I first met KK in spring of 2003 in Philadelphia. We played on the same team in the Vanderbilt. Our first match was against the Italians (Fantoni and Nunes played at our table). I was expecting a horrible result, but even though we lost the match, I was surprised at how well KK and his partner had played at their table, duplicating many results by Fantunes.
I met him again in the Summer of 2003 at the Long Beach Nationals. We played the Spingold on the same team, and had an almost miraculous win in the round of 32 against a strong Swedish team. KK and I started playing together as a serious partnership, sometime after this. I was impressed at the detailed system notes he produced, and to this day I use his format.
We played many U.S Nationals together, as well as international events like the Transnationals and Rosenblum. There were also many Indian events including the Selection Trials thrown in. KK used to coordinate all the different players we played with, in the various events worldwide.
In the summer of 2006, we played in the Rosenblum in Verona. Our team had 2 pairs from Kolkata, and we did surprisingly well in the league phase, though we lost in the R64 to the Nickell squad. One of the things I remember most about KK was his passion for seafood. Every night, after the game was over we would walk over to a small Italian restaurant (right across from where we were staying) and he would order the same seafood dish – 10 nights in a row!
The last major event I played with KK was the European Open in June 2007 in Antalya, Turkey. KK visited me in the US and stayed at my home for several weeks before that. We had a great time discussing bridge, and even played a regional event in May with the great Mike Lawrence and his partner Harvey Brody. It was convenient for him as his daughter was a student at Stanford University.
Shortly after that event was over, KK and I headed off to Turkey, where we had some of our finest bridge moments. After barely squeaking into the KO stage, we trounced every opponent till we reached the finals. After a thrilling final session (KK and I sat out the last set), where we fell just a little short, we came away with the Silver Medal in the Open Teams Championship.
My partnership with KK ended soon after that. KK passed away some years later, but I shall always remember his influence and be thankful for the many bridge hands we played together.
I do hope to see a good turnout for this event in his memory.
Gopal Venkatesh
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seen him off and on recognised his great bridge ability one fine morning he approached me at IG airport and offered me a lift even then he was not too well he told me his health is bad
very suave but more important extremely nice and sensitive impressive persona and carriage
my first and last encounter in person with him
KK was an extremely polished person and an excellent bridge player.
When I called him to be part of NEST INN, he agreed immediately and was part of the team till he passed away.
With him, we have won innumerable tournaments including the Summer Nationals, where we reached the semifinal and finals.
He loved bridge and was happy to accompany us for any good tournament.
His untimely loss was a great shock to everyone who knew him.
During his last journey to Delhi for a tournament, where they reached the final, he was on the flight with me. I stayed overnight with him at Delhi before proceeding to Jaipur little knowing that it would be my last contact with him.
His passing away was a great loss to the bridge world.