Bridge player becomes youngest Grandmaster

A NORTH East accountant and bridge player has been named the youngest Grandmaster in the card game in the country.

John Atthey, 26, of Darlington, has been playing bridge since his father taught him the game when he was ten.

Since then, he has gone on to win a string of impressive international titles, representing England four times in the European championships; Britain three times in the Channel competition and five times in the Junior Channel.

John is an audit senior with North East accountants Clive Owen & Co LLP. Already within the firm there are other successful players, including Clive Owen himself and his son Chris.

John, who paired up with Chris twice in the European Championships where they were named top UK Pair, has collected more than 120,000 points over the years to be awarded his coveted Grandmaster title. He is believed to be the only player in his 20s with the title in the country.

“I love the mental challenge of bridge and there’s a good social element to the game which I enjoy,” said John.

“There are only 15 Grandmasters in the North of England some of whom have years and years of playing experience so it’s a real honour to be among them.”

Over the years John has secured an impressive record in international and national competitions including scooping the Tollemarch trophy twice; the Gold Cup; the Brighton Swiss Pairs; the Pachabo Cup; the Great Northern Swiss Pairs and the championship teams and pairs at the annual Scottish Congress.

Clive Owen, senior partner of Clive Owen & Co LLP, said: “I am delighted for John. To achieve this level at his age is incredible. His commitment and talents deserve this recognition. What’s also impressive about John is his conduct at the bridge table where his table manners are impeccable and a lesson to us all.

“We’re really fortunate to have such a player in our county. I am sure he will go on to further success.”

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