Jonathan Cansino was one of the greatest players of his generation.  From 1964, his partnership with John Collings became a byword for success, both on the domestic scene, where they won every major tournament, and internationally.  He had an equally successful partnership with Jeremy Flint, with whom he devised the Cansino defence to an opening One No Trump and the notorious Multi Two Diamonds opening, both conventions revolutionary at the time and both still played by many tournament players.

Such was his reputation that when the British Team went up to receive the Silver in the European Teams Championship in 1971, the chant went up from the audience: “Can-sin-o, Can-sin-o, Can-sin-o”, slightly to the chagrin of the other five members of the British Team, who felt that they too had played a part.

Sadly, at the age of 34 he underwent an operation for a brain tumour, which effectively put an end to what would undoubtedly have been an outstanding bridge career. A fuller appreciation of his life and achievements will appear here and in the December edition of English Bridge.