When Marla Chaikin was 13 her best friend’s parents needed a fourth on a rainy Saturday so they thought they’d introduce Marla to the game. After five minutes she said “Oh. This is what I want to do in my old age!” She didn’t wait for old age. She started playing duplicate at 16 and became a Life Master in her early 20s. She took 1st in the Silver Ribbon Pairs in 2005 and 2nd in that event in 2006. She was 2nd in the Life Master Women’s Pairs in 1990 and has had a number of top 10 finishes in other Regional and National events.She played in the World Championships in Geneva in 1990 and in 2023 became our unit’s first Grand Life Master.

 She has a BS in Business (Retailing) from Skidmore College, a year in Law School and a diploma from the NYSchool of Interior Design.

Marla prefers a simple 2/1 system and feels strongly that being attentive is the key to success. She espouses an integrated approach using hand reevaluation and knowledge gained from opponents' bidding and cardplay. 

She gave up bridge completely in 2006 and returned to the game when she came to Savannah in 2015 and is delighted to live in a community with an active bridge club and so many friendly and talented players.