Thursday, July 28, 2016 Washington DC • July 21-31, 2016 Volume 88, Number 7 Daily Bulletin 88th North American Bridge Championships [email protected] | Paul Linxwiler, Brent Manley and Chip Dombrowski Report of the ACBL Ethical ‘China Yellow’ takes Wagar by single IMP Oversight Committee The squad In the matter of disciplinary charges against dubbed China Yellow Lotan Fisher, Player No. 1906658, and Ron Schwartz, defeated Joanne Player No. 1906623, the Ethical Oversight Committee Weingold’s squad unanimously finds: in the final of the 1. Overwhelming evidence establishes that charged Wagar Women’s parties Lotan Fisher and Ron Schwartz engaged Knockout Teams in collusive cheating and gave false information 128-127. Playing about prior disciplinary convictions when for the Chinese team applying for ACBL membership. were Wen Hu, Ling 2. Pursuant to the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Gan, Tao Zhou, Juyu Regulations Appendix B, Part B, E15, Lotan Wang, Jingrang Ran Fisher and Ron Schwartz are EXPELLED, with and Ling Gu. The loss of all membership rights and privileges in the non-playing captain was Xiao Jing Wang. continued on page 5 Winners of the 2016 Wagar KO Teams, China Yellow: npc Xiao Jing Wang, Wen Hu, Ling Gan, Tao Zhou, Juyu Wang, Jingrang Ran and Ling Gu. continued on page 14 A Message from ACBL President Ken Monzingo For the second time this week, members of League counsel headed for retirement ACBL’s Ethical Oversight Committee, this time In the 14 years since he signed on as legal Clinton. led by chair Jon Brissman, worked tirelessly in a counsel to the ACBL, Peter Rank has seen his share As California’s three-day hearing to reach a decision regarding the of interesting legal cases. When he leaves the post on director of health, he charges of collusive cheating by Lotan Fisher and July 31, it will be with mixed feelings. acted aggressively Ron Schwartz. The above result again confirms that “Overall,” he says, “I have enjoyed it to inform the public our members will never tolerate such behavior. These tremendously, but there have been days, weeks and about AIDS, at one diligent committee members gave many hours of their months where I would have preferred to be general point closing every personal time, and ACBL management spent months counsel to the Ford Motor Company. It would have bath house in San compiling volumes of evidence, once again sending been easier. The depth of the legal issues for ACBL Francisco. the message that our organization is serious in this has been overwhelming.” After leaving the matter. This is a refreshing new era of responsibility When he started as the ACBL’s top lawyer, Reagan administration Rank was well prepared for the job. He grew up in 1972, Rank went continued on page 2 in Northern California, did undergraduate studies into private practice. at Stanford University and earned a degree in law When he retired in Close calls and upsets in at Boalt Hall, aka the University of California at 2008 from the firm he founded – K&R Law Group – Berkeley Law School. the company employed 55 attorneys. Spingold Round of 32 He worked as deputy district attorney for Contra Rank, a three-time North American champion, Pending an appeal that will be decided this Costa County and later joined the administration joined the ACBL in 1958, and within six months was morning, the No. 3 seed led by Jimmy Cayne was of President Ronald Reagan, writing a “workfare” playing with the legendary Barry Crane, considered eliminated by a single IMP in the round of 32 by the program that was later adopted by President Bill continued on page 5 No. 30 seed captained by Massimiliano Di Franco. Final score: 128-127. Also out of the event is No. 10 Andrew Rosenthal who was defeated by Jeffrey Largest Youth NABC begins today Wolfson 161-121. Richard Schwartz (No. 13) also The largest ever Youth NABC begins today in the got the boot when they lost to Ron Pachtmann’s No. Thurgood Marshall Ballroom on the mezzanine level. 23 team (aka Wolff npc) 108-81. More than 180 players under 19 pre-registered for the Several top seeds survived scares yesterday. tournament, more than the 165 who participated last No. 2 Marty Fleisher was down 14 IMPs to Barry year and significantly more than the number who pre- Rigal’s team after three sets, but Fleisher came back registered last year. in the last quarter to win 130-108, and No. 4 Lavazza Among them are almost 40 students from trailed Bernard Payen’s team (the original 36 seed) Beijing and a smaller group from Bermuda. There by 10 IMPs in the third quarter before taking control are also contingents from youth bridge programs in in the last set to win 144-112. Silicon Valley, Atlanta, Reno and Toronto. A school in an underprivileged area of Orange NJ provides assistance to students traveling for the tournament. Micro in semis The Washington DC area also has a school bridge The 0-1500 Micro-Spingold has reached the program sending local students. semifinal stage. In one quarterfinal match, Curt This is the ninth Youth NABC and the second Kristensen’s team won a six-board playoff against the time it has been held in Washington. After the team captained by David Yoon, who came back from down 39 after three quarters to tie. The Kristensen continued on page 5 Young players from the 2015 Youth NABC team will face Michael Wavada’s Connecticut-based team. The California team captained by Winston Chang will face Spencer Sun’s squad. Locals lead Pollack, Fergani The 0-5000 Mini-Spingold is in the quarterfinal round today. Mixed BAM lead Wernher The Virginia-Maryland team captained by Fred Montreal-area players Frederic Pollack and King is leading the Freeman Mixed Board-a-Match Kamel Fergani are leading the Wernher Open Pairs after the qualifying sessions. Close behind in second after the qualifying sessions by a little more than ATTENDANCE is the New York team led by Jared Lilienstein. The half a board. They scored 65.45% in the first session through Wednesday evening squad captained by Peter Weichsel lies third. and 60.77% in the second session. In second are Forty squads will play in today’s two-session Edward Spear of Sarasota FL and Jonathan Green of final. Jacksonville NC. Today, 176 pairs will play in the 8727.5 tables final sessions. Page 2 Thursday, July 28, 2016 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Meetings are at the Marriott Wardman Park. Sunday, July 31 Saturday, July 30 TBA Peter Pender Memorial Vugraph. (Room TBA) 5:30-7:30 pm Youth NABC Closing Reception. (Thurgood South/West, mezzanine level) CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the game! Friday, July 29 Talks will be held in Exhibit Hall A on the lower level. Speakers and topics are 9:15 a.m. Lisa Berkowitz Playing to Trick One subject to change. 6:45 p.m. Kevin Wilson Fitting Honors Thursday, July 28 9:15 a.m. Barbara Seagram Become a Feared Opponent Saturday, July 30 6:45 p.m. Leslie Shafer Bidding With No HCPs 9:15 a.m. Ellen Kent Simple Is Better ENTERTAINMENT and HOSPITALITY Thursday, July 28 Enjoy music today and throughout the week by Vocal Point! 6:30 - 7:30 pm Great songs, comedy and style. Vocal Point has all these things and more! Come hear Bob Hurka and Julia Misslin (one of the Gatlinburg Regional co-chairs) perform an evening of duets. Their music ranges from ’40s boogie-woogie to bebop, rockabilly, novelty songs, Sinatra, country ballads and show tunes. The two experienced entertainers truly rock! Exhibit Hall Level Food Macaroni and Cheese after the evening session. Thurgood Marshall Foyer, Mezzanine Level. Message Daily Dinner Specials at “A Bridge Bucks and continued from page 1 Stone’s Throw” in the Marriott check cashing and accounting: ACBL will actively pursue and Thursday July 21 - Saturday July 30 Bridge Bucks and check-cashing services will be prosecute cheaters. Thu. 7/28 available in the Convention Lobby near the escalators Again, on behalf of myself, the Board of Sliced Pork Loin au Poivre, Mashed Potato, (and also near the Marriott’s cell-phone charging Directors, ACBL management and the 168,000 other Baby Carrots, Green beans .................................. $18 station). Hours: members of the League, we owe gratitude and respect Fri. 7/29 July 23 to July 30: 9:30 to 10 am to the courageous committee members Jon Brissman, Seared Salmon, Black Bean Pico de Gallo, Noon to 1 pm Cheri Bjerkan, Dennis Clerkin, Lesley Davis, Bruce Spanish Rice, Roasted Corn ................................. $19 Check-cashing limit is $500. Ferguson, Bob Glasson, Hendrik Sharples and Eddie Sat. 7/30 Players may purchase Bridge Bucks using all Wold. And special thanks to EOC Chairman Bart Stir Fried Chicken and Vegetables, major credit cards. Bramley along with League Counsel Peter Rank and White Rice ........................................................... $18 co-counsel Jeff Overby for their dedication in making Not too shabby sure such behavior will never be accepted in any Perla Sultan of Caracas, Venezuela, and Steve part of our game. I also wish to thank the volunteer Today’s Special Cocktail Hamaoui, of Milan, Italy, notched a 77.54% game in services of Bob Hamman, Jeff Meckstroth and Meyer Available in the Lobby bar or in Harry’s Pub the Tuesday Side Game. Kotkin. I am so proud of them all. Thursday, July 28 It’s a great new beginning, and I am confident $10 Drink Special that management and the Board of Directors, with Email us Got a hand you just have to share or a nice story? the help of these extraordinary volunteer members of White Summer Spring 10 We’d love to see it.