Paul Chemla

Paul Chemla (January 2, 1944 – September 30, 2025) was a famous French bridge player.

Chemla was born in Tunis. He studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris where he took up playing bridge. His wins include three European Pairs Championships (1976 with Michel Lebel, 1985 with Michel Perron, and 1999 with Alain Lévy), two World Team Olympiads (1980 and 1992), and the 1997 Bermuda Bowl. Chemla is noted for his girth and his large cigars.

Bridge accomplishments

Awards IBPA Personality of the Year 1998

Wins Bermuda Bowl (1) 1997 World Open Team Olympiad (2) 1980, 1992 Transnational Mixed Teams (1) 2004 European Championships (6) Open Pairs (3) 1976, 1985, 1999 Mixed Teams (3) 1990, 1996, 1998 Other notable wins: Forbo-Krommenie Nations Cup (1) 1998 Yeh Bros Cup Open Teams (1) 2006 Sunday Times Invitational Pairs (1) 1991 Generali World Masters Individual (1) 1998

Runners-up World Team Olympiad (1) 1984 Transnational Mixed Teams (1) 2000 European Open Bridge Championships (1) Open Teams (1) 2003 European Championships (3) Open Teams (1) 1995 Mixed Pairs (1) 1998 Senior Teams (1) 1999 Other notable 2nd places: Staten Bank World Top Invitational Pairs (1) 1988 Cavendish Invitational Pairs (1) 1982