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Past Editor of New Zealand Bridge Magazine, bridge club founder, Alex Moore, a very colourful character, died on the 30^th December 2015. He was 68 and suffered a major heart attack.

Alex

Alex had a variety of careers and a very varied life. He went to school at Wanganui Collegiate and after a period at university in Christchurch, emerged in the late 70’s in the Auckland bridge scene. He soon formed a partnership with John Evitt and in 1981 represented New Zealand in a test match against Australia, won by the Kiwis 240-209. He and John were described as “the newcomers who had blasted their way into the team with a convincing (trials) win over Dave Mathews and Lionel Wright.” Here is Alex bidding his way to 4♠ after his partner had passed him out in 1♣!

Dealer East                             North

Vul. N/S                                    ♠ QJ9

                                                ♥ J10542

                                                ♦ K97

                                                ♣ K10

                             West                             East

                             ♠ AK62                          ♠ 10875

                             ♥ K76                            ♥ A98

                             ♦ 2                                 ♦ 10963

                             ♣ AQ632                       ♣ J7

                                                South

                                                ♠ 43

                                                ♥ Q3

                                                ♦ AQJ54

                                                ♣ 9854

          West          North         East            South

          Moore        Smilde        Evitt            Browne

                                                Pass            Pass

          1♣               Pass           Pass            1♦

          1♠               2♦                2♠               3♦

          3♠               Pass            4♠               All Pass

Seamus Browne might have wondered where the major suits had gone when he balanced over 1♣. He was soon to find out as Alex made his contract for the loss of a trump and one trick in each minor suit. In the other room, the Australians made an overtrick in 2♠ for a 7 imp gain to New Zealand.

He won the New Zealand Teams in 1984.

He had various careers including a period driving buses, in real estate, setting up what has since become a most successful bridge club in Auckland, owned wine shops and finished almost full circle by driving taxis. He spent long periods in Auckland but spent his last few years in Dunedin.

The bridge club was called” Epsom Bridge Centre” and was in Kipling Avenue. The club started in the early 1990’s, initially in Jill and Alex’s lounge with home baking and a friendly atmosphere. It was modelled on the "grand slam formula" of his initial partner in the venture, Sydney's Paul Marston. Alex sold the club to Angela Royle, a playing member of the club, with the club going from strength to strength as the Royle Epsom Bridge Club, now the second largest in Auckland. Angela herself learnt from Alex and said her group were terrified when he was teaching them, standing behind them and shaking his head in disbelief. A  social bridge club was thus created in Auckland with the introduction of café-style coffees, hot chocolate and toasted sandwiches. Angela says Alex loved the coffee concept and still uses the same brand as he did.

During the 1980’s, he helped out as one of several on the Editorial Board of “New Zealand Bridge Magazine” and in 1987 took over from Vic Rowland as full time Editor of the national Bridge Magazine (his wife, Jill, was Business Manager…”magazine envelope stuffer” as she later described the job), a position he held until the end of 1990.

His age of writing was primarily before the take-over of computerisation. As Editor, he fought a constant battle to keep the Magazine alive as a/the forum for bridge in this country. His style was direct, as was summed up by the final words in his last Editorial: “I would like to particularly thank those of you who have given me your support over my years as Editor, especially those who supported me in preventing NZB from being scrapped.” As well as being Editor, he wrote the Master Solvers Club feature, one he kept a strong interest in after retiring as Editor.

He was married twice and had two children from each marriage. As a child, he had breathing problems and in later life diabetes. Ill health prevented him from taking on a new role, as rather than becoming National Congress Bulletin Editor three years ago, he finished up in hospital.

I will always be grateful, Alex, that you pushed me into being your Magazine successor and also for the tremendous support you gave me especially in those early years.

Life for Alex was always a challenge, has been lively, different, interesting. For him, as for so many, bridge was a great mental challenge and a tremendous social outlet. Farewell, Alex.

Richard Solomon

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