Vale Tim Seres AO (1925-2007)

It is with a heavy heart that I advise of the passing of Tim Seres at age 83. Tim was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease about 5 years ago and in more recent times had various cancer related issues. He underwent an operation on Wednesday 26/9/07 and suffered a heart attack at the time from which he did not recover.

Tim, born Thomas Peter Schwartz in Hungary, member of the World Bridge Federation Executive was the backbone of the Sydney rubber bridge scene for more than 50 years. He played 5 to 6 afternoons (and in the early days, evenings) a week. In fact it was estimated that he had played between 800,000 and one million hands of bridge in his lifetime - probably double that of any rival for the title.

He was certainly the finest bridge player that Australia (well, Hungary via Australia) has ever produced. He represented Australia in each of 6 decades playing in Bermuda Bowls, Olympiads, World Championships, Far East Tournaments (now PABF) and Invitational Events. His contribution to the game was recognised many years ago with his award of the Order of Australia.

Tim represented Australia in the Open Team at the Olympiad 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976.

Tim represented Australia in the Open Team at the Bermuda Bowl 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1981.

Tim represented Australia in the Open Team at the PABF 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1986, and 1990.

Tim represented Australia as a Senior in the Pacific Asia Bridge Federation Championships in 2002 and 2003.

Alan Truscott, a long time friend of Tim's and perhaps one of the most respected bridge columnists wrote in 1995.....

Those most knowledgeable about the world's bridge players would agree that Tim Seres of Sydney, Australia, has been one of the very best for the last four decades. He recently reached the age of 70, but is playing as well as ever, challenging strongly for national titles. His great partnership with Dick Cummings, going back to 1955, is in longevity second only to that of Edgar Kaplan of Manhattan and Norman Kay of Narberth, Pa.

Tim's lifelong friend Mary McMahon passed away a few years ago something which had a profound effect on Tim. He is survived by his brother George. Tim lived in the Sydney suburb of Coogee, where I had lived prior to moving to Binnaway.

I am privileged to have known Tim and played against him on many occasions, though not with him. The highlight of my bridge life was in 1977 when, having just started playing bridge after abandoning chess, my partner Kevin Davies and I somehow got to Stage III of the Butler Trials in Brisbane and in the first round were facing Tim Seres and Dick Cummings, a daunting prospect at the best of times. The 50 odd kibitzers around the table did not help ease my tension. I remember the boards in the set were particularly vicious and imps flew in every direction. When the match was over, I had no idea how much we had lost by but the results were soon posted. We had actually won the match by 21 imps - our only win and Tim's only loss in the event - and the first person to walk over to us and shake our hands was Tim, one of nature's true gentlemen.

Paul Sherman