Sunday, December 1, 2019 Volume 92, Number 3 Daily Bulletin 92nd Fall North American Bridge Championships [email protected] | Editors: Paul Linxwiler and Chip Dombrowski Nistor, Rotaru take Nail LM crown Soloway KO phase New Yorkers Radu Nistor and Iulian Rotaru won the Nail Life Master Open Pairs by two boards. With thebegins qualifying Swiss today phase of the Soloway Their four-session total with carryover was 2270.40 KO Teams completed, the top 32 teams begin head- matchpoints (64 top). to-head knockout matches in the event today. This is the second open NABC title for Nistor Using a formula in which 75% of each team’s and Rotaru: They won the Lebhar IMP Pairs in 2014. victory point score from the Swiss qualifier was Additionally, they were members of the winning added to 25% of their respective seeding points, squad in the 0-10,000 Swiss Teams in 2016. Playing Warren Spector’s squad is the No. 1 seed for the KO with a different partner, Nistor won the Mini-Blue phase, followed by Dennis Bilde (Team Lavazza) at Ribbon Pairs in 2016. No. 2, and Nick Nickell at No. 3. In second with 2142.63 were Alex Perlin and See page 11 for today’s pairings and bracket Igor Savchenko of New Jersey, while third place sheet. went to Cenk Tuncok of Amesbury MA and Gokhan Yilmaz of Turkey with a score of 2112.66. Nail LM Pairs champions: Iulian Rotaru and Radu Nistor continued on page 13 Piken leads 10K Swiss Junior Day party draws crowd The squad captained by Ed Piken topped More than a hundred young players ages 7 to 22 Saturday’s qualifying round in the 0-10,000 Swiss attended the Junior Day party on Saturday evening at Teams to lead the field going into today’s two-session the Tabletop Tap House, where they filled the event final. Piken of Palos Verdes Peninsula CA is playing space to capacity and then some. The younger kids with Eric Genheimer of Edmond OK, Steve Cohen of mostly congregated around the foosball table while Las Vegas NV and Ron Feldman of Redondo Beach the teenagers gathered in small clusters or tried to CA. They scored 111.21 victory points on Saturday find the less awkward places to stand in the crowded to earn a carryover of 25.42 VPs in the final. room. In second with a carryover of 19.44 VPs is the The event was emceed by Zach Grossack, who team led by Marcus Ballinger of Burlingame CA. recently became the youngest Grand Life Master on His teammates are Eugene Sor of Richmond CA and record at 22. “I’m way over the average age in this Mindy Foos and Michael Fleisher of Campbell CA. room,” Grossack said. “That hasn’t happened in so In third is the team of Suzanne Campbell long.” (captain) and William Campbell of Marina CA, Most of them came from one of three local Daniel Hoekstra of Portland OR and Dan Parish of organizations – Silicon Valley Youth Bridge, Sun City AZ with 19.36 VPs. Zach Grossack emceed the Junior Day party. Peninsula Youth Bridge and the Center for Bridge Education – but there were a handful of players from Examples: other parts of the country and Canada, as well as a • “My biggest bridge mistake ever was getting few from Europe and Asia. famous. Opponents underestimating me for Military“We’re taking Maneuvers Grossack introduced a dozen special guests – looking young and innocent used to give a lot of bridge back to the six current Juniors and six others who were either advantages.” – Cecilia Rimstedt military,” announced former Juniors from the past decade or organizers of • “The key to winning junior bridge is scoring Robert Todd, vice the Junior program. The event program contained a at least two of your cashing aces against most president of the quote from each of the special guests, and those in slams.” – Sarah Youngquist ACBL’s Education attendance were challenged to guess who said what. continued on page 7 Foundation, about its recent grant to pilot bridge classes at U.S. World Bridge Day to feature Army bases. “As we focus on places largest online game ever where bridge can Olivier Comte, president and CEO of 52 “We want to show that we can drive a significant grow and flourish, Entertainment – the group which owns the U.S.- number of players to play online. Our goal is to have this is an exciting based Bridge Base Online (BBO) and the European- at least 20,000 players participate, but we believe opportunity to Lon Sunshine based Funbridge – is in San Francisco to promote the actual number will be much higher, likely in the expand the number of two large online events. 35,000 to 50,000 range,” Comte said. bridge players and engage a younger crowd.” First, Comte announced a free, 20-board robot With a chance to play in the largest online bridge Patty Tucker, recent inductee to the Bridge Hall individual tournament to celebrate the newly minted event in history, Comte is encouraging players to of Fame, was awarded the grant in partnership with World Bridge Day to take place on Dec. 12. The sign up for the contest, which will also feature small retired Col. Lon Sunshine. He approached Tucker contest will be hosted on the BBO and Funbridge prizes for the top scorers. in early 2019 about teaching Army personnel how platforms. “You can be part of the biggest online game to play. “Enamored” of the game’s challenges, ever,” he said. mental stimulation and teamwork, Sunshine aims to The contest is also drawing some high-profile reinstate its place in military life. Bridge had been participants – such as Hall of Famer Zia Mahmood – a widespread military pastime, especially popular giving players a chance to compare their results with during Eisenhower’s command. some of the top experts in the world. Comte’s second project is a proposed world robot continued on page 5 individual championship to be played on BBO and Funbridge in 2020. The details for the online contest Goodwill Message are still in the planning phase, but Comte is aiming for a qualifying round that will begin the spring of Maintain a courteous attitude toward next year, with the idea of holding a 500-player final both your partner and opponents; treat others as you sometime in November. The plan is for the finalists to would treat yourself. all play from one location. Sandy DeMartino continued on page 5 Aileen Osofsky Goodwill Committee Page 2 Sunday, December 1, 2019 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Meetings are at the Marriott Marquis. Monday, December 2 8 am–5 pm Best Practices Teacher Assessments. People who complete Sunday, December 1 the Best Practices Teacher Workshop can sign up for an 8 am–noon Best Practices Teacher Workshop. Session three of three. assessment during this time. (Pacific D, level 4) ACBL’s interactive seminar for people interested in learning 10 am–noon School Bridge Roundtable. Share common challenges, tips how to teach bridge. (Pacific H, level 4) and success stories in a roundtable for K–12 teachers. This 8:30 am–10 am Audrey Grant’s Modern Techniques for Bridge Teachers open discussion is for veteran and new teachers learning from and Club Managers. Audrey Grant’s hands-on approach each other and developing a network. (Sierra I, level 5) and creative use of the table, cards and bidding boxes keeps 10 am–noon Competition and Conventions Committee meeting. students engaged, excited and focused. She will share these (Foothill H, level 2) teaching techniques in this 90-minute seminar. Fee: $20 10 am–6 pm World Bridge Federation meeting. (Pacific E, level 4) covers materials. (Foothill C, level 2) 10 am–6 pm World Computer Bridge Championship. (Sierra H, level 5) 10–11:30 am Board of Governors meeting. All members of the ACBL 10:30 am–noon Goodwill Committee meeting. (Sierra J, level 5) Board of Governors are invited to attend the Fall NABC 10:30 am– U.S. Bridge Federation board meeting. (Pacific F, level 4) meeting. This meeting is also open to the general membership 12:30 pm of the ACBL. (Yerba Buena 9, lower level B2) 5–7 pm Goodwill Reception. Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill 10 am–noon Free Bridge Lesson with Audrey Grant followed by a Committee members only. (Foothill C, level 2) special game for newer players. (Foothill C, level 2) 1–5 pm Doubles in a Day. Fee: $20 if you preregister (acbl.org/ Tuesday, December 3 reglbiad), $25 at the door. (Foothill C, level 2) 9 am–noon Club Director Refresher Course. A continuing education 1–5 pm Best Practices Teacher Assessments. People who complete course for club directors to increase their skills. Participants the Best Practices Teacher Workshop can sign up for an must attend both sessions. Fee: $15 covers both days. Sign up assessment during this time. (Pacific D, level 4) at the door. (Pacific D, level 4) 2:30–6 pm World Bridge Federation meeting. (Pacific E, level 4) 10 am–6 pm World Bridge Federation meeting. (Pacific E, level 4) 10 am–6 pm World Computer Bridge Championship. (Sierra H, level 5) CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Don’t miss these free lectures by some of the best-known players in the game! Monday, Dec. 2 Talks will be held in the SoMa Room, level 2. Speakers and topics are subject to 9:15 am Robert Todd Problem Opening Bids change. 6:45 pm Norman Beck Odd Things to Help with Bridge Sunday, Dec.