"Phenomenal Feat Of Mental Abstraction”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 17

"Phenomenal Feat Of Mental Abstraction”

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. Britain’s international bridge team has been criticised In the newspapers lately on the grounds that its members are too old in their late 40’s or 50’s to maintain concentration for the length of time it takes to compete successfully against the much younger players of other countries. It has been suggested that a number of younger players have been kept out of the British team because of the insistence of the “old guard” on keeping their places. The “News Chronicle” columnist now gives an account of an “extraordinary experiment” which he says proves that older players are not only tops in talent, but tops in concentration. “When I was round with some friends recently," Boris Shapiro, aged 48, who partners Terence Reese, aged 45, as Britain’s top

pair in international bridge, told him, “a few of them had a bet that nothing—but nothing—could disturb Terence’s concentration while he was playing bridge. “Between them they hatched out a plot—all purely in aid of scientific research I assure you. “They hired a showgirl rather used to appearing in her birthday suit or thereabouts. Thus unclad, she took her seat by myself, right opposite Terence. “For 25 minutes he continued to bid and play cards without noticing a thing. Then he raised his eyebrows mildly and carried straight on.” Reese, when tackled about “this phenomenal feat of mental abstraction,” said scornfully: “It would take more than that to distract me once I really get going at bridge. “You just don’t notice any distractions,” he added.