Parent - Child Duplicate
January 10, 2014
On Friday, January 10, 2014, Silicon Valley Youth Bridge (SiVY) and the Palo Alto Bridge Center sponsored the second Parent-Child duplicate game at the Palo Alto Bridge Center. Ten young players, ages 10 to 18, played with a parent or grandparent as partner, trying to win American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) masterpoints and enjoying each other's company. Director Will Watson planned the game so that each pair would be able to meet and play against almost all the others.
The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Isha Thapa and Kevin Rosenberg, young locals who recently qualified to represent the United States in World Junior Team events this summer in Istanbul. The cake and sparkling cider provided by their proud parents made the evening feel festive for all.
Duplicate bridge is one of the few competitive activities in which people of all ages can participate as equals. Participants in the Parent-Child duplicate ranged in age from 10 to 70, but each pair had to work together to score well. Bridge is also one of the few games in which new players have the opportunity to compete against and learn from established stars. Participants in the event ranged from duplicate bridge novices to experienced ACBL Life Masters to a world champion--all enjoying the company as well as the challenge of the game itself. Ken Tsunoda, a newcomer to duplicate bridge, reported that his son KC's first words as they left were, "Can we do that again?" He asked KC's SiVY bridge teacher to let them know about any future duplicate tournaments that might be appropriate for the two of them as a pair.
Grandparents and parents looking for ways to connect with their young family members and entice them away from their iPods and their Game Boys should consider taking up bridge as a family activity. The youngsters may end up teaching them a few things, and that's a great feeling for everyone.
Isha Thapa, also recently named to the U.S. World Junior Team, and her dad, Mukund Thapa, were second in Flight A. Here they face the grandmother/grandson team of Claire and Jon Coleman.
Bo and Brent Xiao are playing against Claire Duffie and her grandfather, Fred Schwerer. For finishing second in Flight B, Bo Xiao earned the last fraction of a masterpoint he needed to become an ACBL Life Master. He was excited to be playing with his son when he achieved that goal.
A tribute to the rising stars.
And a treat for our kids and parents.
Kevin Rosenberg, recently named to the U.S. World Junior Team, and his mom, Debbie Rosenberg, finished first in Flight A. In this photo they are facing Carol Schwerer, who was heard to refer proudly to her "brave grandson" as she put down her dummy. Cornelius Duffie justified his grandmother's pride by making the tough contract, helping them to finish first in Flight B.
Fathers and sons face off in this photo of Michael and Linzhi Hu and Clement and Calix Tang.
It's family against family, with everybody concentrating hard.
Game Results
Our bridge games are American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) sanctioned awarding masterpoints (MP) to high scorers. ACBL membership is not required for our games but is strongly suggested. You can join online or at the Bridge Center on the night of an event. Adult membership is $28 for the first year and junior membership only $15 per year. Both include a monthly print magazine and registration of masterpoints (start earning towards becoming a Life Master!).