Three hands from my semifinal report on the the European Winter Games 2020 took my fancy - so here they are as a good read wherever you are in our surreal world - click for my three fabulous fireside tales.
SemiFinal Report of the 2020 European Winter Games:
Brilliancies in Salsomaggiore - Italian Open IMP Pairs 2019
My regular partner Enrico Castellani and I did not shine at this year’s Italian Open IMP Pairs Championship, finishing in 15th place in a field of 208 competitors, but a couple of hands proved most brilliant.
In the first session of the final I picked up the North cards on this hand...read more or click for pdf
2019 Bridge World Championships -Wu Han, China daily updates here
Success in Genova
After an extended period working away, and the hectic pace of 9th European Open Championship, it was a pleasure to sit down at the table once again in Genova, for their Annual Teams Tournament.
And thanks to the fine efforts of my friends Enrico, Mario and Damiano - we will bring the silverware home! Cheers guys. Congratulations to you, and thank you to the organisers for an excellent day of bridge.
We won the 2018 National Pairs!!
Delighted with our success this weekend in Salsomaggiore at the 2018 National Pairs, I take this moment to say a great big well done mate to my long suffering partner Enrico Castellani, a big thank you to all our opponents and acknowledge the fine efforts of the hard working organisers and TDs.
After a slow start, we managed a semi-final spot, working really hard yesterday to reach the final sixteen boards starting in fifth spot. I will post a blog when I get back from cloud nine to tell you a little about some of the hands we will remember fondly for a long time. In the meantime you can have a look on the Italian Federation website at all the hands.
My Projects
With the permission and support of one of the greatest players to ever hold cards- my dear Blue Team hero Pietro Forquet - I am now starting to translate his bridge articles into English. He published every month for nearly 20 years - and taught me much to improve my game. Follow the articles - Article 1 is available here, or buy the book when it is ready and let it improve your game too.
The book is progressing - I have translated 60 wonderful instructional and amusing hands which are now being edited for publication.
Now available in English!
www.theblueteaminthehistoryofbridge.com
The book I have been working to translate for English speaking bridge players is now published and ready to buy. Visit the website (or my books page) to order your copy now.
2019 Spingold Teams Final
The two teams, Zimmerman and Team Blass, reached the final stage by rather different means: Zimmerman, the holders...click here to download and read my reports..
2019 European Mixed Championships
The first European Mixed Teams has reached the nervous end approach in Lisbon, Portugal
Here is the draw for the championships to qualify eight teams who will represent Europe at the 2019 World Championship. it's coming to crunch time - here is the round by round count of matches to play
You can view my daily report by clicking here to read my Cartoline da Lisbona (Postcards)
I have also written the hands from one match each day of the Round Robin.
Round Robin 16 (online, PDF, smartphone)- Italy met Latvia , and Bulgaria played Denmark
Round Robin 13 - to come
Round Robin 8 - Italy faced England, Belgium played Scotland
Round Robin 3 -Italy vs Austria and Romania vs Germany
Previous Articles
Look who I came across in the course of my translating
Martin Hoffman - rest in peace
Postcards & Deals from Ostend
Each day I brought news, my views and some of the hands played during the 54th European Championships 6-16th June.
21 May 2018 - My win in Perugia
HCL Final 2017 - Lavazza V Zwederland
(part 1 is in English), the rest of the match report is currently available here but only in Italian
Read Asia report
Day 8 of WBF roadtrip TD training ...
Photos and practice with Laws 16 & 75, and a little time to play some bridge in the evening...