The card game of bridge has long been associated with patience, strategy, and the wisdom that comes with age. Yet on December 24th, the 2nd EA Bridge Online Mentor-Junior Pairs Tournament demonstrated that youth and experience make a formidable combination.
Sponsored by Express Avenue Mall in Chennai and organized by the Bridge Federation of India, the tournament brought together emerging players with seasoned mentors on the RealBridge platform. The evening event not only awarded cash prizes and BFI Masterpoints to top performers but also highlighted a crucial investment in the future of competitive bridge in India.
A Format That Builds Bridges
The mentor-junior pairs format represents more than just another tournament structure. It embodies a philosophy of knowledge transfer that has sustained bridge as an intellectual sport across generations. By pairing experienced players with younger competitors, the event creates a scaffolding for skill development that goes beyond conventional competition.
The tournament divided participants into four age categories, recognizing that development in bridge, as in most endeavors, requires tailored approaches at different stages. The Under-16, Under-21, Under-26, and Under-31 divisions allowed players to compete against peers while learning from their more experienced partners.
The Winners' Circle
In the Under-16 category, Raj Kanoi and Adhiyaman Zodypache claimed gold, demonstrating that even the youngest competitors can execute sophisticated strategies when given proper guidance. The silver went to Himani Khandelwal and Viha Gahrotra, while Koushik Mukherjee and Jashit Narang secured bronze.
The Under-21 bracket saw Aniruddha Sanzgiri and Nachiketa K. Muthuswamy take top honors, followed by Priya Ranjan Sinha partnering with Prakhar Bansal in second place. Girish Bijoor and Aryan Mehta rounded out the podium in third.
Among the Under-26 competitors, Naveen Kumar and Shyam Gurjar dominated the field. Mitresh Manu paired with Prajjwal for silver, while the Chowdhury brothers, Debraj and Tilakraj, captured bronze.
In the Under-31 division, Uttam Swarup Gupta and Debajyoti Samanta emerged victorious. Deepak Verma and Sohan Gurjar secured silver, with Nagaraj KS and Sai Manju earning bronze.
The Digital Advantage
The choice of the RealBridge platform for this competition reflects bridge's successful adaptation to the digital age. Online platforms have democratized access to high-level competition, allowing players from across India's vast geography to participate without the barriers of travel and accommodation costs. This accessibility is particularly important for junior players, whose participation might otherwise be limited by logistical constraints.
The 6 p.m. start time also suggests careful consideration of participants' schedules, recognizing that many young players balance their bridge pursuits with academic and other commitments.
Looking Forward
As bridge organizations worldwide grapple with questions about attracting younger players, India's approach through mentor-junior tournaments offers a model worth examining. The game thrives not merely through competition but through the relationships and knowledge exchange that such events facilitate.
The success of this second iteration of the EA Bridge Online Mentor-Junior Pairs Tournament—the numbering suggests this is becoming an established fixture—indicates growing interest in structured youth development within Indian bridge. The combination of corporate sponsorship, federation support, and digital infrastructure creates a sustainable ecosystem for nurturing talent.
For the winners and all participants, the tournament represents more than medals and masterpoints. It offers a glimpse into a future where bridge continues to challenge minds across generations, adapting its centuries-old traditions to modern platforms while preserving the essential elements that make it a game of depth, skill, and endless fascination.
The real victory lies not in any single triumph but in the steady cultivation of a community where knowledge passes from experienced hands to eager minds, ensuring that bridge will continue to flourish in India for decades to come.
