69th Summer North American Bridge Championships July 24-August 3, 1997 Albuquerque, New Mexico Daily Bulletin Vol. 69, No. 2 Saturday, July 26, 1997 Editors: Henry Francis and Brent Manley Andersen enlivened Districts 9, 10 theith thebridge death of Ron Andersen world in Chicago July Teamsin representing GNT-A Districts 9final and 10 steamed into 3, the bridge world lost one of its most color- the final of the Grand National Teams, Flight A, with W ful characters. Andersen was sometimes con- impressive victories. troversial and he made a few enemies, but he also had These two teams will play 64 boards today to de- many friends. termine the 1997 GNT champion: Several of them offered tributes to Andersen, who District 9: Jeff Wolfson, Northbrook IL; Robert made his mark as a top player --- he was #3 all-time in Levin, Orlando; Jeff Meckstroth, Tampa; Neil Silverman masterpoints won --- author and commentator. and Richard Pavlicek, Fort Lauderdale, and Michael Roslyn Kurlan of Great Neck NY was one of Seamon, Miami Beach. Andersen’s closest associates. She sent this letter to the 3 District 10: Hjordis Eythorsdottir and Curtis Cheek, Bridge Bulletin in honor of her friend. Huntsville AL; Steve Beatty, Destrehan LA, and John I will always remember Ron Andersen as a charm- Onstott, New Orleans. ing and brilliant individual. Over the past years of play- District 9 defeated the District 21 contingent from ing with Ron, I came to know him as an exceptional California, 138-94. District 10 knocked off District 12 bridge expert and a very good friend. He was fun to (Michigan), 151-111. The same District 12 team was play with and he always made me feel he enjoyed our runner-up in 1996. partnership as he helped me to reach his high expecta- Originally the Grand National Teams was a North tions. Ron’s technique was outstanding, and his focused American contest with all 25 ACBL districts partici- dedication was inspirational. pating. Now it is a United States event, with only the He was determined to win the 1996 Barry Crane 23 U.S. districts participating. Top 500 because it was named after his very close friend, In 1985 the event was subdivided into three sepa- even though Ron had previously won the McKenney rate events. Trophy four times. During this very difficult year, we Continued on page 7 won many events throughout the United States, which Ron Andersen led to his ultimately reaching his goal. If this in itself wasn’t difficult enough, Ron constantly fought a battle with significant illness. Nevertheless, Ron was deter- mined to persevere at all costs. A witty and exhuberant person, Ron was a very se- rious and accomplished bridge player who will be re- OKbridge acquires membered as one of the best ever. He was as critical and analytical of his own game as he was of others OKbridge,Tel-A-Bridge the world’s largest and most popular when he was the head vugraph commentator at NABCs online bridge club, has acquired Tel-A-Bridge. and world championships. Bridge was his life, and Ron OKbridge founder Matthew Clegg said the move was always willing to give of himself by writing, “consolidates OKbridge’s position as the premiere commentating and giving interviews. Internet-based service for rubber and duplicate bridge Ron was a wonderful partner and teacher. He was players.” considerate and kind and made me feel confident and Under terms of the agreement, OKbridge will re- 1 capable. My only regret is that I did not know him long ceive the assets of Tel-A-Bridge and additional work- enough. Continued on page 6 ing capital in exchange for a minority equity interest in OKbridge. Tel-A-Bridge members who signed up for the pre- view release in June 1997 will receive one month of free time on OKbridge. Said, Russell lead OKbridge, founded by Clegg in 1990 as a way to continue playing bridge with dispersed college friends, currently has more than 8000 members worldwide who ChuckLM Said Pairs and John Russell,qualifiers winners of the Sil- play about 10,000 hands of duplicate bridge each day. Susanne Chawszczewski, left, and Dawn Charles ver Ribbon Pairs at the Spring NABC in Dallas, held OKbridge was incorporated as a privately held com- the lead after two qualifying sessions of the Life Mas- pany in 1994. ter Pairs. Tel-A-Bridge was formed in 1992 and has main- Said is a Nashville professional. Russell, of tained high visibility with a long-running advertising North Barrington IL, is a CPA. Their score of 2074 campaign on the back cover of the Bridge Bulletin. A Playing bridge after two sessions was about half a board ahead of series of software problems, however, has repeatedly Ralph Cohen of Memphis and Adam Wildavsky of Continued on page 3 with cards -- Jackson Heights NY. In third place were Janice Seamon of Miami and Dawn Charles of Nashville and Susanne Dan Rotman of Aventura FL. what a way to go! Chawszczewski have decided it’s a lot of fun playing ABTA book awards bridge with cards. What does that mean, you ask? It means that they Once again Eddie Kantar has learned to play bridge the new way -- on the computer. been honored by the American Dawn and Susanne felt as if they were on top of Bridge Teachers Association as the the world when they came by the Daily Bulletin office Today's the author of the best bridge book of the yesterday -- they had just finished first in two strats of year for novices and intermediates. His Bridge the Morning 199er Pairs, and second in the top bracket. for Dummies drew raves from all who read it. It They proudly displayed their trophies. is on sale here at this tournament. big day for Both women got into bridge the same way -- they The winners of the award for the best book surfed the Internet insatiably and they were intrigued of the year for advanced players are Burt Hall when they arrived at the Games area. When they found and Lynn Rose-Hall. Their prize-winning work a bridge link, they decided to pursue it -- and they found is How the Experts Win at Bridge. OKbridge. JUNIORS! Continued on page 7 2 Daily Bulletin TheThe biggest maximum possible swing on a board swing in a team match SPECIAL EVENTS is 24 IMPs -- and it happened Thursday in the Grand Na- tional Teams. After the session was over, Chris Compton 9:00 a.m. COI (CommitteeSaturday, for an Open & July Improved 26 ACBL) meeting, Ballroom C chuckled as he told of defending a 7NT contract when the 10:00 a.m. - Noon Free Bridge Lesson, Ballroom B. opponents had not one spade! This was the deal: ♠ 10:00 a.m. - Noon Coffee with Jane Johnson, Fiesta 1-2, Hyatt. Dlr: West -- ♥ 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Novice Speakers Program -- Ken Monzingo: Thinking Bridge, Vul: Both A 5 4 ♦ Ballroom B. A K Q J 10 8 7 ♣ Q 8 5 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Intermediate/Novice reception, Doubletree Ballroom, lobby level. ♠ K J 10 6 5 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 8 7 4 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Junior Reception/Meeting, Enchantment Ballroom, Hyatt. ♥ 8 7 2 ♥ J 10 9 7:15 p.m. Intermediate/Novice Speakers Program -- Fred Hamilton: Hand Evaluation, ♦ 4 ♦ 3 Ballroom B. ♣ 9 6 ♣ 7 4 3 Midnight Aztec Fire Dancers, beef & chicken taquitos, sliced fruit. NW Exhibit Hall. ♠ -- ♥ K Q 6 3 ♦ 9 6 5 2 ♣ A K J 10 2 9:15 a.m. Board of GovernorsSunday, meeting, PavillionJuly 27 Ballroom I, II, Hyatt. Open Room 10:00 a.m. Workshop for Teachers and Education Liaisons, Enchantment E-F, Hyatt. West North East South 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Novice Speakers Program -- Jay Apfelbaum: Jumping for Joy!, Kraft Compton Ballroom B. 2♠ Dbl 4♠ 5♠ 5:00 p.m. Accredited Teachers Dinner, Pavillion Ballroom I, Hyatt. Pass 7♦ 7♠ Pass 7:15 p.m. Intermediate/Novice Speakers Program -- Howard Piltch: Weak Notrumps! Why Pass 7NT Dbl All Pass You Hate Them! Ballroom B. Compton led the ♠A and announced “Down six.” “Wrong!” said his partner, James Kraft, “down seven! I have seven spades!” That was 2000 to Compton and Kraft. 9:00 a.m. Bridge America Monday,Game Director July Course, 28 Enchantment C-D, Hyatt. Closed Room 9:00 a.m. Bridge Teachers and Bridge Cruises, Enchantment E-F, Hyatt. West North East South 9:00 a.m. New Laws Seminar (Club Director Refresher Course), Enchantment A-B, Hyatt Tchamitch Kaye 10:30 a.m. NABC Appeals Meeting, Pavillion 1, Hyatt. 3♠ 5♦ 6♠ 7♦ 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Novice Speakers Program -- Joey Silver: Character of a Champion, Dbl All Pass Ballroom B. West wasn’t sure what was going on -- who was 5:00 p.m. Goodwill Reception, Pavillion Ballroom I - III, Hyatt. bidding to make and who was saving? He thought his 7:00 p.m. Senior Reception, Doubletree Ballroom, lobby level. double meant that he did not have a first-round dia- 7:15 p.m. Intermediate/Novice Speakers Program -- Kathie Wei-Sender: Championship mond control, but partner left it in. And of course 13 Bridge, Ballroom B. tricks came home for Haig Tchamitch and Dick Kaye - - plus 2330. That was a total swing of 4330 points -- and all you need for 24 IMPs is 4000. Departing from the ConventionACBL Center Dinner approximately Shuttle every half hour. Service First shuttle departs at 5 p.m. The last shuttle departs restaurants at 10 p.m.