No 2020 USBCs in May
Due to current events, it is not possible to hold the USBCs in Schaumburg in May. Based in large part on USBC player survey responses, we will not hold the USBCs as entirely online qualifying events.
The USBF Board is carefully considering our options, including but not limited to holding the USBCs later this summer. A final decision depends on WBF action regarding the World Bridge Games. We are hopeful that conditions will allow the World Bridge Games to continue as planned, or to be rescheduled for a date later this calendar year. In either case, we will hold qualifying events - likely later this summer - taking into account both health/safety and the timing of the Montreal NABC. If there is no World Bridge Games in 2020, we are seriously considering holding a 2020 Open USBC when conditions allow for it.
The guaranteed entry deadline for all of the USBCs has been changed to May 1. Additional entries will be accepted after May 1 only if they don’t change the length of the event. It is necessary for USBF planning, including with the hotel, to know the length of the events.
The Board will meet again when information from the WBF has been made available regarding the World Bridge Games - ideally within the next two weeks.
April 3, 2020
2020 U31 USBC CANCELLED
The USBF has cancelled the Under-31 Selection Trials. The event was to have been held online during April, with a requirement that players not play from their homes, preferably play at a bridge club or similar location, and have an approved monitor watch them. That plan became impossible because of restrictions on public gatherings and closing of most bridge clubs, as well as very serious "stay at home" regulations in several states.
After considering alternatives that would provide adequate security without forcing players to interact with others in this difficult time, and given the uncertainty that the World Youth Bridge Team Championships, at which the U31 event was to be played, and which is scheduled for July 31-August 9 in Italy, will be held, the Board reluctantly decided to cancel the event and not send a team to the U31 event if it is held.
The USBF Board has not yet decided what to do about the Open, Mixed, Senior & Women's Trials, which are scheduled for May in Schaumburg, IL. As soon as a decision is made, we'll let you know.
Junior Teams and NPCs for 2020 WYBTC
The USBF Board has approved the following teams and NPCs for the 2020 WYBTC in Salsomaggiore:
Patiño Cup (Under 26)
USA1:
Arjun Dhir - Yichen Yin
Zach Grossack - Kevin Rosenberg
Adam Kaplan - Ben Kristensen
NPC: Brian Platnick
USA2:
Louis-Amaury Beauchet - Nolan Chang
Hakan Berk - David Soukup
Daniel Sonner - Isaac Stephani
NPC: David Caprera
Damiani Cup (Under 21)
USA1:
Finn Kolesnik - Michael Xu
Harrison Luba - Sarah Youngquist
Zhaofeng Phillip Wang - Jonathan Yue
NPC: Adam Grossack
USA2:
Michael Hu - Arthur Zhou
Cornelius Duffie - Stella Wan
Richard Jeng - Brent Xiao
NPC: Sylvia Shi
Rona Cup (Young Women Under 26)
USA:
Sophia Chang - Lucy Zhang
Cynthia Huang - Morgan Johnstone
Emma Kolesnik - Amber Lin
NPC: Kent Mignocchi
Koç University Cup (Under 16)
USA1:
Marley Cedrone - Zach Posternak
Arthur Gong - Eric Xiao
Michael Haas - Sam Pahk
NPC: Alex Kolesnik
USA2:
Charlie Chen - Kayden Ge
Branden Ge - Olivia Schireson
Ethan Xie - Brian Zhang
NPC: Will Watson