Source: Las Vegas NABC Bulletin 8
The U.S. Overseas Chinese Bridge Association organizes online tournaments for their members in the U.S. along with players in China who are invited to participate.
Jessie Cai, Nathan Gong, Arthur Gong, Helena Hsieh
In May, four Seattle-area kids won a youth online team tournament that took place over three months. Jessie Cai and Helena Hsieh, both 15, played with brothers Nathan Gong, 12, and Arthur Gong, 10.
The tournament started after Chinese New Year in February with a round robin, with qualifiers advancing to a knockout phase. It was played on BBO. There were two divisions, and they won the one for non-Life Masters.
The girls have also been teaching a class of eight beginning bridge students ages 7 to 13 since April at Northwest Chinese School. They started out assisting Seattle youth bridge organizer Anne Farmer with a larger class, and then their students were selected for additional classes based on the potential they showed in the first class. “We each have a topic and teach our topic,” Helena said. And then each of the girls sits with one of the two tables. If someone is missing and there are only three kids at a table, they’ll swap out for whoever is dummy.
They’ve taught lessons on topics such as hand evaluation and defense. “Different tricks to play defense better, signaling systems to communicate with partner,” Helena explained. The four are part of larger contingent of players from the Seattle area, and some of their students are playing in the cardrook games. Jessie’s father, Roger Cai, is one of the volunteers assisting. The online tournament was unusual because all the players were their age, she said. “Usually we play online with adults, but this time it was all kids.”
Nathan had a lot of fun playing in the event. “I don’t think it was as stressful as playing in person,” he said. “It was exciting every time we won.” On Thursday, a director noticed that Nathan was thanking and complimenting his opponents at every table. He says it’s a regular habit.
Don’t forget – you can still enter for the 6th World Youth Open Bridge Championships being held in Croatia from 20 – 29 August.
