| David BAKHSHI |
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David è nato nel 1974 ed è un giocatore professionista, insegnante e scrittore della nuova generazione di bridgisti inglesi che vive a Fulham con la moglie Heather, anche lei ottima bridgista, e con i loro due figli.
Cresciuto nel NW di Londra, ha imparato a giocare verso i 14 anni da Ian Johns, un insegnante molto dotato ma che partecipava pochissimo alla vita agonistica.
Laureato in psicologia presso l'Università di Exeter ha insegnato presso l'Andrew Robson Bridge Club di Londra.
Vincitore di diversi titoli nazionali ha conquistato il suo primo importante alloro con il bronzo guadagnato agli Europei Transnazionali a Squadre Open del 2005 seguito dalla vittoria nella NEC CUP del 2011.
David che ha giocato con diversi partner ed ha vinto alcuni dei più importanti titoli nazionali ha fondato l'Andrew Robson Bridge Club di Fulham ed è anche un regolare articolista di English Bridge.
David lives in Fulham with his wife Heather, eight year old step-son Liam, and
three year old daughter Jasmine, where he works as a professional player and
teacher.
Brought up in North West London, he was introduced to the game by Ian Johns, a teacher and friend, who possessed a real flair for the game, but had only occasionally ventured into the tournament world. Â David had just turned fifteen, and was eager to learn more about this fantastic game, and began playing at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club.
David successfully represented Britain and England in numerous International competitions, including several Channel Trophy, Peggy Bayer, and Junior Camrose events. He also played in three European Championships (one Schools, and two Junior).
Along the way, he also managed to fit in a Psychology degree at the University of Exeter, before returning to London in 1997. It was around this time that he and Robson again crossed paths, and Andrew invited him to join his enterprising teaching club the Andrew Robson Bridge Club. Delighted to have the opportunity to work with his mentor, David jumped at the chance, and has developed into the main teacher at the club, a role which allows him to enjoy the combination of teaching and playing for a living.
Having worked as assistant Coach to the England Open Team alongside David Burn at the 1999 European Championships, the new Millenium started with an invitation to coach the England Open Team at the World Teams Olympiad, where England finished a creditable 4th. David retained the role for the Europeans in 2001.
However, David's partnership with Andrew has provided the major highlights of his playing career so far. Together they twice won the Gold Cup (2002 and 2004), Crockfords (2005), the Brighton Swiss Pairs (2004 and 2005), and finished 11th at the inaugural European Open Pairs in 2003.
2004 also saw David make his full Camrose debut in the record breaking victory over Scotland, as well as 2nd place finishes in the Hecht Cup, a prestigious invitational event in Denmark, and the Lederer, where he and Robson were awarded the prize for the "Best Defended Hand" As the year drew to a close, David was also a member of the team that represented England at the Olympiad. Following an undefeated campaign in the Round Robin stage, England suffered a shock defeat by Pakistan in the last 16.
The highlight of 2005 came during the summer, when David formed a last-minute partnership with John Holland and then combined with Melih Ozdil (Turkey) and Eldad Ginossar (Israel) to win a Bronze medal at the European Open Teams.
2006 saw a change of direction, as David spent a season playing with Glyn Liggins, culminating in a victory at the Brighton Teams before heading off to Verona for the World Championships. David and Heather reached the Mixed Pairs Final, followed by a defeat for David's team (Allfrey) in the last 16 of the Rosenblum Teams. The final event, the World Open Pairs resulted in David's most pleasing result thus far, when he chalked up a 6th place finish the highest placing of any English pair in over 30 years.
Following on from this, David was asked to form a partnership with Tony Forrester. Together they have already finished 2nd in Crockfords, and 11th at the European Open Pairs before ending a promising first year with victory in the 2007 Gold Cup (with teammates Allfrey and Robson).
In addition to his partnership with Forrester, David has been increasing his participation in National Championships in USA, where he has so far enjoyed the opportunity to partner several World Stars including Michael Rosenberg, Diego Brenner and Agustin Madala.
In 2011 he won the NEC Cup. He also has a regular column answering readers' questions in English Bridge.
