Benito Garozzo

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Benito Garozzo (born September 5, 1927 in Alexandria, Egypt) lived between Cairo, Egypt and Naples, Italy until settling in Naples in 1954. Having learned bridge from a 1933 Culbertson book[1] during World War II, he eventually came to be considered by many experts as the world's best bridge player during his championship years.[2] He has won 13 world championship titles with the Italian Blue Team, starting in 1961 when he was added as a last minute substitute for the Bermuda Bowl[1] playing with Pietro Forquet. Later he partnered Giorgio Belladonna who was co-creator[2] with him of both the Blue Club bidding system and an advanced version of the Precision Club system called "Super-precision."

During his participation as a member of the Blue Team he was considered the best defender of all times. As such, he was named il sottomarino (the submarine), as an allegory of being able to see under the water. As of September 5, 2011, when he became 84, he was proud of being able to play 10 different bidding systems.

Garozzo (aka sillafu at BBO site) has lived in the United States since 1987 and became a citizen in January 1994. He is divorced with a son and daughter; his life partner for over 30 years was Lea Dupont,[1] who died in 2012.[3]

Bridge accomplishments

Awards

  • Charles J. Solomon Award (The Best Played Hand of the Year) 1975, 1980
  • Romex Award (The Best Bid Hand of the Year) 1984

Wins

  • Bermuda Bowl (10) 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975
  • World Open Team Olympiad (3) 1964, 1968, 1972
  • North American Bridge Championships (4)
  • European Championships (5)
    • Open Teams (5) 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979
  • European Union/European Community Bridge League (2)
    • Open Pairs (1) 1973
    • Mixed Teams (1) 1983
  • Italian Championships (18)
    • Open Teams (12) 1958, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1985
    • Open Cup (3) 1965, 1968, 1977
    • Open Pairs (1) 1956
    • Men's Cup (1) 2003
    • Mixed Teams (1) 1983
  • Other notable wins:
    • Cap Gemini Pandata World Top Invitational Pairs (1) 1991
    • Pamp World Par Contest (1) 1990

Runner-ups

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Manley, Brent, Editor; Horton, Mark, Co-Editor; Greenberg-Yarbro, Tracey, Co-Editor; Rigal, Barry, Co-Editor (2011). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (7th ed.). Horn Lake, MS: American Contract Bridge League. p. 156 of the Biographies and Results CD. ISBN 978-0-939460-99-1. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Francis, Henry G., Editor-in-Chief; Truscott, Alan F., Executive Editor; Francis, Dorthy A., Editor, Sixth Edition (2001). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (6th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 649. ISBN 0-943855-44-6. OCLC 49606900. 
  3. ↑ In Memoriam: Lea DuPont – American Contract Bridge League

External links

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