Rixi Markus

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Rixi Markus (27 June 1910 – 1992) was a British bridge player.

Markus was born as Erika Scharfstein into a prosperous Jewish family in Gura Humorului (Gura Humora), Romania. She moved to Austria where she first made her name at the bridge table. In 1938, she fled Austria and made her home in London, where she remained for the rest of her life.

Generally recognized as the top European lady player to date and a great personality, Markus was the first woman to become a WBF Grand Master and was the leading woman in the WBF master point rankings from their inception in 1974 until 1980.

Markus was named International Bridge Press Association Personality of the Year in 1974 and was awarded the Member of the British Empire for contributions to bridge a year later by Queen Elizabeth II. For many years she organized an annual match between the two Houses of the British parliament.