Priyanka Gulati
For the uninitiated, Chat GPT is an AI based app, which has a conversation based on all data available. It is capable of doing many things like, answering questions on many facets of life and, among other things, even write rap songs!
The moment I discovered it, I was like a little kid with a toy, playing with it this way and that to see what I could do with it. Chat GPT has the potential to may take my job, but nevertheless, I still loved the experience.
As you unravel the mysteries of Chat GPT, remember one thing: Don’t judge things from the lens of today, think of all the data it has to unravel to come up with answers. Further, don’t judge the answers, just absorb the stories.
I thought of sharing the answer to one of the questions I asked Chat GPT - ‘Who is the current best Indian bridge player?’
It responded "Rajeshwar Tewari who has represented India in many tournaments and is known for his bidding and defensive strategies". (Being the way it is, other searchers may get different answers with their attempts in the medium. Nevertheless, it is indisputable that is is one of the best).
The above was the genesis of this post. Here are a few thoughts and comments on this illustrious doyen of Indian Bridge.
Rajeshwar Tewari
R. Tewari is an alumnus of IIT Delhi, where he learnt bridge. It took very little time for it to become a passion for him.
He has partnered various stalwarts of bridge from B. Satyanarayana, N K Gupta, Subhash Gupta, Jaggy Shivdasani, B. Prabhakar and Keyzad Anklesaria. His current partner is Sumit Mukherjee. According to Tewari ‘he is lucky to have partnered the best in India’.
His advice to players is to:
1. Build up good temperament, don’t get flustered with previous hands, cause bridge is about making mistakes.
2. Read as much as possible
3. Discuss with partner
4. Have a mentor, someone to look up to and discuss with.
Sandeep Thakral describes him as ‘our very own smiling assassin - those calm eyes are only a cover for a highly active CPU. The real danger is when twiddling of the moustache starts - an indicator of brain cells in overdrive - never a good sign for the opposition’
Jaggy Shivdasani, his ex- partner, said "Tewari has excellent table feel and only one word to describe him would be ‘tenacious’".
His current partner Sumit said "I played with him in Indore for the first time. In my opinion, he is the best dummy player in India"!
(We can also vouch for his excellent sense of humor - Eds)
After speaking to his peers, opponents and friends I could just conclude that - He is known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his style to come back from difficult situations.
He is a true artist on the bridge table and even Chat GPT cannot take his job!
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.
Sandeep’s reference to Rajeshwar’s twirling of moustache takes me down memory lane to the 1980s.
It was the finals of the Minocha Trophy an event played at Central Secretariot Club New Delhi.
Both Vul, Rajeshwar sitting North passed so did East and I as South. West bid 2S passed back to me. Having passed with bad 12pts i doubled.
Opener passed and it was Rajeshwar’s turn to bid. He sat there calm and cool. Sure enough he started to twirl his moustache and bid 2NT. Which i raised to three.
Rajeshwar delivered to collect 600 against our partner’s -400 in 2S played out in the Open Room
This was one of the hands to give us the lead and win the trophy.
The twirling moustache is carrying on great style!!