Memories of Warsaw 1999

by David Stevenson

A s a new European Tournament Director, it is surprising what you find yourself doing: for example explaining Polish carding symbols to Jason Hackett!

I agreed to eat Polish with several other Directors: the bulletin staff told us where to go, and Dietlind Kellner and I went there and waited for the rest to turn up. They didn't! Max Bavin's excuse that when they reached the place they did not think it served food was not believed. We eventually ordered by letting the non-English-speaking staff decide for us, and the food was good.

Screens cause troubles, especially to people not used to them, and I was called because of this sequence: South bid 1NT, West passed, the tray was passed, but North/East did not see the 1NT! Now North "opened" 1, East passed, the tray was passed, South and West saw the mistake, so they just sent the tray back.

West	North	East	South
.	.	.	1NT
Pass	1	Pass	.
.	2	Pass	3NT
Pass	6	All Pass

NOW North and East saw the 1NT, so North "reversed" into 2, East passed, the tray was passed, and South gave up! He just bid 3NT! The full sequence to the correct contract (of course!) was:

Antonio Riccardi, the excellent Italian Director, went to Champions Restaurant with his fellow Directors to watch Inter Milan on the television.When they scored he cheered and waved his fist (and Herman De Wael whispered "Oh good!").Then Manchester United scored! Antonio was surrounded by cheering Directors, two English, one Portuguese, one Israeli - and one Italian! Maurizio de Sacco is a lifelong AC Milan supporter! With hundreds in the rest of the restaurant also cheering, poor Antonio was not happy. Next day was not the one to ask him for a ruling!

Five of the Tournament Directors in Warsaw, taken by Herman De Wael. The Directors are [from the left] Jeanne van der Meiracker, Rui Marques, Ton Kooijman, Maurizio Di Sacco and David Stevenson. To see it full size please click on the image below [and return here by using "Back" on your Browser]

Another view of Warsaw, taken by Herman De Wael. To see it full size please click on the image below [and return here by using "Back" on your Browser]

Editor's note:

• This article first appeared in the Daily News at the European pairs championships in Warsaw, Poland in 1999
• If you want to comment on this article, why not write direct to David Stevenson?
• I shall be pleased to hear from you!

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