. Does the Israeli Government I have been a member of the Israeli support bridge? team for 15 years, but I also have three What are Israel’s main achieve- Yes. The Minister of Education, Culture main administrative tasks: chairman of ments in international bridge? and Sport, who opened the Festival this the Youth Committee, editor of the year, has written to every school recom- monthly Israeli bridge magazine which is We have a good record in Junior bridge. mending bridge. A few schools now have sent free to every family with a member, In 1972 I was in the team (another mem- bridge as a compulsory subject in the age and chairman of the annual Festival in ber was Shalom Seligman who has been group 11-13, and several more have in- Tel Aviv. my partner for the last 12 years), which cluded it as an optional subject. Bridge is finished second in the Junior Europeans. recognized under the patronage of the What is the history of the Israeli The Juniors did the same in 1990 to qual- Department of Sports, and receives a Federation? ify for the World Junior Championship in small grant from the Government in con- Ann Arbor, USA, the following year It was originally formed in 1948, but on a sequence. Card-playing is banned in the small scale. It did not take up its current where they took fifth place. Israeli army, but bridge has special dis- structure until the early ‘60s. We have Israel has been invited as a guest team pensation! shown steady growth in membership to the last three European Community since then, doubling in size in the last ten Championships, and last year in Portugal Thank you for your time.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS July-December 1994 EBL Review 11

The European Ladies Jamboree, organized by Anna Maria Torlonta- no and the EBL Ladies Committee in Capri, was an outstanding success. The wonderful surroundings and the excellent organization contributed to numerous requests for regular repetitions of this event. The Jamboree champion was Marisa Jeitz, President of the Federation of Luxembourg. European Bridge continues to expand

European bridge continues to expand ations, having increased their registered some countries, this is due to a different at a satisfactory rate. members by nearly 50%. Portugal (43%), method of recording the members. The latest figures, recently released by Greece (33%) and Switzerland (27%) are All in all, the figures prove that Euro- the EBL Treasurer, show that, over the following. pean bridge is indeed prospering. The past five years, EBL membership rose Unfortunately, there are also Feder- main problem is not the total growth but from 292,870 in 1989 to 335,832 mem- bers in 1994. This represents an increase ations who lost members; most notably the great imbalance which exist between of 14.67%, or an annual average of Poland, who dropped by 23%, and Hung- the member countries in the development 2.93%, which although lower than in the ary, who is now missing almost one third of the game. This is where efforts should 80s, still constitutes a satisfactory growth of its previous membership. However, in be sharply focused. rate. At the same time, the number of mem- Country 1989 1994 Dif. % Country 1989 1994 Dif. % ber countries went up quite dramatically: from 28 to 39! Nevertheless, the increase 1 Austria 1,698 1,895 11.60 21 Lebanon 300 201 -33.00 in the number of players did not come 2 Belarus -- 194 22 Liechtenstein -- 105 from the new member countries. 3 Belgium 7,053 8,120 15.13 23 Lithuania -- 139 As shown by the table on the right (fig- 4 Bulgaria 800 500 -37.50 24 Luxembourg 108 180 66.67 ures actually refer to the last day of the 5 Croatia -- 366 25 Monaco 155 168 8.39 previous year), the registered players’ in- 6 Czechoslovakia 1,000 603 -39.70 26 Netherlands 66,446 92,553 39.29 crease is mainly due to the further devel- 7 Denmark 15,237 18,288 20.02 27 Norway 16,102 14,870 -7.65 opment of the game in the countries 8 Estonia -- 491 28 Poland 12,764 9,855 -22.79 9 Faroe Islands -- 290 29 Portugal 630 904 43.49 which have traditionally been leading the 10 Finland 1,784 1,838 3.03 30 Romania -- 1,042 field. 11 France 70,000 85,350 21.93 31 Russia -- 1,050 Quite remarkably, the Netherlands, 12 Germany 17,085 22,064 29.14 32 San Marino 100 77 -23.00 despite being Europe’s biggest Feder- 13 Great Britain 29,903 39,747 32.92 33 Slovenia -- 148 ation, still succeeded to increase their 14 Greece 1,366 1,817 33.02 34 Spain 2,852 3,368 18.09 membership by nearly 40% over the past 15 Hungary 1,468 1,010 -31.20 35 Sweden 15,143 17,000 12.26 five years. Other big Federations did also 16 Iceland 3,250 3,600 10.77 36 Switzerland 2,540 3,215 26.57 very well: Italy (37%), Great Britain 17 Ireland 2,175 3,212 47.68 37 Turkey 1,000 1,000 0.00 (33%), Germany (29%), France (22%), 18 Israel 5,411 5,896 8.96 38 Ukraine -- 200 19 Italy 16,100 21,980 36.52 39 Yugoslavia 400 -- Denmark (20%). 20 Latvia -- 500 Ireland is leading the smaller Feder- Total 292,870 335,832 14.67

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 12 EBL Review July-December 1994 Systems & Restrictions

Jens Auken of Denmark, Chairman of the EBL Systems Committee, replies:

Danny Roth of Great and the game as a whole a. At present, ‘disruptive’ Britain feels that action must would have a far better repu- and ‘incomprehensible’ bid- be taken to improve the situa- tation and greater popularity. ding systems are only allowed tion in the bidding depart- In any event, psyching can at a very high and expert lev- ment. He summarises his never be justified in long es- el, and only when the players views in four points: tablished partnerships who involved have adequate time c. Here I tend to agree. a. It is crucial for the con- instinctively ‘know’ each oth- to prepare their defence (i.e. However, great efforts have tinued existence of the game ers habits and mannerisms. in long team matches). It is already been made to ensure that all players of all stan- c. Players should be in- very common in all forms of more complete disclosure in dards play to the same rules structed to give far clearer sports and games that compe- the future (e.g. the new com- so that the test is of who has definitions of conventional tition gets more fierce and puterized WBF Convention better card play and bidding bids, including negative infer- tough at the top, and quite fre- Card). Deliberately withhold- judgment rather than who can ences. Exchange of informa- quently special rules require ing information from the op- come up with the most disrup- tion by negative inference more expertise to compete at ponents should clearly be tive and incomprehensible which is not clearly spelt out the very top. Bridge should heavily penalized. bidding system. ‘No fear’ and to opponents is by the Laws - not be an exception by deny- d. It is far from obvious ‘two-tier’ tournaments should and common sense, for that ing experts the possibility of why a conventional bid never exist. matter - cheating. Heavy pro- developing the game further should give a clear indication b.To avoid psyching, frivo- cedural penalties should be under extremely demanding of where the partnership is lous interference and the ab- imposed on offenders so that conditions. Only the biggest likely to play, when this is not use of favourable vulnerabili- they make a special effort to challenge usually brings the required even from natural ty, the insolence penalty scale be completely sporting on this best out of human beings. bids. For example, an opening should be introduced at all point. b. Mr Roth seems to state bid of 1NT does not necessar- levels of bridge and in all d. Bids with multiple mean- that psyching bidding and ily mean that the partnership forms of scoring. If psyching ings should be banned - par- wild sacrifices at favourable will end up in any number of bidding had been banned, the ticularly those which are ‘ei- vulnerability virtually guaran- notrumps. unhappy events of Buenos ther weak or strong’. A con- tee a good result. This is far The real problem when de- Aires in the 60s and the Am- ventional bid should give a from reality. Saving at fa- fending against multi-mean- erican trials a few years later clear indication of where the vourable vulnerability always ing opening bids is very often would never have happened partnership is likely to play. gives up the opportunity of that no take-out doubles or setting the contract - a bad cue bids are available. This proposition, in the long run. has already been realized and In comparison, when you psy- taken into consideration: mul- Politicians to support bridge che, you may not only fool ti-meaning bids at the two- or your opponents but also your higher level which do not Bernard Brighton of Great throughout Europe that also partner. This can easily lead clearly relate to a specific suit Britain sent a letter to Richard recognise bridge. to a ridiculous result, and it is are only allowed in long team Caborn, Member of the British Whilst many sports activities one of the reasons why bridge matches (of at least 16 Parliament, seeking his support receive grants and support to players do in fact psyche very boards) when the opposition for the recognition of bridge as a help keep the players physically rarely. Of course, proper dis- has adequate time to prepare sport by the British Government. fit and active, it is our view that Mr Brighton enclosed a copy bridge helps to keep the mind ac- closure of a partnership’s ‘ha- their defence. The only ex- of the interview with Ib Lundby tive and, being just as important, bits’ must always be given, ception is the Multi 2" open- (EBL Review, issue 15) which should also be recognised. It is a and there should be no ‘pri- ing which is very familiar to shows that “... in Denmark, great help in old age - even if vate’ understandings. players all over the world. enough political pressure was (some would say) ‘it helps you to found to persuade the Danish get there quickly’. Sports Organisation to change Perhaps there could be a place its rules and create a new mind- for bridge in the list of beneficia- Bridge and smoking sports section which contains ries from the New National Lot- chess and bridge. tery. Bridge organisations in William Konigsberger of only the smokers suffer but also The Byelorussian Sports Britain have, between them, far Switzerland is in favour of intro- those who breathe the second- Council is no stranger to the more members than Denmark ducing measures against smok- hand smoke. game of chess, and bridge was where an annual grant of ing at bridge tournaments. Non-compulsory measures recognised some three years ago. 2,000,000 Danish Kroner is now Nicotine kills thousands of have not produced any result; the There are many countries received.” people every year, he says; not world of bridge must now act.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS July-December 1994 EBL Review 13 Convention Cards get computerized!

For years and years bridge players all over the world have The programme, written by Avery Pelag of Israel and ac- spent endless hours trying to fill their Convention Cards in quired by the World Bridge Federation, will be available to order to comply with tournament regulations for system all NCBOs in August. disclosure. Now this tedious task becomes much easier It is provided free of charge as a service to bridge players thanks to the Convention Card Editor (CCE), a computer worldwide. NCBOs are encouraged to make any number of programme through which Convention Cards can be pro- programme copies and distribute them freely to all interest- duced in a few minutes! ed players.

Eric Kokish, WBF Systems Adminis- you don’t start from scratch but from The use of the CCE for the Albuquer- trator, gives the details: the Precision Club template which que NEC World Championships in you bring on-line and make your ad- September is optional, but strongly en- The programme requires an IBM-com- ditions or corrections, thus saving couraged. If you have any difficulties, patible computer, 286 or higher running hours of basic input time you will be able to get plenty of help and under DOS, with at least 640KB of RAM 6. retain different versions of your card advice in using the programme at the and a floppy drive that accepts 3.5” high tournament site, so please obtain a copy density disks. To print your completed that can be altered easily when you want to make changes of the programme from your Federation card, you will need access to a HP and try it out before you get to Albuquer- LaserJet III or IV printer - or any printer 7. file your Convention Card electroni- que. with such emulations. cally and generate copies through your PC/printer configuration The use of the CCE will be mandatory The CCE will enable you to: in the future, and players will be request- 8. exchange on-line versions of conven- ed to submit their Cards on file and disk 1. access and print the User’s Manual tion cards with other players that can rather than in hard copies. 2. complete the WBF card on your PC be downloaded or easily edited This is the first official version of the 3. save completion time by choosing 9. access WBF System Policy on-line or CCE and we expect to make improve- from thousands of preselected entries in a text file ments as we go along. We invite you to to include in your customized Con- 10. access the WBF Guide to Comple- ask questions, offer suggestions or criti- vention Card tion/Conventions Booklet on-line or cisms, and to do anything you can think 4. avoid important omissions by provid- in a text file that might help us develop and circulate ing on-line reminders and sugges- 11. join the information highway in fine the programme in the future. tions for inclusion in each section style We hope you will enjoy using the 5. start with a basic ‘template’ and CCE. edit/customize it to suit your particu- lar requirements. For example, if you play a variation of Precision Club,

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS 14 EBL Review July-December 1994

Tournament round-up

Players from 16 countries and 5 Helgemo-Helness of Norway, topped & TO BID OR NOT TO BID ' continents took part in the 28th the list of 16 world class invited pairs. by Larry Cohen Israeli International Bridge Helness was European Junior champion One of the most difficult areas in bridge is com- Festival, held at the Israel Convention in 1980, and Helgemo is just 24. Run- petitive bidding. To deal with it, American champi- Centre in Tel Aviv, 10-19 February. ners-up were Meckstroth-Rodwell of on Larry Cohen developed the Law of Total Tricks Two of the most famous players of all USA, while Levy-Mouiel of France fin- and used it to devastating effect in numerous inter- national competitions. The book explains with clar- time, Pietro Forquet and Giorgio Bella- ished third, ahead of Forrester-Robson ity, how and why. donna of the Italian Blue Team headed (Great Britain), Chemla-Perron (France), Published by VICTOR GOLLANCZ (272 pages, pa- the list. Other world champions present Leufkens-Westra (Netherlands), Ham- perback, £10.50). were Kathie Wei-Sender and Carol man-Wolff (USA), and other well known Sanders of USA and Krzysztof Mar- pairs. DEFENSIVE SKILLS FOR YOU tens and Andrej Wilkosz of Poland. & by Andrew Kambites Other top names included David and The Director and members of Many bridge players spend long hours examin- Lisa Berkowitz (USA), Jan Fucik ACBL District 1, in Montreal, ing systems and conventions aimed at improving ' their bidding. Similarly, considerable efforts are de- (Austria), Sven-Ake Bjerregård and Canada, are very excited that José Damiani has accepted an invitation to be voted to the intricacies of declarer play. How about Anders Morath (Sweden), Martin Hof- the defence in which you spend most of your time fman (Great Britain), Nevena Deleva the guest of honour at their Regional at the table? This book by a leading teacher ex- (Bulgaria) and Jerzy Russyan and Jerzy Tournament which is to be held in plains what it takes to become a better defender. Zaremba (Poland). A contingent of 20 Quebec City, immediately after the Published by VICTOR GOLLANCZ (144 pages, hard- players came from China, and the Albuquerque 1994 NEC World Cham- back, £11.99). Chinese ambassador honoured the pionships. The tournament will be held 6-10 Oc- THE EXTRA EDGE IN PLAY Festival with his presence. & by Terence Reese & Julian Pottage The trophies for most successful play- tober, and the programme includes Open ers over the whole festival were won by and Women's Swiss Teams, Open Pairs, A wonderful collection of problems and their so- Women's Pairs, Bracketed Knockout lutions which, as the title indicates, go beyond the Nissan Rand of the host country (open) ordinary. For those who are good players and wish and Carol Sanders of USA (women). Teams, Board-A-Match Teams, Strat- to become better. The Festival grows bigger and better ified Pairs, Non-Life Master Pairs, and a Published by VICTOR GOLLANCZ (108 pages, pa- every time. This year, a new record of at- variety of other competitions. perback, £6.99). tendance was set with a total of some The tournament headquarters will be at 2,700 tables. the Quebec Hilton. Less expensive ac- ODDS FOR PRACTICAL PLAYERS commodations (around C$ 50-60) are & by Hugh Kelsey & Michael Glauert The 8th Cap Volmac World Top also available nearby. This is a comprehensive summary of bridge Tournament, held in The For further information and entries, odds and their application, appropriately written by ' a world-class bridge analyst and a proficient tour- Hague’s Hotel des Indes, The please contact George Retek, 1650 de nament player who is also Professor of Mathemat- Netherlands, 20-23 January 1994, was a Maisonneuve Blvd. W, Montreal, PQ ics. Not only for Math students. triumph for the youth who scored a clear H3H 2P3, Canada. ( 1-514-937 9907, Published by VICTOR GOLLANCZ (125 pages, pa- victory over experience. 2 1-514-931 2205. perback, £6.99).

Improving tournament quality

Jeff Easterson of Germany, (the purchase of literature is es- There were about 20 partici- lic, Hungary, Poland and Rom- who was one of the instructors at pecially difficult); and there were pants, the level of knowledge was ania. the 1993 EBL Tournament Dir- a number of countries, which good and there was much enthu- We were pleasantly surprised ectors’ course, held in Amster- seemed to face extraordinary siasm. Italy is also acting on the to see that the standard was ex- dam, reports on further activities problems with the language idea. tremely high. All of the partici- in the direction of improving (working in English) and the Last January we held such a pants, but two, had a very good tournament quality: form of the seminars (solving seminar in Budapest, immediate- command of English - and all of After the Amsterdam seminar, problems at a table in front of ly before the annual bridge Con- them passed the examination, as we tried to analyze the results, other directors). As a result, we gress. Andras Broc was to be in- we feel they would have done in problems, etc. Some countries tried to offer weekend seminars volved originally, but when he the EBL seminar. seemed to have great problems to countries which might be in- was forced to cancel for profes- Theory was followed by prac- with such seminars. The Eastern terested, in which we more or sional reasons, Grattan Endicott tice: as soon as the seminar end- European countries were rather less simulated the work done at was kind enough to step in. ed, the Congress started and at at a disadvantage, due to their the EBL seminars. We had about 15 participants least one of the participants was long isolation from international We held one in Germany last from some 8 countries, including invited to join the Tournament bridge and financial problems year, which was a great success. Austria, Belarus, Czech Repub- Directors’ team.

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS July-December 1994 EBL Review 15

July October 15-24 14th European Youth Team Championships 2-8 5th International Bridge Festival Arnhem, The Netherlands Minsk, Belarus 18-31 31st World Bridge Festival 6-9 27th International Festival Deauville, France Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia 28-2/8 12th International Summer Tournament 15-16 Saltzburg Pairs St. Moritz, Switzerland Salzburg, Austria 31-6/8 Loiben Bridge Week Loiben, Austria November 10-14 45th International Festival of Bordeaux August Bordeaux, France 13-20 4th International Solidarity Festival 11-13 EBU Seniors Congress Slupsk, Poland Coventry, Great Britain 19-28 EBU Summer Congress 18 20th PHILIP MORRIS Simultaneous Pairs Brighton, Great Britain Clubs 22-28 2nd European University Championship 26-29 Keszthely Bridge Festival Lisbon, Portugal Keszthely, Hungary 27-30 37th Lake Balaton Bridge Festival Balatonalmádi, Hungary December 8-11 Babenberger Bridge Days September Babenberger, Austria 2-11 International Bridge Festival 17-18 Viertallen Toernooi Mamaia, Romania Enschede, The Netherlands 16-1/10 NEC World Championships 27-30 EBU Year End Congress Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. London, Great Britain

1995 EBL Competition Calendar EBL Review EBL Review, published biannually, is the Of- Every year the EBL produces and distributes free of charge a booklet ficial Medium of the European Bridge League. It containing details of local, national and international tournaments is distributed free of charge to all National Contr- scheduled to take place in Europe. act Bridge Organizations, Bridge Clubs, Tour- nament Directors, Journalists, Bridge Teachers If you wish to have your tournament included in the Calendar, please and Officials of the 39 member countries. provide the Editor of EBL Review with the following information: All correspondence should be addressed to: 1. Date of start and finish, 2. Title of the event, 3. Venue, 4. Typical ac- EBL Review commodation cost (double room per night), 5. Main tournaments and P. Gerontopoulos, Editor 154 Patission Street, number of sessions, 6. Average entry fee per player and session, 7. GR-112 57 Athens, Prizes, 8. Contact address for information and entries. Greece. The deadline for the 1995 edition of the Calendar is 31 October 1994. 2 30-1-861 3740

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE OFFICIAL SPONSOR PHILIP MORRIS