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

External links