The XXIX Madeira International Bridge Open begins this Thursday at the Hotel Vida Mar in Funchal, running until 9 November. It is the largest bridge tournament held in Portugal and is considered one of the most prestigious in Europe.
This year's edition brings together around 900 participants from 44 nationalities, including players, referees and specialist journalists. Among the entrants are Zia Mahmood, Agustin Madala and Norway's Christian Bakke, the current European champion, who won the event in Madeira last year.
The programme includes Matchpoint Pairs, IMP Paris, Open Paris and Teams competitions, alongside social events, a traditional Madeiran dinner and island excursions. Miguel Teixeira, president of the Madeira Bridge Association and organiser of the event, says the aim is to combine sport and socialising with discovering the region.
