July 19-July 29, 2001 73rd Summer North American Bridge Championships Toronto,Ontario Vol. 73, No. 2 Saturday, July 21, 2001 Editors: Brent Manley and Henry Francis Berkowitz, Cohen top qualifiers in LM Pairs Two-time Life Master Pairs champions David Berkowitz and Larry Cohen took the lead after two qualifying sessions. The longtime partners are seek- ing their third LM Pairs title. They won in 1987 and 1996. The leaders were about three-quarters of a board (38 top) ahead of Gary Cohler and Ralph Katz of the Chicago area. They in turn were only two matchpoints Roberto Verthelyi, left, and Larry Cohen ahead of two Canadians, Paul Thurston of St. Catherines ON and Rick Delogu of Waterloo ON. Patron Member, Cohen In fourth place, just a fraction of a matchpoint behind, were Swedes Peter Stromberg and Fredrik enjoy brief partnership Nystrom. They were followed by Daniel Boye of Syracuse NY and Frederic Neuburger of Liverpool In their discussions just before game time Thurs- NY. day, Patron Member Roberto Verthelyi and Larry Andrew Robson and Rita Shugart Cohen found out they had a few things in common. They are nearly the same age, they both have New Robson comeback York connections and they nearly went to the same college. Women lead finalists Oh, and one other thing: they both love bridge. from serious injuries Verthelyi is the Patron Member who was picked to in GNT Open clash play with Cohen in the Educational Foundation Stratified Two teams captained by women will battle it surprises doctors Open Pairs on the opening night of the Summer NABC. out for victory in the Grand National Teams Cham- Five months ago, Andrew Robson’s world The two finished with a 56% game, good enough to pionship Flight in an all-California final today. Jill turned upside down – literally. Out for a morning place in the section. The main thing, however, was that Meyers (District 23) will oppose Rose Meltzer with walk in the hills of the Lake District in northern they had fun. Iftikhar Baqai, Mitch Dunitz, John Mohan and Ed England, Robson slipped on some black ice and “I enjoyed the evening,” said Verthelyi, a portfolio Davis. Meltzer (District 21) will counter with Pe- “went careering,” falling 70 feet over rocky terrain. manager for a hedge fund in New York City. Unfortu- ter Weichsel, Hugh Ross, Lew Stansby, Chip Martel The injuries, too numerous to mention but involv- nately, Verthelyi said, “the opponents stayed out of and Kyle Larsen. trouble.” ing many broken bones, landed the young bridge ex- Still, Verthelyi added, Cohen was an ideal partner. The Ethan Stein team from District 3 kept it close pert in the hospital for two months. He faced such a “He was very nice and calm. It was a pleasure to play in the first half against Meyers, but the Californians long rehabilitation process that no one – except Robson with him.” pulled away to win, 191-136. Lou Ann O’Rourke (Dis- – believed he would be playing bridge any time soon. Verthelyi, a native of Argentina, arrived in the U.S. to trict 17) never was close against Meltzer, succumbing “By staying upbeat and optimistic,” Robson says, finish school. He earned a bachelor’s degree from State 155-90. “I’ve beaten all the surgeons’ projections. I’m doing University of New York-Binghampton and an MBA from The Flight A final will pit District 6 (Maryland- way better than anybody thought.” the University of Chicago. He became a naturalized U.S. Virginia), captained by Lyle Poe, against District 20 It didn’t look good at first. After Robson’s fall, it citizen about a year ago. (Oregon), captained by Merlin Vilhauer. was three hours before he was rescued and taken by He took up bridge more than a decade ago and is a It’s Michigan against California in the Flight B fi- helicopter to the hospital. He is still on crutches, but Silver Life Master. nal. District 12 is captained by Michael Alioto, while he's getting around pretty well for a person who has Nowadays, Verthelyi plays bridge about once a week Gary Moore will lead the District 23 squad. pins in many of his bones. and attends tournaments in New York and the Mid-Atlan- An East-West battle will settle the Flight C cham- While he was laid up in the hospital, Robson stud- tic. He has even taught bridge at two senior centers. pionship. District 6 (Maryland-Virginia), captained by ied double-dummy bridge problems from a book given Verthelyi’s goal in bridge? “To keep improving until Kefu Xu, will take on District 20 (California), led by to him by a friend. “They were pretty difficult, so that you ask me to donate my time to play with a Patron Mem- Rohan Coehlo. kept me busy,” he says. ber.” While recuperating, Robson received support from dozens of bridge friends from around the world, in- cluding Rita Shugart, a regular partner with whom Robson has had considerable success in North Ameri- can tournaments. “We’ve talked just about every day,” says Shugart, beaming with enthusiasm to have Robson back in circulation. “I’m delighted he’s here. I’m so excited.” Shugart and Robson played together for the first time at the 1992 Summer NABC in Toronto, and it was the start of a long-running partnership interrupted only by the accident. Regarding the Toronto tournament, Robson points to his head and says, “This is where I get to find out whether (the accident) damaged this part of the body.” Mid-Chart Alert If you play certain Mid-Chart methods, Two Canadians enter the Hall of Fame. David Ezekiel of Bermuda, center, master of ceremonies, congratulates it will behoove you to see page 2. Sami Kehela, left, and Eric Murray. See related story on page 3. Page 2 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS Quebec quiz To heighten awareness of the Bridge World Championships in Montreal, Quebec, next year Saturday, July 21, 2001 (Aug. 16-31), the organizers will offer a daily bridge 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Easybridge! Accreditation with Easybridge! creator Edith McMullin and the problem with prizes for the winners during the 2001 Easybridge! staff. Manitoba Room, Royal York Hotel. (Stage A in the morning, lunch Summer NABC. break, Stage B in the afternoon). Accreditation is free. $20 covers course materials. There will be a drawing from among the names of 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. “Marketing for Clubs” with Easybridge! creator Edith McMullin. Salon A, Royal those who answer correctly – and five will win copies York Hotel. of the World Championship Book from 1995 or 1996 10:00 & 11:30 a.m. ACBL Online Seminar. Join Canadian expert Drew Cannell in Room 801 at the (your choice). Turn in your answers to the Daily Bul- Metro Toronto Convention Centre to learn about this new ACBL service. letin office – Algonquin Room on the Mezzanine Level 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. “Coffee with Carol” Robertson, manager of ACBL’s Club–Membership Department. Salon A, Royal York Hotel. at the Royal York Hotel. Check the Daily Bulletin for 10:00 a.m. – Noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant. Room 801, Metro Toronto Convention the list of winners. Centre. Audrey will be available to autograph copies of her new book – “Improving Quiz #1 Your Judgment – Doubles” – immediately after the lesson ♠ A 4 10:00 a.m. – Noon “Bridge for All” with Sandra Landy of Great Britain. Landy will talk about the new ♥ Q 10 6 English Bridge Union program. Library Room, Royal York Hotel. ♦ 10 5 4 3 11:00 a.m. – Noon ACBLscore Seminar with Associate National Tournament Director Rick Beye. Salon ♣ A 9 6 3 A, Royal York Hotel. ♠ K J 7 12:15 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Harry Lampert, The Magic of the Limit ♥ A 5 3 2 Bid. Room 801, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Lampert, bridge teacher and ♦ Q J 8 2 cartoonist/writer, is the author of The Fun Way bridge series. ♣ K 4 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Bridge Plus+. Room 802, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. 4:30 p.m. Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith will autograph copies of their book, “25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding,” at the Newcomer Reception at the Metro Toronto West North East South Convention Center, Room 802A. 1NT 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Newcomer Reception. Room 801, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Junior Reception/Dinner. Upper Canada Room, Royal York Hotel. Pass 3NT All Pass 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cruise Agents’ meeting. Boardroom, Royal York Hotel. You are East. West leads the ♠3. Declarer plays 6:45 p.m. Intermediate/Newcomer Speakers Program: Bruce Reeve, Warning Labels on Sad low in dummy. What is your play? Thanks to Bobby Country Songs. Room 801, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Reeve, Raleigh NC, is Wolff and the Aces on Bridge column for the problem. the District 7 representative to the ACBL Board of Directors. Solution tomorrow. 11:00 p.m. Reception for Patron Members in President Jim Kirkham’s Room, 16-161 at the Royal York, immediately after the evening session. Sunday, July 22, 2001 Players bear responsibility 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Easybridge! presenters’ breakfast and meeting with Easybridge! creator Edith for defenses to McMullin and the Easybridge! staff. Saskatchewan Room, Royal York Hotel. 9:00 a.m. – Noon Bridge Cruises & Teachers seminar. Library Room, Royal York Hotel. Audrey Grant, Mid-Chart methods host of the Crystal Symphony Cruises, shares her secrets for success as a teacher/ bridge director on a cruise ship.