The Hindu : Sport / Bridge : It'll be a test of mental and physical ability

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 27, 2005

Sport

Sport - Bridge

It'll be a test of mental and physical ability

R. Krishnaswamy

CHENNAI: The 47th edition of the Winter National bridge championship begins at the J.J. basketball complex here on Tuesday. The tournament, which will be held from December 27 to January 5, will be a test of not only mental ability but also the physical endurance of the participants. About 160 teams from all over India are expected to take part.

They will be placed in 16 groups and the first two days will see round-robin matches in each group.

At the end of the second day, the number of teams will be reduced to 64 and they will fight for the Ruia Gold Cup. The final will be played on January 2.

Keeping them occupied

The teams which do not qualify for the Ruia Gold Cup will compete for the Ruia Silver Cup on Dec. 29 and 30.

The other major events are the Holkar Trophy for Pairs, Mohan Sicka Trophy for Board-a-Match and Kamalakar Trophy for IMP Pairs.

To ensure participation of all the non-qualifiers, a number of tournaments have been arranged simultaneously.

Tamil Nadu has bagged the Ruia Gold Trophy four times and this year, its challenge is being headed by Agsar Paints.

The Railways team, which has claimed the Ruia Trophy four times during the last five years, and HCL, which reached the quarterfinals of the Bermuda Bowl World championship early this year under Ms. Kiran Nadar, begin as favourites.

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