World Cup bridge

LILLE, Aug 20: The Tenth World Bridge Championships begins at the Grand Palais here tomorrow with the par contest in which the world8217;s top 38 players have been invited to match their skills against computer and the mixed pairs, which is transnational and open to all.

Calcutta8217;s Santanu Ghose, 50, winner of ten National titles will be the only Indian representative in the par contest. The contestants will play a total of 12 specially designed bridge hands in three sessions spread over two days. Also in fray will be Norway8217;s Geir Helgemo, 28, who has already represented Norway three times coming second in the 1993 Bermuda Bowl and second in the world junior teams 1993 and considered to be the hottest player in the world today.