Kenneth Konstam

Kenneth W. Konstam (1906 – 21 May 1968 at Juan-les-Pins), often known as 'Konnie', was an English international bridge player who won seven international titles. In 1955 he played on the only Great Britain team to win the Bermuda Bowl (the world championship) and he won more European Bridge League open teams championships than any other British player.

Konstam, educated at Oundle School, was employed for a time in the . He was for many years an executive of the De La Rue company, which made playing cards, postage stamps and banknotes (the playing card business was eventually sold to Waddingtons). He served in the British Army during World War II, reaching the rank of Major. His fluent French qualified him to act as Liaison Officer to the French Army after D-Day.

Konstam was a key member of the London-based Great Britain bridge team which won the Bermuda Bowl in 1955, the first occasion a European team had beaten the United States in this competition, and the only victory for a British team in this, the world championship for teams of four. His main partner in the event was Leslie Dodds. Konnie was described by Ramsey that year as "about the best pragmatic player in the game today". His bidding and play was rapid and direct in style; he was known for bidding borderline games, and for his acute tactical awareness at the table.

Konstam also represented Great Britain in the World Championship 1937; the Bermuda Bowl 1950, 1962, 1965; the World Olympiad 1964; and the European Championship 12 times (a record), winning in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1961, 1963 (the first six of Britain's seven wins). He won the Gold Cup five times: 1949, 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1965.

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