We are sad to have to pass on the news that Bill has passed away following complications after surgery.. He was a great supporter of Manchester Bridge Club and served on our MBC Committee in the early 80's. He had a great love of tournament bridge and was a keen and successful rubber bridge player at Palatine Road. I last played with him 20 years ago and we were due to play together this year at Killarney.

There is a full obituary for him on the MBCA website,

He was the current holder of the EBU Seniors Congress Teams and Pairs in addition to his other successes. He also served as NPC for the English Open Team in the European Championships in Pu, France in 2008. He and John Hassett finished top of the Butlers in the 2006 European Seniors Teams in Warsaw. He was very easy to play with and had good victories with a number of partners including Leslie Klein, Alan Nelson, and Jeremy Dhondy - and of course his son Andrew!

He will be missed.

Jeff Morris

We have heard that Richard Fleischman sadly passed away in March this year.

He was a much loved regular visitor to Manchester from America since the days of the Central Bridge Club in the late 1960s.

He was initially very friendly with Irving Blakey and over the years made a number of visits to Manchester as part of his academic research forming close friendships with Irving and Joy, Leslie Klein, Kevin and Celia Comrie, Michelle Brunner and John Holland plus many others.

He stayed with us for about a month on one of his visits in the 1980s which was particularly memorable for him being chased around our house by our young daughter Leonie brandishing her toy snake! 

Our condolences and best wishes go to his friends and family.

Jeff Morris 

(You can also read a lovely obituary for Richard on The Herald Tribune website which you might like to search for on-line)

Signs of things to come maybe?.......or maybe not!!!

The Mutton Cup is organised by Jason Hackett. Last year some MBC players took part in this competition in Madrid and Jason is holding another on 13-15 August when quite a few of our members are hoping to play. Jason is also hosting on-line bridge games called Satellite Pairs and Peter Jones  won the spot prize recently,

For all our members who have already switched or are considering moving to 5 Card Majors and 2 over 1 Game Forcing, this book by Neil Rosen is perhaps the closest to the systems taught at Manchester Bridge Club.

It is easy to read, structured and offers many quizzes and examples to test your understanding. Highly recommended!!

If you would like a copy please contact David so we might organize a bulk order from Manchester Bridge Club and perhaps a better price.

CORONAVIRUS

We have had to take the unwanted decision to close the Club until further notice.

Please look after yourselves and each other during this difficult time and keep in touch by phone and email even if we can't meet up for a while.

Championship Pairs - Played Sunday 8th March 2020 - Won by Paul & Dave!

This all play all green pointed event was played at the County HQ, Wolverhampton Bridge Club on Sunday 8th March in two sessions with a total of 45 boards. 

The winners were Paul Hackett & David Debbage. 

The first three pairs have qualified to play in the national event for the Corwen Trophy on 30th and 31st May 2020 at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Milton Keynes.

The World Bridge Games Open Teams Trials are currently underway, taking place from 13th - 17th March at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club.

There will be live coverage on Bridge Base Online from 10.30am tomorrow.

The teams will play a three-day round-robin followed by a two-day final. The winning team will earn selection to the World Bridge Games, to be held in Italy, Salsomaggiore Terme from 21st August – September 4th.

PREMIER GRAND MASTERS PAIRS WINNERS 2020

This prestigious EBU event has just taken place in Stratford-upon-Avon

and has been won by MBC's

DAVID DEBBAGE & PAUL HACKETT

How fantastic - well done to you both!

For the third year in a row, John Holland has won the Sunday Telegraph Salver, for the most Master Points earned in the calendar year.

John, who has won the competition on seven previous occasions, earned 25,760 points in 2019. Gary Hyett, was second with 23,083. Mike Bell was third with 21,562.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The trials to represent England in the senior competition of the 2020 European National Teams Championship, has been won by the Mossop Team.

The winning team of David Mossop (C), Brian Senior, Norman Selway, John Holland, Paul Hackett and Gunnar Hallberg, finished the weekend on 272 IMPs. They were 31 IMPs ahead of the Dhondy Team (Jeremy Dhondy (C), Brian Callaghan, David Kendrick, Alan Mayo, John Hassett and Trevor Ward).

The European National Teams Championship, will be held in Funchal, Madeira, from the 21st to 27th June 2020.

Congratulations to MBC members John Holland, Paul Hackett and John Hassett!

2nd Feb 2020

Gazette Trophy Success for MBC A and B Teams!!

The inter-club teams of eight competition was held at Altrincham on Sunday 2nd February.  Ten teams competed with the competition being won by the Manchester Bridge Club A team with our B team finishing second!

Winners Manchester A
Martin Taylor, Nicholas Greer, Rhona Goldenfield, Henry Bissell, Dave Debbage, Catherine Draper, Barbara Hackett, Andrew Woodcock with Ann Thornton (MCBA)

Second Manchester B
Daniel Kelsall, Karen Reissman, Irene Davies, Simon Townsend, Paul Murray, Tricia Blum, Peter Grauer, Philip Taylor with Ann Thornton (MCBA)

WELL DONE US!!!

Detailed results of all ther teams who took part are on the Manchester Events web site.

The Winning Pair on Monday,

Wednesday and Thursday evenings 

can claim their

NEXT BRIDGE NIGHT FREE!!

Here at Manchester Bridge Club we can always find you a playing partner but please arrive in good time to allow us to find someone suited to your ability.

If you arrive at the last minute you may have to take "pot luck"! 

Alternatively please phone David ahead of the session to ask him to find someone for you.

"We aim to please!!"

Are you receiving the Bridge Club e-Mails & Newsletter?

If not - please let Dave know so he can make sure you are included.

If you would prefer not to be contacted please email Dave at the address below.

Tel: 0161 445 3712 or davedebbage@hotmail.co.uk

Thankyou.