The EBU Spring Overseas Congress, sponsored by First for Bridge, is taking place in Tavira, Portugal. Tournament Director Chris Benneworth talks through the first day of events:
Now all the players have arrived, along with the stationery, Bridgemates and five sets of boards. But no bidding boxes, held up with the rest of the equipment in Lisbon at customs.
So, Monday evening’s bridge was somewhat unusual – perhaps less so for those of us who learnt their bridge in an era before bidding boxes, Bridgemates and computer scoring. To allow the Pre-Congress Pairs to go ahead, we used “silent bidders”, where bids were pointed to in turn and the last bid marked with a coin. It took a bit of getting used to and the general consensus was that we needed the security of bidding boxes. Fortunately, tomorrow will be another day.
For those travellers who had arrived early, Monday gave more opportunities to explore Tavira and the immediate surroundings in the Algarve. Four of the group, who have hired a car for the duration of their stay, went further afield to the nature reserve near Alhao, to see the world heritage wetlands (pictured above left) and the wide range of wildlife. Others took the local ferry through the river estuary to the unspoilt beaches, or strolled through the town and took refreshment in the many cafes and bars which dot the waterfront and town streets.
The pre-Congress Pairs was won by Rhona Goldenfield and Raymond Semp (pictured above right) with 61.22%, with Adrian Alexander and Brian Drabble second on 60.56%.
This was board 5:
Only one pair managed to bid and make the lay-down 6H, for an absolute top of 32. This was their auction: 1NT – 3H (slam try) – 3S (cue)- 4C(cue)- 4D (cue) – 6H
On Tuesday, the more serious green-pointed Swiss Pairs begins.