Word: schapiro
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...bidding convention known as the "Little Major." He was also England's most brilliant writer on bridge (author of twelve books, columnist for the Observer and London's Evening News), and one of the two or three best players in the world. The other man was Boris Schapiro, 53, a gregarious ex-wholesale-butcher...
Peculiar Position. It was U.S. Player B. Jay Becker who, on the third day of the tournament, first spotted "something highly improper." Playing against Reese and Schapiro, Becker noticed that his opponents were holding their cards in a peculiar fashion: both Britons kept varying the position of their fingers; sometimes only one finger showed at the back of the fan of cards, sometimes there were two, or three-bunched together or splayed. Later, Becker watched Reese and Schapiro play against other teams. At first, he could not believe his eyes; it was inconceivable that two such highly regarded professionals should...
Becker confided in Teammate and Partner Dorothy Hayden. She watched the Englishmen too, and agreed with Becker. Still uncertain, they passed their suspicions on to New York Times Bridge Columnist Alan Truscott and to non-playing U.S. Team Captain John Gerber. All four observed Reese and Schapiro closely; all concurred...
Inventive Mind. With the evidence in hand, John Gerber informed British Team Captain Ralph Swimer and British Bridge League Chairman Geoffrey Butler. The two watched Reese and Schapiro play 18 hands. At a hastily called meeting of the World Bridge Federation's appeals committee next day, officials directly accused Reese and Schapiro of cheating. Both denied the charges. That afternoon the federation called a meeting of the executive committee, including Honorary President General Alfred M. Gruenther, himself a first-rate player...
When it was all over, Schapiro himself would say only that "I am through playing cards." Reese, supremely cool about it all, merely shrugged: "Frankly, I'm not surprised all this happened. When you are on the top, all sorts if people drag you down." The two then headed back to London to await disciplinary action from the British Bridge League. If they are found guilty, they could be blackballed for life, and never be permitted to participate again in a world tournament...