Klukowski, Kalita claim Blue Ribbon crown
Winners of the Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs: Michal Klukowski and Jacek Kalita
Polish players Michal Klukowski and Jacek Kalita capitalized on their strong standing from the semifinal round of the Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs with solid performances in the final sessions to win the three-day contest just ahead of runners-up Jim Munday of Albuquerque NM and Richard Pavlicek of Fort Lauderdale FL.
Klukowski and Kalita finished third in Wednesday’s semifinal round, and scored 63.08% and 59.15% in the final sessions to win the contest by 8 matchpoints (25 = top) over Munday and Pavlicek. The runners-up had terrorized the semifinal field with 69% and 66% games, earning the maximum carryover, but they were overtaken by Klukowski and Kalita in the final.
Klukowski has previously won the Spingold KO Teams in 2018 and 2022, while Kalita has seven NABC+ titles.
Of note: Klukowski and Kalita had not planned on playing in the contest, but when a half-table caused a sitout in the opening round, directors persuaded the duo to fill in. They went on to win the contest.
Second in the Blue Ribbon Pairs: Jim Munday and Richard Pavlicek