A Bridge Oscar by Zia Mahmood

Hamman & Wolff
Hamman & Wolff

Source: Around the World in 80 Hands

A question often asked but seldom answered is: who is (or was) the worlds greatest bridge player? The partnership element of the game does not easily permit one player to stand above the rest, as in tennis or chess. Instead, there are great pairs — Hamman and Wolff, Belladonna and Garozzo, Reese and Schapiro — and great teams such as the Dallas Aces or the Blue Team.

So many different and often incompatible skills make up the great players that it is impossible for one individual to master them all.

Belladonna, Garozzo, Forquet...
Blue Team 1976: Belladonna, Garozzo, Forquet, d’Alelio and Vivaldi, captained by Mr. Perroux, pose with the Chairman of the Monaco Bridge Federation

A great technician, for instance, is rarely a great psychologist. Players with immense powers of concentration do not possess great table presence or flair. Rather than nominating a single individual for the title of the world’s greatest player, I present here my awards—bridge Oscars, if you like — for the masters of each unique talent. For genius — Benito Garozzo. Perhaps the most naturally gift-ed player of all time — volatile, emotional and blessed with a God-given feel for what is happening at the table. Look at this hand, played against two of his Italian countrymen.

Benito was South, Giorgio Belladonna North:

Mano mahmood

West had doubled Garozzo’s opening bid of 1spade, and as a result of some exuberant bidding by Belladonna, Garozzo had to play the hand in 6spade on the lead of the clubA. Almost without pause for thought, Benito ruffed the lead in dummy and ran the spadeJ.

When this held the trick, he played a diamond to the diamond suitA and a second diamond to West’s diamond suitK. West did his best by returning a second club to force dummy to ruff again, but Garozzo simply started to run dummy’s diamond suit.

West could not ruff, and as soon as East did Garozzo would overruff and return to the spadeK for the rest of the diamonds.

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

Bali 2013: What happened on September 20th…

Read the last results. See who is in the ZONE.

European Open beckons again

This year, the European Open will be organized in Montecatini, Italy, from June 10 to 24.

Caution, Genius at Work: Joe Grue by Brian Senior

Joe Grue is one of North America’s top young players, having played with considerable success on the USA Youth teams at world championships in the first decade of this century and since graduated to the open ranks.

1st European Online Championships 2012

Launch of the 1st online championships by EBL (European Bridge League) and EUSA (European University sports Association).

France: Riehm wins 2016 DN1 Open

The Victory went to Franck Riehm's team (Michel Duguet, Lionel sebbane Cédric Lorenzini, Alain Levy, Frederick Volcker).

Franck Riehm elected as WBF President

The World Bridge Federation is pleased to announce the...

1st South American Online Mixed Teams Championship

All players belonging to any NBO affiliated to the WBF are welcome!

I Brazilian Online Bridge Festival 2020

Some of the best players in the world are Brazilians, and some of the most enthusiastic players too! Our Brazilian Online Festival has appeal to players of all levels. Your team will play in a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with very well-organized scoring and experienced Directors to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

WBF Robot Tournaments

Come and join the competition through our Providers, BBO, Funbridge and Ourgame, all offering you this great opportunity – we look forward to some challenging tournaments!”

The Endplay

An endplay (also throw-in), in bridge, is a tactical play where a defender is put on lead at a strategic moment, and then has to make a play that loses one or more tricks.

The Scissors Coup by John Brown

Scissors coup (or, Scissor coup, ) is a type of coup in bridge, so named because it cuts communications between defenders.

World Bridge Federation – Youth

The Championship is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1992 (Juniors & Girls) or born on or after 1st January 1997 (Youngsters) or born on or after 1st January 2002 (Kids) in good standing with their own NBOs.

Prevent a Ruff by Jon Brown

West led his singleton club, which dummy's king won. South read the lead as a singleton.

RELACIONADOS

CATEGORIAS POPULARES