by Al Levy
The 1st Yeh Online Bridge World Cup, sponsored by Chen Yeh, featured four world mixed-teams, including some of the best players in the world and bridge playing celebrities. Each team played online, at the same site, one in Seattle, one in Turin, and two teams in Beijing.
Team BBO, partners (left to right): Jill Myers (#2 all-time women’s world ranking) – Bob Hamman (#1 all-time world ranking); Fred Gitelman – Sheri Weinstock; Bill Gates – Sharon Osberg, receiving their tournament medals from Al Levy, WBF Executive VP and site coordinator. Howie Weinstein (not shown), USBF president, ‘looked after’ the players and helped Al behind the scenes.
Before play started the teams greeted each other through video transmission. After exchanging pleasantries, Bill Gates commented, “I love to play bridge and a lot of the people here [Fred Gitelman, Sheri Winestock and Sharon Osberg] are the people who got me excited about bridge,” and finished with “It’s such an amazing game.”
For the full story, go to http://bridgeonlineworldcup.com/
Much thanks to the ACBL for its support. Kudos to José Damiani, chairman of the Organizing Committee under the auspices of the WBF, for putting this event together.
An event with worldwide top players, celebrities and organizers, makes the slogan “Bridge for Peace” very fitting.
