History
Pre-1960
Bridge played informally in homes and clubs
1960
Cyprus Bridge Federation (CBF) founded. Initial Clubs: Nicosia and Limassol International Bridge Festival Begins (annual)
1980
CBF joins European Bridge League and World Bridge Federation
1990
First national team formed. Competed in World Bridge Olympiad (Rhodes)
1992
Bridge and Chess recognised as mind games by Cyprus Sports Organizations
1993
CBF applies for full membership in Cyprus Sports Organisation
1994
CBF becomes full member; adds Paphos club. Joins Cyprus Olympic Committee Move HQ to Olympic Building
2008
Two young Cypriot players compete in World Mind Games
2010
Bridge added to Ministry of Education evening classes. [link:https://cyprusbridge.org/en/50-years/|CBF 50-year anniversary] Advanced national-team coaching begins Annual International Bridge Festival grows
2010-Present
Ongoing coaching programs. Annual International Bridge Festival grows.
2024
CBF team appears on the Weakest Link
- Prior to 1960 Bridge was played in houses and clubs.
- 1960 – Cyprus gained its independence. The Cyprus Bridge Federation (CBF) was formed in the same year.
- The Federation began with two member clubs, Nicosia and Limassol; today it has six.
- 1980 – The CBF became a member of the European Bridge League and of the World Bridge Federation.
- 1990 – The first national team was formed and participated in the World Bridge Olympiad that took place in Rhodes, Greece.
- 1992 – The Cyprus Sports Organisation admitted Bridge and Chess in the category of mind games.
- 1993 – The CBF Federation applied for full membership of the Cyprus Sports Organisation
- 1994 – The CBF became a full member with three member clubs (Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos). Subsequently the Cyprus Bridge Federation became a full member of the Cyprus Olympic Committee and since then it is based at the Olympic Building.
- 2008 – Two young bridge players participated in the World Mind Games.
- 2010 – Bridge was introduced into the evening classes programme of the Ministry of Education of Cyprus.
- Since 2010 the Cyprus Bridge Federation has with the assistance of foreign coaches offered advanced lessons for prospective national team members.
- Every year since 1960, an International Bridge Festival has been organised in Cyprus attracting a growing number of players.
- 2024 – The CBF entered a team in the “Weakest Link” TV programme.