Coming down from the barricades

A quick update on an ongoing matter.

Three weeks ago, I wrote a blog about a rule introduced by district 7 of the NBB, disallowing 9-12 NT opening bids (and other light, natural opening bids at the 1 level with 8 or 9 points). District 7 is called “midden en oost Gelderland” and covers the region around Arnhem. See the map on the right and if you want to know if your club is in that district, click here

Whatever you think about this rule, it is worth noting 9-12 NT and other light opening bids are allowed in any other district of the NBB as well as at any tournament. A number of concerned players have submitted a proposal to strike this rule, for the next annual meeting of all clubs in the district, March 17, 2017. All clubs in the district are represented there by (representatives of) their board and there will be vote on this matter. 

I asked for help:  "If you support this, talk to the board members of your club and ask them to support this proposal. If the club is not going to be represented at the meeting, either volunteer to represent the club (anybody can do that) or suggest that they give a proxy vote to another club.”

The matter was discussed at the annual meeting of clubs in the district yesterday evening. I am happy to report that the result is that the rule has been revoked and at the district will from september 1 onwards follow the same rules for allowed and disallowed systems as the rest of the country. The vote was unanimous.Thanks to everybody who helped here. 

© Henk Uijterwaal 2019