Home Page

Jimmy  MAIER

 Merwyn D. "Jimmy" Maier nato nel 1909 a New York City e scomparso nel 1942 a soli 33 anni, a causa di un misterioso virus,  ma, nel breve tempo della sua vita, è stato un membro della famosa squadra dei "4 Assi" dal 1937 al 1942 ed, in gioventù, anche un forte tennista. 

 Jimmy è stato uno dei giocatori più rappresentativi del bridge statunitense negli anni che hanno preceduto la seconda guerra mondiale e si è fregiato di diversi titoli nazionali tra i quali ricordiamo 2 Vanderbilt (1937, 1938), 2 Spingolds (1938, 1939), il Master Individual del 1939, il Men's Pairs del 1940 ed il Life Master Pairs nel 1941.

 È opinione comune di tutti i grandi campioni che lo hanno conosciuto che, se fosse vissuto, sarebbe potuto diventare uno dei più forti giocatori di ogni tempo.

Nel 2004 gli è stato concesso l'onore di far parte della Hall of Fame ed è stato premiato con il von Zedtwitz.

Taken from the Hall of Fame

Recipient of the von Zedtwitz Award, New Yorker Merwyn D. Maier, affectionately known as "Jimmy," is undoubtedly the least-recognized bridge aficionado to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. However, he definitely deserves his place among the bridge greats.
Sadly, Jimmy’s bridge career was cut short in 1942 when a mysterious virus claimed his life at the age of 32.

Despite its brief length, his career is amazing. Seven major titles in four years: Vanderbilt 1937 and 1938; Spingold 1938 and 1939; Master Individual 1939; Men’s Pairs 1940; Life Master Pairs 1941. Jimmy won several of his championships as a member of the famed Four Aces.

The personal tributes and accolades of his peers on the occasion of his untimely death suggest that Maier had embarked on a career that might well have turned out to be unparalleled. In March-April 1942 ACBL Bulletin editor Geoffrey Mott-Smith called him "one of the foremost players in the country." According to Howard Schenken, "Jimmy was far and away the best partner I ever had." In his publication,The Education of a Bridge Player, Schenken stated, "Had he lived, he might have become the greatest bridge player of all time." Sidney Lazard recalls his good friend, the legendary Ozzie Jacoby, singling out Maier as the best bridge player he had ever seen. Edith Kemp Freilich related vivid memories of playing against Maier while still in her teens and confirmed Jacoby’s assessment of his incredible prowess at a very tender age.