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Adventures of bridge professional 25: the 2010 World Championships in Philadelphia |
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Two weeks away from home and I was to play a tournament with another partner than Bas (Drijver), something that hadn't happened for a long time. The tournament was the Mixed Teams and my partner to be was Meike Wortel. The Mixed took place after the Open Teams, which I was going to play with Bas, nothing strange there.
These were the prospects for the World Championships in the USA. (What kind of World Championship is Sjoert talking about? Read the opening of Tim Verbeek's earlier report, here: World Championships Bridge Philadelphia 2010, -Ed. Bridgevaria.com.)
In earlier editions we had always played for the Netherlands but the Open World Championship Teams, contesting the Rosenblum Cup, is now free, so we had to find ourselves a team.
Quickly we had struck a deal to play the Rosenblum with Marc Jacobus — Lou Anne O'Rourke and Roger Bates — Eddie Wold. Furthermore, we would follow this up by playing the Mixed Teams with Jacobus — O'Rourke as well. I would play, as mentioned, with Meike Wortel, and Bas with Marion Michielsen.
But that was for later… First we had to see whether we would make it into the knock-out phase of the Rosenblum.
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Adventures of bridge professional 24: the 2010 White House Top 12 |
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For many years already the opening of the top bridge season in the Netherlands has been the Modalfa Top 12. It still is, only the name has been changed into Witte Huis ('White House') Top 12.
The level of play in sponsor Max Abram's house is high. The twelve strongest Dutch pairs assess their form and possibilities. This year the tournament was already decided after one day! Ricco van Prooijen and Louk Verhees scored one swing after another and took such a lead on the Saturday, that all they had to do on the Sunday was to show up. |
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Adventures of a bridge professional 23: Biarritz and New Orleans |
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In which Sjoert reports from the Biarritz (France) bridge festival, the Spingold in New Orleans and, in between, the (Soccer) World Cup Final Spain-the Netherlands in South-Africa. Yes, a bridge professional spends many an hour in planes... After our deplorable run at the European Championship (read Sjoert's column about it here) I quickly washed my clothes and boarded the plane to Biarritz. Although we have two Weekly Bridge Festivals of our own in the Netherlands (in Scheveningen and Utrecht), I think the French festivals are more beautiful, lively and atmospheric and the field is stronger there. I am playing this tournament with Hans Melchers and Eric Laurant. |
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Adventures of a bridge professional 22: The European Championships for teams in Oostende |
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All summer I am extremely busy playing bridge. First the European Championships (two weeks), next the tournament in Biarritz (one week) and after a week off I will be heading for New Orleans (two weeks). In short… bridge, bridge and more bridge.
To start with… the European Championships in Oostende. To play for the Netherlands is very special. It makes you feel that you have to do well for the whole of the country. All Dutchmen are counting on me, Sjoert Brink, for the Netherlands to obtain a medal.
And rightly so, I think. Partner Bas Drijver and I are playing well, make few mistakes and often the opponents can't help themselves throwing large amounts of points at us. So what can go wrong? |
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Adventures of a bridge professional 21: Confrontation with Zia |
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Playing against Zia always is, and always will be, something special. One of my very first bridge books was Bridge My Way by Zia. While reading this book I was completely caught by the bridge game. His perception, his... well, the lot really. As for his charisma he simply is the greatest bridge player in the world. And he beat me last year at the quarter final of the world championship (contesting the Bermuda Bowl). So if ever there is a time for revenge, it's now.
Therefore it was fortunate that ’t Onstein, my bridge club, succeeded in luring Zia to the Netherlands for a practice match (and following that a tournament, the Onstein Pinkster Patton). He was partnered by Roy Welland. Welland is mostly very, very clever; furthermore he is a good bridge player, and, on top of that, more active at the table than anyone else. His motto is: A match in which you haven't been super-active, is a match in which you haven't played. |
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Adventures of a bridge professional 20: Practice matches |
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End of April. We're on our way to the ’t Onstein bridge farm to play practice matches against Russia and Poland/Israel. The Dutch team that will play at the European Championships in Oostende (Belgium) in June will consist of three pairs. So from the following four pairs: Bauke Muller – Simon de Wijs, Ricco van Prooijen – Louk Verhees, Jan Jansma – Gert-Jan Paulissen and, of course, Bas Drijver and I, one will have to drop out. After these practice matches the definitive line-up will be announced.
The matches are broadcast live on BBO (internet) for everyone to follow. To me these matches are on home ground, since the ’t Onstein bridge farm is the venue of my club.
Though the Dutch team line-up has not been decided upon yet, Bas and I look set to be part of it. For the last three years we have been the Netherlands' best pair and despite not having done extremely well this year, I think it very unlikely that we will be overcome by three pairs. In short: these matches will be practice matches to us, nothing more. |
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