Kenneth Konstam

Kenneth W. Konstam (1906–May 21, 1968 at Juan-les-Pins), often known as 'Konnie', was an English international bridge player. Educated at Oundle School, employed for a time in the London Stock Exchange, he was for many years an exectutive of the De La Rue company, which made playing cards, postage stamps and banknotes (the playing card business was eventually sold to Waddingtons). He served in the British army during WWII, reaching the rank of Major. His fluent French qualified him to act as Liaison Officer to the French Army after D-Day. Ramsey, Guy 1955. "Aces All". Museum Press, London. p65 et seq.]

Bridge career

Konstam was a key member of the London-based British bridge team which won the Bermuda Bowl in 1955, the first occasion a European team had beaten the United States in this competition, and the "only" victory for a British team. He was described by Ramsey that year as "about the best pragmatic player in the game today". His bidding and play was rapid and direct in style; he was known for bidding borderline games, and for his acute tactical awareness at the table.

Konstam also represented Great Britain in the World Championship 1937, the Bermuda Bowl 1950, 1962, 1965; the World Olympiad 1964, and the European Championship 12 times (a record), winning in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1961, 1963. He won the Gold Cup five times: 1949, 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1965. ["The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge". ACBL, N.Y., various editions and dates.] [Peter Hasenson (ed), "British Bridge Almanack", 77 Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0-9549241-0-X, pp200-1.]

He was one of the proponents of a bidding system known as CAB, in which the responder to a strong artificial 2C opening had to give priority to bidding any ace he might have. The 'B' stood for Blackwood; otherwise, the system was mostly natural, with strong no-trump opening bids, and forcing jump raises as in the older version of Standard American. He was bridge editor for the "Sunday Times" for many years.

Konnie also played rubber bridge, which for many years was a good source of income. He had one attribute not given to all experts, namely, a great ability to partner weaker players. Many clients was surprised and delighted to find themselves winning a tournament where they would normally be back-markers.

Schapiro's opinion

In an article written in 1951 Boris Schapiro said of Konstam::"Superb dummy player and defender, erratic and undisciplined bidder; is liable to and does in fact 'bring in' a lot of points. Very difficult to play against but concentration is bad." [Schapiro, Boris 1951. Knights of the square table. "Contract bridge journal", reprinted in Hasenson P. 2004. "British Bridge Almanack". 77, London. p63]

In 1962 he updated his article::"He is still a most formidable opponent, a very good dummy player and superb defender. He makes mistakes nowadays but is fast and hard to get the better of. I still prefer him on my side rather than against me." [Schapiro, Boris 1962. "Contract bridge journal", reprinted in Hasenson P. "British Bridge Almanack" 2004. 77, London. p63-4.]

References