Thursday, August 13, 2015 Volume 87, Number 7 Daily Bulletin 87th North American Bridge Championships [email protected] Paul Linxwiler and Brent Manley Nickell out of Baker tops Bjerkan by single IMP in Wagar Trailing by 8 IMPs with one board to play, Spingold, other Lynn Baker’s team picked up 9 IMPs against Cheri Bjerkan’s squad on the last deal to win the Wagar seeds go down Women’s KO Teams by a single IMP. In a day of upsets in the Spingold Knockout Baker played with Karen McCallum, Kerri Teams, the biggest was the defeat of the formidable Sanborn, Irina Levitina, JoAnna Stansby and Pamela Nick Nickell squad, taken out by the multi-national Granovetter. Stan Tulin team. Bjerkan’s lineup was Rozanne Pollack, Pam The No. 31 seed led Nickell from start to finish, Wittes and Ljudmila Kamenova. defeating the No. 2 seed 143-99. Tulin, Boca Raton In the first quarter, Bjerkan jumped out to a 49-14 FL, is playing with Kevin Dwyer, Melbourne FL, lead. By halftime, Baker had shaved a few IMPs from Polish stars Michal Nowosadzki and Jacek Kalita Bjerkan’s lead: 81-55. The third quarter saw Baker and a pair from Israel, Dror Padon and Alon Birman. pick up a few more IMPs, reducing Bjerkan’s lead to Also on the sidelines today are No. 4 Martin 19 IMPs (117-98). Bjerkan maintained a small lead Team Baker wins the Wagar Women’s KO in a Fleisher, defeated 143-140 by No. 36 Juan Carlos throughout the fourth quarter until the final board, squeaker: Pamela Granovetter, Kerri Sanborn, Ventin; No. 7 Bauke Muller, defeated 125-119 by Irina Levitina, captain Lynn Baker, Karen No. 26 PanChina; No. 9 Mike Levine, loser to No. 24 continued on page 13 McCallum and JoAnna Stansby. Team Wolff 141-116, No. 11 John Diamond, who fell to No. 22 Hemant Lall 140-107. Other top seeds had better days on Wednesday, Simon says: NABC is impressive as top seed Richard Schwartz, No. 3 Monaco, No. 5 Bridge Senior teams. Carolyn Lynch and No. 6 Mark Gordon all advanced journalist In Chicago this week, the affable 68-year- with relative ease. Simon old Londoner experienced two bridge firsts at the Cocheme has Summer NABC. First, there was the NABC itself. He been playing had never attended one of ACBL’s big tournaments. Mini-Spingold the game for Second, he says, “I had never played bridge at 9 more than a.m.” KOs update 40 years and That’s an NABC for you: games practically all The quarterfinal round of the Mini-Spingold I traveling day long, including the popular midnight games. (0-5000) KO Teams takes place today. The round- the world to Besides the schedule, the sheer size of the NABC of-eight pairings are Reynolds vs. Harada, Johnson tournaments – is remarkable, Cocheme says. In England, he notes, vs. Zolotow, Pryke vs. Fleischmann and Rebelein vs. as a writer and the best-attended tournaments are about the size of Wasserman. non-playing an average ACBL regional. There is nothing like a In the Mini-Spingold II (0-1500) KO teams, captain of tournament that can rack up 12,000 tables in 11 days. four teams have survived to today’s semifinal round. England’s continued on page 15 Kenneth Hopke’s squad will battle Perry Poole’s team, and in the other bracket Hunter McClain and company square off against Randy Ryals’s team. Wardens savor memories from NABC, hotel 26 years ago Ohio pair out front in It’s not unusual for players to be married at a Wernher Open Pairs bridge tournament. It’s pretty handy, after all, to have Two Ohio players put together two solid games your wedding and – for many – your honeymoon to take the lead in the Wernher Open Pairs with two destination in the same place. sessions left to play today. The leaders are Yauheni Twenty-six years ago, Phil and Mary Warden had Siutsau, Loveland, and William Higgins, Cincinnati. just such an event, but with a lot more fanfare than They scored 59.24% in the first qualifying session most. and 63.95% in the second. The Madison WI couple, who are attending the Their carryover score of 205.43 is just ahead of 2015 Summer NABC in Chicago, remember that they Jennifer Chalfan, Bellevue WA, and Bryan Delfs, were married on Aug. 3 in one of the fancy suites at Kent WA, with 204.2. Top today is 38. the Hilton Chicago, with local television coverage and hundreds of well-wishers. After the ceremony, Phil recalls, local player Ralph Katz took the bride and groom to the horse Ferm team leads races. At one time, the two were playing 100 days a year in tournaments. Mary won her first regional – the Tri The teamMixed captained by Barbara BAM Ferm will enter Unit Regional at the Arlington Race Race in Chicago today’s final sessions of the Freeman Mixed Board- – playing with her husband. a-Match Teams with a lead of less than half a board. The two don’t play as much now, but Mary is a Berm, of Dallas, is playing with Joan Jackson, Chris Gold Life Master with more than 4600 masterpoints. Compton, Juanita Chambers and Jacob Morgan. Phil is an Emerald LM with 10,358 masterpoints. Their carryover of 3.49 is just ahead of the Uday The couple met at a bridge club in Madison three Ivaturi score of 3.01. He is playing with Christal years before they tied the knot in Chicago. Phil, a Henner, Josh Donn and Sheri Winestock. continued on page 6 Phil and Mary Warden You oughta be in pictures If you achieve a new masterpoint milestone here Goodwill Message Arrive at the table on time with in Chicago – Life Masters and upwards – please ATTENDANCE a smile. come by the Bulletin office and let us take your through Wednesday Sandy DeMartino, Chair picture. We’re eager to congratulate you and share Aileen Osofsky ACBL Goodwill your achievement in the Daily Bulletin. 9618 tables Committee Page 2 Thursday, August 13, 2015 Daily Bulletin SPECIAL EVENTS MEETINGS / SEMINARS / RECEPTIONS Thursday, August 13 Sunday, August 16 4:30–7:30 Restaurant Bus Tour: Chinatown. TBA Peter Pender Memorial Vugraph Theater. Location TBD. CELEBRITY SPEAKER PROGRAM Be sure to attend these free lectures by some of the best-known players and Friday, August 14 teachers in the game. All of these presentations will take place in Salon B on the 9:15 am Lisa Berkowitz Playing to Trick One lower level. 6:45 pm Jeff Hand Playing these Notrump Contracts Thursday, August 13 Saturday, August 15 9:15 am Ellen Kent How to Bid a Minor-suit Slam: 9:15 am Jeff Roman The Difference Between Matchpoints and IMPs Minorwood 6:45 pm TBA 6:45 pm Harriette Buckman Rights and Responsibilities ENTERTAINMENT and HOSPITALITY Don’t miss the great treats offered every night at 10:30 on the lower level and in Friday, August 14 the foyer of the International Ballroom on the second floor. Wraps: Turkey with provolone and cranberry mayonaise; vegetable (gluten free) Thursday, August 13 Saturday, August 15 Sandwiches: Ham and Havarti; turkey and Swiss Jumbo cookies and fudge brownies Fork it over Chicago Restaurant Tour Snack bar reduces menu On this board from a Sunday pairs event, declarer Thursday, August 13 The snack bar near the International Ballroom went down in a game that should have made. The Chinatown (2nd Floor) will no longer sell food due to very low deal was reported by Howard Engle of Highland Park demand. The snack bar will now sell only coffee. Centered around Cermack and Wentworth IL. He and Mark Weisman of Glenview IL were the avenues, Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood is defenders. a great place to visit and features some very tasty dining options. Whether you want to spice things up Online advance entry sales Dlr: East ♠ K 6 2 Don’t wait in line! Buy your entries in advance with Szechuan cuisine, have some dim sum or try Vul: None ♥ A J 8 6 5 2 at BridgeWinners.com for all national-level events. delicacies like sea cucumber, these places have what ♦ K 4 Entries must be purchased by 10 a.m. the day of you need and do it well. And if you just want some ♣ 9 3 the event EXCEPT for events that require pre- egg rolls and orange chicken, you should be fine, too. ♠ Q 10 9 7 ♠ A 8 5 4 registration, in which case the ACBL deadline A bus will run in continuous loops from 4:30 ♥ 9 ♥ 4 3 applies. There is no service charge. pm to 7:30 pm from the Hilton to Chinatown, where ♦ 10 7 6 3 2 ♦ A J 9 A nice feature: You can buy entries in advance you’re on your own to pick an eatery. Here are a few ♣ J 7 6 ♣ A 10 8 2 and be charged for the total number of sessions of our favorites: ♠ J 3 played after the event is over. Note: Players who Cai ♥ K Q 10 7 wish to redeem ACBL coupons or free plays may not Chi Cafe ♦ Q 8 5 purchase entries online. See BridgeWinners.com. Emperor’s Choice Restaurant ♣ K Q 5 4 Evergreen Restaurant West North East South Go 4 Food 1♣ Pass Joy Yee Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣ Bridge Bucks and Lao Sze Chuan Pass 4♥ All Pass MingHin Cuisine check cashing Weisman didn’t fancy leading an unsupported Phoenix Restaurant Bridge Bucks and check cashing services will ace, so he started with a trump.