POST MORTEM Volume 54 • Spring 2012

GNYBA

Published by the Greater New York Bridge Association www.gnyba.org NYC Club Directory

Brooklyn Manhattan Queens

Bay Ridge Bridge Club Cavendish Bridge Club Reform Temple of Ft. Hamilton Senior Center 177 East 87th Street Forest Hills 9941 Ft. Hamilton Pkway 1556 Third Avenue 71-11 112 Street 718-377-6817 212-876-2196 718-544-0389

Sephardic Community Honors Bridge Club 133 East 58th Street Staten Island 1901 Ocean Parkway 14th floor 718-954-3150 212-230-1230 Bridge Club of 718-377-3666 Staten Island Manhattan Bridge Club 444 Manor Road East—1233 Second Ave. 718-273-3106 917-699-2929 West—250 West 57th Street 212-845-0155

Call your local Bridge Club for times, lessons and special events Changes to the Duplicate Club Directory should be addressed to the Editor: [email protected]

POST MORTEM Title Registered in U.S. Patent Office Published by the Greater New York Bridge Association

Thanks to Committee Members for all their help: Jesus Arias, Marty Deneroff, Tse Mei Ling, Barbara Raynor, Ilana Seror, Valerie Vaughn

Post Mortem communications can be sent to the Editor, Barbara McLendon, 180 East End Avenue, NY 10128 or at [email protected]. Post Mortem will be published twice a year and distributed free of charge to members of Unit 155. Elsewhere subscription price is $5 per year. Advertising rates: Full Page: $400; 1/2 Page: $250; 1/4 Page: $125.

If you would like to submit an article for consideration, please e-mail the Editor at [email protected] Table of Contents

President’s Letter ...... 2 Calendar of GNYBA/Other Bridge Events ...... 3 GNYBA Members ...... 4 Eastern States May Regional Flyer ...... 5 Goldman Pairs Winners ...... 6 Winners ...... 7-8 Winners ...... 9-10 GNYBA Double Knock Out Winners ...... 10 STaC and Regional Masterpoint Winners ……...... …….... 11 Pro Am Winners ...... 12-13 Master Point Races and Dinner ………...... ……………. 13 Master Point Winners 2011 ………………...... …………… 14 Youth Bridge in New York City by Mila Antonova ...... 15 Players of the Year 2011 ……………...... 16 Articles by New York Experts: Michael Lipkin...... ……...... ……17 Melih Ozdil ...... 18 Otto Adamec ………...…………...... 20 Message from the President

“A knowledge of the mechanics will suffice to put a player in a commanding position in the post mortem. To become a member of the upper crust calls for more, much more. Resilience, imagination, occasional flashes of inspiration – these are the hallmarks of quality. And this transcends the realm of science.” –

We are delighted to have found the Park Central Hotel on 56th Street and Seventh Avenue for our Eastern States Regional coming up shortly–May 23 through 28. The only drawback is that space is very limited, so all 199er events will be held at the Manhattan Bridge Club, just a few blocks away at 250 West 57th Street, 14th floor. There will even be sessions for true beginners, those with 0 – 5 .

The Golden Opportunity Pairs were so popular in December that we are holding two during this Regional–on Wednesday and Thursday. This gives those with under 750 masterpoints an extra chance to get some precious gold.

The Reisinger and the Goldman Pairs are both part of this tournament. Both events date back to the thirties, and on pages 6 – 8 we have listed the winners which include dozens of famous bridge players from the past and present. The beautiful trophies were stolen years ago and have never been replaced.

Every year we hold qualifying games for the in June, July and August. Qualifying entitles you to play in the District Final for a chance to represent District 24 at the Nationals in the Fall. Winners receive a $700 subsidy.

The Grand National Team Trials have already been held. The numbers partici- pating were disappointingly low in Flights B and C. If you are looking for master- points, this is an event you shouldn’t miss. It’s a great way to get lots of gold.

Another team event, the Double Knock Outs, was only held at the Flight A level (Von Zedtwitz) this year. Not enough B and C players signed up to hold the Harter Cup and the Seidman. If you’re not participating, you’re missing out on lots of fun and an opportunity to compete against others at your level.

Our Greater New York Bridge Association Board works very hard to plan tournaments and events, and we thank all the members for their participation, especially Ryan Connors, our Tournament Chairman. We thank our 3,200 members of Unit 155 who earned almost 90,000 masterpoints this past year.

Hope to see you often at the bridge table.

Barbara McLendon, President Greater New York Bridge Association

2 2012 Calendar of GNYBA/Other Bridge Events

April 27-29 Week-end STaC April 16-22 GATLINBURG REGIONAL May 1-6 SMITHTOWN REGIONAL May 3, Thurs, Board Meeting, Honors May 10 Thurs. Aft. ACBL-wide Internat’l Fund Game #2 May 18-20 Woodbridge, NJ Sectional May 23-28 NEW YORK REGIONAL May 28 Reisinger Memorial Day All of June NAP Club Qualifying June 1 Fri. Ev.. Worldwide Bridge Contest June 2 Sat. Aft. Worldwide Bridge Contest June 4 – 10 STaC, Units 155 & 242 June 11-17 SARATOGA SPRINGS REG June 22 - 24 Week-end STaC. All of July NAP Club Qualifying July 5, Thurs. Board Meeting, Manhattan July 12—22 NABC—PHILADELPHIA, PA July 13 ACBL-wide Internat’l Fund Game #3 July 30 – Aug. 5 PARSIPPANY REGIONAL All of August NAP Club Qualifying All of Sept. Club International Fund Games Begins Sept.1 NAP (Unit and District Qualifying) Sept. 7 – 9 Allendale Sectional Sept. 13, Thurs Board Meeting, Cavendish All of October Jane Johnson Club Appr. Games Oct. 4 Thurs. Ev. ACBL-wide Instant Matchpt. Game Oct. 12 – 18 STaC, Units 155 & 242 Oct. 22 – 28 DANBURY, CT. REGIONAL Oct. 22 Mon. Ev. Canada-wide Olympiad Fund Game Oct. 29 – Nov. 4 LANCASTER, PA REGIONAL Nov. 9 – 11 Allendale, NJ Sectional Nov.16-18 New Event: Bridge Triathlon Nov. 22 – Dec. 2 NABC—SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 26 Mon. Ev. ACBL-wide Charity Game Dec, 6 – Thurs. Board Meeting, Honors Dec. 14 – 16 Woodbridge, NJ Sectional Dec. 26 – 30 NEW YORK REGIONAL Jan. 10 Thurs. Board Meeting, Manhattan

3 GNYBA Board Members

Otto Adamec Tse Mei Ling, Administrative VP Kathy Anday-Fallenius Barbara McLendon, President Ludmila Antonova Kent Mignocchi Jesus Arias Alan Miller Gary Bagley , Honorary Rob Barrington Cathy Nathan Bill Begert, Chairman of the Board Sue Picus Peter Clark Christopher Rivera Ryan Connors, Tournament Chairman William Rosenbaum Shelly Dunietz Stephannie Russo Peggy Ellis Igor Savchenko Stanley Gingold Ilana Seror, Secretary Rochelle Goldberger Aaron Silverstein Kerry Kappell, Treasurer Suzette Solomon Scott Levine Maria Tsoukalas Alvin Levy, District 24 Director, Honorary Valerie Vaughn

Eastern States May Regional

Do make plans to attend the Eastern States Regional held on May 23rd to 28th at the Park Central Hotel, a new venue. We will be severely fined (an additional $500 per day) if players bring food or any drinks except water into the hotel. Since the hotel is so close to Central Park, perhaps you can eat there. Violations will mean that the card fee will increase at the next Regional.

Special Location for 199ers

Because the Park Central is a little too small, the 199er events will be at Manhattan West, 250 West 57th Street, 14th floor, Room 1427. There will be special games for the 0 – 5 players if there are enough tables.

4 of 6) of 6) of 6) th th nd & 6 & 4 & 2 th st rd

(Continues during Stratified Events Stratified Open Pairs Goldman Pairs (Qualifying) Bracketed Compact KO II Side Game Series II (1 Bracketed Swiss Teams the week in NYC clubs) Newcomer Pairs (at Manhattan BC) Single Session Swiss Teams Goldman Pairs (final) Side Game Series II (3 Newcomer Pairs (at Manhattan BC) Bracketed Swiss Teams Side Game Series II (5 Newcomer Pairs (at Manhattan BC) Reisinger Open KO Strati-Flighted Events A (2000+) B (750–2000) C (0–750) Discount parking and additional information available at www.gnyba.org A (2500+) A/X (0–2500) B (750–2000) C (0–750) Saturday, May 26 Saturday, 10 am & 3 pm 1 & 6:30 pm

6:30 pm May 27 Sunday, 11am & 3:30pm 11am & TBA May 28 Monday, 11 am & 3:30pm 11am & TBA of 4) of 4) th th of 6) of 6) of 6) & 4 th th & 2 nd st rd of 2) of 2) st nd & 4 & 6 & 2 st rd th Stratified Open Pairs Bracketed Swiss Teams KO (3 Bracketed Two-Day A/X Pairs Golden Opportunity Pairs (0–300, 300–750) Side Game Series I (3 Augusta Cantor Stratified Senior Pairs Bracketed Compact KO I A/X Pairs Golden Opportunity Pairs (0–300, 300–750) Side Game Series I (1 Newcomer Pairs (at Manhattan BC) Single-session Swiss Stratified Senior Pairs KO (1 Bracketed Two-Day Newcomer Pairs (at Manhattan BC) Horizontal IMP Pairs (1 Side Game Series I (5 Newcomer Pairs (at Manhattan BC) Horizontal IMP Pairs (2 Street • New York, NY 10019 • (212) 247–8000 Street • New York, th Friday, May 25 Friday, 10 am & 3 pm 1 & 7 pm

Wednesday, May 23 Wednesday, 10 am & 3 pm 1 & 7 pm 7 pm May 24 Thursday, 10 am & 3 pm 1 & 7 pm 7 pm

7 pm Avenue at W. 55 at W. Avenue th Eastern States Regional • May 23–28, 2012 Park Central Hotel 870 7 *Please note no outside food or beverages are permitted inside the hotel. (Room rate of $219 for king, $319 2 doubles, limited availa bility) Street • Suite 1427 th NEW SITE Tournament Chair Tournament Ryan Connors [email protected] Partnership Desk Joan Millens [email protected] (212) 845–0155 NEWCOMER PROGRAM Open to players with fewer than 200 Masterpoints All games are single session A (100–200) B (50–100) C (0–50) Newplicate Pairs (0–5) All Newcomer games will be held at The Manhattan Bridge Club 57 250 West

5 Goldman Pairs

First contested in 1929, the Goldman Pairs is the country’s oldest regional pairs competition and the premier event of the Eastern States Regional in New York. This event had the status of a national championship during the Thirties. 1929 , George Reith 1983 1. , 1930 Geoffrey Mott-Smith, Richard Frey 2. Phil Martin, John Lowenthal 1931 W. Cleveland Cogswell, Norman Bonney 1984 1. Rick Zucker, Drew Casen 1932 Winfield Liggett, Sidney Lenz 2. Jill Blanchard, Bob Blanchard 1933 Grace Perpall, F.E. Bailey 1985 1. Jill Blanchard, Bob Blanchard 1934 Oswald Jacoby, David Burnstine 2. Beth Zucker, S.J. Browne 1935 Harry Raffel, Mel Alexander 1986 1. Allen Kahn, David Rosenberg 1936 Jules Wetzler, Sterns Cunningham 2. John Lowenthal, Chuck Lamprey 1937 Harry Fishbein, Lewis Bernard 1987 1. Carleton Lett, Lapt Chan 1938 Robert Chatkin, Myron Fuchs (Field) 2. Ron McConnell, Carol Simon 1939 Fred Kaplan, Harold Ziman 1988 1. Gene Prosnitz, Ira Ewen 1940 Charles Lochridge, Merwyn Maier 2. Joseph Celebucki, Stephen Shane 1941 Helen Sobel, 1989 1. Carol Simon, Michael Radin 1942 Alphonse “Sonny” Moyse, Richard Frey 2. Winthrop Allegaert, Allen Kahn 1943 Abraham Goldstein, Jules Tilles 1990 1. Paul Morris, James Sampson 1944 Mrs. Kenneth Beghold, Eugene Smith 2. Jill Blanchard, Bob Blanchard 1945 Jerry Friedlander, Ned Drucker 1991 1. Ira Ewen, Eugene Prosnitz 1946 Harry Harkavy, Ambrose Casner 2. Larry Cohen, 1947 Richard Kahn, Charles Whitebrook 1992 1. Steve Becker, Richard DeMartino 1948 Dr. Kalman Apfel, Frances Begley 2. Jeffrey Selbst, Garry Goldberg 1949 Abe Goldstein, Boris Raymond 1993 1. Ira Herman, R. Jay Becker 1950 Jules Tilles, E. I. Phillips 2. James Gingrich, Dale Beers 1951 , Boris Raymond 1994 1. Carleton Lett, David Gurvich 1952 Bertram Lebhar, Simon Rossant 2. Lynda Horn, Marvin Rosenblatt 1953 Oswald Jacoby, Harry Fishbein 1995 1. Robb Gordon, Linda Gordon 1954 Jules Tilles, Boris Raymond 2. Carl Berenbaum, Rich Rothwarf 1955 Oswald Jacoby, Alfred Sheinwold 1996 1. Rick Zucker, Rose Johnson 1956 Alan Leeds, Eugene Thumim 2. Bob Blanchard, Jim Krekorian 1957 Tobias Stone, Jan Stone 1997 1. David Gurvich, Carleton Lett 1958 Jacqui Gallaher, 1998 1. Margaret Williams, Victor King 1959 Howard Berger, Dr. George Rothenberg 2. Ava Grubman, Elliott Grubman 1960 Lawrence Rosler, Roger Stern 1999 1. Sam Lev, Albert Rahmey 1961 Tobias Stone, Al Roth tied with 2. Glenn Milgrim, Aaron Silverstein Sol Seidman, Norman Neiger 2000 1. Chris Willenken, Aaron Silverstein 1962 Victor Shen, Bernard Borak 2. Linda Gordon, Robb Gordon 1963 Ray Jotcham, Jacques Guertin 2001 1. Chris Willenken, Aaron Silverstein 1964 Eli Jaye, Simon Becker 2. Eugene Saxe, Thomas Smith 1965 Fred Bickel, Ronny Rosenberg 2002 1. Charles Moy, Boris Merson 1966 James Kauder, Ann Nichols 2. Glenn Milgrim, Michael Polowan 1967 Boris Raymond, Steve Altman 2003 1. Richard Schwartz, Michael Polowan 1968 Chuck Burger, Jimmy Cayne 2. Steve Becker, Richard De Martino 1969 Andy Bernstein, Ralph Chafetz 2004 1. Andrew Rosenthal, David Moss 1970 Victor Chernoff, Clagett Bowie 2. Andrew Stark, Franco Baseggio 1971 Joe Asber, Anthony Dionisi 2005 1. Arch McKellar, Greg McKellar 1972 Richard Freedman, David Loomis 2. Walter Lee, Alex Perlin 1973 Carol Krupp, Paul Trent 2006 1. Jason Feldman, Ron Smith 1974 Paul Berger, Sam Hanna 2. Albert Shekhter, Yuri Yurachkivsky 1975 Neil Silverman, Merle Tom 2007 1. Joe Grue, Kevin Bathurst 1976 Carl Lindenman, Keith Garber 2. Marvin Deneroff, Bobby Levin 1977 Al Roth, Barbara Rappaport (Haberman) 2008 1. R Jay Becker, Michael Rosenberg 1978 Al Roth, Barbara Rappaport(Haberman) 2. Jiang Gu, James Dong 1979 Al Roth, Barbara Rappaport (Haberman) 2009 1. R Jay Becker, Michael Rosenberg 1980 Carl Lindenman, Keith Garber 2. David Herman, Artur Malinowski 1981 1.Bob Jones, Dan Zirker 2010 1. Yiji Starr, Douglas Doub 2. Barry Goren, Michael Kopera 2. Judi Radin, Sylvia Moss 1982 1. Steve Weinstein, Fred Stewart 2011 1. Jared Lilienstein, Michael Polowan 2. John Lowenthal, Kit Woolsey 2. Michael Moss, Brian Glubok

6 Reisinger, 1930-1983

The Reisinger Knockout Teams, one of the most prestigious events on the tournament calendar in the early days of , was first contested in 1930 at the Eastern States Regional in New York. It was the last important knockout event in the United States to replace total point scoring with IMP scoring, doing so in 1965. The Reisinger Trophy was donated by Curt H. Reisinger in 1930. 1930 George Reith, Sir Derrick Wernher, Winfield Liggett, P. Hal Sims 1931 Julian Barth, Frank Rendon, , David Burnstine (Bruce) 1932 Willard Karn, P. Hal Sims, Oswald Jacoby, David Burnstine (Bruce) 1933 Howard Schenken, David Burnstine (Bruce), Richard Frey, Charles Lochridge 1934 Oswald Jacoby, David Burnstine (Bruce), Howard Schenken, Michael Gottlieb 1935 A. Mitchell Barnes, B. Jay Becker, Sam Fry, Jr., Sidney Rusinow 1936 Fred Kaplan, Charles Vogelhoffer, Morrie Elis, Irving Epstein 1937 Charles Lochridge, Waldemar von Zedtwitz, A. Mitchell Barnes, S. Garton Churchill 1938 Sam Fry, Jr., John Rau, Travers Le Gros, S. Garton Churchill, Charles Lochridge 1939 Sam Fry, Jr., John Rau, Travers Le Gros, S. Garton Churchill, Charles Lochridge 1940 Morrie Elis, , Richmond Skinner, Myron Fuchs (Field), Maurice Seiler 1941 Louise Wainwright, Oswald Jacoby, John Crawford, Charles Lochridge, Sherman Sterns 1942 B. Jay Becker, Simon Becker, George Rapee, Harry Fishbein, Tobias Stone 1943 Helen Sobel, Charles Goren, Peter Leventritt, Howard Schenken 1944 Harry Fishbein, Waldemar von Zedtwitz, Tobias Stone, Charles Lochridge, Lee Hazen 1945 Lewis Jaeger, Jane Jaeger, Joseph Low, William Lichtenstein, Henry Sonenblick 1946 Harry Fishbein, Al Roth, Larry Hirsch, Ralph Hirschberg, Oscar Brotman 1947 Dr. William Lipton, Charles Groden, Jay Feigus, Jerry Freidlander 1948 Charles Sanders, Jack Cushing, Howard Zacks, Helen Zacks 1949 Charles Groden, Jack Shore, Abe Goldstein, Jay Feigus, Dr. William Lipton 1950 Laurence Axmann, Lili Klehmet, Larry Blum, Abe Rosen, Irving Kass 1951 George Rapee, John Crawford, Simon Rossant, Sam Stayman, Bertram Lebhar 1952 Ralph Hirschberg, Ambrose Casner, Larry Hirsch, Sol Mogal 1953 Lester Glucksman, William Yablon, Norman Neiger, Oscar Yablon, Milton Roth 1954 Edgar Kaplan, , Eli Jaye, Norman Kaye, Boris Koytchou 1955 George Boehm, Dr. William Lipton, Edward Lowenthal, Victor Mitchell 1956 Edgar Kaplan, Richard Kahn, Norman Kay, Ralph Hirschberg, Alfred Sheinwold 1957 Edgar Kaplan, Richard Kahn, Norman Kay, Ralph Hirschberg, Alfred Sheinwold 1958 Edgar Kaplan, Richard Kahn, Norman Kay, Ralph Hirschberg, Alfred Sheinwold 1959 Edgar Kaplan, Richard Kahn, Norman Kay, Ralph Hirschberg, Alfred Sheinwold 1960 Al Roth, Bill Grieve, Bill Root, Andy Gabrilovitch, Bobby Jordan, Richard Freeman 1961 Al Roth, Tobias Stone, Bill Root, Richard Freeman, Andy Gabrilovitch, Bobby Jordon 1962 Phil Feldesman, Sol Rubinow, Jacqui Mitchell, Victor Mitchell, Morton Rubinow, Sam Stayman 1963 Phil Feldesman, Sol Rubinow, Jacqui Mitchell, Victor Mitchell, Morton Rubinow, Sam Stayman 1964 Victor Michell, Jacqui Mitchell, Sam Stayman, Phil Feldesman, Robert Mnuchin 1965 Mike Moss, John Bennett, Mark Blumenthal, Harlow Lewis, Anthony Dionisi 1966 Al Roth, Murray Schnee, Dr. Kalman Apfel, Bill Root, Boris Raymond, Barbara Rappaport (Haberman) 1967 Tobias Stone, John Crawford, Oswald Jacoby, Alan Messer, Lawrence Rosler 1968 Al Roth, Bill Root, Ralph Chafetz, John Solodar, Ross Dorfman, Barbara Rappaport (Haberman) 1969 Howard Schenken, David Strasberg, Peter Leventritt, Ronald Crown, Dick Kahn, Bill Passell 1970 Edgar Kaplan, Leonard Harmon, Jeff Rubens, Alfred Sheinwold, Norman Kay, Monroe Ingberman 1971 Hal Fein, B. Jay Becker, , Ralph Chafetz, Andy Bernstein 1972 Dave Mason, Jane Mason, Sol Seidman, George Awad, Marie Awad 1973 Waldemar von Zedtwitz, Phil Feldesman, Tobias Stone, Ira Rubin, Kyle Larsen, Barbara Brier 1974 Waldemar von Zedtwitz, Phil Feldesman, Tobias Stone, Ira Rubin, Kyle Larsen, Barbara Brier 1975 John Crawford, Al Roth, , Matt Granovetter, Barbara Rappaport (Haberman) 1976 Mike Becker, B. Jay Becker, Ron Rubin, Roger Stern, Monroe Ingberman, Jeff Rubens 1977 Alan Greenberg, Jimmy Cayne, Matt Granovetter, Peter Weichsel, Alan Sontag 1978 Ronald Blau, Martin Ginsberg, Jim Hilton, Bill Passell, Harry Stappenbeck, Merle Tom 1979 Jack Schwencke, Allan Cokin, Steve Sion, Peter Weichsel, Harold Lilie 1980 Brian Glubok, , Dorothy Hayden Truscott, Gene Neiger 1981 Phillip Martin, Kit Woolsey, John Lowenthal, Chuck Lamprey 1982 1. Barry Goren, Mike Radin, Jim Linhart, Steve Bloom, Betty Bloom, Pam Bridson 2. John Lowenthan, Henry Bethe, Karen McCallum, Phil Martin, Chuck Lamprey, Kit Woolsey 1983 1. Martin Ginsburg, Richard Kahn, Peter Leventritt, Edgar Kaplan, B. Jay Becker, Ron Blau 2. John Solodar, Chuck Lamprey, Ron Gerard, Monroe Ingberman, Brat Bramley, Cliff Russell

7 Reisinger, 1984-2011

1984 1. Alan Greenberg, Jim Rosenbloom, Pam Granovetter, Matt Granovetter, Jimmy Cayne, 2. Peter Leventritt, Richard Kahn, Edgar Kaplan, Brian Glubok, Marty Ginsburg, Ron Blau 1985 1. Cliff Russell, John Solodar, Bobby Levin, Larry Cohen 2. Sam Stayman, George Tornay, Michael Engel, Saul Bronstein, August Boehm, Richard Reisig 1986 1. Michael Rosmarin, John Lowenthal, Josh Parker, Alan Tucker, Chuck Lamprey, Harry Stappenbeck 2. Bruce Rogoff, Glenn Milgrim, Leigh Steinberg, Mark Cohen 1987 1. George Tornay, Saul Bronstein, Sam Stayman, Benito Garozzo, Lea Dupont, Richard Reisig 2. Maurice Wong, Ron Fischer, Jane Dillenberg, Barry Goldstein, Rick Goldstein, Laura Brill 1988 1. Henry Bethe, Brian Glubok, Bill Root, Alan Sontag, Chuck Lamprey, Tom Smith 2. Jim Krekorian, Drew Casen, Steve Weinstein, Fred Stewart, Michael Pickert, Eileen Brenner 1989 1. Henry Bethe, Brian Glubok, Edgar Kaplan, Bill Root, Chuck Lamprey, Tom Smith 2. Lea Dupont, Benito Garozzo, Richard Reisig, Sam Stayman 1990 1. David Berkowitz, Bill Pollack, Mark Cohen, Bruce Rogoff, Robb Gordon 2. Andy Goodman, Peter Weichsel, Paul Soloway, Steve Zolotow, Roger Stern 1991 1. David Rosenberg, David Ehler, John Stiefel, Ronald Felton, Allen Kahn 2. Mel Colchamiro, Keith Garber, Brad Moss, Andrew Moss, Jon Heller, Alex Ornstein 1992 1. Mel Colchamiro, Ira Herman, R. Jay Becker, Keith Garber 2. George Tornay, Phillip Martin, Saul Bronstein, Debbie Zuckerberg (Rosenberg) 1993 1. John Roberts, August Boehm, Saul Bronstein, George Tornay, Robert Sartorius 2. Peter Parella, Jacqui Mitchell, Amalya Kearse, Bjorn Fallenius, Howard Hertzberg, Bob Jones 1994 1. Richard Schwartz, Michael Polowan, Sam Lev, Peter Weichsel, 2. Michael Kopera, Michael Radin, Kitty Munson (Cooper), John Rengstorff, Jared Lilienstein, Glen Milgrim 1995 1. Richard Schwartz, Sam Lev, Rev Murthy, Brian Glubok 2. George Tornay, Saul Bronstein, John Roberts, August Boehm, Robert Sartorius 1996 1. Michael Becker, Michael Kamil, Steve Becker, Richard De Martino, Bruce Rogoff, and Josh Parker 2. Bob Blanchard, Jim Krekorian, John Rengstorff, Bjorn Fallenius, Bob Jones, and Bill Pollack 1997 1. Roy Welland, Christal Henner-Welland, Elizabeth Reich, Brad Moss, Lapt Chan, and Jon Heller 2. William Ehlers, Michael Kopera, Richard DeMartino, John Stiefel, John Rengstorff and Jeff Aker 1998 1. Richard De Martino, Thomas Smith, Bruce Rogoff, William Ehlers, Arnold Malasky 2 . Janet Colchamiro, ,Mel Colchamiro, , Peter Bisgeier, Robert Gordon 1999 1. Adam Wildavsky, Martin Fleisher, Robert Blanchard, Jim Krekorian, Ivar Stakgold, John Stiefel 2. Alan Miller, Ira Herman, R Jay Becker, Brady Richter, Aaron Silverstein, Alex Ornstein 2000 Joint champions: 1. John Roberts, August Boehm, George Tornay Jr, Saul Bronstein 1. Adam Wildavsky, Debbie Rosenberg, Alan Truscott, Phillip Alder, Dorothy Truscott, John Fout 2001 1. Richard Schwartz, Sam Lev, Michael Polowan, Robert Blanchard, Michael Kamil, David Berkowitz 2. R Jay Becker, Ira Herman, Robert Sartorius, Keith Garber 2002 1. Glenn Milgrim, Zia Mahmood, Chris Willenken, Jared Lilienstein, Michael Rosenberg 2. John Fout, Andy Stark, Franco Baseggio, Erik Secan, Richard De Martino, William Ehlers 2003 1. Brian Glubok, Aaron Silverstein, Jonathan Greenspan, Adam Wildavsky, John Fout 2. David Rosenberg, Allen Kahn, Jeffrey Rothstein, Janet Colchamiro, Mel Colchamiro 2004 1. David Rosenberg, Allen Kahn, Jeffrey Rothstein, Janet Colchamiro, Mel Colchamiro 2. Bruce Rogoff, Joshua Parker, Jeff Aker, Barry Rigal 2005 1. Richard Schwartz, Aaron Silverstein, Chris Willenken, Jesus Arias, Glenn Milgrim 2. Mel Colchamiro, Janet Colchamiro, Allen Kahn, Jeffrey Rothstein, David Rosenberg, Robert Sartorius 2006 1. Richard Schwartz, Aaron Silverstein, Chris Willenken, Jesus Arias, Glenn Milgrim, Jeff Aker 2. Mel Colchamiro, Janet Colchamiro, Allen Kahn, Jeffrey Rothstein, David Rosenberg, Robert Sartorius 2007 1. Chris Willenken, Roy Welland, Uday Ivatury, Christal Henner-Welland Steve Garner 2. Reese Milner, Grant Baze, Gary Cohler, Sam Lev, James Rosenbloom, Robert Blanchard 2008 1. William Ehlers, Richard DeMartino, John Fout, John Ramos, John Rengstorff, Michael Kopera 2009 1. Richard Schwartz, Michael Polowan, Bjorn Fallenius, Fred Chang 2. Christal Henner-Welland, Roy Welland, Uday Ivatury, Chris Willenken, Andrew Stark, Franco Baseggio 2010 1. Christal Henner-Welland, Roy Welland, Uday Ivatury, Jaggy Shivdasani, 2. Ira Herman, G. Margie Gwozdzinsky,Michael Lipkin, David Gurvich, Alex Perlin 2011 1. Jeff Aker, Joshua Parker, Brady Richter, Barry Rigal, Eric Robinson, Michael Kopera 2. Pietro Campanile, Allen Kahn, Ira Herman, Jeffrey Rothstein, David Rosenberg, G. Margie Gwozdzinsky

8 Grand National Teams Winners

Championship Flight: Jared Lilienstein - John Hurd - Joel Wooldridge - Michael Polowan, New York NY

Flight A: Sandrea Friedman, Flushing NY; Michael Rosen - Paul Kirby, New York NY; Paul Morris, Brooklyn NY vs Albert Shekhter - Igor Milman - Oleg Rubinchik, Brooklyn NY; Ron Haack, New York NY

Flight B: Ryan Connors - Peter Clark - Jess Jurkovic - Randi Adelman, New York NY vs Jack Alhale - Emily Seiden - Nesim Erkip - Feyzan Erkip, New York NY

Flight C: Melvyn Schoenfeld - Leanna Stiefel - Ellen Waldman - Jill Howard, New York NY

GNYBA Double Knock Out Winners

The McKellar team has won the 2011 Double Knock Out, also called the Von Zedtwitz for Flight A, going undefeated throughout the event. They defeated the Rogoff team by 9 IMP’s in the final.

First: Arch McKellar, Captain–Franco Baseggio, Simon Erlich, Ken Jacobs, Jeff Rothstein, Andy Stark

Second: Bruce Rogoff, Captain–Josh Parker , Marty Fleisher, Eric Robinson, Jeff Aker, Brady Richter

Third: Alex Perlin, Captain–Mike Prahin, Simon Satanovsky, David Gurvich, Ron Haack, Mike Lipkin

The two teams have a history of tight matches. In their first meeting, the match was tied after 26 boards, but McKellar won in a 4-board playoff. In the final McKellar trailed by 4 IMPs at the half and by 1 IMP going into the final board:

9 GNYBA Double Knock Out Winners

(continued from page 9)

Both Vul, East deals S KQJ104 H 1084 D A75 C 62 S A962 S 53 H KQ6 H 975 D J86 D K10432 C 1043 C KQ5 S 87 H AJ32 D Q9 C AJ987

South West north east P 1C P 1S P 1N P 2N P 3N P P P

McKellar felt that the team needed one final push to win; therefore, he accepted aggressively when Jacobs invited. With a difficult choice of leads, West chose the heart King. S won and knocked out the spade Ace after 3 rounds, discarding the club 8 in an attempt to muddy the water. In again, West faced another challenging decision and chose a low club. S captured West’s Q with the Ace and played a second round of hearts. West won and continued clubs to East’s King. East played a third club and S guessed to put up the J, ending with 10 tricks for +630.

At the other table the hand was played in 2S, making 3. The 10-IMP swing gave McKellar the match. If McKellar had not pushed to game and also made 3, his team would have lost by 1 IMP. And if he had made 4, the match would have been tied again at the end of regulation, requiring yet another playoff.

10 STaC and Regional Masterpoint Winners

Feb. STaC Winners Dec. Regional Winners 1. 29.16 Reena Bhandari Total Gold Red 2 25.05 Barbara McLendon 1 47.34 42.03 5.31 Winthrop Allegaert 3 20.44 Susan Schnelwar 2 47.34 42.03 5.31 Judith Bianco 4 18.33 Bjorn Fallenius 3 47.34 42.03 5.31 Hemant Lall 5 17.10 Estelle Margolin 4 47.34 42.03 5.31 Justin Lall 6 16.34 Herbert Weinreb 5 43.07 42.29 0.78 Jared Lilienstein 7 16.14 Barry Lang 6 42.29 42.29 Michael Polowan 8 15.33 Norma Shamosh 7 41.60 39.64 1.96 Joel Wooldridge 9 14.92 Simon Erlich 8 39.64 39.64 Justine Cushing 10 14.65 Charles La Cerra 9 39.64 39.64 Melih Ozdil 11 14.35 Jesus Arias 10 39.18 39.18 August Boehm 12 13.84 August Boehm 11 38.26 36.60 1.66 John Kranyak 13 13.68 Irma Schulman 12 37.36 35.99 1.37 Beverly Perry 14 13.62 Joseph Bostany 13 35.99 35.99 Gavin Wolpert 15 13.50 Kristen Swenson 14 34.90 34.90 Kent Mignocchi 16 13.26 Jared Lilienstein 15 34.74 33.64 1.10 Mel Colchamiro 17 13.20 Harold Moshel 16 33.74 33.74 Pietro Campanile 18 13.16 Judi Radin 17 32.39 31.35 1.04 Donald Simmons 19 13.09 Karen Mizrahi 18 32.23 31.27 0.96 Jack Alhale 20 12.94 Sheila Epstein 19 29.98 29.98 Brian Glubok 21 12.51 Thomas Feuer 20 29.89 29.89 Ruth Grant 22 12.45 Janice Levy 21 29.09 29.09 Susan Picus 23 11.83 Rozi Alhale 22 29.09 29.09 Rozanne Pollack 24 11.49 Marilyn Brainin 23 28.79 28.73 0.06 Kelley Hwang 25 11.48 Andrea Kringstein 24 28.79 28.73 0.06 Corey Krantz 26 11.40 Arleen Morano 25 27.97 26.61 1.36 Sylvia Moss 27 10.69 Eileen Lee 26 27.97 26.61 1.36 Migry Zur Campanile 28 10.54 Eric Mock 27 27.89 23.28 4.61 Fabrizio Biasiolo 29 10.50 Emily Galin 28 27.89 23.28 4.61 Fabrizio Conti 30 10.42 Roberto Verthelyi 29 27.75 26.79 0.96 Rozi Alhale 31 10.39 Richard Hahn 30 27.73 26.36 1.37 Ron Smith 32 10.36 Sterling Platt 31 26.61 26.61 Alexander Ornstein 33 10.18 Charles Cannon 32 26.54 26.54 David Katzen 34 10.05 Arthur Loeb 33 26.54 26.54 Stephen Garreffa 35 10.00 Yasmine Guenancia 34 26.48 25.10 1.38 Michael Gore 36 9.59 Lawrence Goodman 35 24.57 19.96 4.61 Robert De Grande 37 9.37 Kitty Santocki 36 24.57 19.96 4.61 Joel Salinger 38 9.32 Andrew Rosenthal 37 24.14 24.14 Barbara Shnier 39 9.11 Edwin Kellerman 38 24.14 24.14 Barry Senensky 40 9.07 Miriam Back 39 22.83 22.05 0.78 Jeff Hand 41 8.87 Pamela Wilton 40 22.73 22.05 0.68 Gail Greenberg 42 8.87 Joan Levine 41 22.41 20.75 1.66 Melanie Tucker 43 8.73 Elaine Rosenberg 42 22.00 18.43 3.57 Bjorn Fallenius 44 8.68 Gail Yap 43 21.53 19.66 1.87 Lee Ohliger 45 8.63 Michele Allegaert 44 21.33 15.56 5.77 Jesus Arias 46 8.39 Lew Walter 45 21.29 21.29 Chris Willenken 47 8.35 Steven Waldman 46 21.20 19.66 1.54 Jonathan Ohliger 48 8.24 Mark Inhaber 47 21.11 15.56 5.55 Susan Schnelwar 49 8.23 Scott Levine 48 20.93 20.93 Craig Ganzer 50 8.01 Jonathan Levine 49 20.59 14.94 5.65 Randi Adelman 51 7.85 Suzette Solomon 50 19.69 19.69 Michael Moss 52 7.85 Lois Gartlir 51 19.61 18.40 1.21 Estelle Margolin 53 7.85 Nina Steinberg 52 19.58 18.22 1.36 Nesim Erkip 54 7.85 Joel S Solomon 53 19.58 18.22 1.36 Feyzan Erkip 55 7.81 Melanie Tucker 54 19.39 4.18 15.21 Suresh Nayak 56 7.81 Bill Begert 55 19.33 17.73 1.60 Jill Marshall 57 7.66 Robertra Feldman 56 18.80 18.80 Ira Herman 58 7.60 Stuart Edelstein 57 18.80 18.80 Jeffrey Rothstein 59 7.53 Allen Kahn 58 18.80 15.86 2.94 Julian Laderman

11 Pro Am Winners

(reprinted with permission of The New York Times)

In Pro-Am, Low-Level Bidding Leads to a High-Board Result By PHILLIP ALDER Published: February 17, 2012

The annual Greater New York Bridge As- sociation Pro-Am was held on the evening of Friday, Feb. 10. There were 33 tables in play, and the winners were Bonnie Gellas and Zuofan Li. They finished 0.83 match points ahead of Sandrea Friedman and Philip Tifft. Third were Roberto Verthelyi and Richard Cohen. All six players live in New York City.

Gellas, who runs the newcomer program at the Manhattan Bridge Club, and Li did very well in the diagramed deal.

When South opened one diamond in the fourth position, Gellas (West) would have normally been expected to make a . But she preferred to mention her five-card major, tenuous though it was. Then Li (East) surprisingly did not raise spades. West led the spade three. Yes, his partner was a passed hand, but he had three strong spades and 10 good points.

It worked well, though, when South rebid two diamonds, and West now made a takeout double. East took his time, but correctly judged that passing with six trumps was better than returning to spades with only three. (continued on page 13)

12 Pro Am Winners

(continued from page 12)

West led the spade three. East took the trick with his queen and shifted to the heart seven, which was ducked to West’s king. South took the second heart in his hand and played the diamond king. The defenders took the next five tricks with the diamond ace, a club to the jack, a heart by East, a club to the queen and the club ace.

Declarer had to ruff the next trick and concede one more trick to East for down three.

Plus 500 was a cold top for Gellas and Li.

Masterpoint Races

There are two masterpoint races in our unit:

• The Ace of Clubs where rank is determined by the amount of black points won at the clubs. • The Mini-McKenney where all points–black, red, gold and platinum-determine rank.

The top winner in each of the 13 categories (from 0-5 up to 10,000+) receives a certificate for the Ace of Clubs and a medal for the Mini-McKenney. The competition for these races also occurs at the District and the National levels. To see how you are doing at the Unit level go to:

ACBL.org Masterpoint Races (on left) 2011 Masterpoint Races Unit Races by Year Select Ace of Clubs or Mini-McKenney, Unit 155

This year the Dinner to honor the winners was held once again at the Cavendish Bridge Club on Monday, March 12th. We also have many people on the District and National lists. You can find these on the ACBL Masterpoint Races as well.

Back Row: Jared Lilienstein, Suresh Nayak Middle Row: Gail Yap, Beth Waldman, Michael Polowan, Andrew Rosenthal, Jack Alhale, Nina Steinberg, Jesus Arias Bottom Row: Zuofan Li and Randall Rubinstein

13 2011 Winners

2011 MINI-MCKENNEY MASTERPOINT RACES 0 to 5 Michael Baker 93.60 5 to 20 Nelson & Marcie Burros 48.55 20 to 50 Beth Walman 109.67 50 to 100 Gail Yap 112.03 100 to 200 Jacqueline Chang 175.92 200 to 300 Nina Steinberg 133.61 300 to 500 Suresh Nayak 215.89 500 to 1000 Randall Rubinstein 260.06 1000 to 2500 Justine Cushing 697.18 2500 to 5000 Benjamin Robles 573.07 5000 to 7500 Andrew Rosenthal 823.45 7500 to 10,000 Kevin Bathurst 1325.66 Over 10,000 Joe Grue 1751.55

2011 ACE OF CLUBS MASTERPOINT RACES 0 to 5 Michael Baker 46.99 5 to 20 Nelson & Marcie Burros 42.56 20 to 50 Beth Walman 82.24 50 to 100 Andrea Kringstein 86.60 100 to 200 Gillian Miniter 114.57 200 to 300 Nina Steinberg 81.64 300 to 500 Luna Benardete 136.27 500 to 1000 Barry Lang 221.83 1000 to 2500 Scott Levine 188.77 2500 to 5000 Arthur Loeb 329.33 5000 to 7500 Jared Lilienstein 205.95 7500 to 10,000 Jesus Arias 448.19 Over 10,000 Melih Ozdil 233.84

PLAYERS OF TEAM PLAYERS BOB FACTOR FLIGHT B THE YEAR OF THE YEAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jared Lilienstein Jared Lilienstein Jack Alhale Michael Polowan Michael Polowan

14 Youth Bridge in New York City by Mila Antonova

On Sunday morning, May 22, 2011, 50 youngsters attended a youth bridge tournament at Manhattan Bridge Club in NYC, which I organized with significant help from many people, including Barbara Clark, who helped promote the tournament outside of Manhattan. The players came from NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Westchester County. A bus was hired to transport 20 children from our neighboring District 3, along with some parents and teachers. Everyone received a T-shirt with a sample ACBL on it.

Kids love bridge. They think it is fun and challenging, especially bidding, and enjoy the competitive aspect of it.

I personally think that bridge will help youngsters improve their reasoning skills by developing the ability to concentrate and to solve problems, so I am an enthusiastic promoter of the game among younger audiences. I am currently running the Youth Bridge Club, which typically meets two Sundays per month, but will meet four times in April and then twice in May. Depending on interest levels, the Club may continue to meet over the course of the summer or resume in September.

Upcoming dates: April 2012: 1, 15, 22, 29 May 2012: 6, 20

Location: Cavendish Bridge Club 177 East 87th Street, Room 302A, New York, NY 10128, Manhattan

The attendees are mostly 8-13 year old children who live in Manhattan, but some kids come from Brooklyn, and all ages 6 to 18 are welcome. Currently there are three groups, one for absolute beginners (followed by Peggy Prichett), one for those who know how to bid (followed by Daniel Wolkowitz, himself a junior and a high-level player), and one for the “in-between” (followed by myself, Mila Antonova).

Absolute beginners are introduced to the game via Mini Bridge, a teaching method I developed that does not require bidding. Mini Bridge teaches how to identify the trump suit, how to estimate how many tricks can be won, and simple scoring. The next step is to learn how to count winners and losers and how to establish tricks: promote long suits, etc. More on Mini Bridge can be found on the website: easybridgeonline.com. Once kids become familiar with these initial concepts, they are taught how to open and respond to 1 no trump, 1 major or 1 minor.

Admission is free and refreshments are provided. This year’s program was supported in part by the ACBL and in part by generous private donors. Many parents were excited about the Youth Bridge Club and helped post ads at their kids’ schools.

The Youth Bridge Club is looking for teachers and volunteers to create a self-sustainable strong youth program that will help anyone who wants to promote youth bridge in the NY and NJ areas. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Mila Antonova at [email protected] To find out more about the Youth Bridge Club, go to: youthbridgeclubnyc.eventbrite.com The next Youth Tournament will be on May 20th, 2012. To register, please follow the instructions at: http://youthbridgetournament.eventbrite.com/

15 GNYBA GNYBA The Bob Factor Player of the Year Team Player of the Year Flight B Player of the Year

1 Jared Lilienstein 265 1 Jared Lilienstein 140 1 Jack Alhale 84 2 Michael Polowan 265 2 Michael Polowan 140 2 James Southern 72 3 Jeff Rothstein 165 3 Chris Willenken 139 3 Rozi Ahale 67 4 Joe Grue 154 4 Joel Woolridge 124 4 Joseph Meyers 67 5 Chris Willenken 139 5 Jeff Rothstein 112 5 Beverly Pogoda 67 6 Ira Herman 127 6 Jeff Aker 100 6 Stephen Garreffa 63 7 Joel Woolridge 124 7 Josh Parker 100 7 David Katzen 63 8 Bryan Glubock 123 8 Brady Richter 100 8 Hans Strohmer 54 9 Eric Robinson 121 9 Eric Robinson 100 9 Nancy Strohmer 54 10 Jeff Aker 100 10 Franco Baseggio 96 10 Randy Adelman 50 11 Josh Parker 100 11 R. Jay Becker 94 11 Peter Clark 50 12 Brady Richter 100 12 Igor Milman 91 12 Ryan Connors 50 13 Franco Baseggio 96 13 Oleg Rubinchik 91 13 Michael Gecht 50 14 R. Jay Becker 94 14 Albert Shekhter 91 14 Jess Jurkovic 50 15 Michael Kopera 94 15 Kevin Bathurst 84 15 Stephannie Russo 50 16 Michael Moss 94 16 Robert Blanchard 84 16 Maria Tsoukalas 50 17 Ron Haack 92 17 Shane Blanchard 84 17 Christopher Rivera 48 18 Igor Milman 91 18 Joe Grue 84 18 Randall Rubinstein 41 19 Oleg Rubinchik 91 19 John Hurd 84 19 Suzanne Abrams 38 20 Albert Shekhter 91 20 David Rosenberg 81 20 Marianne Aronovich 38 21 Melanie Tucker 89 21 Ira Herman 74 21 Serge Aronovich 38 22 Kevin Bathurst 84 22 Michael Kopera 73 22 B Eboli 38 23 Robert Blanchard 84 23 Barry Rigal 73 23 Robert Forster 38 24 Shane Blanchard 84 24 Pietro Campanile 62 24 Rona Levine 38 25 John Hurd 84 25 Allen Kahn 62 25 Steve Levine 38 26 David Rosenberg 81 26 Dmitry Abramson 61 26 Sheng Li 38 27 Bjorn Fallenius 80 27 Andrew Rosenthal 59 27 Stefano Merlo 38 28 Alison Wilson 80 28 Simon Erlich 50 28 Leslie Powell 38 29 Barry Rigal 73 29 Kenneth Jacobs 50 29 Gloria Tamlyn 38 30 Andrew Rosenthal 70 30 Arch McKellar 50 30 Ralph Tamlyn 38 31 Simon Erlich 65 31 Ivar Stakgold 50 31 Jian Wang 38 32 Michael Rosen 65 32 Glenn Milgrim 46 32 Hank Cortson 30 33 Pietro Campanile 62 33 Andy Stark 46 33 Madeleine Herbert 30 34 Allen Kahn 62 34 Margie Gwozdzinsky 41 34 Marsha Porcell 30 35 Dmitry Abramson 61 35 Justine Cushing 40 35 Laurie Wise 30 36 David Gurvich 54 36 Steve Landen 40 36 Jason Furman 29 37 Michael Lipkin 54 37 Melih Ozdil 40 37 Sandra Levitt 29 38 Mel Colchamiro 50 38 Bjorn Fallenius 30 38 Stephen Lynch 29 39 Ruth Grant 50 39 Aaron Silverstein 30 39 Richard Rosenthal 29 40 Kenneth Jacobs 50 40 Alison Wilson 30 40 Daniel Wilderman 29 41 Arch McKellar 50 41 Igor Yurachkivsky 30 41 Charles Bilich 28 42 Ivar Stakgold 50 42 John Boyer 29 42 Norman Trabulos 28 43 Glenn Milgrim 46 43 David Moss 29 43 Sonia Bibi 25 44 Glenn Robbins 46 44 Robert Stayman 29 44 Rene Deal 25 45 Andy Stark 46 45 Martin Fleisher 27 45 Rocehelle Djmal 25 46 Margie Gwozdzinsky 41 46 Bob Gwirtzman 27 46 Donna Dulet 25 47 Aaron Silverstein 41 47 Bruce Rogoff 27 47 Cathleen Kinn 25 48 Justine Cushing 40 48 Michael Rosen 27 48 John Kinn 25 49 Craig Ganzer 40 49 Jack Ahale 19 49 Julian Laderman 25 50 Steve Landen 40 50 Rozi Ahale 19 50 Jill Marshall 25 51 Melih Ozdil 40 51 Alexander Alberts 19 51 Lorraine Cable 22 52 Randall Rubinstein 40 52 Sandy Friedman 19 52 Alexander Lovejoy 22 53 August Boem 38 53 Jeanne Raymey 19 53 Vladimir Oudalov 22 54 Donald Simmons 38 54 David Gurvich 16 54 Stanley Weiss 22 55 Kelly Hwang 30 55 Ron Haack 16 55 Martha Coopersmith 21 56 Corey Krantz 30 56 Michael Lipkin 16 56 Margo Sinclair 21 57 Igor Yurachkivsky 30 57 Alex Perlin 16 57 Rosalind Berlow 19 58 John Boyer 29 58 Mike Prahin 16 58 Martin Deneroff 19 59 David Moss 29 59 Simon Satanovsky 16 59 Judy Feder 19 60 Beverly Perry 29 60 Jesus Arias 13 60 Bobbi Maxman 19 61 Michael Ranis 29 61 Bill Begert 13 61 Cynthia Morrison 19 62 Robert Stayman 29 62 Doug Herron 13 62 Charles Pierce 19 63 Gavin Wolpert 29 63 Susan Schnelwar 13 63 Mojdeh Rubin 19 64 Anna Bromberg 28 64 Hank Cortson 12 64 Robin Sanders 19 65 Linda Frank 28 65 Marsha Porsell 12 65 Valerie Vaughan 19 66 Garrett Kirk 28 66 Laurie Wise 12 66 Fran Columbus 17 67 Richard Zucker 28 67 Ira Ewen 8 67 Bruce Neiger 17 68 Martin Fleisher 27 Glenn Robbins 8 68 Emily Seiden 17 69 Bob Gwirtzman 27 69 Andrew Skolnick 17 70 Bruce Rogoff 27 70 Paul Birnbaum 16

16 Articles by New York Experts: Michael Lipkin

Time and Space by Mike Lipkin

Bridge is a game in which the time dimension plays a significant role. Consider this hand from a Manhattan Bridge Club duplicate:

North: ♠ Q5 South: ♠ A76 ♥ JT43 ♥ A8 ♦ T542 ♦ AQ873 ♣ KJ8 ♣ Q62

The contract is 3NT and the lead is the ♠4. The Q holds the trick and East follows. How do you plan the play?

Of course you look for a source of tricks and your gaze falls upon the diamond suit. You hope for four diamond tricks, two clubs, two spades and a heart for nine tricks. Are there any pitfalls? Well the spades may pose a threat and we need to keep that in mind.

At trick two you lead the ♦2 to the Q and it holds, West following with the 6. On the ♦A you see ♣2, ♦4, ♦J. What now? So far all is going according to plan. You now can make sure of four diamond tricks by losing a diamond. But this is where time comes in. Let us project the play forward. Suppose that you continue with a diamond at trick four. East will undoubtedly clear the spade suit. All of a sudden you will need the ace of clubs with East; otherwise, when you start clubs, West will win and cash enough spades to beat the contract.

So instead you switch to clubs. If East has the ace of clubs nothing matters. In fact, when you play a club to the K it holds. So you continue with another club. This also holds! What is happening? West is desperately trying to keep a side to his spades. Once you have two clubs it is time to clear the diamonds. On the third diamond lead East wins his king and returns a spade. You win the Ace and cash out nine tricks.

The complete hand: ♠ Q5 ♥ JT43 ♦ T542 ♣ KJ8 ♠ KT842 ♠ J93 ♥ 972 ♥ KQ65 ♦ 6 ♦ KJ9 ♣ A953 ♣ T74 ♠ A76 ♥ A8 ♦ AQ873 ♣ Q62 (continued on page 18)

17 Articles by New York Experts: Michael Lipkin

(continued from page 17)

The important point on this hand is that West’s entry needs to be removed or played to before East can return a second spade; so even though you start on diamonds, you need to stop and switch back to clubs before losing even one trick to East.

Articles by New York Experts: Melih Ozdil

2011, SEATTLE SWISS TEAMS Cushing Team, South: Melih Ozdil EW Vulnerable --- Q9XX XXXX AQXXX

XXX QXX A10X KXX KQ10X AJxxx KJ9 10X

AKJ1098X JXX ---- XXX

W N E S ======P P 4S P P P P ------Lead: KD

I ruffed the diamond lead and played a heart to the nine while West played small and East won the king. After this start, the contract was now cold. East can’t return a spade, since that would give me seven spade tricks via a . Likewise, he can’t return a heart, since that would allow me to establish dummy’s long heart for a club discard after trumps are drawn. Similarly, on a diamond return, I can ruff, pull trump, and establish dummy’s fourth heart just the same way as on a heart return.

(continued on page 19)

18 Articles by New York Experts: Melih Ozdil

(continued from page 18)

The most interesting variation is on a club return. If East returns a club, I can win on the dummy, ruff a diamond, and lead a heart toward the queen. Say West wins the ace and returns another club. I’d win the remaining club honor, ruff another diamond, and lead a heart to dummy’s queen to ruff another diamond. At this point my spades are reduced to AKJ only, and I still have an idle exit card of a small club. All that remains is to exit with a club and allow for the onside spade queen to score three more trump tricks.

After the opening diamond lead and heart play towards the Q9xx, the only defense that prevails is for West to insert the ten! After this play, I can do no better than to cover the queen, and have East win the king. Now on a club return, I can win and ruff a diamond, but my heart reentry is no longer guaranteed. If I lead the jack, the ace can , deny- ing me the entry necessary to ruff a diamond and achieve the four card end position as before. Also, if I lead low instead, the ace can jump up and once again deny me the entry to the nine since the only heart left in my hand is the jack (on either variation, once on lead with the ace of hearts, West continues a club).

19 Articles by New York Experts: Otto Adamec

On our recent Florida vacation, Renee and I played six days at Sarasota, Florida Regional. On the first two days, we won a two-day bracketed KO event (not the top bracket).

Later in the week, we got to play , in the fourth and final match of a one- session Swiss Team event. He was not playing with at our table. Jeff was playing at the other table. Rodwell was West.

♠ Qxxx ♥ xx ♦ 98xxx ♣ 93

♠ x ♠ Axxx ♥ Axx ♥ JT9x ♦ AKTxx ♦ Q ♣ Qxxx ♣ AKJx

♠ KJxx ♥ KQxx ♦ Jx ♣ T72 West East 1D* 1H (Precision 1D bid. Could be short) 2C 2S* (4suit forcing to game) 3H 4C 4D* 4H* (3 Key cards in clubs) 5NT 5C (insufficient - director called) insufficient bid accepted 5NT 6C Double by South (Lightner for heart lead) All pass

After the insufficient 5C bid, the director (Bernie) was called. Rodwell asked for his partner to be excused from the table so he could explain the auction. He described his hand as having diamonds and clubs and 3 card heart support. 4D was keycard for clubs.

Opening Lead: Club 3 (We don’t need no stinkin’ Lightner.) Trick 1: 3C-AC-2C-C Trick 2: DQ-D-D-D Trick 3: SA-S-S-S Trick 4: S-SK-C-S Trick 5: DA-D-H-JD Trick 6: DK-H-D-C7 ...first trick for defense. Trick 7: CT concedes down 1. We accept. (continued from page 21)

20 Articles by New York Experts: Otto Adamec

(continued from page 20)

Immediately after the hand, Rodwell complimented Renee, “Good lead.”

After the match 5 boards later, Rodwell said to Renee that he expected a heart lead (on which he said that he would have made the hand) and in retrospect could have made the contract even with the club lead.

We gained 11 imps, but alas lost the match by 7 imps.

I figured he had never had the chance to bid 5NT twice in the same auction. And when I asked him the next morning, he agreed that he hadn’t.

Small consolation, we finish in the overalls. They fail to win.

So, how could he have made the hand, AND why didn’t he?

It was sort of like pitching to Albert Pujols or AROD. It seems that my double made him miss.

21 GREATER NEW YORK BRIDGE ASSOCIATION c/o Barbara McLendon 180 East End Avenue New York, NY 10128