Fritzi Gordon
Fritzi Gordon (1905–1992)[1] was part of the most famous and tempestuous female partnership in bridge. She was the second woman to attain the the rank of World Grandmaster, her partner Rixi Markus being the first. She won four world titles, seven European championships and numerous other tournament victories.
Life
Gordon was born in Vienna to middle-class Jewish parents. After school, she became the buyer for a Salzburg store, married Paul Gordon and moved to Graz. The Nazi Anschluss disrupted her life, as it did to so many others. She fled to London, though the details of this abrupt transition are not known.
Despite their shared cultural heritage and experiences, Gordon and Markus were not personal friends. Success tied them together, but they were often at odds despite their success. Their 'discussions' at the table were quite famous, and earned them the soubriquets Frisky and Bitchy. Mrs Gordon was not a bridge author, and her private life remained private. She is consequently the less well known of the pair. [2]
Bridge career
Gordon's tournament bridge career began after WWII, and her partnership with Markus began in 1951. The partnership lasted 25 years.
Gordon won the World Womens teams 1964; World Mixed teams 1962; World Womens pairs 1962 and 1974 (placed second in 1970). She won the European Womens teams in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1959, 1961, 1963 and 1975. She represented Britain on eight other occasions and toured the USA in 1953 as part of the British women's team. Her national successes include the Gold Cup in 1957 and 1961. [3]
References
- ^ Patrick Jourdaine 1992. Fritzi Gordon. Obituary reprinted in Hasenson P. (ed) British Bridge Almanack. 77, London, p190. However, The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (ACBL) lists her birth-date as 1916.
- ^ Patrick Jourdaine 1992. Fritzi Gordon. Obituary reprinted in Hasenson P. (ed) British Bridge Almanack. 77, London. p190
- ^ Francis H.G. et al (eds) The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge. ACBL, N.Y. various editions and dates.