Funeral and wake for Avi on Thursday 27 March
A funeral and wake for Avi will be held on Thursday 27 March. Go here for more details and to RSVP should you wish to attend.
Avinash Kanetkar passed away suddenly on the evening of 8 March 2025. Peter Buchen has written a touching tribute to Avi Kanetkar on the ABF site.
As Peter recounts, Avi was a giant of the bridge game, winning over 50 national events. This included two Open Playoffs, nine Seniors Playoffs (including the 2025 Playoff), eight Grand National Open Teams, five National Seniors Teams, three Spring National Teams, and a host of other events, including a 1978 NOT. Internationally, Avi was part of the winning 2010 and 2013 Asia Pacific Seniors Teams and a finalist in several Seniors World Championships.
The ‘Avi’ standard
David Beauchamp was one of Avi’s playing partners.
David fondly recalls the team of Chris Hughes, John McIlrath (NPC), Paul Lavings, George Bilski, Robert Krochmalik, Avi Kanetkar and Terry Brown (pictured below) that represented Australia at the 49th Asian Pacific Bridge Championships in Hong Kong in 2013. They were successful in winning the Seniors’ division from Indonesia and Chinese Taipei.
“Perhaps that was the result he most cherished,” said David.
Avi is second from the right in the 2013 team
Avi and David played together for Australia in Marrakesh two years ago.
“We played ‘Avi standard ‘– unlike any other system…. When I asked (on numerous occasions) if we could try some ‘new’ bidding ideas, he would say ‘Dave, I can’t remember those and my system is the best!’”
David said Avi’s style of bidding was very aggressive, which placed lots of pressure on opponents.
“He had a canny nose for when to double the opponents and he was usually right,” he said.
“His card play was top notch! He loved to play very quickly and was mildly irritated by slower opponents.
“Avi and I were great mates and loved to share stories about our successes and disasters at the table. I will miss his company, his sense of humour, and our friendship.”
Avi (left) with Ron Klinger and Ian Thomson at the North Shore Bridge Club
A proud bridge player
Another playing partner of Avi’s, Bruce Neill, visited Avi and his wife, Lalita, at their home one time.
“One delightful memory was admiring their recessed coffee table. It had a glass top and some of Avi’s many bridge trophies were on the display shelf below. The first of two such tables! They were for his grandchildren,” said Bruce.
Some of Avi’s bridge titles
Avi in his element
The deal below occurred in the 2022 ANC Senior Teams in Adelaide. It was the only tournament Peter Buchen played with Avi, which they won for NSW.
The bidding against ACT in Round 13 went:
| S | W | N | E |
| Avi | Peter B | ||
| Pass | Pass | ||
| 1C | X | XX | 1H |
| 1S | 2H | 2S | Pass |
| 4S | All pass |
Note the typical aggressive Avi bidding, says Peter. Once the fit was found, Avi blasted into action.
| Board : 1 | S | Dlr: N |
| H | Vul: None | |
| D | ||
| C | ||
| S | S | |
| H | H | |
| D | D | |
| C | C | |
| S | ||
| 9 | H | |
| 153 3 | D | |
| 13 | C |
Peter recalls: “West led HA and Avi knew instinctively how to play the hand. He won the HA, ducked a Spade around to West’s Jack who continued Hearts. Avi ruffed and reverted to Clubs. There was nothing East/West could do. All they could get was AQJ of trumps.
“We picked up 8 Imps when EW went down 1 in 4H.”
Avi leaves behind his wife, Lalita, and two daughters.
Avi and his wife, Lalita, with Peter and Kathy Buchen
