.The Portland Cup
For the second time in the computer age, a competition was held for the prestigious Portland Cup.
The history of the Cup will be posted if anyone can provide it. I was privileged to view its awe inspiring beauty last night (July 12th, 2005). The grace, symmetry, and beauty of the Cup is truly inspiring. A photo would not do it justice (also this author forgot to take one)
For want of a better name, I
have dubbed the defending champions, the
Contrarians.
Perhaps the team photo will explain. It
should be noted that this team had held the championship title and the
Cup for many years by simply hiding the cup.
(Remind you of something?). Finally this trick no longer worked.
.
The first recent challenge was handily rebuffed. That team shall be known as the Contenders. Perhaps someone could provide a team photo. The first modern day challenge featured computer generated and made boards (see note below under rulings), hand records, recorders, and inventive tactics including the dousing of one of the challengers by the wife of a defending team member.
The second modern challenge team chose a different route, noting that the first route had not been successful. Also, this new team the Maine Bridge Madams were sorely lacking in wives to assist. Our tactic was to ply the defenders with food. This ploy seems to be a step in the right direction. Unfortunately not enough food was consumed before the first round, and the Madams lost that round. As the food penetrated the Contrarians system, the Madams won round two and three and barely lost round four. We waited to be photographed until the match was over because we were sure we would have won the cup.
Currently scheduled matches are:
Contrarians vs Contenders date to be announced
Maine Bridge Madams vs. the winner of the C vs. C challenge
For others contemplating a challenge there are rules. The rules I currently know are that each team member must play with each other team member. The match must occur within two weeks of a challenge (this rule is very difficult and is loosely intrepreted). The match is 32 boards and the Portland Cup must remain lit throughout the match.
Portland Cup History -
 |
The original Cup competition was won by Larry Barbour, Tom Goodwin, Richard Mougalian (currently residing in Chicago) and Alan Sachs (current location unknown) in 1972 |
|
The Cup was best treated with the respect it deserves when it resided on Rosaline Bernstein's mantel. |
Rulings:
While the history of the Cup indicates most players believe, and live by the saying "Rules are made to be broken", the recent Portland Cup challenge precipitated the following question:
" Never before in decades of existence of "The Cup" has the challenging team generated and made(!) the boards to be played...... I (I do not know who this was as I was sent a convert email on this exchange) will contact Tom Goodwin, Esquire, as he has always been the promulgator for all the Portland Cup Rules- strict procedure is followed (sometimes :-)
ANSWER from Tom Goodwin, Esquire:
" This is permitted. Players are not permitted to consult written hand records during play, however. (Rule 37B)"
If teams wish their team members' names listed, they must provide same.
If teams wish to name their team, I will consider other names.