HCL International Bridge Championship 2023: Full List Of Winners, Prize Money

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HCL, a global conglomerate, has yet again demonstrated its commitment to promoting and nurturing the sport of Bridge. The 20th HCL International Bridge Championship concluded with great enthusiasm and excitement, marking another milestone in the world of competitive Bridge.

Over the course of seven days, this prestigious championship saw more than 800 participants from around the globe, spanning diverse age groups, and offered the highest prize purse of INR 2.6 Crore.

20th HCL International Bridge Championship History

The event, which has been organised for two decades now, has grown from strength to strength. It all began with 35 teams, and this year, it featured 145 teams. The HCL International Bridge Championship has witnessed a consistent increase in foreign participation, solidifying its reputation as one of the greatest tournaments in the world.

20th HCL International Bridge Championship Participants and Winners

The championship showcased a diverse range of participants, including Adhiyaman Zodypache, an 11-year-old prodigy, and his 8-year-old brother, Agilan Zodypache, hailing from Puducherry. Their presence symbolized the all-inclusive nature of the event, where players of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate the game of Bridge.

The winners and runners-up were honoured by Mrs Kiran Nadar, an internationally acclaimed Bridge player and the Director of HCL Corporation. She is also the Chairperson of the organizing committee of the HCL International Bridge Championship.

Mrs Nadar expressed her delight at the growth of the championship over the years, stating, "HCL's journey in organizing Bridge championships began two decades ago with 35 teams, and today, we proudly stand at 145 teams. Over the years, we've witnessed a consistent rise in foreign participation. The valuable experience of competing alongside international teams in this tournament will undoubtedly contribute to the honing of Indian players' skills."

One of the international teams, Boye Brogeland and Christian Bakke from Norway were effusive in their praise of the championship. They expressed their admiration for the hospitality, organisation, and high level of play at the HCL International Bridge Championship. Their feedback is a testament to the reputation this event has earned on the global Bridge scene, and they promised to return next year.

The winners and runners-up across various categories at the 20th HCL International Bridge Championship were as follows:

Naresh Tandan Trophy for Team of Four Gold

• Winner: AZS BUBOSLAVIA from Poland
• 1st Runner-up: Formidables from India

Mohini Tandan Trophy for Team of Four Silver

• Winner: Standard Plus from India
• 1st Runner-up: Shiv Shakti from India

Neena Bonarji Trophy for Open Pairs - Gold event

• Winner: Boye Brogeland and Christian Bakke from Norway
• 1st Runner-up: Julian Stefanov and Vladmir Mihov from Bulgaria

Open Pairs - Silver event

• Winner: Mukund Jagganathan and Gautam Biswas from India
• 1st Runner-up: R G Bhivandkar and Subash Dhakras from India

IMP Pairs

• Winner: Binod Kumar Shaw and Sanjit Dey from India
• 1st Runner-up: Mithun Mukherjee and Soumya Das from India

The championship culminated with AZS Buboslavia from Poland clinching the Naresh Tandan Trophy for the Team of Four Gold event. They put up an impressive performance, beating the Indian team Formidables in a closely contested final, with a score of 112.5-96 IMPs across 56 boards.

The Mohini Tandan Trophy for Team of Four Silver event was secured by Team Standard Plus, consisting of Sukumaran Rajeev, Sahirudeen, Asok Jose Lean, Ranga Khadloya, Nizamudeen Shahul Hamid, and Franz Mundaden.

They overcame Shiv Shakti in the finals, winning with a score of 98-74. The runners-up, Shiv Shakti, were represented by Gautam Chatterjee, Sanjib Bhattacharjee, Sanjib Ganguly, Prabir Kumar Thakur, Manoj Kumar Dey, and Tapan Kr Bhattacharya.

The HCL International Bridge Championship also introduced a one-day ProAm event, providing amateur bridge players with a unique opportunity to play alongside seasoned professionals.

This initiative further underlines HCL's commitment to fostering the growth of Bridge at all levels and promoting the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie within the Bridge community.

The 20th HCL International Bridge Championship was a grand celebration of skill, competition, and the enduring appeal of Bridge, setting new benchmarks for future events. It demonstrated that Bridge is a game for all, transcending age, nationality, and background, and uniting players from across the world in the spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie.