Markus dies at 81
By Djanwar Madjolelo
JAKARTA (JP): Mrs. Rixi Markus was one of the greatest women players of all time, wrote 9 bridge books and The Guardian newspaper's bridge column for 37 years.
She died in May 1962 in London at 81 after a remarkable 60- year bridge career.
In 1951, she began a memorable partnership with another Austrian refugee Fritzi Gordon, who died in February 1992. In a quarter of a century of playing for Britain in women's competitions they collected the World Olympiad Team title, two world pairs titles and seven European Team titles.
Alan wrote in the New Times on the diagramed deal, a master play by Mrs. Fritzi Gordon:
Dealer: West
Vulnerable: All
NORTH
(S) J 8 5
(H) 9 5 2
(D) A K 10 8 4
(C) A 8
WEST EAST
(S) 10 4 2 (S) Q 6 3
(H) K J 4 (H) 7 6
(D) Q 9 5 2 (D) J 7 6 3
(C) J 4 3 (C) Q 7 6 2
SOUTH
(S) A K 9 7
(H) A Q 10 8 3
(D) void
(C) K 10 9 5
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
- R. Markus - F. Gordon
Pass 1D Pass 1H
Pass 1NT Pass 2S
Pass 3H Pass 6H
All pass
West led the Diamond two. She ruffed the opening Diamond lead in her hand and cashed two Spade winners in the hope that the Queen would fall.
She then cashed the Club King, ruffed a Club and ruffed the Spade Jack.
The ending was:
NORTH
(S) --
(H) 9 5
(D) 10
(C) --
WEST EAST
(S) -- (S) --
(H) K J 4 (H) 7 6
(D) -- (D) --
(C) -- (C) --
SOUTH
(S) --
(H) A Q
(D) --
(C) 10
When the Club 10 was led, West had to ruff and lead from the Heart King to give South (F. Gordon) her Slam.
She brought home a six Heart contract that might seem impossible.
Well done. A master play!