Evening star., 1940-01-28
In Local Bridge Circles
Bridge Olympic Will Be Held April 4
By Frank B. Lord.

Despite the European War, the
World Bridge Olympic will be held
again this year, not to the usual ex-
tent In the warning countries, but
without interruption in the nations
at peace. Washington players, who
always have supported the event
with several units In competition,
have been wondering recently what
effect the war would have upon the
'round-the-world game this year.
Announcement has been made,
however, that the Olympic Commit
tee, which makes arrangements and
prepares the hands that will be
played, already has begun its work.
The date fixed Is Thursday, April 4.
In the nations at war, bridge activi-
ties have been more or less suspend
ed, except among the oldsters who
are not qualified for military service
and the women. The latter are en-
deavoring to keep up interest in the
game, not only because many other
amusements have had to be aban-
doned, but also to sustain the morale
of the people.
In London, Bridge Magazine, Euro
pean authority on the game, has
suspended publication for the dura-
ton of the war, but war or no war,
the Britisher must not be denied all
his sports, and, consequently, he in
dulges himself as much as oppor-
tunity will permit in his favorite
indoor pastime. The Portland Club,
bridge headquarters in England,
continues to operate its games, but
to lesser degree.
In France. much the same situa-
ton exists. and the same Is true in
the Scandinavian countries, where
the game is popular. In Germany
the report is that the war has caused
q marked slump in bridge. In Rus
sia, which used to number many ex-
pert players, there is little likelihood
that the Olympics will be played this
year. This is not alone due to the
country's undeclared war but because
the Soviets do not permit the use Of
cards bearing the figures Of kings
and queens, and Russian experts do
not like to play with cards which
show Russian patriots In their stead.
In fact, the Russian government.
which conducts card-making
monopoly, really discourages the
practice Of playing with any style OF
cards, and the result Is that bridge Is
officially unpopular there.
Elsewhere, however, the Olympic
units will be established on the same
basis as in previous years. Several
Washington duplicate directors have
announced that they will captain
units in the forthcoming match.
In the Delaware State tournament,
held last week at Wilmington. the
five-member team consisting of Mr..
and Mrs. James H. Lemon, AL Roth,
Lewis r. Watson and lie Roy Thur
tell won second place in the team
of-four match after having been
tied with three other teams. In
breaking the tie on the basis Of
cumulative scores, the Washington
team was victorious They were
the only winners from Washington.
The women's pair match was won by
Mrs. Olive Peterson and Mrs. Ben
Golden. Philadelphia. and the mixed
pair event by Mrs. Helen Sobel and
Jack Shore, New York.
The local fans feel that perhaps
the Baltimore players are one or
two up on them in recent contests
between the two cities. and they are
going to the Maryland metropolis
in force next week end and en-
deavor to recover some OF the
lonors. The championship games
of the Maryland State tournament
will be played Friday, Saturday and
Sunday at the Belvedere Hotel.
The first event will be the women's
pair championship in one session
for the Llewellyn w. Lord Trophy.
Last years winners were Mrs.
Charles Woolsey and Mrs. Isadore
Zeskind, Baltimore. Next will come
the mixed pair championship in one
session for the Helen Rockwell
Trophy. 1t was won last year by
Mrs. Clinton Cunningham and
Joseph Davis, also of Baltimore.
The open pair championship will be
held in two sessions on Saturday
for the Maryland Bridge League
Trophy. The cup is now held by
Mr.. and Mrs. Richmond H. Skinner,
Chestnut Hill, Mass.