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.

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.

A week after the disappointment of losing the final of the Top Circuit Bas (Drijver) and I flew to the USA to participate in the Vanderbilt, the main event of the Spring North American Bridge Championships in Reno (earlier Bridgevaria.com published a report on 'Reno' by Simon de Wijs, read it here).
The Vanderbilt is one of the three biggest events in America. Almost all of the world's top players are present. Perhaps the field is even stronger than in a world or European championship. Helgemo (Norwegian Geir Helgemo has been one of the world's leading players for many years, -Ed. Bridgevaria.com) has never won this event. Every time I study the field I think: what a nice profession I have.

That is why Bas Drijver and I started off in high spirits. But quickly we realised this was not going to be our tournament. My earlier feeling of winning had obviously been a trick of my imagination.

Just take a look at our bidding on this deal:

For some time after the Master League final there is nothing. True, the club evenings and Friday training sessions continue, but no matches. I am glad with this lull, I must say.
Starting March (Sjoert wrote this column for our Dutch sister site Bridgevaria.nl in February, -Ed. Bridgevaria.com) things will get busy again with the final of the Dutch Top Circuit, the National in the US (to say it correctly: the Spring North American Bridge Championships in Reno), practice matches against Russia and Bulgaria. That is why, for the time being, I enjoy the break.
That is, until I am told that someone wants to pay me one million euros (about US $ 1,300,000) if I become world champion within five years...

Saturday 9 January 2010, the first set of the Dutch Master League Final: team ''t Onstein' vs. team 'Het Witte Huis' is over. 't Onstein, my team, has succeeded in turning the 17 IMP deficit (the carry-over from the preliminaries) into almost a 20 IMP lead. A wonderful feeling.
The moment I want to start lunch, Ed Hoogenkamp jumps up right before my nose.