Here’s another very interesting article (I thought so, anyway) about goings-on in the bridge community, this time from the New Yorker magazine.
I haven’t received much feedback regarding the previous one (“Bridge down under”) but if you feel moved to express yourself, just click on the Comments bubble near the top of the page. This is what it looks like:
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For in-depth discussions by Mike Hargreaves (one of our very own local world class player and retired lawyer), see the following articles from Bridge Winners:
http://bridgewinners.com/article/view/you-give-us-law-we-want-justice/?cj=1152130#c1152130
Italian Trials: New Rules (bridgewinners.com)
Institute for Bridge Arbitration (bridgewinners.com)
Marc,
It is not the international community which accuses Fantunes of cheating. It is basically Meckstroth. For example both the EBU and the Italian bridge community did not believe a word of the (sorry to repeat) American accusations. Their conspiracy theories go back to Lake Como and I am sick of their sour grapes when they do not win.
Roger
I am very sceptical about the cheating accusation. The Americans are notorious about conspiracy theories and I don’t believe a word about the cheating, Ever since 1965 they have always complained when they did not win. To label players as cheats based on no real evidence, is tantamount as Christopher Hitchens wrote, to dismissing the charge.
Roger Allen
Hello Roger. I hope you are doing well in these uncertain times … I read the articles about Fantunes and the Coughing German doctors in Bridge Winners.
I have also watched the videos themselves. There are plenty of them on YouTube.
If you wish to see the evidence put forward by the INTERNATIONAL bridge community (not “just” the Americans), please review those materials.
They are all, if not overwhelming, at least very very convincing …
I would think the damage to Italy’s image is more their inability to manage their own organization competently and thus I wonder why they are allowed to compete at the World level in bridge? Is this not similar to East Germany or Russia systematically cheating in various Olympics with the resultant sanctions against the respective countries?
Both of these articles were interesting and the down-under article had me laughing with pure fellow-feeling. Of course I did have to keep stopping to take my turn.
i could not STOP smilling. I broke out laughing when the Italians threatened to withdraw.
Excellent article – showing both those with immense integrity in the game and those with, unfortunately, none.
Thank you for sharing, JP
I read it too! Very powerful statement from the bridge community at large; we’re not at all interested in playing with those who cheat!