Italian experts Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio Nunes posted a two-session total of 851.50 in the qualifying round of the Wernher Open Pairs II to lead the field of 256 pairs. Top was 25.

Fantoni and Nunes are the current World Open Pairs champions.

In second with 815.62 are Michael White and David Adams of Georgia. Third is Russ Ekeblad and Michael Seamon of Florida with 812.12.

One hundred thirty pairs qualified for today’s two-session final.

Women’s quals:
Baum–Waller first

Kathy Baum and Peg Waller had the best score in the qualifying round of the Whitehead Women’s Pairs. The duo scored 791.50 in yesterday’s two-session game to lead the field of 124 pairs. Top was 25.

In second with 785.00 is the mother-daughter pair of Rita Seamon and Janice Seamon-Molson, both of Florida. The third-place finishers in the qualifying round are Brenda Bryant and June Deutsch with 779.

In today’s two-session final, the 78 qualifying pairs will compete.

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Cheek passes 20,000

Curtis Cheek has earned his 20,000th masterpoint at the Reno NABC. Cheek, of Huntsville AL, is a professional player and teacher. He won Open Pairs II in 2002 with Eric Greco, and he has six second-place finishes in NABC events: Life Master Pairs (2002), North American Swiss Teams (1999), Grand National Teams (1997), Master Open Pairs (1996), Open Pairs II (1994), Open Swiss Teams (1994).

Cheek also has several hundred regional victories.

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Nickell vs. Schwartz,
Jacobs vs. Mahaffey

In yesterday’s quarterfinal Vanderbilt action, the top-seeded squad and defending champions led by Nick Nickell disposed of the #8-seeded team captained by Dan Morse, 170–86. Nickell led the entire match.

Howard Gordon of Rochester NY and Stewart Cramer of Pittsford NY scored 812.15 in the opening round of the Bean Red Ribbon Pairs. They topped the field of 300 pairs, and finished ahead by one board. (Top was 25.)

In second with 788.50 is the California-based pair of Jordan Chodorow and Harvey Katz. Next,
with 781.00 are Barry and Daniel Wilderman of Great Neck NY.

Today’s two-session final will feature the surviving 156 pairs.

The Red Ribbon Pairs is restricted to players with fewer than 2000 masterpoints. Players must pre-qualify to participate.

‘Millionaire’ pals team up in Reno

Dave Kuschel, of Minot ND, is playing in his first NABC. The story of how he came to be here, however, is somewhat unusual.

“I joined the ACBL in 2000 and currently have 57.34 masterpoints,” said Kuschel. “I started playing bridge online about four years ago. I live in Minot and most games are in the afternoon (I work during the day) so I’m unable to play ‘live’ bridge very often. I have played some unit and sectional games, but never a regional or national.”

Kuschel had heard that NABCs were a lot of fun, but he didn’t think he’d be playing in one anytime soon.

In October 2002, however, Kuschel was selected to appear on the syndicated version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? where a chance encounter with another participant on the show changed his future vis-a-vis bridge.

Partners Dave Kuschel and Brian Meyer met as contestants on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

“While in New York City for the taping in November of that year, there were eight other contestants in my taping group. One of those contestants was Brian Meyer from Buffalo NY. Our group was together for most of the day so we had time to chat and share stories.

Somewhere in the conversation with Brian bridge came up, and he
informed me that he was once on the U.S. Junior team that played in a world competition. Needless to say, as a rookie, I asked a lot of questions about bridge.”

One of the most important things that he asked Meyer was for a bridge date. Meyers graciously agreed, and even suggested that Kuschel attend the Buffalo regional or that Kuschel meet him at an NABC. Kuschel, however, didn’t think that he would ever actually get to play with Meyers. It was possible, after all, that Meyers was just trying to be polite. Nevertheless the two stayed in touch.

“In late December 2003, Brian told me he and his partner had qualified for the North American Pairs Flight B championship and that they would be playing the final weekend in Reno. Brian added that he would be in Reno for most of the week and if I wanted to play, to come on out,” said Kuschel.

So they both arrived on Tuesday of this week, and have played in several events. Kuschel is having a great time.

“Not only was it a thrill to sit in the Millionaire ‘hot seat’, but it’s a thrill to play in an NABC! Brian is a great ambassador for the game of bridge, and I’m glad we had a chance to meet in New York.”

So how did he and Meyers fare on Millionaire? “Some of the money I won on the show is being used to attend the Reno NABC. Brian and I both won $32,000. Yup, we both missed the freebie question for $64,000.”

Second in the Mixed Pairs were Marty Fleisher and Rozanne Pollack.