Down to the Finishing Post

OK so where was I.....

Thursday afternoon was spent relaxing in my room. Now a little known Stern family lore is that we break out fast with Malteesers – I know they probably aren’t kosher or even healthy but for 20 years this has been the fast-breaker. But damned if I could find them in Beijing so Lindt chocolate it was.

That evening it was off to the a lavish WBF dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where I caught up with a number of friends whom I only see at these events. I sat next to two smokers but as they were both ladies one of whom was quite attractive and good fun to be with I resisted my normal urges.

The Australian Open team were sunk at this stage while the ladies were struggling. The seniors were playing superbly running first or second after every match. In the youth the Under 26 were locked into qualifying while the U21 and U28 were some small chance.

I had swapped my commentating duties on Friday to enable me to take the day off. Without anything obvious to do I wandered over to the youth Championships on the other side of Olympic Park and what did I do....commentate on VuGraph.....I know a day off but it was good fun and there was some excellent bridge.

Lunch with the youth players is always good fun. They have such a positive attitude to the game, which would be good to see in other players.

Back to the main venue and nothing to do I go to the theatre and do some commentating before going back to the room to watch the last match.

The final results can be found in the bulletins:
http://www.worldbridge.org/tourn/Beijing.08/Beijing.htm

Friday night and I was invited to dinner by the Open Team. A superb TeppanYaki meal around the chef’s cooking plate. Everything from Beef, Lamb, chicken, Prawns, Scallops etc etc and even some healthy salads etc.

Saturday morning and I decide to undertake some retail therapy but as with everything in China, if it has a brand name it costs 30% to 50% more in China – so nothing purchased.

I head back to the VG theatre to perform my duties. I commentate on Norway accounting for Turkey and for the final match watch Poland eliminate USA.

The Australian Seniors have done exceptionally well eliminating Pakistan in the round of 16 to make the quarter-finals and now play Egypt.

Standings (my predictions first) are:

Open:
Italy v Poland
Norway v China
Romania v England
Netherlands v Germany

Women
China v Germany
USA v Denmark
England v France
Turkey v Russia

Seniors
USA v Hungary
Australia v Egypt
Indonesia V Netherlands
England v Japan

U28
Poland v France
Norway v China

U 26
Norway v Denmark
Poland v Chinese Taipei

U21 – No thoughts on this.
France v Bulgaria
China v England

Is there something we should learn from Norway making 3 of the 6 divisions

The datums are published in the Daily Bulletin

Open
Gill-Richman +0.16 per board
Thomson-Brightling -0.05 per board
Klinger-Mullamphy -0.41 per board

Women
Lusk-Tully +0.40 per board
Beale-Smart -0.21 per board
Snashall-Murray-White -0.23 per board

Seniors – an amazingly fine performance by all three pairs
Brown-Kanetkar +0.76 per board
Lilley-Nagy +0.65 per board
Lavings-Krochmalik +0.56 per board

The seniors is an event winning performance and worthy of further investigation into what led to such a fine performance. Ishmael has been a fine captain and very inspirational to the team and deserves much credit for the performance of this team.

That evening it was off to the IBPA dinner the venue for which I had organised. A Brazilian Grill at the Crowne Plaza Hotel which was very well received by all. At the dinner I suggested that I would arrange Chinese in Brazil next year when the world championships are to be held in Sao Paulo.

Next morning and off to the AGM of the International Bridge Press Association where I am to be elected to the executive. Yes I know that I swore off all bridge administration two years ago but this position is not too onerous.

And here I am sitting in the meeting writing this blog which may say something about my manners of the nature of the meeting.

Today I am doing the last 16 of 48 boards so have a relatively easy day. While VG commentating may sound like a cushy job it is tiring. You have an audience of up to 100 people wanting to find error in every word you say but mercifully so far not too many of those. I have an article in the bulletin today on page 17 at:

http://www.worldbridge.org/bulletin/08_2%20Beijing/pdf/WMSG/bul_08.pdf

Haven’t seen nearly enough of Beijing and am fearful of another world championship visit without seeing enough of the city – something I regrettably did in Santiago.

Anyway enough of my ramblings – more in a few days

Wednesday and Thursday - 2 Days Off For Moi

Russia fail to star against Argentina going down by 5-25 after playing poorly against solid play by Argentina.

That night I arrange to go to one of the most sensational restaurants I have been to. The food pretty darn good but the decor and surroundings are quite unimaginable. LAN is the Philippe Starke designed club/restaurant. Nothing I could describe could do it justice so have a look here:

Unfortunately their website isn’t working but let me describe it. Confused, paintings hung on the ceilings, paintings simply leaning on the walls, mirrors everywhere and simply funky as possibly imaginable. Just the front page on their site may give you a clue:
http://lanbeijing.com/index1.php

Wednesday morning and I decide to visit a nearby markets – what do I need – nothing but a market is a market.

Australia Open have climbed to 11th but with 56.5 off qualifying things look grim
The Australian woman are 9th and only 22 off qualifying so some good chances there
Shining light for the Australians is the Seniors team Running second and easily qualifying
Looking at the Kiddies as they are affectionately known.
U28 are running 25th and only 21 off qualifying so some hope there
U26 forecast to do well and so it proves with them running 3rd comfortably qualifying
U21 are running 9th and within reach of qualifying

I buy a few bits and pieces at the markets and treat myself to a 30 minute massage with one doing my head/neck and the other my legs and feet – worth every bit of the $US6.

Back to the hotel to prepare for Yom Kippur services. We leave the hotel at 15:00 for the kosher restaurant where dinner starts at 15:30. The crowded restaurant serves a simple kosher fare of krepplach soup, salad, chicken schnitzel and muffin/fruit desert.

A mini bus takes us to the Hilton where services are to be held. I am somewhat surprised by there not being more WMSG participants attending but am pleased to see some youth from the Aruba bridge team and Venezuela Open team player there. The service is great. Speed praying and all over within 1:45 including two sermons. The rabbi is warm and welcoming and as with all of the Chabbad services I have been to, I felt very welcomed and comfortable.

Home for an early night.

Next morning I check the results and see the following:

OPEN – 8 FROM EACH GROUP QUALIFY
Open Group D
1 Germany 298.00
2 USA 275.00
3 England 268.00
4 Turkey 267.00
5 Indonesia 258.00
6 Greece 225.00
7 Thailand 220.00
8 Lebanon 214.00
12 Australia 193.50

WOMEN’S – TOP 5 AND BEST 6TH QUALIFY
Women’s Group F
1 China 268.50
2 Finland 261.00
3 France 260.00
4 Denmark 252.00
5 Russia 248.00
5 Spain 248.00
7 Scotland 241.00
8 Venezuela 228.00
9 Canada 227.00
10 Australia 226.00

SENIORS – TOP 8 QUALIFY
Open Group L
1 Indonesia 262.00
2 Australia 260.00
3 Poland 234.50
4 Canada 228.00
5 Egypt 224.00
6 Germany 201.00
7 Netherlands 195.00
8 China 192.50

It will take up too much room if I list all of the results so look at the bulletin here:
http://www.worldbridge.org/bulletin/08_2%20Beijing/pdf/WMSG/bul_06.pdf

Thursday morning – fasting OK and off to services. Again a lovely service where I am more at home than normally in Synagogue. People are respectful here and not talking constantly. The services finish at 1:30 and restart at 16:30 and as I sit here now am not sure I will return.

Be well and more later

Moving Right Along

Monday proved no better for the team with a 6-24 loss to Germany 15-15 draw with Serbia and finally 7-23 against Indonesia. This leaves us 50+ behind fourth and possibly out of contention. We book for dinner at an Italian Restaurant +39 (the country code for Italy) which was excellent in both food and decor with a slight demerit for service.

We return to the hotel to be greeted by George Bilski, the Open Team captain and my emotions run from relief to sympathy to embarrassment at handing over the reigns at this desperate stage.

A late night spent training my computer to respond to my wishes (unsuccessfully).

Next morning I wake up early to continue my computer training quest with mild success and then off to an early breakfast where I meet up with Bill Schoder a former Chief Tournament Director for the WBF and now on some of the Laws Committees. An interesting guy, former air force pilot with battle scars of life to match. We discuss the 800 drop in the Dow Jones last night which ended up “ONLY” down 350 and the collapsing Australian Dollar (0.7200).

I have the morning off from my commentating so I decide to “Chef de Mission” and visit the youth venue and players which was good fun. They seem to be enjoying the tournament and hospitality with some amusing stories to go with it. One not so amusing story was a player who highlighted how he was lucky with two compressed boards. In his room he went off one in 4S while at the other table 4SXX made six. The compression was a bad result at both tables instead of costing 12 imps at each table it only cost a combined 16. This happened twice – lucky !!!!!

After sharing lunch with the ‘kids’ I head back to the venue to fulfil my commentating duties for Germany vs USA – something which I expect to be very exciting. And it is. The lead changes hand on each of the first 4 boards and after 5 boards 39 IMPS were traded.

World Champions Meckstroth Rodwell bid to 7C and then this got doubled by somebody holding QJ9 of clubs and it was going one down they ran to 7NT which got doubled for two down. Bad luck the opponents were only in 5C at the other table.

Grand Slam when opponents psyched your suit. You hold

K1098xx
J
AKJx
xx

3C on your left double by partner 3S on your right which you double and then 4C by partner – pretty easy now to Blackwood and bid 7S but at this level not always so easy.

I spend a few moments commiserating with a friend over the state of the world economy and a some more time key-chatting with daughter Danielle who is in Zambia. She complains of her constant tinned tuna, her poor currency decisions and the lack of sushi on her African Safari – wish I had her problems!!!

I check in on the boys who have a good result against Lebanon with perhaps some more to come from an appeal.

Back to the VG for Russia vs Argentina. As I think I noted elsewhere the Russian states are developing quite a bridge reputation so this should be entertaining. Should be could be would be – 4 boards in and nothing nada!!!

More Soon
D

Day Two and Three

I was expecting a phone call from the team captain who was arriving on Monday to say he had suddenly come down with some rare illness – perhaps inspired by looking at the scores. But mercifully no such call came.

So, Sunday morning and another day and I hope another bunch of VPs. I have been scheduled to do Vugraph for USA plays Turkey while my Open Team are drawn to play Switzerland. For want of anything else I continue the rotation sitting out Thommo and Richard and am rewarded with a 21-9 win against Switzerland.

I work during the morning doing my only session of VuGraph commentary for a very entertaining match between USA and Turkey. With USA on 71 from 75 during the first day they were expected to account for the USA but the Turks played exceptionally well to win 17-13 .

Watching Rodwell go for 800 on a hand made me feel almost mortal. Unfortunately the hand records are not available but I will try and track down the hand for reference to my own mortality.

The second match we meet Venezuela and Peter/Bobby sit out while my boys make me proud with a 25-5 win. Both pairs report they played well and perhaps I should have stuck with the same line-up but as an interim captain

Now I find out that the captain is having difficulties getting a flight to Beijing with flights out of Hobart being delayed overnight. Oh well I am trusting he will in fact make it.

Final match against Belarus and Ron/Matty sit out. Now the former Russian states along with Bulgaria and Albania, Turkey and other countries in that region are making a name for themselves in bridge – earlier in the day Albania beat Italy 16-14!!. So on this basis nothing is taken for granted and so it is proved when we succumb 12-18.

So, after a better day 2 we are only marginally – 25 VPs – closer to the magical 4th spot.

I track down a duck restaurant recommended by the Bermudan Team – what do Bermudans know from duck – I don’t know – but the recommendation proved excellent with a banquet costing just $A22 a head. Speaking of heads I passed on the duck heads and duck tongues but suspect all the same that they were probably very tasty.

So onwards towards day three.....

For my sins I have agreed to go on to the executive of the International Bridge Press Association and attend a fiery meeting first thing on Monday morning – I miss breakfast to boot which makes me a little grumpy as I sit here with my coffee – yes folks I did bring my coffee machine with me to Beijing while I wait for my commentary to start on the China vs Netherlands match.

This championship lacks some of the intimacy of others with the venue, hotels and Vugraph theatres being slight disparate within the Olympic precinct. The sight of the Birds Nest and Cube lit up at night is quite spectacular.

Anyway more later

Three Days In

We arrive in Beijing on Wedensday evening to their brand new airport and are met by the welcoming desk and shuttled to the registration desk where of course they do not have my registration = problem with being efficient is that you take it so hard when it comes unstuck.

Having had a burglary at my home (2nd in 2 weeks) while on the plane I decide to race to the hotel to try and sort out what I can. I ask the hotel who are in attendance to write out a card with the name for the taxi driver - all sounds good? Um no. I spend the next 45 minutes going around in circles with a driver who had no clue whatsoever as to where the hotel was. The second cab managed to find it after asking in a few places.

I make the room and settle in for the night after making the necessary phone calls. Thursday is a relaxing day, a bit of work, sussing out the venue and surrounds. Now you should understand that the venue is within the Olympic precinct - in fact 500 metres from the Olympic Stadium (The Birdsnest) and Aquatic Centre (The Cube) not ideal in some senses but nice to be part of the venue all the same.

Friday and I have arranged a practice for whoever wants and run a 9 table 21 board session. The purpose of this is to acclimatise to the venue, screens, lighting, boards etc. and it goes well.

At 14:30 the captain's meeting where a lot of issues are clarified and then back to the hotel to ready for what had turned out to be the everchanging opening ceremony which finally becams cocktail party with canapes. Some priveleged people, including yours faithfully, were invited to the formal opening of the World Mind Sports Games which was held in the Olympic Gymnasium venue. Very much as one would expect for a formal opening.

So off to bed and ready for the first day of competition. I have been asked to captain the open team for the first 3 days which I happily agreed to. Disappointment strickes with two major losses to England (2-25) and Reunion (6-24). I am gutted by yet another slow start but have learned enough to keep up team spirits and move forward without dwelling on these situations. The team then manages a 20-10 win against Greece and being 29 off qualifying this early isn't in any way insurmountable.

In between all of this I have been doing VuGraf commentary in the theatre so am very tired but dinner with the team is important at this stage so I arrange a restaurant and off we march. Having had two days of Asian food the team opts for a Brazilian Churasco style grill which works out nicely for the big eaters in the team. I return to the hotel to check on the youth scores Under 28 running 42nd, Under 26 running 4th and Under 21 running 10th. The best of our teams seems to be our seniors running 2nd while the women are midway down the field in 9th place.

I will write more on my theories about Australian international performance another day as my fingers are sore and I need some sleep.

Happy bridging...
David

What de What

About six months ago my good friend Peter Gill phoned me to say that there were six teams going to compete in the bridge section of the World Mind Sports Games in Beijing. With so many teams would the ABF consider sending a Chef de Mission and would I be interested in taking on the role.


HMMM sounds interesting. I normally try and captain teams so a change of role had some real appeal. "OK I am up for it" I told Peter.


Next I get a letter from the Australian Bridge Federation asking me to take on the position and (surprisingly) could I write a job specification of what I would be doing and what my role would be. What? I had to tell them what I would be doing not the other way around.


I jump on to the net and look up the role and find a whole lot of things and boil it down to:

• Work with the Team Captains in developing any practice and other strategic plans


• Work with the Team Captains in reviewing, revising and developing any team issues etc.


• Ensuring all teams are booked and housed (not as in actually making the bookings but ensuring that they are done)


• Ensuring proper uniforming as it is likely with 6 teams that they would want a consistent uniform this year


• Ensure all systems are properly completed and lodged


• Ensure that the organisers are aware of arrival times for airport matters


• Ensure all teams attend the proper functions etc.


• Ensure all teams have recorders etc


• Act as the interface between the ABF and the teams


• Act as the interface between the WBF and the teams


• Ensure that Youth teams are properly cared for


• Represent the teams in any capacity that they wish including appeals if that was wanted or needed.


• Deal with any disciplinary matters etc to the extent sought by any captains.


• Attend any pre-event meetings which may be required


• Establish contact between WBF and team managers


• Represent Australian teams delegation at official functions and meetings


• Ensures all captains and members of the team carry out their duties


• Oversee the behaviour of the teams but not to the exclusion of the team captains of course


• Maintain ongoing contact with players and team captains during the event


• Available to the team at all times


• When necessary, has the authority to act in matters of an extraordinary nature or any matter not covered in the above.


• Performs other duties as required.

So all agreed and off we go.


It is now a week or so before the event begins and I can say that herding cats would be easier than being a Chef de Mission. Arranging 40+ uniforms, a practice weekend and fulfilling the WBF photo and ID obligations has been infinitely more work than captaining a team. But that said it has been interesting to see how the teams have developed, gained espirit de corp and are revving up to compete in Beijing.


This event will be quite different from any previous Bridge Championships. It is part of World Mind Sports which includes draughts, go, chess and Chinese chess.

More soon
David