WBF - World Bridge Federation

The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) have announced that this year's edition of the World Mind Sports Games (WMSG) will take place either in Cardiff, Wales, 7-20 August, or in Strasbourg, France, 9-23 August. The venue and exact dates are to be fixed by 15 February 2012.

• For additional information click here.

Men split forces as USA Women prevail in Beijing

The Netherlands, current world champions, and the United States won gold medals in the teams competition (men's and women's series) of the inaugural Sport Accord World Mind Sports Games, held in Beijing, China, 9-16 December 2011.

In the pairs, the men's series was won by China's Xu Hou and Miao Shi, while USA took first place in the women with Lyn Deas and Beth Palmer. Finally, in the individual, USA won both series, thanks to Chris Willenken and Janice Seamon-Molson.

The competitions got under way after a spectacular opening ceremony, and continued in the spirit of excellent organization and warm hospitality which left all athletes most satisfied. There was an enormous television and internet coverage of the various sports involved, which is expected to boost the resuts of their promotion efforts.

Featuring the world's top athletes in the respective fields, the inaugural SportAccord World Mind Games took place in in the Beijing International Convention Center, in Beijing, China, 9-16 December 2011.

Five mind sports participated in the SportAccord World Mind Games: Bridge, Chess, Draughts, Go and Xiang Qi (Chinese chess).

Some 150 top athletes competed in the event which was presented by IMSA and was accompanied by a cultural program. Winners, medallists and players received attractive prize money according to their results.

IMSA is the International Mind Sports Association. SportAccord is the umbrella organisation for all (Olympic and non-Olympic) international sports federations as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.

•	For further details on the 1st SportAccord World Mind Games, click here

WBF Officials impressed by school bridge development in China

IMSA and WBF officials had the opportunity to visit one of China's most prominent schools where bridge is taught extracurricularly with great success.

International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) President José Damiani and World Bridge Federation (WBF) President Gianarrigo Rona headed a group of distinguished guests for a visit to RDFZ, the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China. This is a most exclusive educational institution for about 4,000 boys and girls 13-18 years old.

During the visit, WBF officials José Damiani, Gianarrigo Rona, Patrick Choy and Chen Zelan presented the winners of a recent in-school competition with their prizes, and expert teacher Philippe Cronier of France conducted a class of minibridge for some 50 very young bridge beginners. Several bridge deals were then played, with WBF officials taking part in the competition together with RDFZ pupils.

• For additional information and pictures from the visit click here.

Record success in online University Championship

The 3rd World Online University Team Championship got under way in January 2012 with a record attendance of 61 teams from 29 countries - the highest ever in University sports history.

This is a knockout competition played on Internet. It is scheduled to run through July 2012, when the final will be played in Reims, France.

• For detailed information click here.

5th World Women's
Festival Online

The 5th edition of the WBF/BBO Women's Bridge Festival Online will be held on 16-22 April 2012.

Four tournaments will be played every day: two individuals and two pairs competitions, starting around the clock as to suit players anywhere in the world.

WBF & BBO Masterpoints will be awarded.

• For detailed information click here.

The Netherlands and France win World Titles


Dutch Bridge Federation (NBB) President Peter Zwart with the Bermuda Bowl

Quite fittingly, the team of the country that hosted one of the best organized world championships ever emerged as the winners of the open series at the 40th World Team Championships and captured the Bermuda Bowl, the world's most prestigious bridge trophy. The final match took place between two young teams, one representing The Netherlands and the other USA, the defending champions. Italy, the all-time favorites, got the bronze medal.

This is the second time that The Netherlands, win the Bermuda Bowl, following their victory in Santiago '93. Thus, the world's third-largest NBO becomes one of only four countries who have won the Bermuda Bowl more than once. The list is headed by USA with 18 wins; Italy follows with 14 and France with 2.

In the women series, France, holders of the European title since 2006, had no diffiuclty in beating Indonesia in the final of the competition for the Venice Cup, while the third place went to The Netherlands. In the senior series, it was France again who won the d'Orsi Bowl, but not without putting up a struggle against USA. Poland were the bronze medallists.

Winners also in Estoril '05, France captured the Venice Cup for the second time this year, and joined Great Britain and Germany who have also won it two times each, behind USA's impressive ten wins! In the senior series, France won the d'Orsi Bowl for the first time. Again USA holds the record with four wins, while England has won the d'Orsi Bowl once.

Finally, in the Transnational Open Teams competition, another young team, the Israel Junior, current world and European junior champions, prevailed in the final over Australia's OZ Open, with Russia's Parimatch taking the bronze. There was a record participation in this event, with 151 teams from 40 countries competing.

• For detailed information click here.


	Dahlan Iskan and Gianarrigo Rona signing the agreement for Bali '13, in the presence of WBF Tournament Committee Chairman Ernesto d'Orsi, PABF President Esther Sophonpanich and WBF Treasurer Marc de Pauw.

Bali ... at last!

Bali, Indonesia, will be the venue for the 41st World Team Championships in 2013, according to the agreement signed on May 21 between WBF President Gianarrigo Rona and Dahlan Iskan, President of the Indonesia Bridge Fedearion.

Bali was to host the 35th World Teams in 2001, but the tragic events of 9/11 led to a last-minute venue switch to Paris. However, the idea of staging the event in the dream Indonesian island was never abandoned, and it is great news that the WBF Executive Council has now felt able to accept the bid. The 41st World Teams Championships will be held in Bali's Nusa Dua resort area, 16-29 September 2013.

The World Team Championships comprise zonal competitions in three series:
the Bermuda Bowl (open), the Venice Cup (women) and the d'Orsi Senior Bowl (seniors);
the World Transnational Teams is held during the konockout phase.

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