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Fulvio Fantoni...the Number One Bridge Player in the World by Fernando Lema y Ana Roth

 

translated by Mrs. Lely Garino...many thanks....


 

 

1) When did you get acquainted with bridge? How did this change your life?

I first met bridge when I was 10 years old. I learned watching my father playing with his friends. At the time it obviously did not change my life, but it certainly did in the following years...
 
2) Is there a Fantoni bridge style?

 

I don't think there is a Fantoni style per se, but our system has a very unique way of playing and is exclusive to us. As to table attitude  it is always friendly, except when an opponent is so unpleasant as to deserve a real hard time.
 
3) What is the competitive edge of  Italian  bridge that led  it to win 6 European championships?

 

The Italian team is incredibly strong and I believe one of its advantages is having 3 pairs of professionals, people that play and study bridge... full time...a very unusual quality in most countries.
 
4) What are the main achievements in your career? What was your most  significant victory... and the most

 painful defeat?

 

So far the highlights in my career are:

 

- World Pairs Championship , winner in 2002 and third in 2006
- Olympic Teams, winner in 2004 and 2008
- European Championship, winner in 2004 and 2006
- Bermuda Bowl, winner in 2005, second in 2003
- Many Italian titles

 

For one reason or another, they have all been very important.

 

The truth is that the World Pairs Championship was the most exciting because we never expected to win it.

 

The Bermuda Bowl was also very exciting, Italy hadn't won it for 30 years, and we were facing the US Nickell Team which

is surely the strongest opponents we have ever met, so beating them made the title even more important.

 

The most painful defeat was obviously the 2003 Bermuda Bowl... We lost for 1 Imp in the last hand.
 
5) Who is your partner? How much time do you dedicate to studying?

 

My partner is Claudio Nunes, we devote a lot of time to bidding and defending.
 
6) What qualities should a good bridge player have? And a champion?

 

Concentration is for sure the most important quality for performance at the table. Obviously, a good player should also be totally familiar with carding techniques.

 

A champion should, above all, be humble... And willing to share his experience with others, although it doesn't always happen...
 
7) How should the ideal partner be? Are you an ideal partner?

 

First of all, the ideal partner should be a friend, a person with whom you enjoy playing, traveling and having lunch and

dinner with. I'd rather have a technically weaker partner (not my case) but a friend... than the best player in the world. I'm very fortunate that my partner is a friend... aside from being the best player in the world!

 
8) Which bridge book would you recommend?

 

I really like the Trezel bridge books.
 
9) If you had to choose a convention, which one would you pick?

 

Gazzilli... is a convention that I think should be used by all who play natural bridge.
 
10) What do you think of on-line bridge? Do you like to play it? Where do you play?

 

I think it's great fun to play on-line. I only play  in BBO.
 
11) You organize cruises, what would you tell the Latin American public about them?

 

Our Greek cruises are great fun. In addition to beautiful locations we have a high quality bridge festival and amateur bridge tournaments... at night. Which means that everyone has fun choosing where to play. The gala dinner is a wonderful and unforgettable event. We owe all this especially to our marvellous sponsor Mr. Hassib Sabbah who funds most of the activities... Without his help it would be impossible to have them...
 
12) Is it for experts or for intermediate and advanced players as well?

 

Everyone can come and find their ideal spot and choose the  tournaments they prefer.
 
13) Do you have any cruise stories you would like to share?

 

I return home hoping that next year comes fast!!! To go back!!!
 
14) Do you organize other tournaments?

 

Yearend Holidays but without a festival. The tournament  has about 30 tables and the level is quite mixed, you find intermediate, advanced and expert players.

 

The mood is very friendly, and my presence is constant... I'm available to everyone on any bridge subject they may wish to address.
 
15) Do you have your own web site?

 

 
16) Is bridge part of the  school system in Italy?

 

Yes, it is taught in high school.
 
17) How do you think we can help promote this wonderful sport?

 

I don't exactly know... Probably National Leagues and the World Bridge Federation should pay instructors to give free lessons to  novices. People are always busy, so it is not easy to get them interested in bridge. Free lessons should encourage the young and people in general to join and learn the game.
 
18) Let's talk a little about your personal life... Are you married? Any children? What do you like to read other

 than bridge? What music do  you like? Movies? Hobbies?

 

I've had a spouse for 5 years and I have a 12-year old son. They both make my life very happy. My wife always comes with me

in my trips around the world and this helps to keep me content and focused. My wonderful boy is 12 and I spend most of the time with him when I am at home. He is doing fine at school and gives me great satisfaction with his football, he is amazing at defense.

I like pop  music, especially Laura Pausini. I'm a movie fan, I've had a small theater built at home, where I watch films as if I were in a movie  theater.

 

As to hobbies I'd say my present priority is tennis, I've  taken it up again after 8 months and really enjoy it.
 
19) Does your son play bridge?

 

He knows a little about bridge but doesn't play... I have decided not to teach him until he asks me.
 
20) Can you tell us what you think about these sayings:
 
1) The winner is  the one that makes the least mistakes...

 

I absolute agree with the fact that whoever makes the least mistakes wins.
 
2) Bridge is a very difficult game...

 

Bridge is an extremely difficult game... but that is what makes it ... so fascinating...
 
3) Women are weaker at bridge than men...

 

I think so and the results prove it. There are probably a lot of reasons, depending on  personality and concentration differences between men and women.
 
4) Bridge is  a mind sport

 

I think that is what it is... Exactly
 
5) Bridge is brain gymnastics

 

I've seen many people with many problems...remain interested in life...thanks to bridge