Competitions 2011/2012
Click on competition for conditions of entry, costs and further details
Organizer contact details can be found by clicking here.
For players not so familiar with our range of tournaments, read Ned Paul's note.

Date Event Time Venue Organizer Tel. Notes
5-June-11 London Trophy Final 2:00 PM RAC Mike Hill 01732 863283 Spectator Event
1-Sept-11 Close date - London Leagues     Sati McKenzie 020 7627 0977  
1-Sep-11 Close date - London Trophy Teams     Sati McKenzie 020 7627 0977  
10-Sep-11 Metropolitan Cup 1.00 Ardingly Ian Payn 020 7348 7839 Invitational Event
8-Sept-11 AGM 7.00 PM YC      
18-Sep-11 Mixed Pairs 1:00 PM YC Nigel Freake 020 8801 2884  
1-Oct-11 Close date - Home Counties League     Sati McKenzie 020 7627 0977  
2-Oct-11 Champions Cup 1.00 PM YC Sati McKenzie 020 7627 0977  
6- Nov-11 Junior Teams 12.00 Noon YC Chris Duckworth 020 7385 3534  
19/20 Nov - 11 Lederer Memorial Trophy     Stefanie Rohan  020 8888 3674 Invitational Event 
19-Nov-11 Lederer - Play with the Stars 2:00 PM At Clubs Paul Lamford 020 8888 3674  
27-Nov-11 U-19 Pairs Championship 12.00 YC Chris Duckworth 020 7385 3534  
2012            
29-Jan-12 Simple Systems Pairs - Palmer Bayer 1.00 PM YC Chris Duckworth 020 7385 3534  
5-Feb-12
 London Teams of Four
for the Ian Gardiner Trophy		 11.30 AM YC Ian Payne 020 7348 7839 Pachabo Qualifier
26-Feb-12 London Championship Pairs 1.00 PM YC Nigel Freake 020 8801 2884 Corwen Qualifier
10-Mar-12 Green Pointed Pairs 1.00 PM Battersea Ian Payn 020 7348 78394 Brochure
11-Mar-12 Green Pointed Teams 11.30 AM Battersea Ian Payn 020 7348 7839 Brochure
25-Mar-12 London Trophy Pairs 2.00 PM RAC Chris Duckworth 020 7385 3534  
17-Apr-12 Tonsley Cafe Bridge          
19-Apr-12 Garden Cities Heat 7:00 PM YC Chris Duckworth 020 7385 3534  
22-Apr-12 Senior Pairs - Fox Shammon 2:00 PM TBA Steve Eginton 01628 780862  
NA this year Newcomers Day     Chris Duckworth  020 7385 3534    
20th May London Trophy Final 2:00 PM RAC Chris Duckworth  020 7385 3534  Spectator Event
TBA AGM 7.00 PM YC         
  LMBA Ivitational Events          



MIXED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday 18th September 2011 starting at 1.00pm
Holders: Ryan Stephenson & Liz Clery
A single extended session, match-pointed, mixed pairs event. All players must be EBU members, but LMBA membership is not necessary.
Entry fee: £22.00 per pair.
Advance entry is not required but a phone call to the Young Chelsea guarantees your entry! Contact Nigel Freake or the Young Chelsea BC for further information.

LONDON LEAGUE
Entries close 1st September 2011
Holders: Division 1 YC1 - Brian Callaghan
Division 2 YC2 - Simon Cearns
Division 3 Monday Club B - James Smith
These league competitions are for teams-of-four, although up to 8 people may play for any one team during the season. Matches are played in home or away venues, which may be homes, clubs or other suitable premises. There are currently three all-play-all divisions with end of season promotion and relegation plus the Newcomers League. The latter is designed particularly for those with little experience of competitive bridge. The winners of the Newcomers are eligible to be promoted to the London League, but may choose to compete again at the lower level.
In Division 1 only, any systems are permitted, provided reasonable notice is given. The lower divisions of the London League are played at Level 4, whilst In the Newcomers League EBU Level 3 systems and conventions only are permitted.
New teams are always welcome and will be considered for entry at any level, although it would be exceptional for a new team to enter Division 1 directly. All players in the London League must be EBU and LMBA members, but non-members are allowed in the Newcomers League.
Entry fee: £20.00 per team (that’s just £5 per player!)
Contact: Entries should be sent to Sati McKenzie, to arrive no later than 1st September 2011.

Guidance to Captains in arranging matches.

LONDON NEWCOMERS LEAGUE

HOLDERS:
Newcomers A; The Slammers - Linda Parsonage
Newcomers B; Hurlingham - Susan Behrmann

The league is designed particularly for those who have had little experience of competitive bridge. Teams of four matches are probably the most enjoyable form of bridge you can play, and new players are encouraged to try to get together teams to participate in this. Teams must consist of at least four players, but may include up to eight, any four of whom play in each match. There is no reason why one or more members of the team should not be more experienced, perhaps the captain who is willing to make the match arrangement, but any group of friends, colleagues, associates etc can take part.
Matches may be played in homes, offices, bridge clubs or any convenient location that you choose, and you are unlikely to need to play more than about 1 match every six weeks or so. The league is open to all players – you do not need to be LMBA or EBU members, but teams are restricted to only one player of National Master rank or above.
The winners of this League will be eligible for promotion to the lowest division of the London League.
Permitted conventions: EBU Level 3.
Teams in this league are restricted to only one player of National Master rank or above, however.
Entry fee: £20.00 per team in the London League, £16 per team in the Newcomers League. Entries and enquiries should be directed to Sati McKenzie.
Membership requirements: Anyone, including non-EBU members may play.
Entry fee: £16.00 per team (that’s just £4 per player!)
Contact: Entries should be sent to Sati McKenzie, to arrive no later than 1st September 2011.


HOME COUNTIES LEAGUE
Holders: London Red Capt: Simon Cochemé
This is an inter-county teams-of-eight competition for London and the Home Counties. It is aimed at county second team players who would not normally be expected to represent their counties in events such as the Tollemache Cup. Teams are allowed to field at most two Grand Masters in any one match. Matches are of 24 boards and are normally played at the YCBC on weekday evenings starting at 7.00 pm. Players must be members of the county that they represent but allegiance is not required. Green points are awarded.
Current participants are Middlesex, Surrey and London (each with two teams), so there is room for additional counties to join in - anyone interested should contact Sati McKenzie for more details. Players interested in representing London should contact Simon Cochemé (simonx@simonx.plus.com for London Red) or Nicole Cook (nicole@nicoleanncook.com for London Blue).
– individuals may join a team at any stage during the season.
Entry fee: £16 per team.

Entries close on 1st October 2011 for new teams but individuals may join a team at any stage during the season.



CHAMPIONS CUP
Sunday 2nd October 2011 starting at 1.00pm
Holders: Berks & Bucks - Mike Perkins & Ian Reissman - Chris Cooper & Ben Paske
This is a single session, multiple teams event for the 2009/2010 season winners of the highest divisions of leagues organised in London and the home counties. (Please note that this event is now just one session in length). New leagues are always welcome to apply - contact Sati McKenzie for further information. Anyone who is a bona fide member of the league that they represent, including non-EBU members, may play.
Entry fee: £32.00 per team.
Entries should be sent to Sati McKenzie to arrive no later than 26th September.

JUNIOR TEAMS OF FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday 6th November 2011 starting at 1.00pm
Holders (2009): Shivam Shah, Tommy Brass, Kieran Tilley, Jakub Gembicki
A single extended session teams-of-four competition for junior (Under 25) players – that is players who were born on or after 1st January 1986. Players need not be members of the EBU or LMBA.
Entry Fee: £20.00 per team.
Entries and enquiries should be directed to Chris Duckworth.




UNDER-19 PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday 27th November 2011 starting at 1.00pm
Holders: Tommy Brass & Asitha Nanayakkara
This single session match-pointed pairs competition for junior players born on or after 1st January 1992.is also a qualifying heat for the national Under-19 Pairs Championship. Qualifying pairs will be eligible to compete in the national final, to be held on Easter Saturday 2012, and will also be offered free entry to the London Easter Festival of Bridge. Players need not be members of the EBU or LMBA.
Entry Fee: £2.00 per player.
Entries and enquiries should be directed to Chris Duckworth



DAILY TELEGRAPH CUP
HOLDERS: Avon- Cathy Smith & Ralph Smith, Andy Smith & Steve Tomlinson

Not scheduled this year.


LONDON CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS OF FOUR for the IAN GARDINER TROPHY
Sunday 5th February 2012 starting at 11.30am
Holders: John Pemberton, Steve Popham, Paul Martin, Tim Gauld
This is the major London Teams of Four Championship, which is played as a single day two-session multiple teams event from which the leading two eligible teams qualify to a head-to-head 48-board match to determine the winner of the Ian Gardiner Trophy. Green-points will be awarded for both stages of the event, and the winners will be eligible to represent London in the Pachabo Cup, the national inter-county teams championship.
The multiple teams is scored using the same method as the Pachabo itself – a combination of IMPs and point-a-board. Note the early start of the one-day competition which, combined with only a short break between sessions of approx 30 minutes only, will allow an early finish on Sunday evening.
Note also that all players must be LMBA members and, in order to be eligible to go through to the final, all players in a team must have London as their primary County of allegiance.
Entry Fee: £60.00 per team.
Entries should be sent to Sati McKenzie to arrive by 29th January 2012.

Pachabo Scoring Method


LONDON CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS
Sunday 26th February 2012 starting at 1.00pm
Holders: Brian Ransley & Marc Smith
As the major County pairs championship, this competition is green-pointed and is also the qualifying event for the Corwen Trophy, the national inter-county pairs championship. The competition comprises a one-day, two session, match-pointed pairs event. The top fourteen pairs from the first session will compete in an all-play-all final with carry-forward scores whilst the remainder of the field competes in a consolation final
All players must be LMBA members, but only the leading four pairs with London as their county of allegiance will be eligible to play in the Corwen Trophy.
Entry fee: £30.00 per pair.
Advance entry is not required but a phone call to the Young Chelsea guarantees your entry! Contact Nigel Freake or the YCBC for further information.



“NO FEAR” PAIRS FOR THE PALMER BAYER TROPHY
Sunday 29th January 2012 starting at 1.00pm
Holders: Timothy Wilson & Monica Marinescu
This single extended session, match-pointed, ‘No Fear’ pairs competition is for those who would like to play tournament bridge under more relaxed conditions than often apply in other events and for those who particularly want to enjoy a social atmosphere when playing. Improvers and tournament novices are most welcome and more experienced London members may find this the ideal way to introduce family, friends and colleagues to organised bridge. Players need not be members of the EBU or LMBA.
The principal aim of this event is to have fun, so the pace of play is a little more leisurely than usual. Simple systems only are allowed, but including weak two opening bids and transfers in response to 1NT openings. (A fuller description of allowed systems and conventions can be downloaded Here and will be made available at the event.) A complimentary glass of wine awaits you at the end of the session to be enjoyed whilst discussing the hands that you have just played with an expert, who will be happy to answer any questions.
Entry fee: £16.00 per pair.
Advance entry is not required but a phone call to the Young Chelsea guarantees your entry! Contact Chris Duckworth or the YCBC for further information.



INTER-CLUB TEAMS OF EIGHT QUALIFIER FOR THE GARDEN CITIES TROPHY
Thursday 19th April 2012 at 7.00pm
Inter-club teams-of-eight competition.
LONDON HEAT QUALIFIERS 2011 and Trophy Winners: Young Chelsea
Chris Duckworth, Brian Callaghan, Ian Payn, Rob Cliffe,
Ryan Stepehenson, Liz Clery, Paul Martin and Tim Gauld

The Garden Cities is the national teams of eight championship for EBU affiliated clubs. The winner of London’s single-session qualifying heat will be eligible to play in the South-East Regional Final, and, if successful there, in the National Final in Solihull. Clubs may enter as many teams as they wish subject to space restrictions at the venue (The LMBA reserves the right, if necessary, to restrict the number of teams per club).

Permitted conventions: EBU Level 4.
Membership requirements: Clubs must be members of the LMBA. Players must be members of the EBU and of the club they represent but do not have to be LMBA members. It is not necessary for the same eight players to represent a team at each stage of the competition but no player may play for more than one club.

Contact: Chris Duckworth or the Young Chelsea Bridge Club for further information.


SENIOR PAIRS FOR THE FOX-SHAMMON TROPHY
Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 2.00pm
Seniors Pairs at a venue TBA.
HOLDERS: Bernard Telstcher & Victor Silverstone

This is a single extended session, match-pointed, pairs event for seniors, who must have been born in or before 1952.
Permitted conventions: EBU Level 4.
Membership requirements: All players must be EBU members.

Further details from Steve Eginton



NEWCOMERS’ DAY
HOLDERS: NS: Shelley Evans & Leszek Lubaszewski EW: Mala Lever, Jan Holman & Ian Stewart (2007)

This event will not be held in 2011. New players are recommended instead to play in the Novice Duplicates run by the Young Chelsea Bridge Club on the first Thursday of each month, or to try the Andrew Robson Bridge Club.


LONDON TROPHY & DELLA-PORTA PLATE
Knock-Out Teams Competition
Entries close 1st September 2011
Tournament Organizer - Christine Duckworth
Holders: Reform Tuesday Chris Dunabin, John Reid, Richard Pollitzer and Sos Green
Dell-Porta Plate: Cheeky Chaps John Cox, Ricky Choudhuri, James Palmer, Simon Scanlan

The London Trophy is a knock-out teams of four competition for club teams, which has been opened up to teams from all types of clubs, including both bridge and non-bridge clubs. Teams eliminated in the first match enter the secondary Della-Porta Plate competition, also run on a knock-out basis.
Matches are played in home or away venues, which may be homes, clubs or other suitable premises. Early rounds are regionalised to minimise travel. The final stages of both competitions will be held at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall innthe summer on 20th May 2012. All participants are also eligible to play in the London Trophy Pairs, to be held this season on 25th March 2012.
Simple systems only are allowed in this event – full details of what is permitted will be sent to all participants and will ne published on this website.No team may have more than one player of National Master or above and no pairs of regular high-level tournament players are allowed. Players need not be members of the EBU or LMBA.
Entry fee: £20 per team
Entries and enquiries should be directed to Christine Duckworth. Every effort will be made to accept late entries if necessary.


LONDON TROPHY PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday 25th March 2012 starting at 2.00pm
Holders: Bob Bowman & Arun Suri
Tournament Organizer - Chris Duckworth
This is a single session pairs competition open to players who have participated in the London Trophy in the current season. Up to two pairs from each team may enter. The event is held at the Royal Automobile Club, 89 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5HS (Tel: 020 7747 3295). The rules regarding permitted systems and conventions in this event are the same as for the London Trophy. An opportunity for pairs to practice and improve, so progress further in the Trophy itself!
Entry Fee: Free!
Advance entry is required for this event. Entries should be made to Christine Duckworth no later than 26th February 2011.


GREEN POINTED SWISS WEEKEND
Saturday-Sunday 10th-11th March 2012
Swiss Pairs on Saturday at 1.00pm, Swiss Teams on Sunday at 11.30am
HOLDERS: Swiss Pairs: IMalcolm Harris & Maria Budd
Swiss Teams: Paul Hackett, Roger O'Shea, Justin Hackett, Jason Hackett




This is a fully green-pointed two-day Swiss Weekend held jointly with the EBU . The weekend will comprise Swiss Pairs on the Saturday and Swiss Teams on the Sunday. Both events will be single flighted with green points and prizes awarded in accordance with EBU regulations.
Venue; Battersea
Cost; £25 per person per day or £48 for both days.
Brochure and Entry Form


INVITATIONAL EVENTS
In addition to the events listed, the LMBA is often invited to send teams or pairs to compete in events run by neighbouring counties. We also send representative teams to the Metropolitan Cup (teams of 12) in Sussex and the Tollemache Trophy (Teams of 8).
Individuals or partnerships interested in representing London in any of these events should contact the following
Tom Townsend (Tollemache), Ian Payn (Metropolitan Cup) or Chris Duckworth (other), see contact page: