2017-09 Bridge Mag Sep 2017


NEW FROM
MASTER POINT PRESS
THE BRIDGE PUBLISHER
FAMOUS BRIDGE SWINGS

David Bird
In this book you will have the chance to learn from other
players’ mistakes. We will look at over 150 big swings
from international play. Every deal will illustrate at least
one important point of bidding, play or defense. By
analyzing how and why the great stars of the game went
wrong, you will have the chance to put your own game in
order. We all make mistakes, occasionally horrific ones,
and it’s reassuring to see that even the greatest players
occasionally do the same!
PLAYING 2/1: THE REST OF THE STORY

Paul Thurston
Paul Thurston’s 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 was an instant
bestseller, winning the 2003 American Bridge Teachers’
Association Book of the Year award. In a tantalizing
postscript to that book, he promised a sequel, one that
would cover ‘the rest of the story’ for those who wanted
to add modern sophistication to their 2/1 bidding. Here
at last he delivers, and the long wait has been worth
it. The book describes an understandable and playable
version of today’s most popular system, something that
has been missing from the literature until now.
ALSO FROM PAUL THURSTON

25 Steps to Learning 2/1
If you know how to bid using Standard American, you can
make the move to the modern Two-over-One system using the
25 easy Steps contained in this book.
AVAILABLE FROM CHESS & BRIDGE
2 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine


Lost in France
BRIDGE
England, represented by Sally Brock &
Fiona Brown, Catherine Draper & Nicola
Smith and Sandra Penfold & Nevena
Senior (with NPC Derek Patterson and
Coach David Burn) once again performed
superbly on the world stage to reach the
MAGAZINE final stages of the Venice Cup, the ultimate prize in Women’s bridge.
They won hard fought matches against Russia and Sweden to reach
the final against China, but this took a lot out of them and although
they secured an early lead they were unable to resist their younger
opponents, eventually conceding when they trailed by 99 IMPs
with only one set left to play. As Nicola Smith remarked to me –
‘Silver is not at all bad!’
44 BAKER STREET Those were not the only medals secured by English players, as
LONDON W1U 7RT in the Funbridge Transnational Teams which ran in parallel with
Tel: 020-7486 8222 the main events, the Percy team of Peter Crouch, David Gold,
Fax: 020-7486 3355 Andrew Robson, Anita Sinclair, Zia Mahmood (USA) & Mar-
email: info@bridgeshop.com
http://www.bridgeshop.com
ion Michielsen (Netherlands) (with Marshall Lewis of Croatia as
NPC) finished in third place.
Editor:
Mark Horton Shivam Shah won a bronze medal in the team competition at the
Advertising: World Youth Open Championships playing with Christian Bakke
Matthew Read (Norway) Guillermo Minutti (Uruguay) & Maximo Crusizio
Photographer: (Argentina) on the Villa Fabbriche team.
Ron Tacchi
Proofreaders: Stop That!
Danny Roth
Monika Kummel After roughly two decades of use, the oft controversial Stop card
Herman De Wael found in most ACBL bidding boxes will soon be missing from
Typesetter: ACBL tournaments. During meetings at this tournament, the ACBL
Ron Tacchi Board of Directors voted 20-5 to eliminate the Stop card for any
BRIDGE Magazine is published sanctioned tournament that starts after 1 January 2018.
monthly.
Online Subscriptions:
1 year: £19.95 Players, meanwhile, are reminded of the obligation to pause in
Individual Issue: the direct seat after a skip bid so as to avoid making unauthorized
£2.00
Distributors information available to their partners. Fast action – any call or bid
CHESS & BRIDGE LTD.
44 Baker Street
– is also covered in this admonition. Players should strive to main-
London W1U 7RT U.K. tain an even tempo during the auction. The board’s vote came in
Views expressed in this publication
are not necessarily those of the Editor. response to a recommendation from the Competition and Con-
Editorial contributions will be published
at the Editor’s discretion and may be
ventions Committee to end the use of the Stop card. National TD
shortened if space is limited.
No parts of this publication may be
Sol Weinstein said the reasoning of the C and C Committee is that
reproduced without the prior express
permission of the publishers. All rights
more people were using the Stop card for the benefit of their own
reserved. 2017 partnerships than for that of the opponents. Another factor is that
many players – particularly the less-experienced – don’t understand
it. The bottom line, in the committee’s thinking, is that the pluses
of using the Stop card don’t outweigh the minuses of its abuse.
Grand Life Master Patty Tucker, who has vast experience with new


players, approves of the move. Experienced players, she said, are expected to do the right thing
at the table and don’t need the Stop card. For many others, it’s a mystery. “It’s very difficult for
many new players to understand, and they already have so much to think about,” she said. “It’s
just unnecessary.”
Fun starts Here

The EBU has announced that from 2nd September you will be able to play in EBU competitions
on Funbridge.
In these events you will partner one of Funbridge’s ‘robots’, and play against two other robots. You
therefore don’t need a ‘human partner’ to take part, and you can play whenever you wish as you
don’t need human opponents online at the same time. The competitions consist of 20 boards, and
you can play them at any time during the competition period, stopping and restarting as often as
you wish. The games will take place on Saturdays and Sunday, between midnight and 10pm so
you have 22 hours to play your boards.
Acol is one of the bidding systems available for you to choose (which isn’t always the case with
some online platforms), and you can set which conventions and carding methods you and your
robotic partner play.
The games cost €2 (by charging you in Euros the EBU can charge less than £2), and Master Points
can be won. The competitions are open to everyone.
Up for the Cup

The finals of the 2016/17 Crockfords Cup will be available to watch on Funbridge Live.
To access the coverage, open Funbridge and log-in (if you have not yet downloaded the Funbridge
app to your mobile device, or the Funbridge platform to your desktop/laptop, and created an
account, you can find instructions for doing at: http://www.ebu.co.uk/funbridge). Once you have
logged in, click on the icon for live coverage – it will be at the bottom of the screen and looks like
a TV with an aerial. You then have an option of seeing a list of events which are currently in pro-
gress, and those which are forthcoming. Crockfords Cup will be on one of these lists.
Golden Moment
Max Bavin has been awarded the World Bridge Federation’s Gold Medal in recognition of his
services over many years as the WBF’s Chief Tournament Director – a position from which he
recently retired, having been appointed in 2003.
Four more Years

During the World Championships in Lyon, Gianarrigo Rona was re-elected President of the World
Bridge Federation. His current term of office will end in 2022.


MASTER POINT PRESS the bridge publisher

Play Bumblepuppy Bridge
An Honors Book by Julian Laderman
Bumblepuppy Bridge is a wonderful stepping-stone to standard
bridge. A total beginner can learn in an hour how to play
the game — without any help from a bridge player. This
novel game was created by award-winning bridge author and
historian Julian Laderman, by blending simple features from
several early forms of bridge. The game is appropriate for ages 6
to 106.
This book is an essential gift for your non-bridge playing
friends. This may be your last chance to save them from living
their entire life without bridge. Haven’t they suffered long
enough?
DISCUSS
DISCUSSTODAY’S
TODAY’SBRIDGE
BRIDGEISSUES
ISSUESON
ONWWW.BRIDGEBLOGGING.COM
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In This Issue
I 6 Problem Corner — Ron Tacchi & Patrick Jourdain I 131 Solution to Non-Prize Problem
I 7 The Greatest Show on Earth Part II — The Editor I 132 Test Your Defence — Julian Pottage
reports on the European Open Championships I 134 The Abbot’s Poor Result — David Bird
GI 109 Deals That Caught My Eye — David Bird I 141 Solution to Test Your Defence
muses on the 25th Whitehouse Juniors Event I 143 Partnership Profile — Mark Horton
GI 119 Misplay These Hands With Me — The Editor I 152 Marks & Comments — Alan Mould
GI 123 The Over The Rainbow Bridge Club — Alex GI 155 This Month’s Video Page
Adamson & Harry Smith

 Intermediate
Ron Tacchi and Solution to Prize Problem 330
Patrick Jourdain’s Don’t Lose It
Problem ♠ AQ 9 7 5
♥ A5 4 2
♦ A 10 9 W
N
E
♠ K J 10 8 4
♥ J7
♦ 4
Corner ♣ A S ♣ 98543
You open One Spade and partner raises to game and
sponsored by you now bid the slam. North leads a small trump and
THE ORION PUBLISHING GROUP South does not follow suit. Tell me your line of play
Your cunning plan is to embark on a complete cross-
Master Bridge Series ruff as there are insufficient entries to ruff out the
club suit and return to cash the winner. To achieve
this you need get rid of one of dummy’s hearts with-
Non-Prize Problem See Page 131 out letting North gain the lead as that would attract
Lucky Sevens a second trump lead and thus leave you a trick short.
Dealer South. N/S Vul. You could play for South to have both high heat hon-
♠ 842 ours, at best 24%. The alternative and superior line
♥ — is to play South for two or more of the missing dia-
♦ A 10 6 5 mond honours, around 50% plus there is a chance of
♣ KJ9832 North being asleep at the wheel. So at trick two cash
the ace of diamonds and lead the nine. Should North
not cover then discard that pesky heart in dummy and
♠ A75 crossruff your way to twelve tricks no matter what
♥ K742 South returns. If North covers then return to hand
♦ KQ7 and lead your last diamond and follow the procedure
♣ AQ7 as for the previous trick. In the case that North has
West North East South two of the three diamond honours you fall back on
– – – 1♣ the chance that South has the high hearts. By com-
4♥ 5♥* Pass 6♣ bining both chances you are well over 60% to make
All Pass your slam.
West leads the five of clubs.
Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner,

available from Chess & Bridge.
Congratulations
Prize Problem 329
Prize Problem 331
Yet again Mrs T’s head coverings are not needed this
month. It seems a large percentage of respondents did World Champ
not realise that South had already been squeezed at ♠ A K 10 8 ♠ —
trick one. North’s hand was irrelevant other than even- N
♥ J ♥ A 10 9 7 3 2
tually telling you the distribution of the South hand. ♦ KJ98653 W E ♦ AQ 4
♣ 7 S ♣ K642
After a sound bidding sequence you arrive in the
Email your answers to BMProb@vaupillon.com or send excellent contract of 6♦. North leads a diamond on
on a postcard to The Editor, Bridge Magazine, 44 Baker which South discards.
Street, London, W1U 7RT. Entries must be received before How do you play and how do you rate your chances?
30th September. The first correct solution out of the hat
will receive £15 of BRIDGE Magazine book vouchers.

 Intermediate
The Greatest Show on Earth –
Part II
The Editor continues his report on the European Open Championships in Montecatini.
T eams that are eliminated are allowed to drop into the Mixed Pairs, which starts the day after
the team qualifying rounds are completed. After two days of hard work 52 pairs contest the
final. The impressive form of the Russian players continued as Victoria Gromova & Andrei
Gromov topped the semi-final table. They were followed by Véronique & Thomas Bessis and
Sabine Auken & Roy Welland. If you want to know how tough this event is just ask the three world
champions who had to fight their way into the final by finishing in the top six in semi-final B.
Herman De Wael picked up this story from another of the leading qualifiers:
Alain and Valerie Labaere had a good day in the Mixed Pairs Qualifying, eventually reaching
the final finishing in sixteenth place.
Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ 32
♥ J96
♦ K2
♣ KQJ932
♠ Q74 N ♠ J 10 9 6 5
♥ AQ 5 2 ♥ K 10 4
♦ A 10 9 6 3 W E ♦ QJ
♣A S ♣ 10 8 6
♠ AK8
♥ 873
♦ 8754
♣ 754
West North East South
Valerie Naveh Alain Mermelstein
– – Pass Pass
1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass
4♠ All Pass
South led the five of clubs and Alain played a diamond off the table at trick two, creating two
entries to hand in order to ruff two clubs. If North/South now attack trumps, the diamonds are
good. This type of safety play is normally reserved for team play, but it works equally well at pairs,
if the contract is excellent. Alain was rewarded with an 86% score.

 Intermediate
Amami Alfredo
I wrote this piece with Francesca Canali:
La Traviata -The Fallen Woman is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi based on La Dame
aux Camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas. The opera was origi-
nally titled Violetta, after the main character. It was first performed on 6 March 1853 at the La
Fenice opera house in Venice.
In Act 2 of the Opera as Violetta is writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely
control her sadness and tears; she tells him repeatedly of her unconditional love (Violetta: Amami,
Alfredo, amami quant’io t’amo – “Love me, Alfredo, love me as I love you”).
We are not about to predict what can happen between a mixed partnership, but if your partner
can bring home seemingly impossible contracts then who knows what might transpire?
♠ A 10 7 5
♥ K52
♦ Q
♣ K7532
♠ K943 N ♠ J62
♥ AQ J 9 6 ♥ 10
♦4 W E ♦ J9653
♣ J96 S ♣ Q 10 8 4
♠ Q8
♥ 8743
♦ A K 10 8 7 2
♣ A
Gotard Versace Eggeling Pramotton
– – Pass 1♦
1♥ 2♣ Pass 2♦
Pass 2♠ Pass 3♦
Pass 3NT All Pass
East led the ten of hearts and when West overtook it with the jack Alfredo won with king,
unblocked the queen of diamonds, crossed to dummy with a club and cashed the ace of diamonds.
When West discarded the nine of clubs the contract appeared to be hopeless, but declarer was
not ready to give up. He cashed a second diamond (West pitching a club) and then played dum-
my’s queen of spades, covered by the king and ace (if West does not play the king declarer plays
another spade, covering West’s card).
With West now out of the game declarer played two rounds of clubs, putting East on lead.
She could cash a second club and had two winning jacks, but then had to surrender two tricks
to either declarer or dummy.
To have any chance of defeating 3NT West must keep his club holding intact, so that he can
win the third round of clubs. However that is not quite the end of the story. Suppose West pitches
two spades on dummy’s top diamonds? If East simply follows suit upwards, retaining the ♦J9
declarer plays the queen of spades as before, and after that exits with the ten of spades, pinning
West’s nine. Now if West cashes the jack of diamonds and exits with the nine declarer follows
with dummy’s eight (!) when East must surrender three tricks to declarer. East can counter this
by unblocking the nine of diamonds so that dummy can be thrown in with the ♦6. (No doubt

 Intermediate
Alfredo unblocked dummy’s seven of diamonds on the second round of the suit.)
The defence is simpler if West pitches a spade and a heart on the diamonds. Then West can
cover the queen of spades and if declarer continues with the king and another club East allows
West to win and the defenders take the rest.
Alfredo’s beautiful play netted the partnership an 88% score and a sixth-place finish on their
way to the final.
David Bird was able to cover the opening session of the final:
52 pairs qualified for the final of the mixed pairs, with a small carry-over. They would then
play 102 boards – two against each other pair. I was keeping an eye on two different tables and
will pick the best action that I spotted.
Board 1. Dealer North. Neither Vul.
♠ 9763
♥ AK872
♦ 54
♣ 10 9
♠ AK Q 4 N ♠J
♥ Q 10 5 ♥ J63
♦ 98 W E ♦ Q J 10 6 3 2
♣ 8742 S ♣ KQJ
♠ 10 8 5 2
♥ 94
♦ AK7
♣ A653
Gillis A.Elsinen Harding T.Elsinen
– Pass 1♦ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
2NT Pass 3♦ All Pass
Marianne Harding quite rightly shifted from 2NT back to diamonds. With a heart ruff pend-
ing, it seemed that the contract might go one down. Tiina Elsinen (South) led the ♦A to look at
dummy. With discards threatened on dummy’s spades, the ♣A was the next card to appear on
the table, drawing the 9 and jack from the closed hands.
A heart switch was needed but this was not clear and South preferred to lead another club.
Declarer won and promptly ditched two hearts on dummy’s spade suit. A trump to South’s king
was followed by a third club but North had no trumps left. The contract was made and E/W
picked up 96% for their +110. Pierre Zimmermann and Tatiana Dikhnova did even better and
scored 100% for their +400 in 3NT, made after a ♠3 lead from North.

 Intermediate
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ K852
♥ 93
♦ J 10
♣ KQJ42
♠ A6 N ♠ QJ7
♥ 52 ♥ J76
♦ Q542 W E ♦ AK 9 7 6
♣ A 10 9 8 5 S ♣ 63
♠ 10 9 4 3
♥ A K Q 10 8 4
♦ 83
♣7
Willenken Gold Zur-Campanile Gross
– Pass 1♦ 1♥
3♦ Pass Pass 3♥
Double All Pass
Some pairs use 2NT by West as natural after this start. That still leaves 2♥ to show a sound raise
and 3♦ to show a pre-emptive raise. I am not privy to the E/W methods but it seems that they
use 3♦ as full-value. Ten tricks cannot be made in diamonds, so it was fair enough for East to pass
the double, seeking a +200 (magic or otherwise).
The defence started well: a diamond lead and two diamond tricks. East then switched to the
♠7, West taking the ace and returning the suit to dummy’s king. Susanna Gross led the ♣K to
the 6, 7 and West’s ace. All now depended on Chris Willenken’s return. Since declarer does not
hold the missing ♣3, a trump return is safe. So is a club, since East can ruff the third round. The
chosen ♦5 return was costly. Gross ruffed in dummy and ditched the ♠9. She then pitched her
last spade on the ♣Q and drew trumps, claiming the contract. +730 was worth a 100% score.
E/W had some bidding to do on this board:
Board 6. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A K 10 7 6
♥ 982
♦ Q82
♣ J6
♠— N ♠ Q942
♥ 10 ♥ AK J 6 3
♦ AK J 9 6 4 3 W E ♦ 10 5
♣ 10 9 7 5 2 S ♣ AK
♠ J853
♥ Q754
♦7
♣ Q843

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ A K 10 7 6
Garbosi Lindermann C-Brugnoni Grumm ♥ 982
– – 1♥ Pass ♦ Q82
♣ J6
3♦ Pass 3NT Pass ♠ — ♠ Q942
5♣ Pass 5♦ All Pass ♥ 10
N
♥ AK J 6 3
♦ AK J 9 6 4 3 W E ♦ 10 5
Should Franco Garbosi let 3NT stand, hoping for 7 dia- ♣ 10 9 7 5 2 S ♣ AK
mond tricks and a great match-point score? It’s hard to ♠ J853
calculate the odds with so many unknowns. West’s 5♣ ♥ Q754
rebid seems good to me. ♦ 7
♣ Q843
Declarer ruffed the spade lead and cashed dummy’s
♣AK. He continued with a black-suit crossruff and picked up +620 for the overtrick. What do
you reckon he would score for that board? It was worth 62%. Five pairs made 6♦, one of them
doubled. 3NT always went down, on the bad diamond break, and scored at most 20% depend-
ing on how many down.
Board 7. Dealer South. Both Vul.
♠ J9
♥ 2
♦ AK6542
♣ Q865
♠ A Q 10 7 2 N ♠ K3
♥ QJ98 ♥ AK 5 4 3
♦3 W E ♦ Q J 10 9 8
♣ A7 3 S ♣4
♠ 8654
♥ 10 7 6
♦7
♣ K J 10 9 2
Monod Volhejn Mauberques Hajkova
– – – Pass
1♠ 2♠* Pass 3♦
Double All Pass
Vit Volhejn’s 2♠ had us guessing. It seems from South’s action that it merely showed diamonds.
When West doubled for take-out, East could see that at least a game in hearts would be on. If it
was only a game, it would be better to defend the diamond contract.
West led the ♥Q, East overtaking with the ♥K. To score 1100 for four down, he needs to switch
to the ♠K now. He reached for the ♦Q instead and this was won in the dummy. Declarer con-
tinued with dummy’s ♦K to test the extent of her bad luck in trumps. She switched to clubs and
went 800 down. Right, time for you to guess how bad this would be, with a possible heart slam
available for E/W.
Emmanuelle Monod and Eric Maubeques’ +800 was worth 82%. Dan Bylund and Helena
Stromberg picked up +1400 against 3♦ doubled and this was worth 88%. These results were
beaten by three pairs who bid and made 6♥ for +1430. One pair went down in 6♥.
The second board of this round is worthy of our consideration:

 Intermediate
Board 8. Dealer West. Neither Vul.
♠ Q743
♥ J 10 8
♦ A
♣ Q 10 9 8 7
♠ A K J 10 N ♠—
♥ 53 ♥ AK Q 9 6 4 2
♦ Q6 W E ♦ K9732
♣ K5432 S ♣J
♠ 98652
♥ 7
♦ J 10 8 5 4
♣ A6
Monod Volhejn Mauberques Hajkova
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♥ All Pass
East’s 3♥ was forcing and there was no need to bid any more when West’s simple raise to 4♥ sug-
gested no minor-suit ace. A diamond lead, a club to the ace and a diamond ruff would kill the
dummy and beat the contract. South actually led the ♠5, won with the ♠A while declarer ditched
his club loser. How many tricks would you predict for declarer now?
He played the ♠K, throwing a diamond, and continued with the ♦Q (a low diamond would
have worked well). North won with the ace and return a club, ruffed by declarer. As the cards lie,
it is now essential to draw trumps. Still looking for an overtrick, he played the ♦K. North ruffed
and the game was then one down. How many match-points would this disappointing result be
worth?
No-one else went down in 4♥ but nine pairs went down in 6♥, leaving E/W with a 28% score.
At the other table under my surveillance, this was the auction:
Simonsen Gromov Oigarden Gromova
1♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♥ Pass 3♥ Pass
3♠ Pass 4♣ Pass
4♥ Pass 6♥ All Pass
Andrey Gromov found the best lead of the ♦A, switching to the ♣Q. Victoria Gromova won with
the ♣A and delivered a diamond ruff. She could not be deprived of a late diamond trick and that
was +150 for three down and a 98% score.
Well, it was a bit of a patchy report. Sorry about that but it’s the nature of watching pairs. You
watch two boards with four players that you may or not know about. You are just getting to know
a bit about their methods and off they go! I prefer watching IMPs matches but variety is the... (I
forget the saying but it’s is meant to be good for some reason).
Bye for now!

 Intermediate
At the half-way mark it was Germany’s Roy Welland & Sabine Auken who held the lead, followed
by Poland’s Justyna Zmuda & Michal Klukowski and two pairs from China, Linlin Hu & Yan-
hui Sun and Jian Wang & Junjie Hu.
David Bird’s report on day 2 of the Final was entitled ‘The Magic 500’.
The second day of the Mixed Pairs final dawned and I found myself looking forward to it rather
more than I would have done in the past. This is partly because of the significant improvement
in the BBO match-point coverage (with the ever-changing players’ names available both live and
in the eventual archive). The web-site that backs this tournament is equally wonderful.
That’s enough chat and you’d rather like to see a deal or two? OK.
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ J53
♥ 965
♦ AJ6
♣ Q 10 4 3
♠ A 10 8 4 2 N ♠ Q6
♥ K 10 ♥ A8 2
♦ K8732 W E ♦ Q 10 9 5 4
♣A S ♣ J98
♠ K97
♥ QJ743
♦ —
♣ K7652
Rudakov Zhu Rudakova Jin
– Pass Pass 1♥
1♠ 2♥ Double Pass
3♥ Double 3NT Pass
5♦ All Pass
3NT by East would go down on the lead of a heart honour or a club. Evgeni Rudakov did well
to prefer a contract of 5♦ and the ♥9 was led to the jack and king. South held longer hearts than
North, so declarer played North for a possible 3-card trump holding. He led the ♦K to North’s
ace and subsequently picked up the remaining trumps to make +400 for an 86% score.
The overnight leaders, Sabine Auken and Roy Welland did even better:
Welland Shen Auken Chen
– Pass Pass 2♥
2♠ 3♥ 3♠ Pass
4♠ All Pass
If Auken had made a competitive double at her second turn, this is generally played as a game-try
in spades. Her actual 3♠ was not invitational but Welland assessed the game prospects as worth-
while. A heart lead to the jack and king was followed by a trump to the queen and king.
Welland won the club return and noted that crossing to the ♥A for a finesse of the ♠10 would expose
him to the risk of a diamond ruff (even if diamonds were 2-1). He continued with ace and another
trump, finding a 3-3 break, won the heart return and played the ♦10 to his king. Ten tricks were
soon landed and +420 was worth a mouth-watering 98%. Three of the five pairs in 4♠ went down.

 Intermediate
Auken and Welland had a chance to repeat this ‘4♠ on a 5-2 fit’ result on the very next board:
♠ J93
♥ A J 10 2
♦ 97
♣ 8754
♠ AK 7 4 2 N ♠ Q 10
♥6 ♥ 753
♦ Q865 W E ♦ A J 10 4 3
♣ QJ6 S ♣ K93
♠ 865
♥ KQ984
♦ K2
♣ A 10 2
Welland Shen Auken Chen
– – 1♣ 1♥
Double 2♥ Pass Pass
Double Pass 3♦ Pass
3♥ Double Redouble Pass
5♦ All Pass
Welland could not bid 2♠ on the second round because (I assume) it would have been non-forc-
ing. Bidding 3♠ at his third turn was an option, since it would surely be forcing after his previous
double. He chose to bid 3♥ instead and when no spade bid came from his partner he leapt to 5♦.
The spade game would have been a make but 5♦ had to go one down when the ♦K was offside.
Bidding and making 4♠ would have picked up 82%. One down in the diamond game was
worth only 2%. Most of the field stopped in a spade or diamond part-score.
It’s time to admire some great slam bidding:
Board 4. Dealer West. Both Vul.
♠ KJ853
♥ 2
♦ Q6
♣ K Q 10 5 4
♠ 10 6 N ♠4
♥ KQ6 ♥ 10 8 7 5 4 3
♦ A K 10 7 5 3 W E ♦ 9842
♣ 72 S ♣ 83
♠ AQ972
♥ AJ9
♦J
♣ AJ96
Shen Isoard Chen Romieu
1♦ 1♠ Pass 2♦
Double 3♣ Pass 6♠
All Pass

 Intermediate
What would you have bid on the South cards, facing a ♠ KJ853
1♠ overcall? Some would choose a 4♦ splinter bid, but ♥ 2
if partner signs off in 4♠ you would not have described ♦ Q6
♣ K Q 10 5 4
the full value of your hand. By indicating a sound raise ♠ 10 6 ♠ 4
at a low level, either with 2♦ or 2NT, partner will get a ♥ K Q 6 N
♥ 10 8 7 5 4 3
better chance to describe her hand. ♦ A K 10 7 5 3 W E ♦ 9842
When Michelle Isoard showed her clubs, Michel ♣ 7 2 S ♣ 83
Romieu leapt splendidly to 6♠. All was well and the ♠ A Q 9 7 2
♥ AJ9
resultant +1430 was worth 78%. At two tables East led ♦ J
a heart against the spade slam. Away went the diamond ♣ AJ96
loser on the fifth club and +1460 then produced a 98%
score.
When describing match-point events it is almost impossible to avoid using the well-worn term
‘Magic 200’. In this session I saw a couple of ‘Magic 500’ deals. This was the first:
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ 75
♥ KQ843
♦ 10 2
♣ J762
♠ 10 6 4 3 N ♠ KJ82
♥ A 10 9 7 ♥ 65
♦ J4 W E ♦ A9 8 3
♣ K Q 10 S ♣ 953
♠ AQ9
♥ J2
♦ KQ765
♣ A84
Stachowiak-Kluz Hu Winciorek Sun
– – Pass 1♣*
1♦* 1♥ 2NT* Pass
3♠ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
2NT Spade support
South opened with a strong club and Justyna Stachowiak-Kluz entered, red against white, with a
conventional bid that indicated spade length. My co-commentator, Mark Horton, was prepared
to condemn this effort quite strongly and I was persuaded by his argument. West’s hand is pri-
marily a defensive one and unsuitable for competition, particularly at this score.
Yanhui Sun sprung the trap and the outcome was to prove costly for East/West. The ♦10 lead
ran to the queen and declarer won the low club switch with the king. After a trump to the jack
and queen, South switched to the ♥J, won with the ♥A. Declarer cashed the ♦A and ruffed a
diamond low, overruffed with the ♠7. North scored the ♥K and the ♥Q was ruffed with the ♠K
and overruffed with the ♠A. The ♣A gave North/South +500 and an 88% score. It was exceeded
only by three pairs who recorded +530 from making 3♥ doubled.
Let’s see the other example of the ‘Magic 500’ at red when no game was on for the opponents:

 Intermediate
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ A Q 10 7 6
♥ A 10 9 7
♦ K3
♣ 10 5
♠ KJ854 N ♠9
♥ J3 ♥ KQ86
♦ Q65 W E ♦ 842
♣ J74 S ♣ AK 8 6 2
♠ 32
♥ 542
♦ A J 10 9 7
♣ Q93
Palma Bertheau Hayman Piafsky Hoftaniska
– 1♠ Double Pass
1NT Pass Pass 2♦
Pass Pass 3♣ Double
All Pass
We will see the play first and then look back at the bidding. Kathrine Bertheau won the spade lead
with the 10 and switched to the ♣5, Jessica Hayman Piafsky rising with the ace. After a heart to the
jack and ace, she won the trump continuation with the king. The king and queen of hearts were then
followed by a heart ruff with the ♣J, South ditching a spade. The ♦Q was covered by the king, South
overtaking with the ace to cash two more diamonds and the ♣Q. That was +500 for N/S and a score of
92%. Two North players did better by making 2♠ doubled with an overtrick, yielding +570 and 98%.
You cannot say that East was unlucky. Dummy had two hearts opposite her four and three-card
trump support for the five-card clubs. Also the trumps broke 3-2. Bidding 3♣ was just too much
when West’s main values were likely to be in spades, under North’s honour cards.
Board 13. Dealer North. Both Vul.
♠ A 10 9 5
♥ K Q 10 4 2
♦ 874
♣ 6
♠ Q73 N ♠ KJ8642
♥— ♥ J97
♦ A 10 6 5 W E ♦ 3
♣ AK J 8 4 3 S ♣ Q72
♠—
♥ A8653
♦ KQJ92
♣ 10 9 5
Ionita Brock Smederevac B.Myers
– Pass 2♦ 2♥
3♣ 4♣ Double 4♥
4♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
When I watch top-class bridge on BBO, I always look ♠ A 10 9 5
forward to deals that feature a high-level battle between ♥ K Q 10 4 2
the major suits. In fact I devoted a whole chapter to such ♦ 8 74
♣ 6
deals in my recent book ‘Famous Bridge Swings’. Here, ♠ Q 7 3 ♠ KJ8642
both 6♠ and 6♣ are troubled by the 4-0 spade break. If ♥ — N
♥ J97
you swap the ♠5 for the ♣5, 6♠ would still be defeated ♦ A 10 6 5 W E ♦ 3
by a heart lead. Meanwhile, North/South can do fairly ♣ A K J 8 4 3 S ♣ Q72
well in hearts. What would happen? ♠ —
♥ A8653
Marius Ionita was fairly confident that partner’s multi ♦ KQJ92
would be based on a spade suit, but a forcing 3♣ seemed ♣ 10 9 5
the best bid to launch his hand. Sally Brock then showed
her strong support for hearts with a club cue-bid. Facing a passed hand, it was clear for South to
bid 4♥. What should he do when West’s cautious 4♠ bid runs back to him?
North is surely marked with a singleton club after East’s double of 4♣. If the trumps are solid,
5♥ might be a make with just two losers in the minors. I was expecting Barry Myers to bid 5♥
but 4♠ was passed out.
Ionita ruffed the ♥K lead and crossed to dummy twice with diamond ruffs to ruff the other
two hearts in his hand. Three trump tricks had to be lost and that was +620 for East/West, giv-
ing them a score of 60%.
What happened at the other tables? Only three N/S pairs were allowed to play the contract,
making 4♥ (87%), 3♦ doubled with an overtrick (100%), and going one down in 4♥ doubled
(46%). The top E/W score was for 5♠ doubled and made, netting 850 and a 96% result.
It was good to see some match-point pairs but I admit I am rather looking forward to the Open
Teams, starting on Saturday.
Brent Manley spotted three deals with a recurring theme:
When the deals are wild and the players are in the
spirit, some crazy action can be seen at the bridge
table in a pairs game. Look at these two boards
played by Sally Brock and Barry Myers in Mixed
Pairs final, Session Three, on Friday. Interestingly,
Brock (Sally Horton at the time), published a book
in 1993 with the title “Double Trouble.”
On the following deal, Brock and Myers faced
Christal Henner and Steve Garner.
Sally Brock

 Intermediate
♠ K7642
♥ 10 3 2
♦ 10 9 4 3 2
♣—
♠ QJ95 N ♠ 10 8
♥ A9 8 4 ♥ KJ
♦ AK 6 5 W E ♦ QJ7
♣5 S ♣ A 10 8 7 3 2
♠ A3
♥ Q765
♦8
♣ KQJ964
Henner Brock Garner Myers
– – 1♣ Pass
1♥ 2♥* Pass 2♠
Double Pass 3♣ Double
3NT Pass Pass Double
All Pass
Things would have gone differently had Brock not been void in clubs. Without one, she started
with a low diamond, taken by Henner with the ace. She played a spade from hand at trick two,
Myers winning the ace and continuing with the ♣K. Henner won the ace, cashed the ♦J and ♦Q,
then played a spade to her queen. Brock won the ♠K and exited with a heart, but Henner went
up with the king and claimed with four diamonds, two spades, two hearts and the ♣A.
Of the 26 times the board was played, the contract was 3NT 12 times – eight times by West.
It was doubled three times and made on each occasion. Double-dummy, an overtrick could have
been made, but with a 96% score in hand for plus 750, who would risk it?
On the first board of the next round, Brock saw a chance to regain a few of the matchpoints
lost on board 22. The opponents were May Sakr and Jacek (Pepsi) Pszczola.
Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ AKJ7
♥ AJ82
♦ 10 8 6 3
♣Q
♠— N ♠ 10 9 8 5 4
♥ KQ9643 ♥ 10 7 5
♦ J4 W E ♦ AK 5
♣ AK 9 8 4 S ♣ J 10
♠ Q632
♥—
♦ Q972
♣ 76532

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ AKJ7
Sakr Brock Pepsi Myers ♥ AJ82
♦ 10 8 6 3
– – – Pass
♣ Q
1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass ♠ — ♠ 10 9 8 5 4
4♥ Double All Pass N
♥ KQ9643 ♥ 10 7 5
♦ J4 W E ♦ AK 5
Brock started with the ♠K, ruffed by Sakr, who played the ♣ AK 9 8 4 S ♣ J 10
♥K next. Brock won the trump ace and continued with a ♠ Q 632
low spade. Sakr ruffed again and cashed the ♣A. When ♥ —
Brock followed with the queen, Sakr could see her way ♦ Q972
♣ 76532
home. She cashed the ♥Q and played the the ♣4 from
hand. Brock ruffed and took out dummy’s last trump with the ♥J, but that was it for the defence.
Sakr could ruff the spade continuation and claim with three good clubs in her hand and the top
diamonds in dummy to cover her losers in that suit. Plus 790 was worth 90% of the matchpoints.
Perhaps it was a deal earlier in the set that put Brock and Myers in the doubling mood. The
opponents on that occasion were Jovanka Smederevac and Marius Ionita.
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ AJ972
♥ Q862
♦ 92
♣ K7
♠ K Q 10 8 6 4 N ♠ 3
♥ J7 ♥ K 10 5 3
♦ 86 W E ♦ K 10 7 5 3
♣ 983 S ♣ J 10 6
♠5
♥ A94
♦ AQJ4
♣ AQ542
Smederevac Brock Ionita Myers
– – Pass 1♣
All Pass
Brock started with the ♣K. When West saw the dummy, she must have wanted to take a trip to
the ladies’ room and not return. When the smoke cleared, she had two tricks and the opponents
had a score of plus 1400. Remarkably, this was worth only 85.38%. On this board, there were 13
doubled 2♠ contracts, two doubled at 3♠. One declarer played in 1♠ redoubled, recording minus
1600 for .08 matchpoints. Minus 1400 was posted six times, minus 1100 seven.

 Intermediate
Matchpoints in Montecatini
During the closing stages of the Mixed Pairs final, only we are vulnerable when I pick up the fol-
lowing hand:
♠ A Q 10 5 4
♥K
♦ J863
♣ K42
When East has nothing to say I open 1♠ and West overcalls 3♣. My partner bids 4♣ which we
play as agreeing spades, although it does not guarantee four-card support. My 4♠ is passed out,
leaving us with this short sequence:
– – Pass 1♠
3♣ 4♣* Pass 4♠
All Pass
West leads the nine of hearts and I get a splendid dummy:

♠ KJ76
♥ A J 10 8
♦ AK
♣ 987
♠ A Q 10 5 4
♥ K
♦ J863
♣ K42
I put up dummy’s ten, but East does not fall for that and I win with the king, cash the ten of spades
and play a spade to the jack, West discarding the five of clubs. I draw the outstanding trump and run
the eight of hearts, pitching a club from my hand. I cash dummy’s diamonds and the ace of hearts,
disposing of a second club and play the jack of hearts, ruffing when East covers with the queen. I
ruff a diamond but when the queen fails to appear I have to content myself with eleven tricks.
Full deal:
♠ KJ76
♥ A J 10 8
♦ AK
♣ 987
♠3 N ♠ 982
♥ 96 ♥ Q75432
♦ Q 10 4 2 W E ♦ 975
♣ A Q J 10 6 5 S ♣ 3
♠ A Q 10 5 4
♥K
♦ J863
♣ K42

 Intermediate
Post mortem
Declarer’s play is typical of the type of error that can occur in the closing stages of a long event.
Having won the heart lead and drawn two rounds of trumps, declarer cashes the top diamonds
and runs the eight of hearts, pitching a club. A second club goes on the ace of hearts and declarer
then ruffs a heart, ruffs a diamond and exits with a club. West wins with the ace, but declarer
scores the last three tricks on a crossruff.
As the play went, East could have upset declarer’s timing by covering the eight of hearts. Having
failed to do so when declarer reached the four card ending he could have exited with the king of
clubs. West wins, but is endplayed; the ace of clubs allows declarer to ruff, ruff a diamond and cash
the established club, while playing a low diamond sees declarer discard a club and then cross ruff.
Only 11 tricks were taken in 4♠ no less than 14 times.
At more than one table West overcalled 4♣ and North tried 5♠. In an attempt to avoid a likely
club ruff South jumped to 6NT. West led the six of hearts and declarer won with the king, crossed
to dummy with a spade and played two rounds of hearts, pitching the two of clubs! When East
was unkind enough to produce a club declarer was six down.
The final session was covered by Ram Soffer:
Extra overtricks and undertricks are always important at matchpoints, and with a tight race for
gold going on they were doubly significant.
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ 9765
♥ 10 5 3 2
♦ 742
♣ 94
♠ 10 3 N ♠ AQ 4 2
♥ AK J 7 4 ♥ Q98
♦ KQJ W E ♦ 53
♣ A3 2 S ♣ KJ87
♠ KJ8
♥ 6
♦ A 10 9 8 6
♣ Q 10 6 5
Klukowski Garbosi Zmuda Colombo
– – – Pass
1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♥ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♥ All Pass
A simple Polish Club auction led to the normal contract. Most of the field evaluated correctly that
balanced 18 opposite balanced 12 can’t produce a good slam, although 8 out of 26 E/W pairs
did not resist the temptation and went minus. In our case 1♠ was a positive response, so 2♥ was
already game-forcing and 3♥ was a slam invitation, which was declined as West had a minimum
for the strong variety of the 1♣ opening.
North had to pick a lead from his near Yarborough. Generally, among suits lacking honours,
the longest one is the safest, but our North was deterred by Zmuda’s 1♠ bid and led a club.

 Intermediate
After a spade lead, declarer is not going to make 11 tricks unless he is utterly convinced that the
leader does not possess the ♠K, in which case he should duck and then ruff out the king. How-
ever, giving up the chance for 12 tricks is hardly acceptable at matchpoints.
The actual ♣9 lead was covered by J Q and A. Klukowski drew trumps in four rounds and
led a small club towards the 7. When this lost he claimed 11 tricks as his spade loser would be
discarded on the ♣8. Sometimes bridge is a simple game. Making the overtrick was worth 34
matchpoints out of 50.
Four boards later:
♠ A95
♥ AKQJ
♦ K 10 8 3
♣ A7
♠ Q 10 8 4 N ♠ K7
♥ 10 8 6 ♥ 5432
♦ 9754 W E ♦ J62
♣ 63 S ♣ K 10 9 4
♠ J632
♥ 97
♦ AQ
♣ QJ852
Zheng Klukowski Wang Zmuda
– – – Pass
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣
Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥
Pass 3NT All Pass
Once again East has to pick a lead, this time against a Pup-
pet Stayman auction where North indicated four hearts and
South showed four spades. The main candidates are clubs
and hearts. While a passive lead against a 2NT opener has
obvious merits, especially at matchpoints. In this case a heart
lead could have helped declarer take any finesse he might
need in this suit, while dummy’s entries might well be scarce.
As a matter of fact, no heart finesses were necessary, so
hearts (as well as spades and diamonds) would have done
the job of restricting declarer to 11 tricks, but the Chinese
East preferred the ♣9. Declarer took his ace and immedi-
ately ran the ♣7, guaranteeing four club tricks, so he could
claim 12 tricks even without knowing that the ♦J would fall
in the third round.
Now let us watch the champions in defence. In the fol-
lowing hand they didn’t have to do anything special, as their
opponents slightly overbid to an unmakeable contract.
Justyna Zmuda

 Intermediate
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ K 10 7 2
♥ A
♦ Q 10 7 2
♣ J873
♠ J4 N ♠ A6 5
♥ 987 ♥ K Q 10 6 2
♦ A9 6 5 3 W E ♦ K8
♣ 962 S ♣ A Q 10
♠ Q983
♥ J543
♦ J4
♣ K54
Zheng Klukowski Wang Zmuda
Pass Pass 1♥ Pass
2♥ Double 4♥ All Pass
In this deal, strong clubbers would perform better than standard bidders who always continue to
game after 1♥-2♥ with 18 HCP. Using a forcing 1NT response can help, but in this case responder
is a passed hand so 1NT may no longer be forcing.
South led ♠3. North’s ♠10 was ducked and he switched to a club. Declarer’s ♣10 was taken by
South’s king, and the later loss of two trump tricks could not be prevented.
It is a testimony to the high standard of the field that at exactly half the tables East-West stayed
low (usually 3♥ but sometimes 2♥ and even 1NT) and got a plus score. Our heroes sitting North-
South received almost effortlessly 36 out of 50 matchpoints.
In our final deal they improved to 44 out of 50, a well-earned top.
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ Q 10 6
♥ A Q J 10 4
♦ Q7
♣ 932
♠ AJ 3 N ♠ K952
♥ 986 ♥ K52
♦ J62 W E ♦ K 10 9 5
♣ A8 7 5 S ♣ J6
♠ 874
♥ 73
♦ A843
♣ K Q 10 4
Klukowski Oigarden Zmuda Simonsen
– – – Pass
Pass 1♥ Pass 1NT
All Pass

 Intermediate
I am going to present this apparently peaceful deal as ♠ Q 10 6
a quiz. One may easily spot seven tricks for E/W in ♥ A Q J 10 4
the defence against 1NT: two spades, three diamonds ♦ Q7
♣ 932
a heart and a club. However, let me inform you that ♠ A J 3 ♠ K952
(after normal play) the Poles beat this contract by two ♥ 9 8 6 N
♥ K52
tricks. Which East/West card took the eighth trick for ♦ J 6 2 W E ♦ K 10 9 5
the defence, and how did this come about? ♣ A 8 7 5 S ♣ J6
Well, they started with the only lead that gives away the ♠ 8 7 4
♥ 73
contract according to Deep Finesse – a small club. When ♦ A843
East’s club jack was captured with South’s king, things ♣ K Q 10 4
were looking bright for declarer. He continued with a
heart finesse and the ♥Q won the second trick, Zmuda playing ♥5 (against world-class defend-
ers such finesses always win, at least on the first round...). At this point declarer could make his
contract by the double dummy play of leading ♥10 (or ♥J) from dummy. Not being forced to
make any discards from his own hand, declarer is going to re-enter dummy in spades.
However, at trick three declarer led a very normal ♣9 from dummy – ducked as well. The ♣3
followed and the defenders at last won their first trick. Zmuda discarded ♠2, so Klukowski played
a small diamond and dummy’s queen was covered by the king and ace. Declarer cashed his ♣Q
and repeated the heart finesse (had he played ♥A, it would have been a banal one down and we
would not have had any story, but bridge players are always optimistic). After the ♥K won, there
followed a small diamond, taken by West’s ♦J and a spade to the king and a diamond cashed.
These were the last three cards:
♠ Q6
♥ A
♦ —
♣ —
♠ AJ N ♠9
♥9 ♥2
♦— W E ♦ 10
♣— S ♣—
♠ 87
♥—
♦ 8
♣ —
When Zmuda played the ♦10, Klukowski discarded ♥9 and dummy was squeezed. After some
thought, declarer decided to keep the ♠Q guarded, so the answer to our quiz is that East’s deuce
of hearts became the eighth trick for the defence.
Last Board
The final deal of the European Mixed Pairs Championship can be added to the pantheon of deals
that have decided the outcome of major events down the ages.
The final had been dominated by Justyna Zmuda & Michal Klukowski and Roy Welland &
Sabine Auken who had matched each other blow for blow, the lead repeatedly changing hands.
When the final board settled on the table they were separated by just 0.70 of a match point. Both
pairs faced tough opposition:

 Intermediate
♠ 5
♥ K J 10 9 7 5 4
♦ K 10 4 2
♣ J
♠ A8 7 3 N ♠ KJ4
♥ 86 ♥ Q2
♦ AQ 9 6 W E ♦ J753
♣ 10 8 2 S ♣ AK 9 4
♠ Q 10 9 6 2
♥ A3
♦ 8
♣ Q7653
Klukowski Ivanova Zmuda Ivanov
Pass 3♥ Pass Pass
Double Pass 4♣ All Pass
South led the six of spades, but this apparently helpful start changed nothing, 4♣ having to go
three down,-150. That was worth only 5/45 and the door appeared to be wide open.
Welland Smederevac Auken Ionita
1♣ 4♥ Double Pass
Pass Pass 4NT Double
5♦ Double All Pass
North led the five of spades and declarer could not escape for less than three down, -500 and only
2/48 – the title and the medals were on their way to Poland.
Open Teams
After a week the Teams Championships get under way. Pride of place (and the largest entry) goes
to the Open Teams.
In a massive event like this it is impossible to know who to watch any given moment. As a
reporter you just have to hope the players (and the deals) will co-operate.
Match of the Day
Match of the Day is BBC TV’s principal football programme. It is shown during the English foot-
ball season, featuring highlights of the day’s matches in the Premier League.
It is one of the BBC’s longest-running shows, having been on air since 22 August 1964. In its
early days only one match was shown.
Here is a compilation of clips from the show featuring the legendary George Best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHWNtCZFEc

 Intermediate
If I had to select only one match from the opening round of the team events it would have to
be Rams v Bridge24B:
♠ AK83
♥ A62
♦ K
♣ AQ982
♠ 10 5 N ♠4
♥ K 10 9 ♥ QJ7543
♦ A J 10 9 4 W E ♦ 8753
♣ 653 S ♣ J7
♠ QJ9762
♥8
♦ Q62
♣ K 10 4
Open Room
Tuczynski Auken Sielicki Welland
– 1♣* 2♥ Double*
3♥ 4♥* 5♥ Pass
Pass 6♠ All Pass
1♣ May be any balanced hand including any other five card suit, also 5422
4♥ Cue-bid
Not a bad way to start a championship. Declarer won the heart lead and was soon claiming,+980.
Closed Room
Bach Chmurski Cornell Chalupec
– 1♣* 2♦ 2♠
Double* 4♦* Pass 5♦
Pass 5♠ All Pass
1♣ Polish Club
4♦ Splinter
If South’s 5♦ was intended to convey something special the message was lost in translation and
that meant Rams were ahead 11-0.

 Intermediate
♠ K73
♥ AKQJ962
♦ 65
♣ K
♠ 10 8 6 2 N ♠ AQ 9 5 4
♥ 10 5 ♥8
♦ KJ8743 W E ♦ A 10
♣7 S ♣ A J 10 3 2
♠ J
♥ 743
♦ Q92
♣ Q98654
Open Room
– – 1♠ Pass
4♠ 5♥ Double All Pass
The defenders took all their tricks, two down, -300.

Closed Room
– – 1♠ Pass
4♠ 5♥ 5♠ 6♥
Pass Pass Double All Pass
It would have been interesting to see how declarer would

have tackled 5♠ – there are plenty of ways to go wrong after
the defenders start with two rounds of hearts, but the simple
line of playing the ace of spades followed by the queen should
deliver eleven tricks easily enough. The extra undertrick gave
Rams another 7 IMPs.
Sabine Auken

 Intermediate
♠ KJ
♥ 8653
♦ Q953
♣ AQ5
♠ 42 N ♠ 10
♥ K 10 ♥ 742
♦ AJ 7 6 W E ♦ K 10 8 4 2
♣ K 10 8 4 2 S ♣ J963
♠ AQ987653
♥ AQJ9
♦—
♣7
Open Room
– 1♣* Pass 1♠*
Pass 1NT Pass 2♥*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♦*
Pass 5♣* Pass 5♦*
Pass 5♥* Pass 6♥*
Pass 6♠ All Pass
1♣ May be any balanced hand including any other five-card suit, also 5422
1♠ Game-forcing relay
2♥ 5+♠
4♦ Void and optional RKCB
5♣ Accepted and 1 key card
5♦ ♥K?
5♥ No
6♥ General grand slam try
West led the eight of clubs and declarer won with dummy’s ace, cashed the king of spades and
played a heart to the queen and king. He ruffed the return of the ace of diamonds and cashed the
ace of hearts, claiming when the suit divided, +1430.
Closed Room
– 1♦* Pass 1♠
Pass 1NT Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♦* Pass 4♠
All Pass
1♦ 2+♦
2♣ Checkback
2♦ Minimum (probably denies 3♠)
Shall we say that South’s decision to settle for 4♠ was conservative? It cost 13 IMPs, putting Rams
firmly in control, 31-0.

 Intermediate
♠ A 10 8 4 3
♥ 65
♦ Q 10
♣ QJ94
♠ 75 N ♠ J6
♥ Q94 ♥ 873
♦ 7432 W E ♦ KJ6
♣ A8 3 2 S ♣ K 10 7 6 5
♠ KQ92
♥ A K J 10 2
♦ A985
♣ —
Open Room
– – Pass 2♦*
Pass 2♠ Pass 3♦
Pass 4♠ All Pass
2♦ 4♠, 5/6 ♥ 11-15 or 17-19
When South showed he was in the upper range North jumped to game, but South was unwilling
to make any further move, +480, as declarer ruffed the club lead in dummy, cashed a top spade
and played three rounds of hearts, ruffing.
On this layout 6♠ is easy enough, but if East starts by leading a club declarer would be pleased
to find everything breaking nicely.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♣*
Pass 2♠ Pass 5♣*
All Pass
1♣ Polish Club
2♦ Strong
5♣ Exclusion Blackwood
5♦ 1 keycard
Declarer won the heart lead with dummy’s ace, took two rounds of trumps ending in hand
and played a heart to the ten, claiming when West won with the queen, +980 and 11 IMPs for
Bridge24B.

 Intermediate
♠ K
♥ A 10 3
♦ K Q 10 9
♣ AQ854
♠ A 10 9 6 N ♠ 87532
♥ KJ942 ♥ 85
♦5 W E ♦ J742
♣ J76 S ♣ 10 9
♠ QJ4
♥ Q76
♦ A863
♣ K32
Open Room
Pass 1♣* 1♠ Double*
4♠ Double All Pass
East’s extraordinary overcall appeared to have rebounded, as although the combination of that
and West jump to game meant there was little chance of N/S reaching either of the makeable
slams (6NT or 6♦ played by South) it offered up the possibility of a huge penalty. However, it
was clearly going to be difficult for N/S to envisage the true situation.
Had South started with the four of spades (difficult but not totally out of the question) the
defenders would have had every chance of taking the contract five down. Not unreasonably South
started with the two of clubs and North won with the ace. At this point switching to the king
of spades is a tough play to find (again putting +1100 on the map) and North returned a club,
South winning with the king and switching to the six of hearts. Declarer put in dummy’s jack
and North took the ace, cashed the king of diamonds and played the queen of clubs. Declarer
ruffed and played a spade and when South put in the jack +500 sank to +300 as declarer won
with dummy’s ace, set up the hearts and played a spade.
It reminded me of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where the Black Knight,
having had his left arm cut off in a fight with King Arthur exclaims “Tis but a scratch”.
Closed Room
Pass 1♣* Pass 2NT
Pass 3♣ Pass 4♣
Pass 4♦ Pass 5♣
All Pass
East led the eight of hearts and declarer took West’s jack with the ace, drew trumps and played the
king of spades, West taking the ace and cashing the king of hearts, +400 and 3 IMPs for Bridge24B.

 Intermediate
♠ J 10 3 2
♥ —
♦ Q983
♣ AQ932
♠ Q764 N ♠ K98
♥ 843 ♥ K Q 10 9 7
♦ 75 W E ♦ 10 4
♣ K765 S ♣ J 10 4
♠ A5
♥ AJ652
♦ AKJ62
♣ 8
Open Room
– Pass Pass 1♥
Pass 1♠* Pass 2♣
Pass 3♦ Pass 4♦*
Pass 4♠* Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♦* Pass 6♣*
Pass 6♦ All Pass
1♠ Forcing NT type
2♣ 4+♦, maybe 6♥
4♦ Optional RKCB
4♠ Accept, 1 key card
4NT ♦Q?
5♦ Yes, no heart king
6♣ General grand slam try
East led the jack of clubs and declarer won with the queen, cashed the ace of clubs pitching a spade,
played a spade to the ace, ruffed a heart, ruffed a spade, ruffed a heart, ruffed a spade, cashed the
ace of hearts pitching a club, ruffed a heart and took the rest via the high crossruff, +940.
Closed Room
– Pass Pass 1♣*
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass
1♣ Polish Club
East led the queen of hearts and declarer ducked in dummy pitching a diamond, won the contin-
uation of the seven of hearts with dummy’s jack, played a club to the queen and claimed +430 – a
loss of 11 IMPs that left Rams the winners, 42-13.
You can replay these thrilling deals at: http://tinyurl.com/yab4nmst

 Intermediate
Barry Rigal followed one of the English teams in Round 3:
The encounter between Ventin and Badger C was at table 19; early days, admittedly, but a big
loss for either team would push them down towards average, whereupon the climb to a qualify-
ing place would be a steep one.
Things started well for Badger when an ambiguity of spot cards presented Wrang with a prob-
lem he did not solve.
♠ 10 3
♥ A632
♦ 942
♣ 7652
♠ AK N ♠ 98754
♥ KJ84 ♥ Q75
♦ AK Q J W E ♦ 86
♣ 10 8 4 S ♣ Q93
♠ QJ62
♥ 10 9
♦ 10 7 5 3
♣ AKJ
Both tables faced a two-card 1♣ opener from South. After doubling and cue-bidding Allerton
played 3NT while Antonio Palma gave up in 2♠. Both Norths guessed well to lead clubs – the
six, second highest from four. Where Badger were defending Hinden cleared clubs and North
could get in with ♥A for a painess down one. In the other room the ♣6 lead looked consistent
with two or three. Worried about setting up declarer’s long club, Wrang shifted immediately to
spades, knowing declarer had at most two, and declarer drove the heart ace and claimed nine
tricks when that suit behaved.
On the next deal Badger gave it back when the opponents somewhat unfairly bid one suit and
led another.
♠ Q986
♥ Q94
♦ K J 10
♣ Q42
♠ 73 N ♠ KJ52
♥ K J 10 8 5 ♥ 76
♦ Q9 W E ♦ 52
♣ K 10 7 3 S ♣ AJ 9 6 5
♠ A 10 4
♥ A32
♦ A87643
♣8
The auctions again started similarly: South opened 1♦ and over a negative double of 1♥ from
their partner they rebid 1♠. Wrang, South heard 1NT from his partner and moved on with 2♦
to end the auction for a quiet +110. Hinden (who had promised an unbalanced hand) heard 2♦

 Intermediate
from North and raised to 3♦. Now Osborne tried 3NT and the defenders ran clubs to squeeze
both hands. He unguarded spades and hearts from dummy and tried a diamond finesse into the
doubleton queen. Now the defenders could cash four more major-suit winners for down five and
12 IMPs.
For our next deal I’ll pose the East hand as a problem and show you the full deal in a moment.
Board 25. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ K
♥ 7654
♦ AQ96
♣ QJ95
N ♠ A8 5 4
♥ A 10 9 3
W E ♦ 10 8 7 4
S ♣3
South opens a weak 2♠ and plays there. Partner leads the ♥Q, denying the king. You take the ace
at trick one? Let’s say you return a club – why not? Partner wins the ace as declarer follows with
the seven and returns the six for you to ruff as declarer produces the king. What now? Antonio
Palma made the best technical play when he decided that the legitimate chance to set the hand
was to play partner for the ♠Q – unlikely as that might be, since declarer would otherwise just
lose one trump trick. He played ace and a second spade and partner produced the ♠Q and gave
him the ruff. This was the full hand:
♠ K
♥ 7654
♦ AQ96
♣ QJ95
♠ Q7 N ♠ A8 5 4
♥ QJ8 ♥ A 10 9 3
♦ K32 W E ♦ 10 8 7 4
♣ A 10 8 6 2 S ♣3
♠ J 10 9 6 3 2
♥ K2
♦ J5
♣ K74
Switch the ♦J and ♦K and this defence is necessary, else declarer may be able to pitch his club
on the third diamond. The deal actually produced a swing when the defence lost their third club
ruff in the other room.
Ventin added a couple of small swings when Allerton-Jagger bid a poor game and missed a good
one, then on the final deal Ventin twisted the knife with an entirely random result.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 9 6
♥ K862
♦ A93
♣ AQ9
♠Q N ♠ K53
♥ QJ75 ♥ A9 4 3
♦ J854 W E ♦ K Q 10
♣ KJ65 S ♣ 10 4 2
♠ AJ8742
♥ 10
♦ 762
♣ 873
In one room N/S bid to 3♠ down 50, over 3♥, which also rated to be down one. In the other
room Jagger opened an 11-14 no-trump, passed round to Ventin who doubled. The tray came half
back to North and East, neither of whom saw the double, (though your reporter did). Accord-
ingly each of them passed it out, when had they seen the double either of them might have acted.
1NTx on a spade lead lost the obvious eight tricks. Down 300 and 8 more IMPs to Ventin, win-
ners by 35-12.
David Bird was on hand to follow one of the most exciting set of deals – they appeared in Round 6:
On the first match yesterday I commended the Great Dealer for providing 3 slams and 7 game
contracts in the 10 boards. Today’s opening match offered a parade of the world’s top players,
yes, but only a 1NT contact on the first board. We had no need to worry. It was followed by two
slams and seven game contracts. Amazingly generous fare, particularly as the GD had permitted
it on the Sabbath. Hallelujah!
I was surprised by Alfredo Versace’s lack of action on this deal:
♠ A 10 8 4 3 2
♥ 9
♦ AQ96
♣ 97
♠ 965 N ♠ QJ7
♥ K73 ♥ A Q 10 8 6 2
♦ 8543 W E ♦7
♣ 10 4 3 S ♣ A6 5
♠K
♥ J54
♦ K J 10 2
♣ KQJ82
Open Room
Madala Lauria Bianchedi Versace
– – 1♥ Pass
2♥ 2♠ 3♣ Pass
3♥ All Pass

 Intermediate
Overcalling 2♣ on the South cards would meet with dis- ♠ A 10 8 4 3 2
approval in dusty textbooks but I dare say several South ♥ 9
players succumbed to that temptation. West’s 2♥ showed ♦ AQ96
♣ 97
a weak raise in their system (an accurate evaluation) and ♠ 9 6 5 ♠ QJ7
Lauria entered with 2♠. What action should South take ♥ K 7 3 N
♥ AQ 10 8 6 2
over East’s ambitious game-try of 3♣? ♦ 8543 W E ♦ 7
I expected South to double to show some values. It ♣ 10 4 3 S ♣ A6 5
would not be solely a lead-directing double, since he ♠ K
♥ J54
would be on lead against a heart contract. Versace passed ♦ K J 10 2
on the second and third rounds and East’s 3♥ contract ♣ KQJ82
went one down. +100 to N/S.
I suggested to Roland Wald, my co-commentator, that South might have imbibed one cup of
coffee too few on this Sunday morning. He explained a point that I had missed – the coffee in
this tournament is generously provided by Madama Lavazza, the other team’s captain. It would
have been inappropriate to lend support to the opponents in this way.
Closed Room
Donati Bocchi Tokay Sementa
– – 1♥ Pass
Pass 1♠ 2♥ Double
3♥ 4♠ All Pass
Here Antonio Sementa did show some values. Norberto Bocchi then liked the look of his single-
ton heart and leapt to 4♠. He ruffed the second round of hearts and played the ♣9 the king (10
from West). After playing the ♠K, he led a club to the 7 and ace. Bocchi ruffed the heart contin-
uation and led the ♠A, finding a 3-3 break. The game and 8 IMPs were his.
I will end with two 13 IMP swings.
Board 26. Dealer East. Both Vul.
♠ A97653
♥ K7
♦ 10 8
♣ Q92
♠ J84 N ♠ Q 10 2
♥ 10 8 ♥ QJ4
♦ J52 W E ♦ 97643
♣ 10 8 6 5 4 S ♣ K3
♠K
♥ A96532
♦ AKQ
♣ AJ7

 Intermediate
Open Room ♠ A97653
♥ K7
West North East South ♦ 10 8
Madala Lauria Bianchedi Versace ♣ Q92
– – Pass 1♥ ♠ J84 N ♠ Q 10 2
♥ 10 8 ♥ QJ4
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣* W E
♦ J52 ♦ 97643
Pass 2♦* Pass 2NT ♣ 10 8 6 5 4 S ♣ K3
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♥ ♠ K
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣ ♥ A96532
Pass 4♥ Pass 5♥ ♦ AKQ
Pass 6♥ All Pass ♣ AJ7
Versace’s 2♣ was the Gazilli convention, showing either clubs or a strong hand. Lauria’s 2♦ showed
enough to play in game facing the stronger type. 2NT showed a strong hand with no more than
2 spades and 3♣ was a relay, 3♥ indicating a single-suiter.
On the face of it, 6♥ would require a 3-2 heart break and the ♣K to be onside (or for West
to make an adventurous lead from the ♣K). In other words it would be a below-par slam. Time
stood still while Versace considered his next move. After around 3 minutes he ventured a general
try of 5♥, one that was immediately accepted by Lauria. A diamond was led and a subsequent
successful club finesse brought in +1430. Were big IMPs about to flow? Let’s see.
Closed Room
Donati Bocchi Tokay Sementa
– – – 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♦* Pass 3♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♥ All Pass
Another Gazilli sequence unfolded, this time stopping very reasonably in 4♥. A club was led to
the king and ace. Sementa was then disappointed to find that the trumps broke 3-2. That was
13 IMPs away.
On our next board, we will see the auction of the Lavazza North/South pair:
Board 29. Dealer North. Both Vul.
♠ A K 10 9 8 6
♥ A K 10 8
♦ —
♣ Q54
♠ J7 N ♠ Q53
♥ J954 ♥2
♦ K87654 W E ♦ AQ J 9 3
♣9 S ♣ K 10 3 2
♠ 42
♥ Q763
♦ 10 2
♣ AJ876

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ A K 10 9 8 6
♥ A K 10 8
West North East South ♦ —
Donati Bocchi Tokay Sementa ♣ Q54
– 1♠ Pass 1NT ♠ J7 N ♠ Q53
♥ J954 ♥ 2
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♥* W E
♦ K87654 ♦ AQ J 9 3
Pass 4♦* Pass 5♣* ♣ 9 S ♣ K 10 3 2
Pass 6♥ All Pass ♠ 42
♥ Q763
It was a further outing for the Gazilli convention. When ♦ 10 2
Bocchi invited a slam with his splinter-bid in diamonds, ♣ AJ876
Sementa had a clear-cut 5♣ cue-bid (with two great cards
in his hand). Bocchi then bid a 6♥ that had similar prospects to the one landed earlier by Versace.
Sementa ruffed the diamond lead in dummy and cashed the ace and king of trumps, East dis-
carding a diamond on the second round. He continued with the ♣Q, covered by the king and
ace, and ruffed his last diamond. If a club to the jack had dropped the 10, all would have been
well. No, Donati ruffed and returned the ♠J to dummy ace. Declarer played a club to East’s 10
and another club promoted West’s ♥J, putting the slam two down.
At the other table Lauria and Versace stopped in 4♥ and gained 13 IMPs for the Vinci team. It
had been an absorbing match with some 2200 kibitzers there at the climax. Vinci were the win-
ners by 29 IMPs to 10, converting to 15.75 – 4.25 VPs.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/ybsaqdzl
Micke Melander reported one of the most exciting deals:
♠ 95
♥ 10 8 3
♦ J84
♣ J9432
♠ J8764 N ♠ AQ 3 2
♥ J52 ♥ KQ94
♦ A 10 3 W E ♦ K762
♣ 76 S ♣A
♠ K 10
♥ A76
♦ Q95
♣ K Q 10 8 5
You may recall that in the Mixed Teams semi-final between the Russian team Mnepo and the
transnational Ward-Platt, Georgi Matushko opened Three Clubs on the North hand. The pre-
empt was followed by a psychic response of Three Spades from South that led to E/W missing
their game in spades. Five Diamonds wasn’t anything to write home about… a great success for
the preemptive side.
That’s all old news. The following astonishing board was played in Round 10 of the Open
Teams Swiss, where Era took on Lavazza in one of the matches. The spectators were treated to
the following “laser and light show”:

 Intermediate
♠ 75
♥ 53
♦ 10 8 6 5
♣ K 10 8 4 2
♠ A 10 N ♠ QJ984
♥ AK 6 4 ♥ Q 10 7 2
♦ AQ W E ♦ KJ93
♣ AQ J 9 7 S ♣ —
♠ K632
♥ J98
♦ 742
♣ 653
Open Room
Zatorski D Bilde Pachtman Duboin
– 3♣! Pass Pass
Double Pass 4♣! Pass
5♣! Pass 6♣! All Pass
7♥ All Pass
Another pre-empt with a very similar hand – it seems popular these days…
Here however, the pre-empt came in very handy for the opponents. Both from the bidding
and play point of view.
Four Clubs: pick a suit... Five Clubs: naah, I have a very good hand... Six Clubs: pick a suit, I
have some good values for you. OK, a grand slam then!
A trump was led. Declarer pulled South’s trumps ending in dummy. A diamond to the ace fol-
lowed whereupon declarer cashed the ace of clubs, pitching a diamond from dummy. Next he
overtook the queen of diamonds with the king, discarded a spade on the jack of diamonds and
finished up with a ruffing finesse against South’s king of spades. Having seen two hearts and three
diamonds from North he probably believed spades were even more unevenly distributed from the
auction. Nevertheless, zero success this time for the pre-empt.
Closed Room
Sementa Gromov Bocchi Dubinin
– Pass Pass Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥* Pass
3♣ Pass 3♦* Pass
3♠* Pass 4♦* Pass
4♠* Pass 5♣* Pass
5♦* Pass 5♣* Pass
6♦* Pass 7♥ All Pass
2♦ Strong unbal. or bal. 23+
2♥ 5+hcp no 6+suit with two top honours
3♣ Natural, might be a two-suiter
3♦ Relay

 Intermediate
3♠ Five clubs and four hearts
4♦ Setting hearts
4♠ RKCB
5♣ Zero aces
5♦ Asking for the queen of hearts
6♣ Queen of hearts + queen of spades
6♦ We have it all, pick a contract
An impressive auction by the Italian pair who after a highly artificial sequence came to rest in the
excellent grand slam. The question was – what line to take in declaring it?
Dubinin led the nine of hearts. With quite limited entries to the West hand one has to be very
careful in planning the play. Additionally, it would be very nice to learn something of the distri-
bution of the opponent’s cards before making any decision regarding finesses, ruffing finesses or
whatever line we might choose.
Bocchi ran the nine of hearts to his ten and played the queen of spades. When South didn’t
cover he eventually overtook with the ace and ruffed a club, deciding to play for the king of clubs
to be in either of the hands in at most a four-card suit. Declarer then played a diamond to the
ace, ruffed a club, played a diamond to the queen and ruffed a third club, leaving;
♠7
♥5
♦ 10 8
♣ K 10
♠ 10 N ♠ J984
♥ AK 6 ♥ —
♦— W E ♦ KJ
♣ AQ S ♣ —
♠ K63
♥ J8
♦ 7
♣ —
Bocchi now cashed the king of diamonds and pitched a
spade from dummy. Next he ruffed a spade in dummy,
and pulled trumps. When the king of clubs didn’t drop
it was one down and 17 IMPs to Era.
Norberto Bocchi

 Intermediate
These were the sixteen teams who qualified for the knock-out rounds:
Era Andrei Arlovich, Alexander Dubinin, Andrey Gromov, Ron Pachtman,
Erikas Vainikonis, Piotr Zatorski, Piotr Zatorski Cpt
Chateau Rossenovo Nikola Barantiev, Antoni Ivanov, Ivan Ivanov, Georgi Ralev,
N Barantiev Cpt
Heimdal Terje Aa, Per E Austberg, Jan Tore Berg, Glenn Groetheim,
Allan Livgard, Petter Tondel, I Hjellemarken Cpt
China Open Yunlong Chen, Jianming Dai, Jianwei Li, Lixin Yang, Bangxiang Zhang,
Jie Zhao, Gang Chen Cpt
Pszczola Josef Blass, Sjoert Brink, Bas Drijver, Jacek Kalita, Michal Nowosadzki,
Jacek Pszczola Cpt
Greece K Doxiadis, Aris Filios, K Kontomitros, T Koukouselis,
Y Papakyriakopoulos, Petros Roussos Roussos
Lavazza Alejandro Bianchedi, Dennis Bilde, Norberto Bocchi, Giorgio Duboin,
Agustin Madala, Antonio Sementa, Maria Teresa Lavazza Cpt,
Massimo Ortensi Coach
Shokolata Ilan Bareket, Ismail Kandemir, Suleyman Kolata, Assaf Lengy,
Amir Levin, Yossi Roll, Ilan Bareket Cpt
Highlanders Harald Eide, Lars Eide, Sam Inge Høyland, Sven Olai Høyland
Redrobot Igor Curlin, Igor Khazanov, Maria Lebedeva, Dmitri Prokhorov,
Pavel Vorobei, Maksim Zhmak, Pavel Vorobei Cpt
Vinci Giovanni Donati, Fabrizio Hugony, Lorenzo Lauria, Mustafa Cem Tokay,
Alfredo Versace, Francesco Saverio Vinci, Francesco S Vinci Cpt V , V P
France Op Senior Francois Combescure, Nicholas Dechelette, Georges Iontzeff,
Jerome Rombaut
Mazurkiewicz Stanislaw Golebiowski, Krzysztof Jassem, Marcin Mazurkiewicz,
W Starkowski, M Mazurkiewicz Cpt Mazurkiewicz Cpt
Moran Rory Boland, John Carroll, Tommy Garvey, Tom Hanlon,
Hugh McGann, Mark Moran, Grainne Barton Cpt
Gry Forever Christian Bakke, Tor Eivind Grude, Lars A Johansen, Steffen F Simonsen
Poland Maciej Dabrowski, Marek Jeleniewski, Rafal Marks, Lech Ohrysko,
Andrzej Pawlak, Pawel Szymaszczyk, Maciej Dabrowski
They think it’s all Over

One of the many great innovations made by the EBL in recent years is to adopt the suggestion
that in the event of a tie a knock-out match should be settled by a sudden death football style
penalty shoot-out. When Era and China Open found themselves tied at 56-56 at the end of their
quarter-final, out came the first of a possible three extra deals – if they were unable to break the
deadlock the toss of a coin would decide.

 Intermediate
♠ AJ
♥ A K J 10 9
♦ Q9653
♣ 3
♠ K 10 6 2 N ♠ 9873
♥ 42 ♥ Q8653
♦ 10 4 W E ♦ A7
♣ A 10 9 7 5 S ♣ Q6
♠ Q54
♥ 7
♦ KJ82
♣ KJ842
Open Room
Zatorski J Li Pachtman Zhang
– 1♥ Pass 1NT
Pass 3♦ All Pass
East led the eight of spades and declarer took West’s ten with the jack, played a diamond to the king
and a diamond for the ten, queen and ace. It was now child’s play to arrive at eleven tricks, +150.
South’s somewhat conservative decision to pass 3♦ appeared to have left the door open:
Closed Room
Dai Gromov Yang Dubinin
– 1♥ Pass 1NT*
Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦
Pass 5♦ All Pass
East led the nine of spades and it seemed certain that Era would be the team advancing to the
semi-final.
Declarer won with the jack and played a club for the six jack and ace. When West returned a
club declarer won with dummy’s king pitching a heart, played a heart to the ace, ruffed a heart
and followed it with the king of diamonds. East took the ace and returned the queen of hearts.
When declarer ruffed with the eight of diamonds West’s overruff meant despair for declarer.
After coming to hand with a heart declarer might do better to play a diamond to the king. If
that holds he can ruff a spade and play a second diamond. Even if that enables the defenders
to play a third round of trumps declarer will still be in the game (depending on the opponents’
distribution).
The surprise team of the event was Greece, who had already taken the measure of the power-
ful Lavazza team. In the semi-final they faced China Open and Brent Manley watched the match
unfold:

 Intermediate
♠ Q752
♥ J 10 4
♦ 8432
♣ 75
♠ AK 8 N ♠J
♥ 7653 ♥ AK Q 8 2
♦9 W E ♦6
♣ Q9842 S ♣ A K J 10 6 3
♠ 10 9 6 4 3
♥9
♦ A K Q J 10 7 5
♣—
Open Room
Kontomitros Chen Koukouselis Zhao
– – 1♣* 1♦
Double Pass 4NT* 5♦
Pass Pass 5♥ All Pass
1♣ 2+♣
Zhao’s interference had the desired effect on the Greeks’ auction. Most pairs play DOPI (double
shows zero key cards, pass shows one) when the opponents interfere over Blackwood. If East-West
were using that convention, East would have known that West had an ace and he would have
bid the laydown slam in clubs or hearts. Plus 480 was not a satisfying result. At the other table:
Closed Room
Dai Doxiadis L Yang Roussos
– – 1♣ 1NT
2♣ Pass 3♣ 4♦
Pass Pass 4NT Pass
5♣ Pass 6♣ All Pass
Yang and Dai brushed the eccentric 1NT overcall aside and barreled in to the club slam. That
was a 10 IMP swing to China.
The match was relatively quiet for the next nine boards as China built a lead of 26-6 with three
deals to go.

 Intermediate
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ 7
♥ Q
♦ AKJ5
♣ A K 10 8 7 3 2
♠ J952 N ♠ 10 4 3
♥ KJ954 ♥ 8732
♦ 10 6 W E ♦ 983
♣ 95 S ♣ QJ6
♠ AKQ86
♥ A 10 6
♦ Q742
♣ 4
Open Room
2♥ Double Pass 3NT
All Pass
Zhao’s leap to 3NT seemed to stymie his partner, who took a long time before passing and leav-
ing his side in an inferior contract. It seems that a raise to 4NT would not have been out of line
for North. At any rate, West led a heart and dummy’s queen held the trick. Zhao lost only a club
on his way to plus 490. The best contract, of course, is 7♦.
At the other table:
Closed Room
2♥ 5♣ Pass 6♣
All Pass
Doxialis left nothing to chance, just bidding what he thought

(hoped?) he could make. Roussos, in turn, bid what he
thought his partner could make – and he was right. Plus
920 was a 12 IMP swing for Greece.
Petros Roussos

 Intermediate
♠ J982
♥ 7
♦ 87
♣ AKJ952
♠ AK Q N ♠ 10 7 6 4
♥ 10 9 8 4 ♥ AK 6 3
♦ KQ6 W E ♦ J 10 5 3 2
♣ Q 10 8 S ♣—
♠ 53
♥ QJ52
♦ A94
♣ 7643
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
1♣* 2♣ Double Pass
3♥ 4♣ 4♥ Double
All Pass
1♣ Two or more clubs.
Chen led the ♣A, ruffed in dummy. Kontomitros played a diamond from dummy, Zhao win-
ning the ace. He played spade next and declarer won the ace then ruffed another club in dummy.
He then cashed the ♥A and played a diamond to his king. The ♣Q was covered by North’s king
and ruffed with dummy’s ♥K. A spade to the king was followed by a diamond to dummy’s jack.
This was the ending:
♠ J9
♥ —
♦ —
♣ 95
♠Q N ♠ 10 7
♥ 10 9 8 ♥—
♦— W E ♦ 10 5
♣— S ♣—
♠ —
♥ QJ5
♦ —
♣ 7
When declarer led the ♦10 from dummy, Zhao (South) had no answer. Declarer had eight tricks
and needed only two more. If Zhao ruffed high, declarer would have two natural heart tricks. In
practice, Zhao ruffed with the 5 and was overruffed. When declarer played the ♠Q, Zhao could
ruff and cash his other high trump, but declarer would have the rest for plus 590.

 Intermediate
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
1♣* 2♣ 3♣ 4♣
4♥ All Pass
Doxiadis led the ♣A, ruffed in dummy. Declarer cashed the ♥A at trick two, played a diamond to
his king and played a heart to dummy’s king. All of a sudden, the contract was looking very shaky.
Declarer played a spade to the ace, cashed the ♠K and tried the queen, but South ruffed, cashed
the ♥Q and played a club. Soon the defenders were claiming plus 150 for three down. That was
another 12 IMP swing to the Greeks, who finished the set with a 31-26 lead.
After a short break the players returned for the second of the four sessions:
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ 97
♥ A Q J 10 3
♦ 54
♣ AK43
♠ K J 10 6 N ♠ Q543
♥ K4 ♥ 92
♦ Q 10 9 7 6 W E ♦ AK J 8 3
♣ Q2 S ♣ J6
♠ A82
♥ 8765
♦2
♣ 10 9 8 7 5
Open Room
Papakyriakopoulos J Li Filios Zhang
– – – Pass
1♦ 1♥ 1♠ 3♥
Pass 4♥ 5♦ Pass
Pass Double All Pass
Li led the ♣A and continued with the ♣K. He could have assured a three-trick set by switching to
a spade so that South could put a heart through, but he cashed the ♥A and the defenders ended
up plus 300 instead of plus 500.
Closed Room
Dai Doxialis L. Yang Roussos
– – – Pass
1♦ 1♥ Double* 3♥
Pass Pass Double Pass
3♠ All Pass
The Greeks got two clubs and the major-suit aces but that was it and East-West had plus 140 to
go with plus 300 for a 10 IMP swing.

 Intermediate
♠ Q864
♥ 5
♦ AKJ3
♣ 9632
♠9 N ♠ A3
♥ AK Q 9 6 ♥ J 10 8 7 4 3
♦ Q872 W E ♦ 10 5
♣ Q 10 8 S ♣ AJ 5
♠ K J 10 7 5 2
♥ 2
♦ 964
♣ K74
Open Room
Papakyriakopoulos J Li Filios Zhang
– – 1♥ 1♠
3♠* 4♦ 4♥ 4♠
Double Pass 5♥ 5♠
Double All Pass
3♣ Splinter
East-West were heading for a minus, but Zhang obviously thought he could do better by bidding
on. West disagreed and led the ♥Q, switching to the ♣8 at trick two. Filios won the ♣A and con-
tinued the suit, declarer winning the king. A spade to the ace was followed by the ♣J and declarer
was two down for minus 500.
At the other table, East-West for China were allowed to play in 5♥, one off for minus 50. That
was 11 IMPs to Greece.
At the halfway point, China was in front 56-44, but against a tough team like Greece, 13 IMPs
was not a safe lead and so it proved as the Greeks went on to win 121-110.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/ycwsg6s5, http://tinyurl.com/y79bbj7v
By defeating China Open Greece set up a final with the Highlanders, who had defeated Mazurk-
iewicz 153-106, mainly because of a huge second set that they took 60-5.
First Quarter
David Bird was the first to report on the final:
The final of the ‘main event’, the Open Teams, was to be fought between representatives of
Greece and Norway. How they managed to survive until this stage, with so many world champi-
ons standing in their way, only they can know. Well played, indeed!

 Intermediate
♠ K98763
♥ 4
♦ Q 10 8 2
♣ A5
♠ 10 5 N ♠4
♥ A K 10 9 ♥ Q632
♦6 W E ♦ AK J 9 5 4
♣ Q J 10 7 6 2 S ♣ 84
♠ AQJ2
♥ J875
♦ 73
♣ K93
Open Room
Sa.Høyland Koukouselis Sv.Høyland Kontomitros
– – – 1NT
Pass 4♦ Double 4♠
Double All Pass
South’s opening bid showed 10-12 points and North’s transfer to the spade game may have been
bid as a two-way shot. It was certainly very ambitious if 10 tricks in spades was the sole target.
East doubled the transfer bid and South bid 4♠. What should West do now?
Sam-Inge Høyland expected his ♥AK to score and if partner held the ♦A a diamond ruff might
defeat the contract. It wouldn’t be right to double just because you held 10 points but it was a
reasonable gamble on that particular West hand. He led the ♥K and switched to the ♦6. Part-
ner won with the ♦9 but declarer was able to ruff the third round of diamonds high and claim
the balance. What an unbelievable hand North had found across the table: four splendid trumps,
only two diamonds and the ♣K instead of the ♥K!
Closed Room
Roussos H.Eide Doxiadis L.Eide
– – – 1♣
2♣ 2♠ Double 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
It was an altogether gentler auction. Lars Edie opened 1♣ and his son, Harald, introduced the
spade suit. The spade game was reached, not doubled on this occasion, and it was 5 IMPs to Greece.
Board 6 produced a defensive tester for the West player:

 Intermediate
♠ J74
♥ Q73
♦ AK
♣ K Q 10 4 3
♠3 N ♠ KQ982
♥ J9864 ♥ A 10 5
♦ Q84 W E ♦ 96
♣ AJ 8 7 S ♣ 952
♠ A 10 6 5
♥ K2
♦ J 10 7 5 3 2
♣ 6
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♠ 1NT
Pass 2NT Pass 3♦
Pass 3NT All Pass
South’s 3♦ implied that North would have to hold some assistance in diamonds for 3NT to be a
worthwhile shot. North had the most useful doubleton possible but little by way of quick tricks
outside. He put his partner into 3NT and the ♠3 was led, East judging to contribute the ♠8.
Kontromitros won and unblocked dummy’s diamond honours. When he then called for the ♥3,
Sven-Olai Høyland rose with the ♥A and returned the ♠K, declarer taking the ace.
The ♦10 was played to the queen and the key point of the deal had been reached. West was
down to ♥J98 ♣AJ87 and could beat the contract only by cashing the ♣A before returning a
heart to declarer’s bare king. East had not opened a weak 2♠, so declarer was likely to hold four
spades and six diamonds. If he had begun with two hearts and one club, cashing the ♣A would
be right. If instead he had started with three hearts and no clubs, it seemed that he would have
the contract anyway (five diamonds, two hearts and two spades).
West chose to return the ♥8 to the king and declarer cashed three diamond winners. West was
then endplayed with a club to give a trick not only to dummy’s stranded ♥Q but the accompa-
nying ♣K. Kontomitros inserted a satisfying +430 on his score-card.
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1NT Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT
All Pass
East led the ♠K, which was ducked. If he plays another spade now, it has to be the queen to beat
the contract. His actual continuation of the ♠9 ran to the jack. Declarer unblocked the diamonds
and finessed the ♠10. After a few rounds of diamonds, he led the ♥K and made an overtrick for

 Intermediate
no swing.
Our next board provided the biggest swing of the session:
♠ Q 10 3
♥ KJ6
♦ 10 6
♣ K7652
♠ 9874 N ♠ AJ 5
♥ A Q 10 7 4 ♥ 32
♦ 87 W E ♦ 943
♣ A4 S ♣ J 10 9 8 3
♠ K62
♥ 985
♦ AKQJ52
♣ Q
Open Room
– – – 1♦
1♥ 1NT Pass 3NT
All Pass
East faced an immediate problem: should he lead his suit or partner’s? With the ♠A as a certain
entry in his hand, he chose the ♣J. Right, he was over the first hurdle. A heart lead would have
allowed the game to be made. If West wins with the ♥A and switches to ace and another club,
declarer can simply finesse the ♥J for his ninth trick. If instead West ducks the first heart, declarer
can reach nine tricks by setting up a spade trick before a club.
Back at the table, West won the first trick with the ♣A and returned the ♣4, ducked to East’s
♣8. It was essential then for East to set up the defenders’ fifth trick by returning the ♣10, even
though this would allow to declarer to establish an extra club trick for himself. East chose to switch
to the ♠J and the game was made.
At the other table, after the same bidding, Konstantinos Doxiadis made no mistake. The first
two tricks were the same, but East then persisted with the ♣10 for one down. That was 12 IMPs
to Greece.
I have inspected the remainder of this session with my finest magnifying glass and could find
no further board that would justify your time in reading about it. Greece took the remaining seven
boards by 5 IMPs to 2 and led 23-4 with three sets of 14 boards still to be played.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/yaeaefvy
The name Papakyriakopoulos is too long for the bidding diagrams and so it will be represented by
Papa’poulos.

 Intermediate
Second Quarter
In the second session Greece had extended their lead to 40-10 when:
Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ AJ86
♥ 97
♦ 63
♣ J 10 9 8 6
♠ K Q 10 7 3 2 N ♠4
♥5 ♥ QJ32
♦ 52 W E ♦ AQ J 9 8 7
♣ AK 5 4 S ♣ Q3
♠ 95
♥ A K 10 8 6 4
♦ K 10 4
♣ 72
Open Room
Sa.Høyland Papa’poulos Sv.Høyland Filios
1♠ Pass 2♦ 2♥
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT All Pass
South led the king of hearts and when North followed with the seven he mysteriously switched
to the four of diamonds. Declarer won with the seven and cleared the diamonds, South winning
and switching to a spade – too late the hero as declarer was assured of nine tricks, +600.
Closed Room
1♠ Pass 2♦ 2♥
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT All Pass
South led the nine of spades and when declarer put up dummy’s queen North decided to duck
(it is clear to win and switch to the nine of hearts for three down). Declarer continued with a
diamond for the queen and king and South switched to the seven of clubs (I wonder if North
had given away the location of the ace of spades and South felt constrained not to continue the
suit?). Now declarer can cash out, but he won with dummy’s ace, blocking the clubs and played
a diamond to the seven. South won and now played a spade, North taking two tricks in the suit
before switching to a heart for +200 and 12 IMPs.
I confess I would have been tempted to double 3NT with North’s hand. Partner has made a
vulnerable overcall and you have both dummy’s suits under control. I suspect neither North did
so, fearing that it would ask for a heart lead. Little did they know that a low heart at trick one
would have led to an easy 800.
Heartened by their good fortune in both rooms the Norwegians managed to take the set 36-31.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y72ydhh6

 Intermediate
Third Quarter
Micke Melander takes up the story for session three:
Halfway through the match between Greece and the Highlanders the Greeks were up by 14
IMPs, leading 54-40.
♠ 983
♥ J5
♦ K6
♣ A K J 10 8 7
♠ 752 N ♠ 10 6 4
♥ 9642 ♥ A K 10 8 3
♦ 10 7 4 W E ♦ AQ 8 3
♣ 432 S ♣Q
♠ AKQJ
♥ Q7
♦ J952
♣ 965
Open Room
L Eide Koukouselis H Eide Kontomitros
– 1♣ 1♥ Double*
Pass 1♠ 2♦ 2♥*
Pass 3NT All Pass
In the Open Room Koukouselis thought jack-second in hearts was enough as a stopper in hearts,
only to discover that he was two down, when East started by cashing the first six tricks.
Closed Room
Filios S-O. Høyland Papa’poulos S-I. Høyland
– 1♣ 1♥ Double
Pass 1♠ Double Redouble
2♥ 3♣ Pass 3♥
Pass 3♠ All Pass
When the Highlanders realized that they didn’t have a stopper in hearts, they stopped in the bril-
liant Three Spades part-score. Actually, Four Spades was unbeatable since West didn’t have any
entry and the club queen behaved in a friendly fashion. In Four Spades I’m sure declarer would
have finessed on the second round if the queen had not dropped.
Against Three Spades East cashed the ace and king of hearts and exited with a trump. Declarer
won in dummy with the jack and immediately finessed in clubs. When that lost to the stiff queen,
another trump came back. Declarer now had the nine tricks he needed, and claimed.
So the Highlander’s won 6 IMPs on the first board, Greece still in the lead by 54-46.
South was then faced with a real problem. What’s your opening lead; with ♠KQ5 ♥J964 ♦92
♣10852 when the opponents has bid 1NT to the right and 3NT to the left?

 Intermediate
♠ 10 6 4 3 2
♥ Q 10 3
♦ 654
♣ A4
♠ J8 N ♠ A9 7
♥ 872 ♥ AK 5
♦ AK Q 7 W E ♦ J 10 8 3
♣ QJ96 S ♣ K73
♠ KQ5
♥ J964
♦ 92
♣ 10 8 5 2
Open Room & Closed Room
L Eide Koukouseli H Eide Kontomitro
– – 1NT Pass
3NT All Pass
Identical bidding in both rooms. Somewhat to my surprise both South players found the killing
lead of the king of spades, to defeat declarer by a trick.
On asking Sam-Inge Høyland why he had led like that, he confessed that he thought for a
good while at the table, but concluded that if West would have made an invitational call and East
raised to game he would have led a heart, looking for a more passive approach. When West raised
to game it could be urgent to set up tricks for the defense – and he couldn’t have been more spot
on with his analysis. Declarer stood no chance when spades did not break since he needed to set
up the clubs to be able to make his contract and North had the entry.
♠7
♥ AQJ543
♦ A974
♣ A 10
♠ K95432 N ♠ A J 10 6
♥6 ♥ K972
♦ Q8 W E ♦ J 10 3
♣ Q965 S ♣ 87
♠ Q8
♥ 10 8
♦ K652
♣ KJ432

 Intermediate
Open Room ♠ 7
♥ AQJ543
West North East South ♦ A974
L Eide Koukouselis H Eide Kontomitros ♣ A 10
– – Pass Pass ♠ K95432 N ♠ A J 10 6
♥ 6 ♥ K972
Pass 1♥ Pass 1NT W E
♦ Q8 ♦ J 10 3
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♦* ♣ Q965 S ♣ 87
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥ ♠ Q8
All Pass ♥ 10 8
2♣ Gazzilli ♦ K652
2♦ 8+ ♣ KJ432
A great bidding sequence to a very good contract, not even king-fourth against in trumps helped
the defence. The jack of diamonds was led; declarer won in hand with the ace, cashed the ace
of hearts and played a low heart towards the ten. East went up with the king and shifted to the
jack of spades, which held. When the ace of spades followed declarer ruffed, pulled trumps and
cashed the ace of clubs to finish it all off with the club finesse. 10 tricks were then in the bag and
420 to N/S.
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
2♦* 3♥ 3♠ All Pass
2♦ Multi
South was extremely passive when not bidding over
Three Spades. In standard bidding, his partner’s
Three Hearts ought to be a serious game try, and
with those values you simply have to raise. To make
things worse Three Spades was allowed to make.
South led a heart and North won and switched
to the ace of clubs and a club. A third round was
ruffed by North, but overruffed by declarer who
drew trumps. He could now pull trumps and dis-
card a diamond loser on the king of hearts.
11 IMPs to Greece, and a 65-47 lead.
Yankos Papakyrakopoulos

 Intermediate
♠ —
♥ K 10 5 3 2
♦ A J 10
♣ AQ843
♠ Q J 10 8 7 5 3 N ♠ K964
♥ 64 ♥8
♦— W E ♦ 98643
♣ KJ95 S ♣ 10 6 2
♠ A2
♥ AQJ97
♦ KQ752
♣7
Open Room
4♠ 4NT* 5♠ 5NT*
Pass 6♣ Pass 6♦
Pass 6♥ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
4NT Two-suited take-out
5NT Bid your lowest suit
West doubled for a diamond lead, which he got, to keep declarer to twelve tricks. Why South
didn’t redouble for blood when he knew that every IMP might count will have to remain a mys-
tery – though perhaps he feared a run-out to 6♠?. The sacrifice is after all relatively cheap. +1210
was of course a decent score, but with South declaring, N/S were cold for a grand slam in either
of the red suits or in NT so would it be enough?
Closed Room
4♠ Double Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♣ Pass 7♦
All Pass
4NT Two places to play
Here East never raised to Five Spades, leaving some space for the Norwegians. Seven Diamonds
wasn’t the dream contract to declare when trumps split 5-0 and again it’s a mystery – why on earth
didn’t North bid Seven Hearts when South ought to have shown a red two-suiter when jumping
to Seven Diamonds? His response – that the grand slam could be defeated on the ruff – might not
be convincing, but it is a powerful defence!
Filios led the queen of spades and declarer pitched a club and played a diamond to dummy’s
ace, discovering the bad break. He unblocked dummy’s diamonds, played a heart to the queen
drew trumps and took five rounds of hearts ending in hand. When the club finesse worked he
had +1440 and 6 IMPs to the Highlanders who were nonetheless still down 65-53.

 Intermediate
♠ 64
♥ 75
♦ K 10 9 8 7 6 3
♣ 86
♠ K J 10 7 2 N ♠ A9 8
♥ A 10 3 ♥ J842
♦ QJ W E ♦ A2
♣ Q 10 9 S ♣ J432
♠ Q53
♥ KQ96
♦ 54
♣ AK75
Open Room
– – Pass 1♣
1♠ Pass 2♣* Pass
2NT Pass 3NT All Pass
With two balanced hands it was right this time to avoid playing game in spades on the 5-3 fit.
North led a diamond and when the jack took the first trick, declarer played a spade to the ace
and finessed South for the queen. Declarer cashed the remaining spades and exited with a club
to South’s king. Declarer won the return of the king of hearts with the ace and fired back the ten
of hearts. There was nothing the defence could do to prevent nine tricks and +600.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♣
1♠ Pass 2♣* Pass
2NT Pass 3♠ All Pass
Four Spades would have been mission impossible, since the defence could have kicked off with
ace and king of clubs and a club ruff and at some point would have had to get a heart trick. So
what about Three Spades?
Three rounds of clubs were played – the third ruffed by North. So far so good. North shifted
to the seven of hearts, which went to the queen and West’s ace. Declarer then played a spade to
the ace and called for the eight of spades. The moment of truth had arrived -declarer played the
king but when no queen was seen he was down. That was 12 IMPs to the Highlanders who were
suddenly in the lead by 67-65.
Some minor exchanges meant the score was 68-68 – with one set to go.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y72ydhh6

 Intermediate
Fourth Quarter
Jos Jacobs was the man following play in the final set:
After the first 42 boards of the Open Teams final, both sides were once again perfectly balanced
with the scores tied at 68-68. So one might as well say that the Greeks and the Norwegians were
contesting a 14-board final at the moment this last segment got underway.
Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ 10 7 6 2
♥—
♦ K
♣ A J 10 9 6 5 4 2
♠ AK J 3 N ♠5
♥ 10 7 6 2 ♥ AK Q 4
♦ J652 W E ♦ A9 8 4 3
♣3 S ♣ Q87
♠ Q984
♥ J9853
♦ Q 10 7
♣K
Open Room
L Eide Papa’poulos H Eide Filios
Pass 5♣ Double All Pass
When East led the king of hearts, and three down doubled looked to be a good sacrifice – assum-
ing E/W could make a vulnerable game. Highlanders +500.
Closed Room
Kontomitros Sv Høyland Koukouselis Sa Høyland
Pass 1♣ 1♦ Double*
2NT* 3♣ 3♥ Pass
3♠ Pass 3NT Double
4♦ Pass 5♦ All Pass
South’s double explicitly showed hearts and 2NT promised diamond support. When East rebid
3NT, Sam Inge Høyland offered him a reverse Greek gift by doubling the only game contract
that was cold for E/W. West accepted the gift by running to 4♦. When East, after a long hud-
dle, raised to 5♦, it was up to N/S to find the killing defence of a heart by South before declarer
could draw trumps.
Had North doubled, South might have found the “perfect defence” of leading a low heart,
ruffed by North, a club back to South’s king and another heart on which North would have had
no trumps left, so the actual defence of the ♣K lead on which North played the two, followed by
the heart shift for a ruff by North, was more than adequate. Highlanders another +100 and 12
IMPs to them instead of 3 IMPs away – a swing of 15 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ 74
♥ AQ43
♦ J94
♣ 10 7 4 2
♠ A K J 10 9 8 N ♠ 532
♥ KJ2 ♥ 10
♦ AQ W E ♦ K 10 8 2
♣ K8 S ♣ AQ J 6 5
♠ Q6
♥ 98765
♦ 7653
♣ 93
Open Room
– Pass Pass Pass
2♣* Pass 2NT Pass
3♠ Pass 4♥* Pass
4NT* Pass 5♣* Pass
5♦* Pass 5♠* Pass
6♠ All Pass
4♥ Splinter
4NT RKCB
5♣ 1 keycard
5♦ ♠Q ?
5♠ No
As East’s 2NT had already promised a fair hand, West opted for the spade slam although he knew
that the trump queen was missing. As it happened, 12 tricks were there without a guess in the
trump suit. On a club lead, West made all the tricks for a score of +1010 to Highlanders.
Closed Room
– Pass 2♠* Pass
3NT All Pass
Over the 2♠ opening bid (minors and less than an opening bid), West bid what he thought he
could make so the slightly odds-in favour slam stayed out of sight. (you can negotiate 4-0 trumps
onside as well as the 2-2 breaks and singleton queens.) On a low heart lead, Kontomitros also
made all 13 tricks but lost 10 IMPs in the process.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 8 6 4
♥ 96
♦ 53
♣ KQ963
♠ KQ5 N ♠ AJ 3
♥ AJ 7 5 3 ♥ 842
♦ K6 W E ♦ J 10 9 4
♣ A 10 2 S ♣ J85
♠ 972
♥ K Q 10
♦ AQ872
♣ 74
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
1NT All Pass
When South did not open his hand, West chose 1NT (15-17) as his opening bid and there it
rested. Even when holding J109x in a suit, 7 HCP are not quite enough for a raise. North led a
spade to dummy’s jack, heart to the king and ace and a heart back to South’s ten. When South
returned the ♦2 rather than a club, declarer could win the ♦6 and clear the hearts. South won his
♥Q and when he cashed his ♦AQ, declarer had nine tricks. Highlanders +150.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♦
Double 2♣ Pass Pass
2♥ Pass 3♦ Double
3NT All Pass
When South opened the bidding, West showed his strong hand by doubling first and then rebidding
his hearts. East did well to enquire with 3♦ and then pass the alternative game contract of 3NT.
On this auction, North led the ♦5 to the nine and South’s ace. South returned a club which
went to North’s queen and back came another diamond to declarer’s king. From here, declarer
could cross to dummy twice to lead hearts, restricting his losses in the suit to just one. Four hearts,
three spade tricks and a trick in each minor gave him a comfortable nine tricks and 10 IMPs to
reduce the Greeks’ deficit to 12.
Greece picked up 3 IMPs on overtricks so when we arrived at the last board of the final, the
score stood at 93-84 to Highlanders.

 Intermediate
♠ AQJ
♥ AJ943
♦ A K 10 3
♣ A
♠7 N ♠ K 10 9 5 4 3
♥ KQ108762 ♥ —
♦ 84 W E ♦ 752
♣ K72 S ♣ 9843
♠ 862
♥5
♦ QJ96
♣ Q J 10 6 5
Open Room
4♥ All Pass
Now what should North do over this 4♥ opening bid, first in hand? Rumours are that the tension
was too high for North, playing the last hand of a European final. If these rumours are correct,
his pass instead of a double, is understandable.
Had he doubled, South would no doubt have tried 4NT which would have led to North rebid-
ding 6♦ and a reasonable chance of picking up a slam swing on the board with the European title
as a consequence of it.
When he passed and collected 300 at a rate of 50 per trick, Greece could do little else than wait
for the other room to finish play, as they were well ahead of them at this point. Any reasonable
plus score to Greece at the other table, might give them either the match or the shoot-out extra
board(s).
As 6♦ would be an easy enough make, declarer being able to ruff away West’s ♣K for no los-
ers in the suit, it was quite unlikely that N/S would go minus in the replay.
It became even more unlikely when West opened just 3♥. Now the Highlanders could stick
once again to their effective rule of bidding what you think you can make.
Closed Room
3♥ 3NT All Pass
When Sven-Olai Høyland simply bid 3NT over 3♥, it was all over. East led a spade, so declarer
won the jack, cashed the ♣A and crossed in diamonds to establish the clubs. Eleven tricks and
+660 to Highlanders for an 8 IMP swing to make the final score 101-84 to them – the worthy
new Open European Team Champions.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y7ew4lb6

 Intermediate
The Women’s Teams
A small but powerful field set out in search of the title.
Microscopy
The science of investigating small objects and structures
When you are playing with a brand new partner it is inevitable that you will spend some time
sorting out your bidding agreements. Some pairs like to keep the discussion to a minimum, while
others are happy to consider all sorts of minutiae.
Having formed a partnership very much at the last minute Jovi Smederevac and Matilda Pop-
lilov discussed a number of sequences, one of which was:
1♥ 2♥* Double 3♣
2♥ Michaels
Where Jovi proposed that 3♣ be to play as opposed to ‘Pass or correct.’
“Does that come up often?” enquired Matilda.
Cue this deal from Round 3 of the Women’s Teams:
Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠3
♥ K 10 9 3
♦2
♣ K J 10 8 5 4 2
♠ Q 10 2 N ♠ AK J 8
♥ A7 4 ♥ QJ8652
♦ AQ 4 3 W E ♦ 876
♣ Q76 S ♣—
♠ 97654
♥—
♦ K J 10 9 5
♣ A93
Open Room
Gromann Smederevac Wenning Pollilov
– Pass 1♥ 2♥*
Double 3♣ 3♠ 4♣
4♥ 5♣ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
East cashed a top spade and switched to a diamond for the nine and queen. Declarer ruffed the
spade return, crossed to dummy with the ace of clubs, played the king of diamonds covered by
the ace and ruffed, ruffed a heart and played winning diamonds for a delightful +750 and 12
IMPs when compared with 5♥down one (it could have been made).
5♣ can be defeated if East switches to a heart at trick two, removing one of dummy’s trumps.
It might be possible to defeat it even if East fails to find the killing switch at trick two! Imagine
West wins the first round of diamonds with the ace! Now declarer will surely play to ruff out queen
third of diamonds in the East hand.

 Intermediate
These squads made it through to the quarter-finals:
Dutch Women Carla Arnolds, Magdalena Ticha, Wietske Van Zwol, Martine Verbeek,
Alex Van Reenen Cpt, Hans Kelder Coach
Norden Nadia Bekkouche, Tonje A Brogeland, Virginia Chediak (Cpt),
Stine Holmoy, Maria Marit Rahelt, Ranja Sivertsvik
Baker Lynn Baker (Cpt), Karen Mccallum, Marion Michielsen, Meike Wortel,
Hayman Grazyna Brewiak, Katarzyna Dufrat, Jessica Hayman, Danuta Kazmucha,
Anna Sarniak, Justyna Zmuda
China Ladies Yan Huang, Yan Liu, Yan Lu, Qi Shen, Nan Wang, Wen Fei Wang, Xiaojing Wang Cpt
Caviar Tatiana Dikhnova, Tatiana Ponomareva, Diana Rakhmani, Maria Yakovleva
Denmark Red Lone Bilde, Tina Ege, Stense Farholt, Helle Rasmussen, Bo Loenberg Bilde Cpt
Orange Women Merel Bruijnsteen, Laura Dekkers, Jet Pasman, Anneke Simons,
Alex Van Reenen Cpt, Hans Kelder Coach
Barry Rigal watched the first half of the semi-final between Denmark Red & China L:
The Danish pairs had dominated the Butler scoring in the women’s event, during the qualifica-
tion. After a very close match against a strong Dutch team, they had advanced to the semi-final to
meet a Chinese team who had disposed of a Russian squad comfortably enough in the quarter-finals.
On what was a relatively quiet set of deals I thought both teams played remarkably tight bridge.
♠ KQ97
♥ 10 6
♦ K Q 10 6
♣ K86
♠ A8 4 3 N ♠ 10 6 5
♥ AK Q 3 2 ♥ J854
♦3 W E ♦ A7 4
♣ 542 S ♣ J 10 7
♠ J2
♥ 97
♦ J9852
♣ AQ93
Open Room
Huang Rasmussen Wang Bilde
– 1♣* Pass 1♠*
2♥ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♥ All Pass
1♣ 2+♣
1♠ No major
Par on the board is for E/W to bid on to 3♥ over 3♦, but as Edgar Kaplan said: “We lost the Club
suit in the 1950s. Now Diamonds are gone and Hearts are sinking fast.”
Nobody ‘bid’ diamonds, and while Huang’s 4♥ call looks highly aggressive, 3♥ was booked for
down one so it hardly cost to turn -50 into -100.

 Intermediate
Closed Room
Ege Lu Farholt Liu
– 1♦* Pass 1NT
Double Pass 2♥ 2NT
All Pass
In this room South was looking for minors, but her partner wasn’t tuned in properly. The defend-
ers had seven tricks fairly painlessly and Denmark led 5-0.
The Danish defenders cashed out correctly to add 2 IMPs, then added another part-score swing here:
♠ J62
♥ 94
♦ K 10 8 6
♣ 9876
♠ A K 10 9 7 5 N ♠ Q843
♥ K53 ♥ J762
♦ QJ7 W E ♦ 93
♣K S ♣ Q 10 2
♠—
♥ A Q 10 8
♦ A542
♣ AJ543
Open Room
– – – 1♣
Pass 2♣ 2♠ 3♣
3♠ All Pass
North led the ♥9 and when she was allowed to win with the king Huang played a trump to the
queen at trick two to play a low club. Bilde hopped up with the ace, and played three rounds of
hearts, and that let Rasmussen score her ♠J. She chose to exit with a trump, so declarer managed
to hold the loss to down one.
Closed Room
Ege Lu Farholt Liu
– – – 1♦*
1♠ Pass 2♠ Double
3♠ All Pass
1♦ Precision
Trick one was identical, but Ege drew three rounds of trumps ending in dummy to play a club to
the king. Now she had nine tricks, 5 IMPs and a 13-0 lead for Denmark.

 Intermediate
♠ Q842
♥ Q
♦ K Q 10
♣ A K 10 7 3
♠ 73 N ♠ J965
♥ K J 10 5 4 ♥ 98632
♦ 87 W E ♦ J96
♣ 9542 S ♣ Q
♠ A K 10
♥ A7
♦ A5432
♣ J86
Open Room
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♣
Pass 4♦ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♣
All Pass
1♠ No major
A workmanlike sequence saw Bilde set clubs as trumps and then use Keycard and settle for small
slam facing Rasmussen’s emaciated reverse. After a diamond lead declarer cashed one top trump
and claimed 13 tricks.
In the other room N/S reached the unappetising spot of 6NT on a low heart lead and when
West produced the ♥K declarer needed either both spades and diamonds to break or the club
queen to behave. All was well today, and China collected 2 IMPs to open their account.
Open Teams Gold Medal Winners: Highlanders: Harald Eide, Sven Olai
Hoyland, Lars Eide, Sam Inge Hoyland

 Intermediate
♠ 982
♥ QJ9854
♦ 64
♣ 93
♠ A 10 6 4 N ♠J
♥ 10 2 ♥6
♦ Q 10 9 8 7 W E ♦ AK J 5 3 2
♣ 85 S ♣ A Q 10 4 2
♠ KQ753
♥ AK73
♦—
♣ KJ76
Open Room
– – – 1♠
Pass 1NT* 2NT* 3♥
5♦ 5♥ 6♦ Double
All Pass
1NT Forcing
2NT Minors
6♦x lost the obvious two tricks, -100.
Closed Room
Ege Lu Farholt Liu
– – – 1♣*
Pass 1♦* 2NT* 3♣
5♦ 5♥ All Pass
1♣ Precision
1♦ Negative
2NT Minors
5♥ on the lead of the ♦A was in with a shout. Declarer ruffs high, leads a trump to hand, and a
club to the jack. Now a trump to hand for another club play and Bob’s your Uncle! When declarer
missed that play, the defence could always prevail, so long as East ducked the ♣A, and West the
♠A at their first turn. That was a sweaty 4 IMPs to the Danes, now up 17-8.

 Intermediate
♠ KQJ2
♥ 983
♦ 6
♣ KJ982
♠ 754 N ♠6
♥ A 10 7 5 4 ♥ QJ
♦ A Q 10 W E ♦ K9732
♣ 10 3 S ♣ AQ 7 5 4
♠ A 10 9 8 3
♥ K62
♦ J854
♣6
Open Room
– – 1♦* 1♠
Double* 4♠ Pass Pass
Double Pass 5♣ Pass
5♦ All Pass
1♦ Precision
5♦ was cold even against the bad trump break. Huang ruffed the second spade and led the ♥J cov-
ered all round. Huang unblocked hearts and now needed to play ♦K and a diamond up to cover
all her bases. Instead she led a diamond to dummy, and then, after much thought, a third heart.
When it lived she might well have reasoned that for her jump to 4♠ North needed a singleton.
Instead she led a trump to the ♦K and when the bad break came to light she could no longer take
her discards on the hearts. She needed to lead winning hearts from dummy first, before taking
the second trump.
Closed Room
Ege Lu Farholt Liu
– – 1♦ 1♠
Double 2♦ 3♣ Pass
3♦ 3♠ All Pass
The two Norths took very contrasting approaches. Lu’s worked far better when the defenders
missed the route to cash out after the club lead. +140 was a huge position, but proved to be worth
only a single IMP to China, down 22-9 at the half.
They lost the second half 19-31 and Denmark Red advanced to the final, where they would
face Baker, who squeezed past Dutch Women 76-70.

 Intermediate
First Quarter
David Bird covered the first session of the final:
Denmark Red had beaten two very powerful teams to reach the final. Even so, they must have
started as underdogs against an all-star Baker team (USA/Netherlands). If so, nobody told them.
They played a blinder in the first of four 14-board sessions. Roland Wald and I were watching in
the Closed Room.
♠ 10
♥ AK65
♦ AJ9642
♣ K6
♠ KQ863 N ♠ J75
♥ QJ432 ♥7
♦— W E ♦ KQ83
♣ Q 10 3 S ♣ J7542
♠ A942
♥ 10 9 8
♦ 10 7 5
♣ A98
Closed Room
Michielsen Farholt Wortel Ege
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♦ Pass 4♣
Pass 4NT Pass 5♥
Pass 6♦ All Pass
The diamond game was a good contract, albeit one that would meet a hostile trump break. Six
Diamonds was too much. Declarer had a very likely heart loser and at least one trump loser, in
fact more than that. The club lead was won in dummy and the ♦10 drew a depressing discard
from West. The slam eventually drifted three down and North/South had to hope that 5♦ would
fail at the other table.
Open Room
L.Bilde McCallum Rasmussen Baker
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
2♥ 3♦ All Pass
The 2♥ overcall worked in North/South’s favour and they stopped in 3♦. A heart lead allowed
declarer to pick up that suit and +130 was scored for an early 7 IMP swing.

 Intermediate
♠ J 10 4 3
♥ A52
♦ K
♣ A9874
♠ Q8 N ♠ AK 7 2
♥ J94 ♥ KQ7
♦ J 10 7 6 5 3 2 W E ♦ Q4
♣5 S ♣ K Q J 10
♠ 965
♥ 10 8 6 3
♦ A98
♣ 632
Closed Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ Double Pass
1♦ Pass 1NT Pass
2♦ All Pass
Meike Wortel had the chance to express her strength at the one-level and Marion Michielsen ended
in a comfortable 2♦. She won the ♠J lead and ditched her club loser on a third round of the suit.
Only two trumps and a heart had to be lost and that was +130. Perhaps they would reach 3NT
at the other table. Let’s see.
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ Double 1♥
2♦ Double 3NT All Pass
I assume that Karen McCallum’s double showed 3-card support for hearts. A heart lead would beat
the contract, since North would win the first round of diamonds and clear the suit. The defend-
ers would score two hearts, two diamonds and the ♣A.
Lynn Baker led a club to partner’s ace and this was not necessarily fatal. If McCallum could
read the lead, she could switch to hearts in time ‒ or indeed to a spade, to remove dummy’s side
entry. Can you sense a ‘but’ coming? The problem was that Baker had led the ♣2, low from three
small, and it seemed quite possible to North that the lead might be from ♣Q-6-3-2 (declarer had
played the ♣10 on the first trick.
McCallum persevered with clubs, returning the ♣4, and the game was home. Declarer had
time to set up the diamond suit and reach the winners with the ♠Q. That was 11 IMPs to Den-
mark instead of 6 IMPs the other way.

 Intermediate
♠ 7
♥ Q
♦ AKJ5
♣ A K 10 8 7 3 2
♠ J952 N ♠ 10 4 3
♥ KJ954 ♥ 8732
♦ 10 6 W E ♦ 983
♣ 95 S ♣ QJ6
♠ AKQ86
♥ A 10 6
♦ Q742
♣ 4
Closed Room
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♥* Pass 3♠
Pass 4♣* Pass 4♥*
Pass 4NT* Pass 5♠*
Pass 7♦ All Pass
North might have stretched to a RKCB bid on the third round. She sought reassurance and bid
it two rounds later. Two key-cards and the ♦Q would do nicely, thank you, and 7♦ was duly
reached. The ♦3 was led to the 4, 6 and ace. What was the best line of play to survive against a
4-1 break in one of the minors?
It seemed to me that survival was unlikely (although not impossible) against a 4-1 club break.
On that basis declarer should perhaps play the ♣A and ruff a club low. If clubs broke 3-2, she
could then draw trumps and land the slam against a 4-1 trump break.
Farholt continued with a trump to the queen and a third trump to the ace. Ace of clubs and
a club ruff then allowed her to claim the slam. On this line of play, she would have gone down
against a 4-1 break in either minor.
Open Room
2♥* 2♠* Pass 3NT
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦
Pass 4NT Pass 5♠
Pass 6♠ Pass 7♦
All Pass
Lone Bilde opened with a modified Ekren 2♥, showing both majors. The Americans then did
wonderfully well to reach 7♦. McCallum’s 6♠ asked South to select a minor for the grand slam.
Baker won the spade lead and played the ♦AK. She then played the ♣A and ruffed a club with the
♦Q. Once again, this line of play would have failed against a 4-1 minor-suit break. The favour-
able divisions in both minors meant that it was a push in +2140.

 Intermediate
Michielsen had a bidding problem on our last deal. Look only at the West cards and decide
what action you would have taken? (East’s double is for take-out).
Board 14 Dealer East. Neither Vul.
♠ J982
♥ 7
♦ 87
♣ AKJ952
♠ AK Q N ♠ 10 7 6 4
♥ 10 9 8 4 ♥ AK 6 3
♦ KQ6 W E ♦ J 10 5 3 2
♣ Q 10 8 S ♣—
♠ 53
♥ QJ52
♦ A94
♣ 7643
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
1NT 3♣ Double Pass
?
West’s options are Pass, 3♥ and 3NT. Bidding 3♥ has much to commend it. If partner then says
3♠, you can bid 3NT. Michielsen opted to pass for penalties and must have wilted somewhat
when the dummy appeared. The contract could not be beaten and the Danes capped their excel-
lent session with a further +470.
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
1NT 3♣ Double 4♣
4♥ All Pass
Lone Bilde reached 4♥. Would she be able to survive the 4-1 break? She ruffed the ♣A lead and
saw that she would have to set up the diamond suit while there were still trumps out. She played
a diamond to the queen, winning the trick. One successful line now was to cross to the ♥A before
playing another diamond. In that way she would avoid losing three trump tricks (one to North
and two to South).
Declarer chose to ruff the ♣10 with the ♥6 instead. She played the ♥A and it was still possible
to land ten tricks by reverting to diamonds. No, She played the ♥K and was then two down. It
was still a handsome 9 IMPs to Denmark Red, who took the first set by 38 IMPs to 10.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y75trrze

 Intermediate
Second Quarter
♠ 97
♥ A Q J 10 3
♦ 54
♣ AK43
♠ K J 10 6 N ♠ Q543
♥ K4 ♥ 92
♦ Q 10 9 7 6 W E ♦ AK J 8 3
♣ Q2 S ♣ J6
♠ A82
♥ 8765
♦2
♣ 10 9 8 7 5
Open Room
Ege McCallum Farholt Baker
– – – Pass
1♦ 1♥ Double* 3♥
3♠ 4♣ 4♠ 5♣
All Pass
Make what you will of South’s decision to play in clubs rather than hearts.
East cashed the ace of diamonds and switched to the four of spades, but with trumps 2-2 and
the ♥K onside there were eleven tricks, +600.
Closed Room
Michielsen Rasmussen Wortel Bilde
– – – Pass
1♣* 1♥ Double* 4♥
4♠ All Pass
1♣ 2+♣, 12-14 (11-13/14 nv) bal, no 5M or (17) 18-19 bal, no 5M or 11-21 4+♣
Clubs were not in the picture here, but should someone have bid 5♥?
North cashed the ace of clubs and when South followed with the ten she continued with the
ace of hearts (hard to find an immediate diamond switch that should lead to three down) and
then played a diamond. Declarer won with dummy’s ace and played a spade, South hopping up
with the ace and returning the five of clubs, North winning and giving her partner a diamond
ruff for two down, +100 but 11 IMPs for Baker.

 Intermediate
♠ Q864
♥ 5
♦ AKJ3
♣ 9632
♠9 N ♠ A3
♥ AK Q 9 6 ♥ J 10 8 7 4 3
♦ Q872 W E ♦ 10 5
♣ Q 10 8 S ♣ AJ 5
♠ K J 10 7 5 2
♥ 2
♦ 964
♣ K74
Open Room
– – 2♥* 2♠
2NT* 3♥ Pass 4♠
5♥ All Pass
2♥ 6♥,10-12
2NT Heart support
Declarer could not avoid the loss of two diamonds and a club, -50.
Closed Room
– – 2♥* Pass
4♥ All Pass
2♥ 10-13, 6(7)♥
Should South have overcalled 2♠? Might North have doubled 4♥?
It was worth 10 IMPs for Baker.
On Board 20 E/W reached 4♥ after N/S had competed in spades, the auction starting 1♦-(1♥)-
1♠. South was on lead with ♠K98532 ♥Q98 ♦— ♣10632. At both tables a spade left declarer
in control. A club would have allowed partner, holding ♣AK94 to win and be in with a shout of
finding the diamond return needed to allow you to score two ruffs. Not impossible especially if
you hate leading away from a king (even when partner has supported your suit).

 Intermediate
♠ 8
♥ AQJ8764
♦ A5
♣ Q54
♠ Q762 N ♠ 10 9 3
♥ K 10 5 3 ♥2
♦ 83 W E ♦ K Q J 10 6 2
♣ 10 7 6 S ♣ AJ 2
♠ AKJ54
♥ 9
♦ 974
♣ K983
Open Room
– 1♥ 3♦ 3♠
Pass 4♥ All Pass
East led the king of diamonds and declarer won with the ace, played a spade to the ace, pitched her
losing diamond on the king of spades and tabled the nine of hearts. Given East’s overcall there is
a case for running it, but that is a tough play to make and declarer put in the queen. (In isolation
the odds play for six tricks is to go up with the ace and continue with the queen which delivers
6 tricks just over 79% of the time.) When East discarded on the ace of hearts declarer could not
avoid the loss of two hearts and two clubs, -100.
Closed Room
– 1♥ 2♦ 2♠
Pass 4♥ All Pass
The early play was identical. After taking the heart finesse and laying down the ace declarer played
the four of clubs. For reasons known only to herself East went up with the ace, gifting Denmark
Red 12 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 8 6
♥ 53
♦ K J 10 6 4
♣ K73
♠ A4 3 N ♠ QJ7
♥ 10 7 6 2 ♥ 984
♦ 87 W E ♦ Q932
♣ A5 4 2 S ♣ Q 10 6
♠ K952
♥ AKQJ
♦ A5
♣ J98
Open Room
Pass 2♦* Pass 2NT*
Pass 3NT All Pass
2♦ 3-9, 5+♦
2NT Modified Ogust
West led the six of hearts and declarer won with the ace, cashed the ace of diamonds and played a
diamond to the jack. East won and returned the eight of hearts and declarer won and could have
got home easily by cashing two more hearts and then playing a club, hoping for a well-placed ace.
However, having won with the king of hearts she made the strange play of a spade to the eight,
East winning with the jack and returning a third heart (not best, but it is difficult to divine declar-
er’s intention). Declarer won with the queen and played a club – having forgotten to cash the ♥J!
She won with dummy’s king and cashed the king of diamonds on which West discarded the ace
of clubs! Declarer, realising that if she cashed two more diamonds her hand would be squeezed
tried a spade to the nine and ace, but West exited with a spade and after winning with the king
and cashing a heart declarer had to lead into East’s ♣Q10 – one down.
Closed Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♣*
Pass 1♠* Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
1♣ 10-13 or 17-19 or natural
1♠ Diamonds
Here too West led a heart (I doubt anyone would find the essential club after this sequence) and
declarer won and went after the diamonds, East winning the second round with the queen and
switching to the jack of spades, covered by the king and ace. West returned a spade and when
East won with the queen declarer could claim, +400 and 10 IMPs to Denmark Red who won
the set 42-29 to lead 80-39.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/yak4dq6g

 Intermediate
Third Quarter
Trailing by 41 IMPs, Baker needed to make a move:
♠ 10
♥ 10 8
♦ K Q 10 7 5 3 2
♣ AK6
♠ KQ6 N ♠ A7 5 3 2
♥ AK 4 ♥ J32
♦ 84 W E ♦ A9
♣ Q 10 9 7 2 S ♣ J43
♠ J984
♥ Q9765
♦ J6
♣ 85
Open Room
Bilde McCallum Rasmussen Baker
– 1♦ 1♠ Double*
2♥ 3♦ Pass Pass
Double Pass 3♠ Pass
Pass 4♦ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
South’s emaciated double was a contributory factor in North’s decision to contest the part-score.
East started with the ace of spades and when her partner followed with the six she accurately
switched to the ace of diamonds and a diamond. With little hope declarer overtook dummy’s
jack and started running her trumps. On the fifth round West threw the queen of spades -no
harm done – and on the penultimate diamond she continued the good work by throwing the
king. However, on the last diamond she unaccountably parted with the ace of hearts (East had
already disposed of the ♥J) leaving herself with the singleton king. Declarer played a heart and
the dormant dummy had come back to life,providing a parking place for the losing club, +510.
Closed Room
– 1♦ 1♠ Double
2♦* 3♦ Pass Pass
3♠ All Pass
2♦ Spade support
South led the jack of diamonds and when North erroneously followed with the two, declarer
won (ducking breaks up the defensive communications) with the ace and played two rounds of
spades, getting the bad news when North pitched the three of diamonds. She continued with
the two of clubs and North went up with the king, cashed the king of diamonds and must now
continue diamonds, enabling South to ruff, put North in with a club and score the ♠J en passant.

 Intermediate
When she played the eight of hearts declarer won with dummy’s king. Now the winning line is to
play two rounds of trumps. South wins, but must then either help declarer to establish the clubs
while the ♥A is still an entry, or surrender a heart trick by leading into the split tenace. However,
declarer played a second club and North won with the ace and had only to play her remaining
heart to establish a fifth trick for the defence. This debacle was completed when North returned
a club and South’s ruff was the defenders’ last trick. +140 meant Baker had recovered 12 IMPs.
♠ AK85
♥ A3
♦ 10 7 4
♣ K542
♠6 N ♠ Q7
♥ Q754 ♥ K J 10 9 6
♦ A9 5 3 2 W E ♦ J86
♣ Q96 S ♣ J 10 8
♠ J 10 9 4 3 2
♥ 82
♦ KQ
♣ A73
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠
4♦* Pass 4♥ All Pass
4♦ Fit jump
It would have been quite a stretch for North to bid 4♠ over 4♥, but South must have been tempted
to bid 4♠. To get the maximum against 4♥ N/S need to find their diamond ruff – they didn’t
manage it here so they had to be content with +100 for two down.
Closed Room
– – 2♦* Pass
2♥* Double Pass 4♠
5♥ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
2♦ Multi: weak major/ GF with ♦/ 24/25+ bal. five-card major possible when non-vul,
Solid weak 2’s vul, light/wild non-vul
2♥ Pass or correct
Here too it proved too difficult to find the maximal defence, but three down was +500 and Den-
mark Red had recovered most of the IMPs that had been lost on the previous deal.

 Intermediate
♠ KJ83
♥ AKQJ953
♦ —
♣ 32
♠ Q762 N ♠ 954
♥— ♥ 10 7 6 4 2
♦ 97632 W E ♦ J84
♣ K Q 10 9 S ♣ AJ
♠ A 10
♥ 8
♦ A K Q 10 5
♣ 87654
Open Room
– – – 1♦
Pass 2♥* Pass 2♠*
Pass 3♥* Pass 4♥
Pass 4♠* Pass 5♦*
Pass 5♥ All Pass
North’s jump shift was a three-way bid and after South’s artificial waiting response of 2♠ she
showed a solid suit with 5+ controls (in theory 8/9 tricks with a side ace). The subsequent cue-
bidding made it clear that there was no club control, and when the defenders started with three
rounds of clubs declarer ruffed the third round high, finishing two down, -100.
If South had bid 4♦ over 3♥ North would presumably have inferred that there was no club
control, allowing the partnership to stop at a safe level.
Closed Room
– – – 1♦
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
1♣ 4+♣, 10+ or 10-13 balanced or 17-19 balanced
East led the four of spades and declarer took West queen with the king and played very safely,
continuing with five rounds of hearts, East winning and switching to clubs, +420 and 11 IMPs
to Denmark Red.

 Intermediate
♠ A82
♥ 962
♦ A 10 8 5
♣ K 10 3
♠ KJ97 N ♠ 10 6 4 3
♥ Q4 ♥ J 10 8 7
♦ KQ94 W E ♦ J732
♣ 987 S ♣Q
♠ Q5
♥ AK53
♦ 6
♣ AJ6542
Open Room
1♣* Pass 1♦* 2♣
Pass 2♥* All Pass
1♣ 4+♣,10+ or 10-13 balanced/semi-balanced or 17-19 balanced, 5♦/5♥/♠ OK.
1♦ ♥, 0+
Clearly North’s 2♥ was intended as forcing, looking for a heart stopper, but South was not on the
same wavelength. It was not difficult to take ten tricks in hearts, +170.
Closed Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♣
Pass 1♦ Pass 1♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass
East led the four of spades for the queen, king and ace and declarer continued with the king of
clubs, +630 and a very welcome 10 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ K96
♥ J 10 9 5
♦ K62
♣ Q75
♠ A8 7 N ♠ J 10
♥ KQ8632 ♥A
♦ 10 W E ♦ AJ 8 7 5
♣ J 10 8 S ♣ A9 4 3 2
♠ Q5432
♥ 74
♦ Q943
♣ K6
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass
North found the only practical lead to trouble declarer, the six of spades (the king also works!) and
declarer took South’s queen with the ace, crossed to the ace of hearts, cashed the ace of diamonds,
ruffed a diamond and played her top hearts, South pitching the two of spades on the third round.
Declarer ran the jack of clubs and South won and returned the five of spades, North winning with
the king, cashing the jack of hearts, South throwing the nine of diamonds, and then, incredibly,
switching to the king of diamonds, allowing declarer to ruff and play on clubs, disposing of her
losing spade. Clearly all the players were tired.
As to the play, declarer might have considered ducking the first spade – it would have been
tempting for South to switch to a trump rather than return an essential spade, the point being
that if declarer allows the defenders to gain the lead a third spade promotes a second trump trick
for North.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
2♥* Pass 2NT* Pass
3♣* Pass 3♥ All Pass
2♥ 10-13 with 6/7 card suit
2NT Invitational plus relay
It looks as if 3♣ promised a minimum and East decided to sign off. North led the jack of hearts
and declarer won perforce with dummy’s ace, cashed the ace of diamonds, ruffed a diamond and
tried the top hearts. She pitched two of dummy’s clubs on those, so she should have been held to
nine tricks, but when South came in with the king of clubs she played a spade and North won
with the king and returned the nine, making declarer a present of the eight, +170 but another 10
IMP pick up, advancing Denmark Red’s lead to 60 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ Q J 10 9 7
♥ 73
♦ J74
♣ J63
♠ 64 N ♠ 53
♥ A6 4 ♥ QJ52
♦ 10 8 6 2 W E ♦ AQ 9 5 3
♣ A7 5 2 S ♣ 84
♠ AK82
♥ K 10 9 8
♦ K
♣ K Q 10 9
Open Room
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
East led the eight of clubs and West won with the ace and returned the seven. That meant declarer
could win, draw trumps and dispose of a heart on the fourth round of clubs,+420.
Closed Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♣*
Pass 1♠ Double 2NT*
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
East led the queen of hearts and the defenders took the first four tricks, West switching to a dia-
mond at trick two, East winning, cashing a heart and playing a club, +50 and 10 badly needed
IMPs.

 Intermediate
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ 10 7 5
♥ A Q 10 9 6 5
♦—
♣ AK74
♠ K93 N ♠ Q842
♥ KJ3 ♥ 7
♦ A5 2 W E ♦ KQJ9864
♣ QJ92 S ♣ 5
♠ AJ6
♥ 842
♦ 10 7 3
♣ 10 8 6 3
Open Room
– 1♥ 2♦ 2♥
3NT 4♥ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
East led the five of clubs and declarer took West’s nine with the king, cashed the ace of hearts and
played a spade for the jack and king. West tried the ace of diamonds, but declarer ruffed, played
a spade to the ace and a heart, West taking the king and making the helpful return of the queen
of clubs, that enabled declarer to escape for one down, -200.
Closed Room
Michielsen Farholt Wortel Eide
– 1♥ 3♦ Pass
3NT All Pass
The sacrifice in 4♥ would pay off if E/W could make 3NT, but that seemed unlikely – a heart
lead would surrender only one trick and other defences would also work.
North cashed the ace of clubs and when South followed with the six she switched to the five
of spades for the two, jack and king. Declarer played back the three of spades for the seven, eight
and ace and now it was incumbent on South to play a heart. When she went back to clubs declarer
was able to put up the queen and claim an overtrick when North didn’t cash the ace of hearts,
+630 and 10 IMPs.
Denmark Red just edged the set, 47-46 and led 127-86 with 14 deals to play.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/yak4dq6g

 Intermediate
Fourth Quarter
Having made no progress in the previous set it was now a case of ‘with the shield or on it’ for Baker.
♠ A6532
♥ A
♦ AQ42
♣ Q94
♠ Q J 10 8 4 N ♠K
♥ K42 ♥ 9865
♦ KJ7 W E ♦ 10 9 8 3
♣ K5 S ♣ J863
♠ 97
♥ Q J 10 7 3
♦ 65
♣ A 10 7 2
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 3NT All Pass
East elected to lead the ten of diamonds, which was not quite as effective as starting with the king
of spades after which switching to any suit should lead to two down. Declarer took West’s king
with the ace, unblocked the ace of hearts and ran the queen of clubs, West winning with the king
and returning the jack of diamonds. Declarer won with the queen and played the nine of clubs,
no doubt intending to overtake it with dummy’s ten and force out the king of hearts, but when
East covered with the jack she won with the ace and played on hearts. West could win and play
a diamond, but that gave the defenders only four tricks,+600.
After the diamond lead West need to find a spade switch when in with the king of clubs. East
wins with the king and must then return a low diamond keeping the defenders one step ahead.
How East must have wished she had led the ♠K!
Closed Room
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT All Pass
East’s excellent decision to respond kept N/S out of the auction. South led the queen of hearts and
North won with the ace and switched to the queen of clubs, declarer winning, playing a spade
to the king and a diamond to the jack and queen. The nine of clubs was covered by the jack and
ace and the queen of hearts saw West win and play the queen of spades. North won and played a
club which saw South win, cash another club and a heart and then play a diamond for two down,
-100 but 11 IMPs for Baker.

 Intermediate
Board 20 Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ A
♥ A642
♦ Q J 10
♣ A 10 7 5 4
♠ Q4 N ♠ K97652
♥ KQ93 ♥ 8
♦ K72 W E ♦ 6543
♣ K982 S ♣ 63
♠ J 10 8 3
♥ J 10 7 5
♦ A98
♣ QJ
Open Room
1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass
1NT Double 2♠ Pass
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass
North’s delayed entry into the auction strongly suggested something akin to the hand she held –
unbalanced with strength in clubs. She did extraordinarily well to take a second bid which gave
her partner (who should have done something on the previous round) a second chance. East led
the six of clubs for the queen, king and ace and declarer ran the queen of diamonds. When it
held she played a club to the jack, returned to hand with a spade and ducked a club to West. East
pitching the five of spades. West cashed the queen of spades and exited with a club but declarer
won and played the four of hearts for the eight, ten and king. That left West endplayed: she tried
the three of hearts, but declarer let it run to dummy’s jack and claimed, +600.
Closed Room
1♣* Pass 1♥* Pass
1♠* Pass 2♠ Pass
Pass Double Pass 3♥
Double All Pass
1♥ Spades, 0+
1♠ Usually a weak no-trump type with 2/3 spades
If South’s 3♥ promised values (2NT might be used to show a weak hand) North was going to
raise to 4♥. No doubt West would have doubled that, but with little success.
She led the queen of spades and declarer won with dummy’s ace and, already able to place all the
missing high cards with West, played a heart to the jack and king. She pitched a diamond on the
spade return, East winning with the king and switching to a diamond. Declarer won with dummy’s
ace and played the queen of clubs for the king and ace, a club to the jack and the ten of spades, ruffed
by West with three and overruffed by declarer who ruffed a club and played the jack of spades. West
ruffed, but declarer pitched her losing diamond and claimed the rest, a reassuring +930 and 8 IMPs.

 Intermediate
There was not much in the boards but Baker kept plugging away and had reduced the gap to
29 IMPs when along came:
♠ 9532
♥ 9
♦ KQ932
♣ K64
♠ A K Q J 10 8 N ♠ 76
♥ J53 ♥ KQ864
♦ 10 8 W E ♦ J5
♣ 10 9 S ♣ AJ 8 5
♠4
♥ A 10 7 2
♦ A764
♣ Q732
Open Room
– 2♦ Pass 3♦
3♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass
North led the nine of hearts and South won with the ace and returned the ten, North ruffing
and returning the two of diamonds. South took the ace and played the seven of hearts, ruffed by
North who cashed the king of diamonds and exited with the four of clubs. That left declarer with
a club loser, three down, -150.
Closed Room
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass
North led the king of diamonds and South overtook it with the ace and switched to the four of
spades. Declarer won with the ace, drew trumps, throwing a diamond and a club from dummy
and played a heart for the nine, queen and ace. South returned a diamond and North won and
fatally played a third diamond. Declarer discarded dummy’s jack of clubs, ruffed in hand and
played three rounds of hearts, ruffing the last of them and could cross to dummy with a club to
cash the long heart, +620 and 14 IMPs for Baker.
North needed to make sure the club entry was removed from dummy. Playing the king would
allow declarer to win, come to hand with a heart and cash two spades, squeezing South, but a low
club from North would cover all the bases.
With only 15 IMPs between the teams a grandstand finish was a distinct possibility, and on
two of the deals Baker scored 12 IMPs – 6 a time for making games not reached at the other table.

 Intermediate
♠ J76
♥ A Q J 10
♦ J72
♣ 942
♠ K5 N ♠ A9 8 2
♥ 543 ♥ K962
♦ Q 10 9 6 5 W E ♦ K8
♣ J63 S ♣ A K 10
♠ Q 10 4 3
♥ 87
♦ A43
♣ Q875
In the Open Room East had played in 1NT, but South found the spade lead that put the defend-
ers one step ahead, declarer finishing one down, -100.
To win Baker needed +120 or better -+90 would see the sudden-death deals appear (and Baker
knew all about those from the previous championships!).
Closed Room
– – 1♣* Pass
1♠* Pass 2♦* Pass
2♥* Pass 2NT Pass
3NT All Pass
1♠ Balanced or diamonds, no major unless game forcing with longer diamonds
East showed her 17-19 balanced and West felt obliged to push on to game.
South led the four of spades and declarer took North’s jack with the ace and played the king
of diamonds. If South takes that declarer is likely to finish three down, but she ducked! Declarer
played a second diamond and South followed with the four. The odds play is to finesse, but declarer
must have been tempted to play the king, hoping for the actual position, or to find North with
♦J2. She played the.....nine – and the title went to Denmark Red. Phew!
Womens Teams Gold Medal Winners: Denmark Red - Tina Ege, Stense
Farholt, Bo Loenberg Bilde (Captain), Helle Rasmussen, Lone Bilde
 Intermediate
Senior Teams
Brent Manley and Herman De Wael combined to report on a key match:
The eighth-round Senior Teams match between squads captained by Reese Milner and Jeff
Wolfson promised to be an interesting one as both teams – loaded with world champions – were
doing well. In all, the players on the two teams had amassed 36 world championships.
♠ 7
♥ Q862
♦ J752
♣ J854
♠ 10 9 4 2 N ♠ Q83
♥ 953 ♥J
♦ 84 W E ♦ 10 9 6 3
♣ A7 6 3 S ♣ K Q 10 9 2
♠ AKJ65
♥ A K 10 7 4
♦ AKQ
♣ —
Open Room
Zia Garozzo Meckstroth Masoero
– – – 2♣*
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥
Pass 3NT Pass 4♥
All Pass
At this table, there was an apparent short circuit in the bidding as Garozzo and Masoero didn’t
even try for a small slam. Plus 510.
Closed Room
Wolfson Romanski Silverman Kowalski
– – – 1♣*
Pass 2♦* Pass 3♥
Pass 3♠* Pass 5NT*
Pass 6♦* Pass 7♥
All Pass
1♣ Polish: balanced 10-12 or any strong hand
1♦ Negative
1NT Game-forcing, any distribution
2♦ 4+ hearts, 4-7 HCP
3♠ Heart support, short spades
Kowalski’s 5NT bid no doubt was asking his partner about top honours in hearts. The 6♦ response
appears to show one of the top three. That was enough for Kowalski to bid the grand slam.

 Intermediate
There was little to the play after Wolfson led a heart to the jack and ace. At trick two, Kowalski
cashed the ♠A and ruffed a spade in dummy. He played a diamond to hand and ruffed a spade
with dummy’s queen. When the ♠Q fell, he could pull trumps and claim plus 1510 meant a 14
IMP swing to the Milner team.
♠ 654
♥ 987
♦ 83
♣ 98762
♠ A9 3 N ♠8
♥ 5432 ♥ K J 10 6
♦ QJ65 W E ♦ A K 10 9 7 2
♣ J 10 S ♣ AQ
♠ K Q J 10 7 2
♥ AQ
♦ 4
♣ K543
Open Room
Pass Pass 1♦ Double
3♦ Pass 5♦ 5♠
That’s a lot of bidding at unfavourable vulnerability when partner can’t make a peep, and Masoero
found himself in a doubled contract facing a true Yarborough. He got lucky with a heart open-
ing lead but had to play the rest of the contract out of his hand, losing two clubs, a diamond and
a spade for minus 500.
Closed Room
Pass Pass 1♦ 4♠
5♦ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
Kowalski led the ♠J and Silverman won the ace. He ruffed a spade to hand, cashed the ♦A, played
a diamond to dummy, continuing with the ♥2 to his 10. Kowalski won with the ♥Q, cashed the
♥A and exited with a spade. At that point. Silverman said he would try the club finesse to make
his contract. Informed that the finesse would fail, Silverman claimed one down for minus 100.
The contract makes if declarer eliminates spades before playing on hearts. As the cards lie, South
wins the two heart tricks but then must play a club into declarer’s AQ or give him a ruff and dis-
card by playing a spade. Making for plus 550 would have been a 2 IMP gain. Going down meant
a loss of 12 IMPs because of what happened at the other table.

 Intermediate
♠ Q 10 9 6 2
♥ AJ93
♦ 5
♣ KQ6
♠— N ♠ K3
♥ 8754 ♥ K Q 10 6 2
♦ A K J 10 4 3 W E ♦ 976
♣ A 10 8 S ♣ J92
♠ AJ8754
♥—
♦ Q82
♣ 7543
Open Room
– – Pass 3♠
Double 4♠ 5♥ Pass
Pass 5♠ Pass Pass
6♥ Double All Pass
Masoero led the ♠A, ruffed in dummy. Meckstroth led a heart at trick two, playing the king to
discover the 4-0 trump break. He entered dummy with a diamond to the ace to play another
heart. When Garozzo played low, Meckstroth played the 10 and was hopeful of making his con-
tract when he led another diamond. Garozzo spoiled those plans by ruffing the ♦K and playing
the ♣K to dummy’s ace. The result was three down for minus 500.
Closed Room
– – 2♥ Pass
2NT* Pass 3♠* Pass
4♥ All Pass
2NT Forcing
3♠ Maximum, spade feature
Kowalski led a low club and Silverman played low from dummy. Romanski won the ♣Q and
played the ♠10. Silverman covered with the king and ruffed when Kowalski played the ace. A heart
went to Silverman’s king, Kowalski playing a spade. Silverman ruffed his other spade in dummy
and played a heart. Romanski thought for a time before playing the ace and continuing with a
spade. Silverman ruffed and played a diamond to dummy’s ace. The ♦K was ruffed by North and
another spade forced declarer again. Silverman had two good trumps in his hand, but he had a
losing club and a losing diamond. He was two down for minus 100. To make the contract, Sil-
verman must finesse in diamonds instead of playing to the ace and then the king. After declarer
plays a diamond to the jack, North can ruff the ace or king, but the other high honour will pick
up South’s ♦Q and declarer can use those cards to avoid a second club loser.
Minus 100 was a disappointing result, but Wolfson still earned a 9 IMP swing because of the

 Intermediate
result at the other table.
♠ 10 9 4
♥ K 10 6
♦ J765
♣ K43
♠ AJ 5 3 2 N ♠7
♥ 83 ♥ Q42
♦ K82 W E ♦ 10 9 4 3
♣ Q87 S ♣ A 10 9 6 2
♠ KQ86
♥ AJ975
♦ AQ
♣ J5
Open Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♥
1♠ 2♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♥ All Pass
Masoero did not get past 3♥ after Garozzo declined the 2NT game try, recording +170 against
a soft defence.
Closed Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♥
1♠ 2♥ Pass 3♣
Pass 4♥ All Pass
Wolfson led a trump and when dummy’s ♥10 held, Kowalski tried the diamond finesse, West
winning and playing another trump. Kowalski won in hand, cashed the ♦A and played a heart to
dummy’s king. Kowalski pitched a club on the ♦J and played the ♠10 to the king. Wolfson won
the ♠A and made the mistake of retuning the ♠3, won in dummy with the nine. Declarer lost a
diamond, a spade and a club for 10 tricks and plus 620.
All West had to do was exit with a club when East would win with the ace and exit with the
ten of diamonds.
The match ended with Milner winning 38-16.
These were the eight teams to reach the knock-out phase.

 Intermediate
Dhondy Richard Chamberlain, Jeremy Dhondy, David Kendrick, Patrick Shields,
David Kendrick, Patrick Shields
Van Eijck Nico Doremans, Willem Gosschalk, Jaap Trouwborst, Willem Van Eijck,
Cpt Jaap Trouwborst
Markowicz Michal Kwiecien, Victor Markowicz, Victor Melman, Krzysztof Moszczynski,
Jerzy Russyan, Jerzy Zaremba, Victor Markowic
Wolfson Benito Garozzo, Franco Masoero, Neil Silverman, Jeff Wolfson Cpt & Coach
Milner Apolinary Kowalski, Hemant Lall, Zia Mahmood, Jeff Meckstroth,
Reese Milner, Jacek Romanski, Hemant Lall Cpt, Jacek Pszczola Coach
Vito Hristo Hristov, Zlatko Nedeltchev, Radi Radev, Tony Rusev, Tony Rusev Cpt
Germany Hans Frerichs, Herbert Klumpp, Ulrich Kratz, Reiner Marsal,
Bernhard Strater, Ulrich Wenning, Gerda Heinrichs Cpt
Kaminski Avi Kalish, Amos Kaminski, Yeshayahu Levit, Leonid Podgur,
Adrian Schwartz,Shalom Zeligman
John Carruthers bridged the time zone gap between Toronto and Montecatini to follow the semi-
final between Wolfson and Van Eijck:
With Wolfson leading 32-13, the first board of the second half of the match saw one declarer
in 3NT, to his regret, not pay any attention to hearts, while his counterpart at the other table
placed too much reliance on the suit.
♠ K532
♥ 87
♦ AJ72
♣ 972
♠4 N ♠ AQ 8 7 6
♥ A J 10 6 5 ♥2
♦ K 10 6 5 W E ♦ Q43
♣ K 10 8 S ♣ AQ J 4
♠ J 10 9
♥ KQ943
♦ 98
♣ 653
Open Room
Masoero van Eijck Garozzo Gosschalk
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♦ Pass 3♣ Pass
3NT All Pass
Willem Van Eijck, North, found the passive, but effective, lead of the two of clubs. Franco Masoero
won in hand with his eight and led a diamond to the queen; eight from Willem Gosschalk. Declarer
was now in position to make his contract: a heart to the jack (or ace, then the jack, if South split
his honours), a spade to the queen and Bob’s your uncle. That, however, was too rich a parlay, so

 Intermediate
Masoero tried a diamond to the ten and jack. North shifted ♠ K532
to a spade and the queen held in dummy, South follow- ♥ 87
ing with the informative jack. Despite the appearance of ♦ AJ72
♣ 972
the eight, then the nine, of diamonds, reverse count, from ♠ 4 ♠ AQ 8 7 6
South (should he believe it?), declarer tried another dia- N
♥ A J 10 6 5 ♥ 2
mond. After that play, declarer had only eight tricks before ♦ K 10 6 5 W E ♦ Q43
the defence could manage their five. Down one, minus 50. ♣ K 10 8 S ♣ AQ J 4
♠ J 10 9
Closed Room ♥ KQ943
♦ 98
West North East ♣ 653
South
Doremans Silverman Trouwborst Wolfson
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♦ Pass 3NT All Pass
Jeff Wolfson found the equally passive and effective nine of diamonds lead. Declarer, Jaap Trou-
wborst, won with the queen in hand and played on hearts, leading to the jack when Wolfson
ducked. Trouwborst then tried the ace and another heart, relying on a 4-3 break to yield three
heart tricks. When South could take all three outstanding hearts and lead a diamond through
the king-ten, Trouwborst was down one as well, for a push. Had declarer played the king of dia-
monds at trick one or a low heart at trick three or relied on the spade finesse when the jack of
hearts held, he’d have made 3NT.
It was an opportunity lost for both teams.
♠ 82
♥ A J 10 8
♦ AK98
♣ 952
♠ AJ 6 5 N ♠ 10 7 3
♥ 9543 ♥ Q7
♦ 10 4 2 W E ♦ 7653
♣ A4 S ♣ QJ63
♠ KQ94
♥ K62
♦ QJ
♣ K 10 8 7
Open Room
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 3NT All Pass
On the spade-seven lead, van Eijck played the king and Masoero encouraged with the five. The
two of hearts went to the jack and queen and the ten of spades went to the queen and ace. Maso-
ero shifted to a diamond and dummy won two of that suit, then declarer played a low spade. West
won two of that suit and the ace of clubs meant one off for minus 50.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 82
♥ A J 10 8
West North East South ♦ AK98
Doremans Silverman Trouwborst Wolfson ♣ 952
– – – 1♣ ♠ AJ 6 5 N ♠ 10 7 3
♥ 9543 ♥ Q7
Pass 1♦ Pass 1♠ W E
♦ 10 4 2 ♦ 7653
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT ♣ A4 S ♣ QJ63
Pass 3NT All Pass ♠ KQ94
♥ K62
Played from the other side, Wolfson received a passive, ♦ QJ
but not-so-effective this time five-of-hearts lead. The ♣ K 10 8 7
jack forced the queen and declarer won with his king.
He unblocked the queen and jack of diamonds, led a heart to the ace in dummy, then a club to
the ten in his hand. When that forced the ace, his contract was secure. West shifted to a spade
and the ten forced declarer’s queen. Wolfson did not risk the finesse of the heart eight, so made
just nine tricks, but won 10 IMPs. It was 44-19.
♠ 982
♥ Q J 10 5
♦ K762
♣ J6
♠ A6 4 3 N ♠ J 10 7 5
♥ K63 ♥ A9 8 7 4 2
♦ Q5 W E ♦A
♣ A7 5 2 S ♣ 83
♠ KQ
♥—
♦ J 10 9 8 4 3
♣ K Q 10 9 4
Open Room
1♣ Pass 1♥ 2♦
Pass 3♦ Double Pass
South deemed his hand unsuitable for an Unusual Two No-trump, if indeed that bid was in his
arsenal. When the hearts were 4-0, even Garozzo could not make his game.
Closed Room
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
Wolfson’s pass made it easy for Doremans/Trouwborst to find their 4-4 spade fit for an easy make.
That meant 12 IMPS to Van Eijck and the margin was closed to 44-31.

 Intermediate
Even World Champions have ‘senior moments’. Witness …
♠—
♥ AQJ87
♦ AKQJ43
♣ Q8
♠ K982 N ♠ Q 10 3
♥6 ♥ 10 9 4 2
♦ 96 W E ♦ 852
♣ J75432 S ♣ K96
♠ AJ7654
♥ K53
♦ 10 7
♣ A 10
Open Room
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣*
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠*
Pass 5NT* Pass 6♣*
Pass 7♥ All Pass
3♣ Agrees hearts
3♠ Control
4♦ Control
4NT RKCB for hearts
5NT Two key cards and a void
6♣ ♥Q ask
Declarer was not troubled in the play.
Closed Room
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass 2♠
Pass 3♥ Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♥* Pass 6♥
All Pass
4NT RKCB for hearts
5♥ Two key cards without the queen of hearts
It looked initially like Silverman/Wolfson played regular, old-fashioned, Blackwood, but no, Silver-
man mispulled his bidding card and placed the five-heart card on the tray instead of the five-spade
card (two key cards with the trump queen). When he realised his error, he was very contrite. That
was 13 IMPs to Van Eijck, making the score an exact tie at 44 IMPs each with seven boards to play.
For the next five boards, the match calmed down, with only overtricks at stake. Wolfson had

 Intermediate
slightly the better of these, 3-1, to take a 47-45 IMP lead with two boards to play.
On Board 27, Gosschalk, for Van Eijck, and Wolfson held ♠AQJ5 ♥AKQ2 ♦K932 ♣A. They
both opened two clubs and received a two-diamond response (negative) from partner. What
would you bid?
Gosschalk bid 2NT and played there, while Wolfson bid two spades, received three clubs (sec-
ond negative), then rebid three hearts. Van Eijck and Silverman held ♠8642 ♥J8543 ♦107 ♣72.
Silverman raised happily to four hearts and made plus 480 when the king of spades and ace of
diamonds were both onside. Gosschalk made ten tricks in 2NT and lost 7 IMPs.
The score was 54-45 with one board to go. On Board 28, both East players opened Four Hearts
at favourable vulnerability with ♠2 ♥AKQJ987 ♦10542 ♣4, pretty normal. It went double, all
pass. Wolfson dropped a trick in defence to beat it two, while Gosschalk/Van Eijck took all their
tricks to beat it three. That was 5 IMPs to Van Eijck, not quite enough as Wolfson won 54-50.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y76ckfv4
The other semi-final was won by Kaminski 70-67, after they staged a 53-19 second-half come-
back, having been down 48-17 at the interval.
The following day JC was back in action for the final:
First Quarter
♠ 10
♥ AK65
♦ AJ9642
♣ K6
♠ KQ863 N ♠ J75
♥ QJ432 ♥ 7
♦— W E ♦ KQ83
♣ Q 10 3 S ♣ J7542
♠ A942
♥ 10 9 8
♦ 10 7 5
♣ A98
Open Room
Podgur Garozzo Kalish Masoero
– 1♦ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT
All Pass
Had Masoero had second sight, he’d have ducked the two of hearts lead and made 3NT in a can-
ter. However, he stood a good chance of establishing diamonds with one loser, and if the heart
lost to the jack or queen and a spade came back …
So, declarer won with the ace of hearts and took the ace of diamonds, then played another.
Podgur made sure of a spade shift by discarding the three of spades, encouraging. Kalish won the
second diamond and shifted to the jack of spades. We can see that if declarer had ducked two
rounds of spades, he’d have made his contract. Masoero hoped that, with West’s discard of a spade,

 Intermediate
the suit could be blocked. Accordingly, he won the shift ♠ 10
and played more diamonds. East won and another spade ♥ AK65
defeated the contract by a trick. ♦ AJ9642
♣ K6
Closed Room ♠ KQ863 N ♠ J75
♥ QJ432 ♥ 7
West North East South ♦ — W E ♦ KQ83
Woflson Levit Silverman Kaminski ♣ Q 10 3 S ♣ J7542
♠ A942
– 1♦ Pass 1♠ ♥ 10 9 8
Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦ ♦ 10 7 5
Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ ♣ A98
Pass 5♦ All Pass
Silverman led a club against five diamonds. Levit won with his king and played the ace and another
diamond. East won and shifted to the five of spades to the ace. When Kaminski ran the eight of
hearts next, and it held, East playing the seven, he had high hopes. He played another diamond
to East, who played another club, this one to the ace. With no more entries to the dummy to
take heart finesses, declarer ruffed a spade and drew the last trump. He was left with a heart loser
at the end for minus 50 and a push.
♠ Q752
♥ J 10 4
♦ 8432
♣ 75
♠ AK 8 N ♠J
♥ 7653 ♥ AK Q 8 2
♦9 W E ♦6
♣ Q9842 S ♣ A K J 10 6 3
♠ 10 9 6 4 3
♥9
♦ A K Q J 10 7 5
♣—
Open Room
– – 1♣ 1♦
Double Pass 2♣ 2♠
4♦* 4♠ 4NT* 5♠
Double* Pass 6♣ Pass
Pass 6♦ Double All Pass
4♦ Splinter
4NT RKCB
Double An odd number of key cards
Garozzo found that rarest of birds, the vulnerable vs. not sacrifice. Podgur led three rounds of
spades for Kalish to ruff and a heart trick meant three down, plus 800.
Closed Room

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ Q752
Wolfson Levit Silverman Kaminski ♥ J 10 4
♦ 8432
– – 1♣ 3♦ ♣ 75
Double* Pass 4♦ Double ♠ AK 8 ♠ J
N
Pass Pass 4NT* Pass ♥ 7653 ♥ AK Q 8 2
5♦* Pass 6♥ All Pass ♦ 9 W E ♦ 6
♣ Q9842 S ♣ A K J 10 6 3
Levit was never made aware of the nature of Kamins- ♠ 10 9 6 4 3
ki’s hand and so allowed Silverman to ‘escape’ with Six ♥ 9
Hearts. Kaminski did not allow the overtrick by under- ♦ A K Q J 10 7 5
leading his diamonds, instead cashing the ace for minus ♣ —
980; 5 IMPs for Wolfson.
♠ KQ2
♥ 653
♦ A85
♣ J 10 8 4
♠ A7 4 3 N ♠ J 10 8
♥ K92 ♥ Q74
♦ Q J 10 2 W E ♦ 976
♣ 96 S ♣ KQ52
♠ 965
♥ A J 10 8
♦ K43
♣ A73
Open Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♣
Double 1NT All Pass
Garozzo declared a calm 1NT, making eight tricks for plus 120. At the other table, things were
rather more exciting:
Closed Room
Wolfson Levit Silverman Kaminski
Pass Pass Pass 1♣
Double Redouble 1NT Pass
It would seem that if North/South can make 2NT, they ought to be able to extract a significant
penalty from 1NT doubled. Nevertheless … Kaminski led his middle spade, ducked to Levit’s
queen. Levit shifted to the jack of clubs to the queen and ace. Kaminski reverted to spades; Silver-
man won with dummy’s ace and led the queen of diamonds to North’s ace. Levit cashed the king
of spades and got out with a heart to the ten and king. Silverman took the thirteenth spade and
led a diamond to the nine and king. Kaminski completed the debacle by taking the ace of hearts
for the defence’s sixth and final trick; plus 180 and 7 IMPs to Wolfson, leading 12-8.

 Intermediate
♠ 7
♥ Q
♦ AKJ5
♣ A K 10 8 7 3 2
♠ J952 N ♠ 10 4 3
♥ KJ954 ♥ 8732
♦ 10 6 W E ♦ 983
♣ 95 S ♣ QJ6
♠ AKQ86
♥ A 10 6
♦ Q742
♣ 4
Open Room
2♥* Double 3♥ 4♥
Pass 6♣ All Pass
2♥ Hearts and any other suit, weak
Podgur/Kalish made life difficult, if not impossible, for Garozzo/Masoero. Plus 1370.
Closed Room
Pass 7♦ All Pass
BBO had Levit opening seven diamonds. One doubts that really happened. In any case, the Pod-
gur/Kalish interference and Polish Two-Bid had won them 13 IMPs to take the lead 30-21.
Board 14. Dealer East. Neither Vul.
♠ J982
♥ 7
♦ 87
♣ AKJ952
♠ AK Q N ♠ 10 7 6 4
♥ 10 9 8 4 ♥ AK 6 3
♦ KQ6 W E ♦ J 10 5 3 2
♣ Q 10 8 S ♣—
♠ 53
♥ QJ52
♦ A94
♣ 7643

 Intermediate
Open Room ♠ J982
♥ 7
West North East South ♦ 87
Podgur Garozzo Kalish Masoero ♣ AKJ952
– – Pass Pass ♠ AK Q N ♠ 10 7 6 4
1♣* Pass 2♦* Pass ♥ 10 9 8 4 ♥ AK 6 3
♦ KQ6 W E ♦ J 10 5 3 2
2NT* Pass 3♥ Pass ♣ Q 10 8 S ♣ —
4♥ All Pass ♠ 53
1♣ Precision ♥ QJ52
2♦ 5+ diamonds, 8+ HCP ♦ A94
2NT 16-18 HCP ♣ 7643
With nothing to guide him, Masoero led a spade. Kalish won in dummy, led a trump to hand
and a diamond up. Masoero ducked, so Kalish won and with, equally, no clue from the bidding,
led another heart. When Garozzo showed out, declarer ducked the heart to South, who shifted
to a club. Kalish was in big trouble now. He ruffed the club with his remaining low trump and
led another diamond. Masoero ducked again, but won the third diamond to lead another club,
forcing Kalish to ruff with the king of hearts. Kalish played a good diamond through Masoero,
but South was able to discard his second spade on that, denying declarer entry to the dummy.
South was thus able to score his remaining low trump as well as the good queen of hearts for one
down, minus 50.
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
1NT Double* 2♣* Double*
Double Major/minor 2-suiter
2♣ Stayman
Double Pass or correct
Levit started with the ace of clubs. Wolfson ruffed it in the dummy and cashed one high heart.
He then played on diamonds, Kaminski winning the third round. Kaminski could see that a club
now would only help declarer, so he exited with a spade. Wolfson won in hand and ruffed a club.
He cashed the other high heart and played a diamond. South could ruff or not, but declarer’s
third club would go away. It was plus 420 and 10 IMPs for Wolfson.
The match was tied, 31-31 after one quarter. It had been exciting stuff.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y♦zpsnk

 Intermediate
Second Quarter
Schwartz and Zeligman came in to replace Levit/Kaminski.
♠ Q864
♥ 5
♦ AKJ3
♣ 9632
♠9 N ♠ A3
♥ AK Q 9 6 ♥ J 10 8 7 4 3
♦ Q872 W E ♦ 10 5
♣ Q 10 8 S ♣ AJ 5
♠ K J 10 7 5 2
♥ 2
♦ 964
♣ K74
Open Room
Kalish Garozzo Podgur Masoero
– – 2♦* 2♠
All Pass
The not-so-mysterious Multi reared its ugly head for Kalish/Podgur, who believed the East hand
to be a weak two, then declined a pass-or-correct double of two spades when cold for Four Hearts.
However, the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question is, “How did Garozzo resist the temptation to
raise spades?” There was never going to be any further bidding by East. In any case, the play record
states that he did, and Masoero took nine tricks for plus 140, leading us to believe the record, as
we cannot always do.
Closed Room
Wolfson Schwartz Silverman Zeligman
– – 1♥ 2♠
3♠* 4♠ Double Pass
5♥ All Pass
Silverman was closer to the mark with his One Heart opening and so was Schwartz with his raise
to game. However, when the club finesse rather unluckily lost on the bidding, Silverman was one
off for minus 50. He was thrilled to learn in the comparison that that result had won him 3 IMPs.
That gave Wolfson the lead, 35-34.

 Intermediate
♠ AJ87
♥ A J 10 3
♦ Q63
♣ 63
♠ K 10 5 4 N ♠ 32
♥ 72 ♥ 9854
♦ A9 W E ♦ 8754
♣ Q8752 S ♣ 10 9 4
♠ Q96
♥ KQ6
♦ K J 10 2
♣ AKJ
Open Room
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♥*
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣
Pass 4♦ Pass 4♠
Pass 5NT* Pass 7♥
Pass 7NT Pass Pass
Double All Pass
3♣ Checkback
3♥ 3-card heart support
5NT Pick a slam (North) or Josephine in hearts (South)
Garozzo/Masoero were perhaps about to make up for the bad luck served them on the previous
deal when they had a misunderstanding about the meaning of 5NT. Slam is makeable in four
denominations, but is not good in any of them. If Kalish had led a heart against, say, 6NT, that
would have alerted Masoero to the nature of his hand and might well have resulted in declarer
making the contract, either on two spade finesses or one spade finesse and a black-suit squeeze.
Ironically, the slam likeliest to make was Six Spades, since it needed the lie of the cards that actu-
ally existed, whereas the other three slams all had losing options available to declarer.
Kalish was on firmer ground doubling 7NT than he’d have been defending Seven Hearts with-
out the lead and rubbed salt into the wound with a double. He led the ace of diamonds and was
squeezed in the black suits to hold the North/South loss to minus 100.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT
All Pass
No alert of Three Clubs was indicated on the play record. Zeligman was having none of it anyway,
refusing even to prefer hearts, whatever Three Clubs meant. On a club lead he made 12 tricks for
plus 490 and a surprise 11 IMP win. Kaminski was out in front by 18 now, 53-35.

 Intermediate
♠ J93
♥ K 10 6 2
♦ KQ
♣ Q982
♠ AQ 4 2 N ♠ K 10
♥J ♥ A9
♦ A J 10 3 W E ♦ 98765
♣ AK 5 4 S ♣ J763
♠ 8765
♥ Q87543
♦ 42
♣ 10
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
1♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
3♦ Pass 3NT Pass
4♣ Pass 4♥ Pass
4♠ Pass 5♦ All Pass
1♣ Precision
2♦ 5+ diamonds, 8+ HCP
The play in Five Diamonds offered options. Masoero led the ten of clubs. Podgur won, came to
the ace of hearts and took a diamond finesse. Garozzo won and played a heart, ruffed in dummy.
This was fine defence: it made it look to Podgur as if Garozzo was trying to protect his partner’s
king-third of diamonds. Still not knowing the club layout (South could have had ten-nine to some
combination), Podgur crossed to the king of spades and took another diamond finesse. There was
no recovery from that play and he was one off for minus 100.
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass
3♥* Pass 5♦ All Pass
3♥ Splinter
Silverman won the club-ten lead with the ace in dummy and made it look easy by cashing the ace
of diamonds. He lost a trick in each minor for plus 600 and plus 12 IMPs, to take a 5 IMP lead.
Board 28 was a six-spade slam with one outside loser and a trump suit of ♠A97542 opposite
♠KJ6. Kalish/Podgur bid the slam, Wolfson/Silverman did not. The queen-ten were doubleton
in front of the KJ6, so both declarers made all the tricks when neither South player cashed the
defence’s winner at trick one. Both had to lead a club from ♣K9832 to do so. That meant 11 IMPs
to Kaminski and at the half-way point in the match, the score was Kaminski 64 – Wolfson 58.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/y7fjm46m

 Intermediate
Third Quarter
Ram Soffer takes up the story:
The third set was characterized by lots of IMPs which swung on the choice of the opening lead,
but the first big swing was due to a creative slam bid by Garozzo.
Board 3. Dealer South. Vul E/W.
♠ KJ83
♥ AKQJ953
♦ —
♣ 32
♠ Q762 N ♠ 954
♥— ♥ 10 7 6 4 2
♦ 97632 W E ♦ J 8 4J
♣ K Q 10 9 S ♣ AJ
♠ A 10
♥ 8
♦ A K Q 10 5
♣ 87654
Open Room
– – – 1♦
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣
Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣
Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT
Pass 6♥ All Pass
2♥ was forcing, of course. South showed a minor-suit opening hand with a spade stopper, and
Garozzo estimated that the chances for a small slam would be good. Indeed, had South’s minors
been exchanged 6♥ would have been a great contract. Why didn’t he use cue-bids? Perhaps their
system made it awkward, or else he might have counted on East not leading clubs from various
combinations.
However, the gods of bridge probably didn’t like that bid, as they dealt East the club ace plus a
guarded heart ten (!) so the club lead was automatic. When North ruffed high in the third round
of clubs and continued ♥A he was booked for a loss of two trump tricks as well.
At the replay N/S bid less creatively, stopping in 4♥, and played more carefully, ruffing with
♥9 at trick 3, so 11 IMPs went Kaminski’s way.
An overtrick IMP left the match tied when along came:

 Intermediate
Board 6. Dealer East. Vul E/W.
♠ 9752
♥ 10 8 3 2
♦ 74
♣ J98
♠ 10 6 N ♠ KQ3
♥ AJ 9 7 ♥ 654
♦ AQ 5 W E ♦ KJ963
♣ A7 4 3 S ♣ Q2
♠ AJ84
♥ KQ
♦ 10 8 2
♣ K 10 6 5
Open Room
– – Pass 1♣
1♥ Pass 2♣* Pass
3NT All Pass
Kalish overcalled with 4 cards, and when his partner showed 10-11 HCP with support he retreated
to 3NT. Garozzo didn’t fancy a club lead, but his spade seven was not crowned with success, even
though South won trick one with ♠J. Masoero was unable to attack clubs, and the defence couldn’t
win more than three spades and one heart. Declarer’s ninth trick was going to be either ♥J or ♣Q
(if South attacked that suit). East/West +600.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♣
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
3NT All Pass
Wolfson didn’t overcall, so that East-West’s auction started with a balancing double. Now West
cue-bid 2♣ showing at least two possible places to play. When his partner didn’t show hearts, he
elected 3NT. This auction didn’t promise a great club stopper and didn’t deny any four-card major,
so that Schwartz selected a straightforward ♣8 lead, which did the job, developing by force three
club tricks together with the spade ace and an inevitable heart trick. There was no way to squeeze
South, so East-West were -100 and Kaminski led by 12.

 Intermediate
♠ K96
♥ J 10 9 5
♦ K62
♣ Q75
♠ A8 7 N ♠ J 10
♥ KQ8632 ♥A
♦ 10 W E ♦ AJ 8 7 5
♣ J 10 8 S ♣ A9 4 3 2
♠ Q5432
♥ 74
♦ Q943
♣ K6
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass
Garozzo led ♥J. However, East’s bidding didn’t promise ruffing power but rather two good minor
suits. North’s passive lead gave West the necessary tempo to draw trumps and finesse clubs twice,
eventually getting rid of one of his spade losers: E/W +620.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass
Schwartz, after an identical auction, appreciated his fragile minor-suit holdings and immediately
attacked the unbid suit, fighting against declarer’s plan to discard losers. After the ♠6 declarer
was unable to prevent two spade losers, as well as a heart and a club. E/W -100. Two succesive 12
IMP swings made the score 100-76 in Kaminski’s favour, half-way through the session.

 Intermediate
♠ Q J 10 9 7
♥ 73
♦ J74
♣ J63
♠ 64 N ♠ 53
♥ A6 4 ♥ QJ52
♦ 10 8 6 2 W E ♦ AQ 9 5 3
♣ A7 5 2 S ♣ 84
♠ AK82
♥ K 10 9 8
♦ K
♣ K Q 10 9
Open Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♣
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
South’s 2♦ was of course artificial as he attempted to show a big hand with a spade fit. North’s
hand was very modest but he had to bid 4♠, and now a natural top of sequence lead in an unbid
suit would have set it easily. However, Podgur decided this was the time to lead from a doubleton
in the opponent’s side suit. Kalish thought (and I agree) that his partner needed to have a sin-
gleton to justify such a lead. He won the ♣A and returned the suit. Soon one of declarer’s heart
losers disappeared, N/S plus 420.
Closed Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♣
2♦ 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
West’s 2♦ bid didn’t promise high card strength in that suit, but his partner led ♦A anyway to have
a look at the dummy. What he saw confirmed that the ♥Q was obligatory at trick 2, especially
when partner signalled with the diamond eight. Thus the defence didn’t miss any tricks here, N/S
minus 50 and 10 IMPs to Wolfson.

 Intermediate
Board 9. Dealer North. Vul E/W.
♠ A8654
♥ 10 7
♦ A Q 10 4
♣ A8
♠ 92 N ♠K
♥ KJ986 ♥ AQ 5 3 2
♦ KJ95 W E ♦8
♣ J6 S ♣ K97432
♠ Q J 10 7 3
♥ 4
♦ 7632
♣ Q 10 5
– 1♠ 2♠* 4♠
5♥ 5♠ Double All Pass
2♠ Michaels
East led the ♥A and switched to ♦8. Garozzo wondered why the hand with trump shortness
should double him, and reached the right conclusion, dropping East’s spade king. He followed
by the necessary minor suit plays to make 11 tricks.
– 1♠ 2♠* 4♠
5♥ Double All Pass
Schwartz was more conservative with North’s cards,

as he was content with any plus score available in
Five Hearts doubled. His opponents (as well as his
teammates) were vulnerable, but not crazy, and plus
200 compared poorly with plus 650 achieved at the
other table, giving Wolfson another 10 IMPs.
With one session to go, Kaminski led 115-100.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/
y8q2gx83
Benito Garozzo

 Intermediate
Fourth Quarter
Board 19. Dealer South. Vul E/W.
♠ K Q J 10 6
♥A
♦ QJ74
♣ 873
♠ 7543 N ♠ A9
♥ J9 ♥ KQ642
♦ 62 W E ♦ A 10 9 3
♣ QJ642 S ♣ 10 5
♠ 82
♥ 10 8 7 5 3
♦ K85
♣ AK9
Open Room
Levit Silverman Kaminski Wolfson
– – – Pass
2♣ Pass 2♥ Double
All Pass
Kaminski’s hand was somewhat odd for a takeout double, but he eventually played in his five-
card suit, the question being: how many undertricks? Wolfson did well to lead a spade. Kaminski
won trick 1 and immediately ducked a diamond. There followed ♥A and high spades from North,
with declarer doing the right thing – discarding clubs. Did the defence have an answer to this?
Yes, South could have discarded his remaining diamonds preparing to ruff declarer’s ♦A. Instead,
Wolfson fell from grace, discarding clubs. Now declarer ruffed a club, played ♦A and ruffed a dia-
mond – six tricks and minus 500.
Closed Room
Masoero Schwartz Garozzo Zeligman
– – – Pass
Pass 1♠ 2♥ Pass
A rather more typical auction led to the same final contract. Zeligman led a top club before switch-
ing to spades. According to Deep Finesse, declarer should duck this trick, so that the defence
would be forced to play trumps after winning the ♣K. Instead, Garozzo took his ♠A immediately
and continued ♣10. Zeligman won and continued spades. Garozzo ruffed high while South dis-
carded his last club. Next a diamond was ducked and North continued spades. Once again Garozzo
ruffed high while South threw a diamond. Dummy’s ♥J9 provided declarer one more trick, and
the ♣Q was ruffed. All in all, Garozzo managed only five tricks, minus 800 and a loss of 7 IMPs.
As their opponents’ lead grew, Team Wolfson became even more desperate.

 Intermediate
Board 20 Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ A
♥ A642
♦ Q J 10
♣ A 10 7 5 4
♠ Q4 N ♠ K97652
♥ KQ93 ♥ 8
♦ K72 W E ♦ 6543
♣ K982 S ♣ 63
♠ J 10 8 3
♥ J 10 7 5
♦ A98
♣ QJ
Open Room
1♣ Pass 2♠* Pass
Pass Double Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
2♠ Weak
Here E/W used a straightforward WJS to 2♠ (instead of the “multi” 2♦ at the other table). North
did double this, and South, having a close call, decided to bid on. In view of the match situation,
North had to gamble Four Hearts.
Wolfson received the ♠Q lead and went wrong early when he called for the ♥A at trick 2, despite
obvious hints from the bidding that hearts were stacked at his left. But the drama was not yet
over. Levit took the heart jack with his queen, sank into thought and… led a careless club deuce.
This was Wolfson’s golden opportunity. He won ♣Q and played ♣J, covered by king and ace.
Declarer discarded a spade on the ♣10, ruffed a club, ruffed a spade and then fatally discarded
a spade on the last club, ruffed by West. At this moment North, West and South each had three
diamonds left, so declarer had to lose a diamond, -100.
Instead of taking a discard on the last club, declarer should have exited with dummy’s last trump.
West can win, but is helpless – a diamond allows declarer to win with dummy’s queen and play
the master club, but if West cashes the ♥K first he will then have to surrender the last three tricks.
Closed Room
1♣ Pass 2♦* Pass
2♥ Pass 2♠ All Pass
Garozzo might have suffered another big penalty, but North declined the opportunity to make a
reopening double. The defence started with two club tricks and switched to diamonds. In with
the ♦K, declarer could limit the damage by a loser-on-loser play, discarding a heart on the third
club. Instead he ruffed, and South overruffed. A third round of diamonds was played. North won,
cleverly cashed the ♥A and played another club, so that Garozzo suffered another overruff. Even-
tually he misguessed trumps, so that Schwartz’s last club provided his partner with yet another
trump trick due to promotion.
Down four, -400 and a loss of 11 IMPs that might have been a gain of 6.

 Intermediate
Board 23. Dealer South. Vul All
♠ AKQ532
♥ 10 3
♦ AK5
♣ 98
♠ 86 N ♠ 974
♥ K4 ♥ A7 6
♦ 973 W E ♦ J862
♣ AQ 7 6 5 2 S ♣ K J 10
♠ J 10
♥ QJ9852
♦ Q 10 4
♣ 43
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
While it’s true that 3NT should show a good spade suit, the presence of two weak doubletons made this
action risky. West had little trouble finding the club lead, and the defence cashed eight tricks, minus 400.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT
2♣ 3♠ All Pass
West’s overcall forewarned his opponents to stay away from no-trumps, but I doubt whether they
would have bid differently without this intervention. +140 and 11 IMPs which meant. Kaminski
had a lead of 53 IMPs with five deals to go. Masoero - Garozzo managed to make two games not
bid at the other room, but they served only to cut the final margin to 33.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/yc5ntewc
Senior Gold Medal Winners: Kaminski - Amos Kaminski, Eitan Levi (EBL Executive)
Yeshayahu Levit, Adrian Schwartz, Leonid Podgur, Shalom Zeligman, Avi Kalish

 Intermediate
Deals that Caught my Eye
David Bird looks at the final of the 25th White House Juniors event, held in Amsterdam.
A fter two round-robins and an 8-team knock-out, Poland faced Netherlands White in a three-
session 42-board final. We will look at some of the big boards, trying to evaluate whether
the swings were due to skill, luck or a combination of the two.
♠ AJ8542
♥ J8
♦ K 10 3
♣ Q9
♠ 973 N ♠ Q6
♥Q ♥ A5 4
♦ 85 W E ♦ AQ J 6 4
♣ AK J 10 7 6 2 S ♣ 853
♠ K 10
♥ K 10 9 7 6 3 2
♦ 972
♣ 4
Sobczak Westerbeek Marcinowski Schols
– – 1♦ 2♥
3♣ Pass 3♦ Pass
3♥ Pass 4♣ Pass
5♣ Pass 6♣ All Pass
On the face of it, East’s bid of 6♣ was unjustified. (It was a juniors event, so I suppose I should
avoid any harsher adjective.) West had failed to cue-bid in any side suit over 4♣, so from East’s
point of view even 5♣ might go down.
All now depended on North’s opening lead. East was likely to hold the ♥A after his slam ven-
ture. It seems that North might have reached for the ♠A, if only in the hope that his partner could
ruff the second round. No, he chose the ♥J and the slam was made with an overtrick when the
diamond suit provided three spade discards.
Coenen Zawada Lucassen Majcher
‒ ‒ 1NT 2♦
2NT Pass 3♣ Pass
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
5♣ Double All Pass
South’s multi overcall showed a weak-two in one of the majors and the Netherlands stopped in
3♣. When North protected with a pass-or-correct 3♥, South surprised me by going to 4♥. Where
is my box of milder-than-normal adjectives? Ah, yes. This was an ‘ambitious’ raise when North
had found nothing to say over 2NT.

 Intermediate
West was now stirred into action. He bid 5♣ and was doubled by North. We had a potential
Biltcliffe Coup in view. To achieve this famous coup: (1) the opponents must stop in a part-score,
(2) you must keep the bidding open in the pass-out seat, (3) the opponents must then bid game,
(4) you must double them and (5) they must make it.
South found the attack of king and another spade, preventing an overtrick, but North/South
must have thought their +550 was worth rather more than a loss of 9 IMPs.
♠ 10 8
♥ A J 10 9 7 6
♦ 96
♣ J86
♠ Q6542 N ♠ AK J 7
♥2 ♥5
♦ K8 W E ♦ AQ J 4 3 2
♣ A Q 10 9 2 S ♣ K3
♠ 93
♥ KQ843
♦ 10 7 5
♣ 754
– – 1♦ Pass
1♠ 2♥ 4♥ 5♥
5♠ All Pass
The pre-emption in hearts made life difficult for East/West, although they could have taken 1100
against 5♥. When it comes to evaluating the prospects in spades, West’s bid of 5♠ looks right to
me. East then had to guess whether to bid 6♠, with a near certain loser in hearts. It was a close
decision and he stopped low, West scoring +680 after the ♥A lead.
– – 1♣ 1♥
1♠ 4♥ 5♥ Pass
6♣ Pass 6♠ Pass
7♠ All Pass
East’s Polish 1♣ showed a weak no-trump, a 15+ hand with clubs or any 18+ hand. He confirmed
the strongest option with 5♥ on the second round. It was unclear to those of us watching on
Bridge Base Online whether 6♣ was an offer to play there or a grand-slam try with spades already
agreed. East signed off in 6♠ and it seemed that Poland would gain 13 IMPs.
No, West raised to 7♠. No adjective in any of my boxes comes close to describing this action, so
you must choose one yourself. As you see, though, the grand slam would depend on the opening lead.
South led a club! Was that +2210 to Poland? Not necessarily. Perhaps you noticed that South
was not on lead. The screen had been lifted but South had not turned over his card; it was still
face down. North swiftly led the ♥A and the grand was one down. Poland sought assistance from
the director but none was forthcoming and the ill-advised raise to 7♠ had cost them a nett swing
of 26 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ A K 10 8 3
♥ J84
♦ 10 5
♣ 10 7 2
♠ Q972 N ♠ J65
♥ A9 5 ♥ Q73
♦ 84 W E ♦ AK Q 6
♣ AK 5 3 S ♣ QJ9
♠ 4
♥ K 10 6 2
♦ J9732
♣ 864
– – 1♣ Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
3NT Double All Pass
What do you make of North’s double, asking for a spade lead? It was somewhat risky because the
opponents had not limited their hands. Apart from that, partner would hold at most two spades
and North had no prospect of a side entry outside the spades.
South led the ♠4, North winning with the king and switching to a diamond. Declarer won
and led the ♠J, setting up his ninth trick. He later led towards the ♥Q, losing to the king, and
settled for +550.
– – 1NT Pass
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
3NT All Pass
North did not double at this table and the play followed a remarkable course. Declarer won the
diamond lead and could count eight top tricks. He looked to the spade suit for a ninth, leading
the ♠5 and finessing the ♠9 to North’s ♠10. Declarer won the diamond continuation and con-
tinued with the ♠6. When South discarded, four more spade tricks had to be lost for one down
and 13 IMPs away. The first set ended with Netherlands White leading by 40-39.
The second set was less rough and raw. This deal offered North/South a choice of games:

 Intermediate
♠ KQJ743
♥ A932
♦ QJ
♣ 7
♠ 10 8 6 5 2 N ♠ A9
♥ QJ764 ♥ K85
♦ A6 5 W E ♦ K972
♣— S ♣ 10 9 8 4
♠—
♥ 10
♦ 10 8 4 3
♣ AKQJ6532
Sobczak Polak Marcinowski Overkeeke
2♥ 2♠ 2NT 5♣
All Pass
West’s 2♥ showed both majors. Declarer won the ♥Q lead with dummy’s ace and called for the
♠K, covered and ruffed. Five rounds of trumps were followed by a diamond. West rose with the
♦A and played a heart to the king, ruffed by declarer. East had no problem in retaining his dia-
monds and the loss of three diamond tricks put the game one down.
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣
Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT
All Pass
The ♦5 to the king and the ♦7 to the ace were followed by a third round into declarer’s ♦10-8.
Eleven tricks were made for +660 and that was a gain of 13 IMPs. Poland led by 79-53 with one
set to be played.
Netherlands White had put on 25 unanswered IMPs, closing the gap to 1 IMP, when this deal
arose:

 Intermediate
♠ K 10 4
♥ 8532
♦ 854
♣ 982
♠ QJ986 N ♠ A2
♥ K 10 6 ♥ AJ 9 4
♦ K 10 W E ♦ J962
♣ J 10 5 S ♣ A6 3
♠ 753
♥ Q7
♦ AQ73
♣ KQ74
Overbeke Zawada Polak Majcher
– Pass 1♣ Pass
1♥* Pass 1NT Pass
3NT All Pass
West’s 1♥ was a transfer response and South led the ♣4 against the eventual contract of 3NT.
Declarer won with dummy’s ♣J and played ace and another spade to the queen. North took the
king and returned a club to the queen, South clearing the suit. Declarer crossed to the ♥K, cashed
the spade winners and ran the ♥10 to South’s queen. The ♦A and a good club then put the game
one down.
– Pass 1NT Pass
2♥* Pass 2♠ Pass
3NT All Pass
South chose to lead the ♣K. Marcinowski won with the ace and continued with ace and another
spade to the queen and king. When a club was returned, South won and cleared the suit. Declarer
cashed dummy’s three spade winners, keeping ♥A-J-9-4 and the ♦J. He then played the ♥K and
thought for quite a while. Should he run the 10 or rise with the ace? The only available clues
were that Westerbeek had discarded one heart (whereas Zawada had kept his ♥8-5-3 at the other
table) and North had not covered the ♥10. Eventually he rose with the ♥A and was rewarded by
the splendid sight of the ♥Q falling from South. That was 10 IMPs to Poland.
We were back into ‘wild and woolly’ territory two boards later.

 Intermediate
♠ Q92
♥ 10 6 4 2
♦4
♣ AJ972
♠ 765 N ♠ J4
♥ 75 ♥ Q93
♦ AK Q J 6 W E ♦ 10 8 7 5 3 2
♣ Q43 S ♣ 10 8
♠ A K 10 8 3
♥ AKJ8
♦ 9
♣ K65
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass
West declined to mention his diamonds and the spade game was made with two overtricks when
the clubs were brought in for two heart discards.
– – – 1♠
2♦ 2♠ Pass 4♦
Pass 4♥ Dble (!) Redouble
Pass 4NT Pass 5♦
Pass 6♠ All Pass
South described his hand with a splinter bid and North considered his next move for quite a while.
His hand was good for the 2♠ response and he had a possible source of tricks in clubs. Against
that, the duplicated singleton diamond meant that there would be several losers to be covered in
hearts and clubs. Eventually North bid 4♥, which was described as ‘Last Train’, a slam try that
did not promise a heart control.
(Speaking from outside the context of this match, I have always wondered about the ethics of
this method. Some might think that a quick 4♥ was more likely when a heart control was held
and a delayed 4♥ otherwise. Of course the onus would then be on partner not to take advantage
of this unauthorised information.)
East now made one of the most extraordinary lead-directing doubles I have witnessed. South
redoubled and some kibitzers started to calculate the expected return from 4♥ redoubled plus two
overtricks. I have not checked it myself but I believe +1880 was mentioned. As I see it, South’s
redouble showed the ♥A rather than offering to play in 4♥. Since South had shown a singleton
diamond, it was still vaguely possible that North might pass it out. No, he bid 4NT and then 6♠
when he heard of three key-cards. West cashed a top diamond and then obeyed the lead- directing
double, leading the ♥7 to a disappointing ♥9 from partner. The slam was made and the Nether-
lands were only 1 IMP behind.
The penultimate board of the match saw the Netherlands lose a big swing:

 Intermediate
♠ A K 10 9
♥ K73
♦ K54
♣ K J 10
♠ 654 N ♠ Q873
♥ Q42 ♥ 10 8
♦ J72 W E ♦ 9863
♣ A9 7 2 S ♣ 653
♠ J2
♥ AJ965
♦ A Q 10
♣ Q84
– 1♣ Pass 1♥
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♣
Pass 4♦ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♥ Pass 6NT
All Pass
No convention cards were available, either then or now (on the internet), so I cannot shine a
light on the early exchanges. How good was the final contract? Declarer has nine tricks once the
♣A is removed. He can gain three more by bringing in the whole heart suit. It’s no good trying
to combine the drop in hearts with a finesse in spades because the spade suit can give you only
two extra tricks.
East wisely chose the safest lead available, a diamond, and declarer took a losing finesse of the
♥J at trick 3 to go one down. At the other table the bidding was 1NT – 2♦ – 2NT – 3♦ – 3♥ – 4♥.
The resultant +450 was worth 11 IMPs and only a 13-IMP swing on the final board would be
enough to allow the Netherlands team to win.

 Intermediate
♠ KJ9743
♥ A
♦ K5
♣ AJ84
♠ A8 N ♠ Q 10 6
♥ 10 7 6 4 3 ♥ K985
♦ AJ 8 7 4 2 W E ♦ Q 10
♣— S ♣ 10 9 4 3
♠ 52
♥ QJ2
♦ 963
♣ KQ652
– – Pass Pass
1♦ Double 1NT 2♣
2♦ 2♠ Pass 3♦
Pass 5♣ All Pass
North preferred a double to an overcall and an ambitious 5♣ was reached. As you see, both the
missing aces were onside. Sobczak led the ♦A and switched to the ♠8. This is easier to do when
holding the ace rather than the queen. Also, West had made a vulnerable opening bid, albeit in
the third seat. ‘Play the king,’ said Schols.
Declarer drew trumps and played a second spade, West taking his ace. The contract had been
made. Could this great result generate the 13 IMPs that were required?
– – Pass Pass
1♦ 1♠ Pass 1NT
2♦ 4♠ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
Did West hope that his double would be read as Lightner? East led the ♦Q to West’s ace and
the ♦2 was returned. Declarer had to play spades from his hand and chose to lead the king. West
won with the ace and led a third round of diamonds ‒ the ♦4 to request a club return. This was
ruffed with the ♠9 and overruffed with the ♠10. The play record ends there and the board was
scored as one down, so East must have returned a heart. However, 600 + 200 = 800 and that is
worth 13 IMPs! Netherlands White had won the final by just 1 IMP. It was a fitting climax to the
25th holding of this wonderful event. 24 teams had entered from 21 different countries. Many
thanks to the organisers and sponsors!

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The Killer Defence vs. 1NT
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 General Interest
Misplay These Hands with Me
Split Decision
Once a year I play as a guest at a congress in Torquay (the setting for the famous Fawlty Towers).
Having qualified for the Pairs Final with only my side vulnerable I pick up a decent hand as dealer:
♠ K 10 9 8 7
♥ K75
♦ K 10 5
♣ AK
I am about to open 1♠ when I remember we are playing a strong no trump. As starting with 1♠
may leave me with an awkward rebid I begin with 1NT. Partner responds 2♣ and when I show
my spades he jumps to game giving us this simple auction:
– – – 1NT
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
West leads the six of spades and I get a decent dummy.

♠ AQJ4
♥ 942
♦ A763
♣ 84
♠ K 10 9 8 7
♥ K75
♦ K 10 5
♣ AK
However, for all our 27 points this is by no means a certainty – and 3NT would have been a laydown.
I win the lead in hand and play a second round, drawing the outstanding trumps. In case West
has the ace of hearts I want to keep East off lead so I play a low diamond from dummy. When
East follows with the eight I put in the ten and West wins with the jack and switches to the two
of clubs. I win in hand and cash the king of diamonds, West following with the two and East
the nine. When I play another diamond West follows with the four and I decide to finesse. East
produces the queen and switches to the queen of hearts. I try the king but West has the ace and
I lose two more heart tricks to finish one down.

The full deal:
♠ AQJ4
♥ 942
♦ A763
♣ 84
♠ 65 N ♠ 32
♥ A 10 6 3 ♥ QJ8
♦ J42 W E ♦ Q98
♣ J762 S ♣ Q 10 9 5 3
♠ K 10 9 8 7
♥ K75
♦ K 10 5
♣ AK
Post Mortem
Having drawn trumps declarer should, as a matter of routine, eliminate the club suit, depriving
the defenders of potential exit cards. Then he should play a diamond to the ace and a diamond to
the ten. If West started with ♦Jx or ♦Qx he will be endplayed. If he exits with a diamond and East
shows out, declarer wins in hand, crosses to dummy with a trump and plays a diamond, pitch-
ing a heart. West wins, but must then lead away from the ace of hearts or give a ruff and discard.
The Diamond Menace

International Trials have taken many forms over the years. On this occasion the selectors have
opted for a Pairs format using Butler IMPs. Whatever the merits of this particular method we are
going along quite steadily when I pick up this hand at Game All:
♠A
♥ K Q 10 7 3
♦ Q942
♣ AK 8
The player on my right passes and I bid 1♥. When West doubles my partner bids 1NT. East has
nothing to say so I bid 3♦. Partner raises to 4♦ and I go on to game, leaving us with this auction:
– – Pass 1♥
Double 1NT Pass 3♦
Pass 4♦ Pass 5♦
All Pass
West leads the king of spades and partner remarks that he hopes his trump support is adequate as
he tables the ♦J105. When this draws no reaction he adds the ♦AK.

♠ 763
♥ 42
♦ A K J 10 5
♣ 10 6 4
♠ A
♥ K Q 10 7 3
♦ Q942
♣ AK8
I cannot imagine what partner was thinking of when he bid 1NT. To my mind 2♦ is obvious and
sounder. Also he might have gone to game himself with such wonderful trump support. Neverthe-
less we seem to have landed on our feet. Had I simply bid 3NT it looks as if a spade lead would
have put the defenders in charge.
I win the opening lead and following my principles I immediately attack the side suit, advanc-
ing the queen of hearts. West wins with the ace and returns the queen of spades which I ruff.
When I lay down the king of hearts disaster strikes as West ruffs. I am left with an unavoidable
club loser and finish one down.
The full deal:
Dealer East. Both Vul.
♠ 763
♥ 42
♦ A K J 10 5
♣ 10 6 4
♠ KQJ2 N ♠ 10 9 8 5 4
♥A ♥ J9865
♦ 876 W E ♦ 3
♣ QJ752 S ♣ 93
♠ A
♥ K Q 10 7 3
♦ Q942
♣ AK8
Post Mortem
I had momentarily forgotten West’s initial double, but even so it was poor play to try and cash
the heart. Declarer should simply cross to dummy, ruff the last spade and draw trumps. Then a
heart to the ten is completely safe and delivers the overtrick. In 6♦, as the cards lie the only win-
ning line is to duck the first round of hearts to West’s bare ace.


!"# $%&

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' () # *#!' 0$##12.

' $3#$4.
0 .# 4

Entry fee: € 50.00 per pair !

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'(#)*$$

"#$

+ , %#-.#
Entry fee: € 60.00 per pair
!#"$
'*$$+#/
'#' + ! *#!'

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Entry fee: € 260.00 per team


The Over the Rainbow Bridge Club
Alex Adamson and Harry Smith with more stories from The Over The Rainbow Club
The Colour Purple

It was the second night of the final of the club’s main pairs championship. The Lion, feeling
uncomfortably out of his depth having qualified for the main final, was anxiously pacing up and
down outside the front door. In the first round, the previous week, he had managed, against all
the odds, to score 48%. This was a significant achievement when the Scarecrow had been suffer-
ing one of his poorer days. Indeed it would have been a good score had it been one of his partner’s
better days.
He looked up as Professor Marvel arrived. ‘How are you, young man?’ the Professor asked him.
‘Oh, hello. I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache. I need some fresh air.’
Professor Marvel immediately reached into his rucksack and produced a small, purple crystal.
‘Take this for the evening,’ he said, offering it to the surprised Lion. ‘Amethyst. Some people
find them good for headaches and relaxation. You are right-handed? Keep it in your left pocket
then you can hold it in your hand from time to time – when you are dummy perhaps - to help
ease the pain,’ he said compassionately. ‘I’m sure you think I’m crazy,’ he said with a little laugh,
looking into the Lion’s wide eyes. ‘I’m not going to pretend I can give you a scientific explanation,
but what harm can it do? Who knows, maybe it will help you. All I know is that it works for me.’
The Lion looked slightly wary. The Professor concluded, ‘and if it’s safe in your pocket no-one
needs to know that you have it. Please, indulge me. I won’t tell anyone.’
Checking that there was nobody in sight, the Lion took the crystal and slipped it into his pocket
murmuring a quiet thank you.
The Lion felt he and the Scarecrow were in no danger of being considered in contention, which
removed some of the stress from the evening, but he did want to avoid an embarrassingly low
finish. He had his reputation amongst some of the older female members of the club to consider,
many of whom had been wishing him good luck over the past fortnight.
The leading pairs were the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda on 58%, Aunty Em and
Uncle Henry on 56% and Miss Gulch and Professor Marvel on 55%. Of the rest, only the Tin
Man and Dorothy could be considered to have a realistic chance, though they had some ground
to make up after posting 52% on the first night. The main contenders, of course had very little
interest in the Lion’s score. One member of each of the three leading pairs, The Wicked Witch,
Aunty Em and Almira Gulch, were far too busy focussing on their hatred for each other and the
absolute necessity of ensuring that neither of the other two should win.
All the players, apart from the impervious Tin Man, sensed that there was a distinct edge to the
proceedings that night, with the Ruby Slippers Trophy awaiting the winners. This only worsened
as, while play progressed, it became clear that the scoresheets seemed to hold a wider than nor-
mal variety of scores. The Lion’s cautious temperament was proof against both the overbidding
or rash doubling, which seemed to be affecting pairs all over the room, allowing his partnership
to plug away with a lot of safe average or average-plus scores.
When play had finished it seemed that all of the leading pairs were still holding out hopes of
victory. Dorothy approached the Lion to check out a few scores. She directed his attention to
board nine. ‘I’m hoping we have an average here,’ she said. ‘We could be in with a chance if my
estimates are right.’

Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ 10 8 7
♥ J 10 8
♦ A 10 9 5 3
♣ 62
♠ AJ 9 5 3 N ♠ KQ6
♥ A5 4 ♥ K962
♦ K6 W E ♦ 74
♣ K 10 7 S ♣ Q843
♠ 42
♥ Q73
♦ QJ82
♣ AJ95
‘We scored plus 100,’ said the Lion. I was North. We passed throughout, of course, as our oppo-
nents bid to 3NT. I led a diamond and declarer only had eight tricks. That looked routine to me,
although I’m not sure I would have forced to game opposite a strong No Trump with that gappy
ten-count.’
‘There seems to be a real scatter of scores on this one,’ Dorothy replied. ‘Aunty Em opened the
South hand One Club and Uncle Henry led her suit against 3NT. She switched to a diamond so
they got it two off. I know that Zeke and Hickory made 2NT on the diamond lead, after Zeke
under.., , er …um, I mean, took a sound view of the East hand.’ She improvised a sudden need
to blow her nose to hide her embarrassment.
‘How did Glinda do?’ the Lion enquired.
‘She and the Wicked Witch managed to buy the hand in Three Diamonds by North, undou-
bled. That lost four tricks in the Majors and a club for one down. To be honest, it is a bit harsh
to end up below average when you have fifteen points between you and score minus 50.’
The Lion took a mental note to console Glinda later on the injustice she had suffered.
‘And what about you?’ he asked.
‘At the time we played it, half way through the session, we were the only pair in Four Spades,
which I thought was a bit surprising. The Tin Man was one down in that.’
‘Do tell.’ The Lion was always more interested in hearing about the Tin Man’s failures than his
successes.
‘We were playing the Mayor of Munchkinland and the Chairman of the Lollipop Guild.’ She
related the auction:
Tin Man Mayor Dorothy Chairman
– Pass Pass 1♦
1NT 3♦ Double Pass
‘The Mayor, in the North seat, realised that he could well be giving away a trick if he played a
diamond. The jack of hearts looked like a good alternative. My partner won in hand and crossed
to dummy with a trump. Then he played a club. When South played low he put in the ten and
that won the trick, North starting to show a doubleton. The Tin Man played two more rounds
of trumps, ending in the dummy and then played a second club. The Chairman played low again
and the king won. This is what they had left.’ She stroked off cards on the hand record:

♠ –—
♥ 10 8
♦ A 10 9 5 3
♣ –—
♠ J9 N ♠ –—
♥ 54 ♥ K96
♦ K6 W E ♦ 74
♣7 S ♣ Q8
♠ –—
♥ Q3
♦ QJ8
♣ AJ
‘Declarer had not lost any tricks yet but there was no way that he could avoid a heart, two dia-
monds and a club.’
A voice interrupted their conversation. It was Professor Marvel. ‘Good try by the Tin Man,’ he
said, ‘and well done to the Chairman for ducking clubs twice, otherwise the queen of clubs will
provide a heart discard.’
‘What did you do on this board?’ Dorothy asked him. ‘You must have been playing the Unpleas-
ant and Irritable witches.’
‘Indeed we were, and on the penultimate round. Miss Gulch and I made Four Spades.’
‘Really? Well that’s certainly a top for you. Did you play it?’
‘Yes, I did. At my table South had opened One Club, I had overcalled 1NT and North had
made a non-forcing Two Diamond bid, so I fancied her to hold the ace of that suit. I got the same
lead as your partner, but I took a different tack. I let the jack of hearts win the trick. As you can
imagine, North continued with another heart. I was able to win that, draw trumps, and use the
thirteenth heart to pitch a diamond. After that I just had to play a club to the ten to secure two
tricks in that suit to give me ten. I lost one heart, one club and one diamond.’
‘Very good,’ said Dorothy. ‘I see that it does South no good to put the queen of hearts on the
jack as you can then win and finesse against North’s ten.’
Professor Marvel smiled and nodded.
A few feet away Dorothy could hear the Unpleasant and Irritable Witches discussing the hand
volubly.
‘After your jack of hearts won, and if there was ever an obvious Greek gift that was it, why didn’t
you stop to think, and then you might have switched to my suit? Just play a club and I will win
and then we’ll take two diamonds to beat the contract? Too easy for you?’ screeched the Irritable
Witch.
‘Too easy? Hardly, when you are siding with the opposition. If you wanted a club then why did
you encourage at trick one?’ Unpleasant retorted.
‘Because I had the queen. How could I not?’ stuttered Irritable, realising that she was now on
thin ice.
‘Tricky, isn’t it? How am I to know whether to trust your bidding or your signalling when at
least one of them is likely to be wrong? For all I know you have ace-queen of hearts!’ The Unpleas-
ant Witch was triumphant.
Dorothy, the Lion and Professor Marvel were joined by Aunty Em.
‘How did you do?’ Dorothy asked her.
‘I don’t know. Mid fifties. Does anyone know how the Wicked Witch got on? Lion, you should
be speaking to Glinda, getting the inside story. We might as well get some benefit from your puppy
love, or maybe it should be cub love for you.’

Aunty Em gave an involuntary giggle. The others smiled. The Lion bridled inwardly. Both he
and Glinda were in their forties, though he knew that Em considered everyone younger than her-
self to be a child. He thought he had been very discrete in his courtship. Indeed sometimes he
wondered if he was being so discrete that Glinda hadn’t noticed.
He had of course been looking for the chance to talk to her since the end of play, but even with
a tension-relieving crystal in his hand he was going to wait until Wicked was out of the way. In
the meantime, the Wicked Witch of the West had gathered the other three witches around her
and was explaining, in her own special style, how their scores might have been improved over the
course of the evening. Glinda was not looking altogether happy.
‘How is your headache?’ Professor Marvel interrupted his reverie.
The Lion jumped and nodded gratefully, ‘Oh, you know. I’m not one to complain. A bit better.’
‘What about board 19?’ Aunty Em pulled the conversation back to the only topic worth dis-
cussing. They all found the Board in the printout.
Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ A 10 7
♥ 9543
♦ AK3
♣ AK4
♠ – N ♠ K9432
♥ AK Q 8 6 ♥ 10 7 2
♦ QJ842 W E ♦ 65
♣ 873 S ♣ Q65
♠ QJ865
♥J
♦ 10 9 7
♣ J 10 9 2
‘I was sitting West,’ Aunty Em continued. ‘I opened One Heart and that obnoxious Unpleasant
Witch of the North doubled. Ugh. What a call. Henry passed – a bit wet, but we have come to
expect that. The Irritable Witch of the South bid One Spade and I rebid Two Diamonds. The
Unpleasant Witch raised to Two Spades and Henry jerked into life with Three Hearts. That went
back round to North, who thought she could have a piece of me, and doubled, looking at me
with that toothless grin of hers.’ She finished with a chuckle. Dorothy, relaxed. It was clear that
this story was going to have a happy ending, for Aunty Em at least.
This had been Aunty Em’s auction:
Aunty Em Unpleasant Uncle Henry Irritable
– – – Pass
1♥ Double Pass 1♠
2♦ 2♠ 3♥ Pass
‘Still grinning, that nasty woman settled on the ace of clubs lead.’ Aunty Em warmed to her sub-
ject. ‘The opposition could clearly have made Two Spades. but being vulnerable and doubled,
going one down was not going to be a good score. I had to make this.
‘North switched to a trump, which went to South’s jack and I won in hand. The problem suit
was diamonds. North clearly had both top honours, so leading up to my queen-jack wasn’t going

to achieve anything, and I couldn’t play to ruff one in ♠ A 10 7
the dummy because North would then draw dummy’s ♥ 9543
trumps before I played two rounds to get my ruff.’ ♦ AK3
♣ AK4
Aunty Em smiled. Clearly she was about to describe ♠ – ♠ K9432
the master play. ‘Helped by the play at trick two, I saw I ♥ A K Q 8 6 N
♥ 10 7 2
could solve my problem another way. South couldn’t have ♦ Q J 8 4 2 W E ♦ 65
the nine of hearts or she would have played it instead of ♣ 8 7 3 S ♣ Q65
the jack, so I finessed the seven to get to dummy then ♠ Q J 8 6 5
♥ J
played a diamond to my eight. I got out for four losers ♦ 10 9 7
in the minors.’ ♣ J 10 9 2
‘Well done. That’s sure to be a top,’ Dorothy congrat-
ulated her. I can see it wouldn’t have done South any good to put in the nine or ten of diamonds,
as you can get back to dummy with the ten of hearts to repeat the finesse.’
‘A very nice play,’ Dorothy added. ‘What happened to you on this board, Lion?’
‘We were plus 100 on the North/South cards,’ he replied, concealing the inner turmoil he had
felt at the table. He remembered the three calls he had made in the auction, not feeling comfort-
able with any of them. The crystal had come in very handy.
He had been sitting North and, like the Unpleasant Witch, had been faced with a One Heart
opening on his right. It felt like too good a hand to pass, and yet he could think of no sensible
bid to make. He passed and found himself pulling out two more green Pass cards before the auc-
tion was over.
Ada Lion Cissie Scarecrow
– – – Pass
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass
3♥ All Pass
They had beaten the contract when Ada, with no help from the bidding, had elected to combine
drawing trumps with leading up to her diamond honours twice.
‘I’m most sorry, my dear,’ Ada apologised. ‘Do you see what a strong hand the Lion had? I didn’t
think to play him for eighteen points.’
‘Better if we can stop lower,’ Cissie replied. ‘Perhaps my One Spade was a bit much. As for the
Lion, when we play the good players, we have to expect them to make good decisions.’
The Lion purred at the memory.
‘You judged that well, Lion,’ Professor Marvel smiled. ‘We played this in the last round, against
Glinda and the Wicked Witch. I thought we were probably in need of a score so I pushed the
boat out a little.’ With a wink at the Lion, he added ‘Also, I knew that Almira might have been
perturbed if I had stepped out of line earlier in the evening. This way she had a week to recover,
if it went wrong!’
The atmosphere had been frosty as they started the round. The Wicked Witch of the West knew
that the evening had not gone tolerably well, but that a few errors avoided would have put them
in the driving seat. Worse still, she knew that she was at fault on a couple of hands, and that even
Glinda might eventually spot them.
Professor Marvel greeted the opponents cordially, giving each of them a quick squeeze of the
hand as he said ‘Hello, so good to finish against such nice opponents.’ Glinda beamed at him;
Wicked looked totally perplexed. No one had called her nice since she was a child, and possibly
not even then.

Almira Gulch had missed these exchanges as she had ♠ A 10 7
been occupied telling their last opponents just how they ♥ 9543
had gone wrong. She took her seat imperiously. ‘Really, ♦ AK3
♣ AK4
Glinda,’ she said. ‘You are so brave to wear these colours at ♠ – ♠ K9432
this time of year.’ Glinda looked slightly confused. Almira ♥ A K Q 8 6 N
♥ 10 7 2
continued, ‘Perhaps you should learn a lesson from your ♦ Q J 8 4 2 W E ♦ 65
partner. Black is such a forgiving colour, although of ♣ 8 7 3 S ♣ Q65
course she has so much more that needs forgiven.’ ♠ Q J 8 6 5
♥ J
‘Just because you still think this is the 1950s doesn’t ♦ 10 9 7
mean the rest of us are stuck in a time warp!’ The Wicked ♣ J 10 9 2
Witch retorted. This was more like normality to her.
‘Ladies, ladies,’ Professor Marvel chuckled, ‘if anyone has any fashion advice to give at this table
then I’m sure it should be directed at me!’
Professor Marvel had decided to take advantage of the vulnerability and first position to stick
in a somewhat off-centre weak two opening. Wicked overcalled Three Hearts and Miss Gulch
brushed this off contemptuously with a jump to game. Glinda took her partner’s vulnerable three-
level overcall seriously and doubled. Miss Gulch took this as a personal insult. She redoubled on
the grounds that if it made they had a top, and if it went down then her partner was surely to
blame. This was the auction:
Wicked Miss Gulch Glinda Prof Marvel
– – – 2♠
3♥ 4♠ Double Pass
Pass Redouble All Pass
The Wicked Witch led out the ♥A and followed it with the ♥K, which the Professor ruffed in
hand. He put the ♣J on the table and when West did not cover, he decided to play for the queen
to be wrong. He took the trick in dummy and ruffed another heart in hand. Another club to the
dummy, followed by the two top diamonds brought them to this position:
♠ A 10 7
♥ 9
♦ 3
♣ 4
♠ –— N ♠ K9432
♥ Q8 ♥ –—
♦ QJ8 W E ♦ –—
♣8 S ♣Q
♠ QJ8
♥ –—
♦ 10
♣ 10 9
Professor Marvel had lost one trick and won six. He called for dummy’s last heart. Glinda was baf-
fled. The pack seemed to have fourteen spades in it. Perhaps the Professor had misplaced a club
during the auction. The one thing she felt sure of was that her partner had no trumps in her hand.
She fingered a low trump, but that would just be overruffed. She fingered the ♠K, but that
seemed no good either. Declarer would pitch his losing diamond and escape for the loss of a heart,
a spade and a club. In desperation she discarded the ♣Q. The Professor ruffed with the ♠8 for

his seventh trick.
Now the moment of truth had come. If he had read the situation correctly then Glinda had
nothing left but trumps. He played a club. Glinda had to ruff, exiting with a small trump to his
jack for his eighth trick. Next Glinda had to ruff her partner’s winning diamond and play away
from her ♠K, giving the Professor the last two tricks and his contract.
By the time Professor Marvel had finished recounting the events of this board, the Chairman
of the Lollipop Guild was ready to announce the results.
‘Your attention, please. Your attention, please,’ he began. ‘I must say I have never seen such
close scoring. We have five pairs split by only one per cent. Most remarkable!’
The Wicked Witch and Aunty Em were watching each other out of the corners of their eyes.
The Chairman went on. ‘In any case, in any case, we have three prizes. In third place with 56.2%
over the two nights we have Dorothy and the Tin Man.’ There was a small ripple of applause.
Aunty Em and the Wicked Witch had half turned towards each other.
‘In second place on 56.4%, and I would advise all the pairs to check the scores carefully. You
have until tomorrow night. In second place we have the Lion and the Scarecrow.’ The Scarecrow
was in a bewildered state of rapturous delight. The Lion resolved to go out the next day and buy
himself a box of amethyst crystals.
Some people may have clapped but Aunty Em and the Wicked Witch were now in a universe
of their own; only the Chairman’s voice could cross the gulf of space between them and the rest
of humanity.’
‘This year’s winner’s, this year’s winner’s, most fittingly include a woman who knew Mrs Ruby
Slippers, in whose memory we play this event. This year’s winners, with 56.7% are Miss Almira
Gulch and Professor Marvel!’
Such clapping as there may have been was drowned by the howl of anguish from Aunty Em
and the scream of a witch thwarted. Aunty Em and the Wicked Witch of the West agreed on very
little, but one thing that united them was their opinion of the woman haughtily walking to the
front of the room and clasping the trophy, leaving her partner trailing in her wake.

hijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijk
The Young Chelsea Bridge Club

is delighted to present its first
Ladies Swiss Teams

to be held at the club premises at
54 Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8HA

on
16th & 17th September 2017
Format: 10 × 10-board matches
Start time 10.30am on Saturday, finishing at 4.30pm on Sunday

hijk
Entry fee: £300 per team
(Teams may be comprised of 4, 5 or 6 players)
Good prize pool (amounts dependant on entries)
Entries and enquiries to Paula Leslie at:
Paula2012leslie@gmail.com
Visit www.ycbc.co.uk for updates of further details
hijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijkhijk

 Intermediate
Solution to Non-Prize Problem

♠ 842
♥ —
♦ A 10 6 5
♣ KJ9832
♠ K6 N ♠ Q J 10 9 3
♥ AQJ10985 ♥ 63
♦ 43 W E ♦ J982
♣ 54 S ♣ 10 6
♠ A75
♥ K742
♦ KQ7
♣ AQ7
– – – 1♣
4♥ 5♥* Pass 6♣
All Pass
West leads the five of clubs.

You win in hand, ruff a heart, return to hand with a trump, ruff a heart, play a diamond to the
queen, ruff a heart, enter hand once more with a diamond and ruff your remaining heart. At
this point East will be down to ♠QJ10 ♦J9 and you duck a spade. Say East wins and returns
a spade? You win and your last three cards are ♠7♦7♣7. You cash the seven of clubs throwing
dummy’s last spade and East must resign.
This problem is based on a deal played by Dr. Paul Stern.

 Intermediate
Test Your
Defence
with Julian Pottage Solutions on page 141
♠ ♠
1 ♥
A Q 10 5 4
Q 10 5 2 ♥
J9874
AKJ
♦ J ♦ Q3
♣ K J 10 9 ♣ 10 6 2
♠ KJ873 N ♠ Q 10 5 N
♥ K ♥ 764
♦ AK 5 W E ♦ J974 W E
♣ 8652 S ♣ KJ3 S
North-South vulnerable WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH – – – 1♥
– – – Pass Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥
1♠ Pass 1NT* 3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
Pass Pass Double* All Pass All Pass
1NT Forcing (playing two-over-one) You lead the four of diamonds, covered by the queen,
Dble Takeout
king and ace. Declarer plays a trump to the ace and
You start off with the six of clubs. Declarer ruffs part- calls for a spade. Partner goes in with the ace of spades
ner’s queen, finesses the queen of spades and plays a and returns the five of diamonds. Having captured the
club. Partner ducks this (heart discard on your right) eight with the nine, how do you continue?
and covers the next club, declarer ruffing. Now comes
a trump. What is your plan?



 Intermediate
The Abbot’s Poor Result

David Bird
‘Where were you this afternoon, Abbot?’ asked Brother Zac. ‘We had a lady visitor from the Lark-
spur Care Home in Winchester. ‘She’d heard that we had some strong bridge players here and was
wondering if you and Brother Xavier would join their weekly game and offer some instruction.’
The Abbot paused to consider the matter. The standard of the participants would surely be
totally hopeless. Still, duty came before pleasure. When a person had a great talent in some field,
whether God-given or the result of a life-time’s effort, they should make every effort to share it
with their fellow citizens. ‘I have a fairly heavy workload in the coming week or two,’ he said, ‘but
I dare say I could fit it in. What day did they have in mind?’
‘Well, it was this evening, actually,’ Brother Zac replied. ‘Some of them like to go to bed rather
early, so their game starts at five o’clock.’
The Abbot raised his eyes to the ceiling. ‘What use is that?’ he exclaimed. ‘It’s half-past five
already.’
‘Well, we couldn’t find you, as I said,’ continued Brother Zac. ‘It’s no problem, though. Brother
Aelred and Brother Michael volunteered for the task.’
‘Tell me you’re joking,’ retorted the Abbot. ‘The only purpose of those two visiting the Lark-
spur place would be to learn a thing or two about the game!’
Brother Aelred and Brother Michael had made a good start in the care home game and were in
the unusual situation of being above average in the rankings as the fourth round started.
‘I’m Doris and this is my younger sister, Faith,’ said a rather frail white-haired lady, propping
her walking stick against the East chair.
‘I don’t look particularly young, I realise,’ said her partner. ‘But I’m three years younger than
Doris. She’s 85 and I’m 82.’
Brother Aelred smiled politely. ‘I put you in your early 70s,’ he declared. ‘You both look very
well, anyway.’
Doris laughed. ‘Bridge keeps you young,’ she replied. ‘That’s what they say.’
This was the first deal of the round:
Dealer North. Neither Vul.
♠ A865
♥ AQ4
♦ Q843
♣ 64
♠ Q3 N ♠ 74
♥ J952 ♥ K 10 8 6
♦ 10 7 2 W E ♦ J96
♣ 10 9 8 5 S ♣ J732
♠ K J 10 9 2
♥ 73
♦ AK5
♣ AKQ

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ A865
Doris Brother Faith Brother ♥ AQ4
Langridge Michael Langridge Aelred ♦ Q843
♣ 64
– 1♦ Pass 1♠ ♠ Q3 ♠ 74
Pass 2♠ Pass 4NT N
♥ J952 ♥ K 10 8 6
Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ ♦ 10 7 2 W E ♦ J96
All Pass ♣ 10 9 8 5 S ♣ J732
♠ K J 10 9 2
Doris Langridge turned towards Brother Aelred. ‘You ♥ 73
must have a strong hand,’ she said. ‘We don’t tend to ♦ AK5
♣ AKQ
bid many slams here.’
‘It’s usually safer to stop in game,’ her sister added. ‘There’s less chance of going down.’
‘You bid the spades first, didn’t you?’ queried Doris Langridge.
Brother Aelred nodded and the ♣10 appeared on the table. ‘Small, please,’ he said.
Faith Langridge leaned forward. ‘You’ll probably think we’re old-fashioned,’ she said, ‘but we
like to give partner a thank-you, even if the dummy isn’t much good.’
‘Of course, of course,’ replied Brother Aelred. ‘That’s a very nice dummy, partner. Thank you.’
Brother Aelred won the club lead in his hand and saw that he had an excellent chance of avoid-
ing a trump loser. Indeed it was more than 40 years ago that the approved method of tackling this
holding had been explained to him. He led the ♠J in the full expectation that West would cover
if she held the queen. When a lowly ♠3 appeared, it was fairly obvious which defender held the
queen. ‘Overtake with the ace, will you?’ he instructed Brother Michael. ‘And a low spade, please.’
Brother Aelred finessed the ♠10 on the second round and could barely believe it when this lost
to the queen. Doris Langridge switched to the ♥2 and Brother Aelred paused to make a plan. If
diamonds were 3-3 there would be a discard for his low heart. Still, he rarely seemed to be lucky
when he relied on a 3-3 break. The solid 50% chance in hearts must be a better bet. ‘Queen,
please,’ he said.
Faith Langridge produced the ♥K and the slam was one down. ‘It just bears out what I said
earlier,’ she remarked, returning her cards to the wallet. ‘If you’d stopped safely in game, you
wouldn’t have gone down.’
‘Were the diamonds 3-3?’ enquired Brother Michael.
‘I can’t remember, dear,’ Faith Langridge replied. ‘Have a look at my hand by all means.’
Brother Michael extracted her cards. ‘Oh dear, the diamonds were 3-3,’ he said. ‘The slam was
cold! You just needed to discard a heart on the 13th diamond.’
‘That’s a bit double-dummy,’ said Brother Aelred. ‘The heart finesse was a much better chance.’
Brother Michael surveyed the score-sheet. ‘So far, everyone else has made 13 tricks,’ he observed.
‘Only one other pair bid the slam, though.’
A couple of rounds later, the St Titus pair faced the game’s organiser, Felicity Smallbeam. ‘So
kind of you to come along,’ she said. ‘I expect our members have already learned a lot from play-
ing against you.’
Brother Aelred was unaccustomed to receiving compliments at the bridge table. ‘Well, I did
play a slam quite well, a few boards ago,’ he replied. ‘We didn’t actually get a good score from it,
but my line of play might well have been instructive in a way.’
Mrs Smallbeam smiled back. ‘The expert line is not always rewarded,’ she said. ‘The Good Lord
moves in mysterious ways. I’ve never worked out the reason why, but you two probably under-
stand it better than we would.’
This was the deal before them:

 Intermediate
Dealer South. East/West Vul.
♠ 532
♥ 864
♦ A82
♣ 10 7 3 2
♠ J 10 9 7 N ♠ 864
♥ Q75 ♥2
♦ K 10 6 4 3 W E ♦ QJ975
♣8 S ♣ J954
♠ AKQ
♥ A K J 10 9 3
♦ —
♣ AKQ6
Felicity Brother Grace Brother
Smallbeam Michael McLeod Aelred
– – – 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
Pass 3♥ Pass 4NT
Pass 5♦ Pass 5♠
Pass 6♥ All Pass
‘Wonderful bidding!’ exclaimed Mrs Smallbeam. ‘Much too difficult for us to follow, of course,
but it must make all the difference when you play in these expert events.’
Brother Aelred won the spade lead in his hand and saw immediately that it was another oppor-
tunity to ‘combine two chances’ (as they called it in bridge books). He played the ace and king
of trumps, noting that the trump queen did not fall. Ah well, he would soon be able to take his
second chance – that the clubs would be 3-2. In fact, wait a minute. While he was at it, he could
combine a third chance. It wasn’t very likely but the jack of clubs might be a singleton.
Brother Aelred played his two top clubs, West discarding a diamond on the second round. How
unlucky could you be? Was there a fourth chance, lurking somewhere? Goodness me, he was play-
ing well today, perhaps he could throw the Smallbeam woman on lead with a trump. She might
then have nothing but diamonds in her hand! If she played a diamond, he would be able to win
with the ace and throw his club loser. How many players would spot that?
Brother Aelred played his two remaining spade honours and exited with a trump to West’s
queen. Mrs Smallbeam had no intention of leading away from a king at this stage of the deal, par-
ticularly against a slam contract. With a determined expression, she placed the ten of spades on
the table. Brother Aelred ruffed and ran his trumps but the sharp-eyed Scottish lady in the East
seat kept a firm hold on her club guard and he was one down.
‘Another very instructive deal,’ observed Brother Aelred. ‘As long as I timed it right, I was able
to combine four different chances!’
Brother Michael was unimpressed. ‘You never made my ace of diamonds,’ he observed Brother
Michael. ‘Couldn’t you have thrown your club loser on it?’
Grace McLeod leaned forward. ‘What happens if you lead the jack of trumps on the second
round,’ she asked. ‘If Felicity takes her queen, you can cross to the eight of trumps for a club discard.’
Brother Aelred blinked a few times. Could the Scottish woman possibly know what she was
talking about? ‘You may be right as the cards lie,’ he replied. ‘That’s only one chance though. The
way I played it gave me four different chances.’

 Intermediate
On the last round of the session, the two monks faced an elderly married couple. Ethel Goold
seemed to survey the card table with unseeing eyes. Her husband, Charlie Goold, was in much
better physical shape and was reputed to be the best bridge player in the care home. This was the
first board of the round.
Dealer North. Both Vul.
♠ AK64
♥ J3
♦ J42
♣ K652
♠ 10 8 2 N ♠ QJ93
♥8 ♥ K 10 9 6
♦ 10 9 8 6 3 W E ♦ 75
♣ J973 S ♣ Q 10 4
♠ 75
♥ AQ7542
♦ AKQ
♣ A8
Brother Ethel Brother Charlie
Michael Goold Aelred Goold
– 1♣ Pass 1♥
Pass 1NT Pass 6♥
‘What does your partner’s double mean?’ said Charlie Goold, peering through his thick-lensed
spectacles.
‘Well, it wasn’t on the first round,’ Brother Michael replied. ‘When you jump to a slam like
that, it must be for penalties. He’s probably showing a good hand.’
Charlie Goold raised his eyebrows. What a couple of zombies! Whichever of them was the
Abbot, he was meant to be a good player. Not that this was apparent from what he had seen so
far. He won the first trick with the ace of diamonds, pleased to see that the double had not been
intended as Lightner for a diamond ruff. Presumably East had made an ill-advised double on
some chunky trump holding.
Charlie Goold played the ace and king of clubs and ruffed a club with the ♥2, the queen appear-
ing from East. He then cashed one more high diamond, noting that East had played high-low
and probably had no cards left in the suit. It was beginning to look as if East had started with
4-4-2-3 shape. A spade to the king was followed by a fourth round of clubs. Brother Aelred dis-
carded a spade and declarer ruffed with the ♥4. A spade to the king was followed by a spade ruff,
leaving these cards still in play:

 Intermediate
♠6
♥ J3
♦J
♣—
♠— N ♠—
♥8 ♥ K 10 9 6
♦ 986 W E ♦ —
♣— S ♣ —
♠ —
♥ AQ7
♦ Q
♣ —
Charlie Goold was confident how the cards lay. Yes, and he could have a bit of fun at the expense
of these fraudulent visitors. Fancy telling Felicity that they were experts! ‘Right, now I just need
this queen of diamonds to stand up, and I’m going to make this slam,’ he announced.
West and the dummy followed with diamonds and Brother Aelred detached a card playfully
from his hand. ‘It’s a red one,’ he informed the declarer. ‘No, sorry, I won’t pull your leg any longer.
I’m afraid I’m going to ruff with the six of trumps. Bad luck!’
‘Sorry, partner,’ said the declarer. ‘I nearly made it.’
‘Yes, yes, but you have to play it out,’ said the pale-faced North player. ‘It’s the er... Abbot to play.’
Brother Aelred shared an amused glance with his partner. Fancy them thinking he was the Abbot,
just because he’d found one good double! When he returned the ♥10, this was run to dummy’s
jack. A finesse of the trump queen then landed the slam.
Brother Aelred blinked. ‘Did you make it?’ he asked.
‘It seems so,’ replied a well-satisfied Charlie Goold. ‘I’ll fill out the score, dear,’ he said, leaning
across the table. ‘We don’t want this particular board to be mis-scored.’
A short while later, the players were enjoying a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit as Felicity Small-
beam stepped forward to announce the results. ‘In first place, we have Doris and Faith Langridge,’
she said. ‘Very well done. It’s the first time they’ve won this year.’
‘Excellent!’ said Grace McLeod to her partner. ‘The standard of our bridge can’t be that bad if
one of our pairs finishes ahead of the Abbot.’
Several more pairs were called out, each earning a polite smattering of applause.
‘And in 15th place, I’m sure we would all like to show our appreciation to the Abbot and Brother
Xavier,’ declared Felicity Smallbeam. ‘We don’t get many experts visiting our humble game and
it was very kind of them to come along and show us how bridge is meant to be played. Many
thanks, indeed. Oh, and no need for you to take a note of your scores on the boards, Abbot. I’ll
send you a comprehensive email tomorrow!’

 Intermediate

 Intermediate

 Intermediate
Solutions to “Test Your Defence”
with Julian Pottage See page 132
♠ ♠
1 ♥
A Q 10 5 4
Q 10 5 2 ♥
J9874
AKJ
♦ J ♦ Q3
♣ K J 10 9 ♣ 10 6 2
♠ KJ873 ♠ 92 ♠ Q 10 5 ♠ A6 3
♥ K ♥ AJ 8 7 ♥ 764 ♥ 5
♦ AK 5 ♦ 73 ♦ J974 ♦ K 10 6 5 2
♣ 8652 ♣ AQ 7 4 3 ♣ KJ3 ♣ Q984
♠ 6 ♠
K2
♥ 96432 ♥
Q 10 9 8 3 2
♦ Q 10 9 8 6 4 2 ♦
A8
♣ — ♣
A75
North-South vulnerable WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH – – – 1♥
– – – Pass Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥
1♠ Pass 1NT* 3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
Pass Pass Double* All Pass All Pass
1NT Forcing (playing two-over-one) You lead the four of diamonds, covered by the queen,
Dble Takeout
king and ace. Declarer plays a trump to the ace and
You start off with the six of clubs. Declarer ruffs part- calls for a spade. Partner goes in with the ace of spades
ner’s queen, finesses the queen of spades and plays a and returns the five of diamonds. Having captured the
club. Partner ducks this (heart discard on your right) eight with the nine, how do you continue?
and covers the next club, declarer ruffing. Now comes
What is going on in the diamond suit? Did declarer
a trump. What is your plan? The bidding and play to
start with A108 and finesse the eight, presumably aim-
date has been quite revealing. Expecting you to have
ing to discard a club from dummy on the third round
five spades and not wanting to set up a defensive ruff,
of the suit and later ruff a club. That would indicate a
you presume that declarer must have started with a
1-6-3-3 shape, which means has played an unhelpful
singleton. This makes the hand on your right very
ace of spades from ace-king.
shapely, probably seven diamonds and five hearts or
perhaps eight diamonds and four hearts. The alternative situation is that partner has underled
the ten of diamonds. Why would anyone do that? If
Placing partner with the ace of hearts, you can see four
there is a suit that is better to attack from your side
defensive tricks: the ace-king in each red suit. The fifth
of the table, that would be a reason. Either black suit
trick is likely to be the jack of hearts, although if you
partner could play just as well. A trump only you can
think South’s trump suit could ten high, the queen of
play, which if you think about it must be right. A
diamonds is another possibility.
trump exit forces declarer to waste an entry while the
Your problem is the lack of defensive communica- spades remain blocked.
tion and the threat of discards if declarer can repeat
You need to congratulate your partner on the foresight
the ruffing club finesse. While you would prefer not
to give you the lead. On a club lead up to the weak
to risk crashing trump honours, you can ill afford to
suit in dummy, declarer would win, cash the king of
let the jack of trumps be an entry. So take your two
spades and then be able to set up an enjoy the spade
top trumps and the king of hearts before exiting with
suit using two trump entries.
a trump.



 Intermediate
PARTNERSHIP PROFILE
This month the Editor takes a look at one of the richest events in the world, the
Yeh Bros Cup.
After four days of qualifying, the final of the 2017 Yeh Bros Cup was between Kokish (Eric Kok-
ish, Fred Gitelman, Huub Bertens and Curtis Cheek and Pepsi (Geoff Hampson, Eric Greco,
Jacek Pszczola, Josef Blass, Jacek Kalita and Michal Nowosadzki). Three sets of 16 deals would
determine who lifted the trophy and US$175,000, the losers having to console themselves with
US$48,000. Kokish had a carryover of 6.5 IMPs.
The Hands
(This month all the deals were played at IMPs.)
Hand 1. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ AK Q J 7 6 4 N ♠ 82
♥— ♥ AQ J 8 7
♦ AK 9 W E ♦ QJ842
♣ 654 S ♣A
West East
Bertens Cheek
– 1♥
1♠ 2♦
3♣*(Dble) 3♦
3♠ 4♣*
5♥* 5NT*
7♠ Pass
3♣ Fourth-suit forcing
4♣ Cue-bid
5♥ Exclusion Blackwood
5NT 1Keycard outside hearts
With a virtually solid suit one might have expected West to start with 2♠, but the void in partner’s
suit was not an asset, so he decided to adopt a softly, softly approach, hoping to discover more
about partner’s hand. As the auction unfolded he knew he was facing at least ten cards in the red
suits and a first-round club control. It was reasonable to assume that by bidding diamonds twice
East showed a reasonable holding in the suit, but I don’t think it was guaranteed.
West East
Pszczola Blass
– 1♥
2♠ 3♦
3♠ 4♣*
4NT* 5♥*
7♠ Pass
4♣ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards

 Intermediate
Here West did start with 2♠ and as soon as East admitted to a club control he asked for key cards
before bidding the grand slam.
If you play that rebidding 3♠ shows a single-suited hand (not necessarily solid) then when part-
ner bids 4♣ you might infer that it shows some suitability for spades. What is says about your
holdings in the other suits (especially diamonds) is unclear.
Recommended auction: I prefer the second sequence. I can’t help wonder how either auction
would have differed had East held ♠82 ♥AQJ87 ♦J10842 ♣A?
Marks: 7♦/7♠/7NT 10, 6♦/6♠/6NT 7, 5♦/4♠/3NT 5.
Running score: Kokish 10 (0) Pepsi 10 (0)
Hand 2. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ J43 N ♠ K972
♥ AK 2 ♥ 975
♦ K9 W E ♦6
♣ Q J 10 8 2 S ♣ AK 7 5 4
If East opens 1♣ and West bids 2♣ North overcalls 2♦ and South raises to 4♦.
Kalita Nowosadzki
– – 1♣* Pass
2♣* 2♦ 3♦* 4♦
5♣ All Pass
1♣ 11- GF 3+♣, can be 2 cards and longer diamonds only with 18-19 balanced
2♣ Natural, game-forcing
The precise meaning of East’s 3♦ is unclear – most likely it was looking for a diamond stopper for
3NT. North’s overcall was based on ♠Q1065 ♥1043 ♦QJ7432 ♣ – so 4♦ would have drifted one off.
South led a trump against 5♣ and declarer took three rounds of the suit and played a diamond,
South taking the ace and exiting with a diamond. Declarer won with dummy’s king pitching a
heart and played a spade to the king, so that was two down, -200.
West East
Kokish Gitelman
– Pass
1♦* 1♠*
1NT 2♣*
2♥* Pass
1♦ 11-15, 2+♦
1♠ Denies 4+♥ unless game-forcing
2♣ Natural, non-forcing
2♥ Extra values with club support
New partnerships are always likely to have the odd misunderstanding, but with no game likely to
make this was not a bad time to have a wheel come off.
North led the four of diamonds and South took the ace and switched to the six of hearts,
North winning with the ten and returning the four. Declarer won with the ace, cashed the king
and started on the clubs. South ruffed the fourth round (North pitched two diamonds and two
spades) and exited with a diamond. Declarer took the king and cashed the jack of clubs, North
throwing a third spade. A spade went to the queen, king and ace and when South surprisingly
returned a spade declarer emerged with nine tricks,+140.

 Intermediate
Recommended auction: Given a free run E/W might start 1♣-1♠-1NT, when East’s options will
include pass and a non-forcing 3♣. If the auction starts 1♣-(2♦)-East is awkwardly placed, but
3♣ can hardly be wrong. The modern game is all about opening light, but the East hand looks
very thin to me – especially vulnerable.
Marks: 3♣ 10, 4♣ 8, 4♦(N) 7, 3NT(W) 4, 2♥ 3, 5♣ 1.
Hand 3. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ J 10 8 5 N ♠ A9
♥ Q872 ♥ A K 10
♦ 73 W E ♦ Q92
♣ A8 6 S ♣ K 10 9 4 3
West East
Kalita Nowosadzki
– 1NT
2♣* 2♦*
2♥ Pass
2♣ Stayman
2♦ No major
The statisticians will tell you that if you have both majors and partner opens 1NT there is a bet-
ter than 50% chance you will have a 4-4 fit. (There does not seem to be any consensus about the
precise figure – I have seen almost everything between 50% & 60% suggested.) Even so, facing
15-17 I am not sure I would bother.
North’s hand was ♠64 ♥J94 ♦AJ105 ♣J752, so hearts was a comfortable spot, declarer emerg-
ing with nine tricks (and he might have made ten).
Kokish Gitelman
– – 1NT* 2♠*
Pass 3♣* All Pass
1NT 14-16
2♠ Spades and a minor
3♣ Pass or correct
East had the option of opening 1♣, promising 16+ unbalanced or 17+ balanced (the Kaplan-
Rubens Hand Evaluator rates it as 17.05).
It seems clear that North’s 3♣ was intended as ‘pass or correct’ (with a good hand you can start
with 2NT asking for the minor) but obviously they were not on the same page. It did not play
as well as Kokish’s 3-3 heart fit, declarer finishing six down after the defenders started with three
rounds of hearts and the ace of clubs.
Recommended auction: If East opens 1NT and South passes that should end the auction. You
will have noticed that the lucky position in clubs allied to the 4-4 diamond break means that
there are nine tricks in 3NT.
Marks: 1NT/2♥/3♣(N) 10, 3NT 4.

 Intermediate
Hand 4. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ A J 10 9 6 2 N ♠ KQ8
♥ AQ 6 ♥ K 10
♦ 42 W E ♦ K865
♣ A9 S ♣ K 10 8 4
West East
Bertens Cheek
1♠ 2♣*
2♠ 3♠
3NT* 4♣*
4♥* 4♠
5♣* 5♦*
6♠ Pass
2♣ Game-forcing
3NT Slam try
4♣ Cue-bid
4♥ Cue-bid
5♣ Cue-bid
5♦ Cue-bid
Barring a lucky position in clubs the slam was on the location of the ace of diamonds and when
North led it from his ♠5 ♥985432 ♦AQ97 ♣J5 declarer could claim.
West East
Pszczola Blass
1♠ 2NT*
4♠ Pass
2NT Spade support
West’s 4♠ seems a surprising choice with a good six-card suit and excellent controls.
Recommended auction: 1♠-2NT*-3♠-4♣*-4♥*-4♠-5♣*-5♦*-6♠, which is very similar to what
Bertens/Cheek did.
Marks: 6♠ 10, 6NT 8 4♠/3NT 5.
At the end of the first session Kokish led 53.5-20.

 Intermediate
Hand 5. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠2 N ♠ AQ 8 6 5 3
♥ KJ53 ♥ Q42
♦ K6 W E ♦ A 10 2
♣ AK Q 9 3 2 S ♣6
North overcalls 1♦
West East
Bertens Cheek
1♣ (1♦) 2♥*
3♣ 3♦
3NT Pass
2♥ 6+♠
North’s overcall was on ♠KJ ♥97 ♦QJ8543 ♣J108 and he led the queen of diamonds. With clubs
3-3 declarer was not hard pressed to record twelve tricks.
West East
Hampson Greco
1♣* (1♦) 1♠
2♣ 2♥
3♥ 3♠
4♣* 4♦*
4♠* 5♦*
6♣ Pass
1♣ Strong
4♣ Cue-bid
4♦ Cue-bid
Systems guru Al Hollander was surprised by East’s 2♥ – it does not appear in his extensive file
and according to the Bulletin the alerts and comments made it clear there was some confusion
along the way.
North led the jack of clubs and declarer won, drew trumps and played a heart to the queen and
ace. South returned the nine of diamonds for the six, jack and ace and declarer returned to hand
with a diamond and cashed his trumps catching North in a show up squeeze.
Even if North finds the cunning lead of the jack of spades and declarer goes up with dummy’s
ace he can get home – as long as he reads the position in the endgame.
Recommended auction: 1♣-(1♦)-1♠-2♣-2♦*-3NT.
Marks: 3NT/4♥/5♣ 10, 4♠ 6, 6♣ 4.
With 16 deals remaining Kokish led 76.5-45.

 Intermediate
Hand 6. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ 952 N ♠ A K Q 10
♥ 8532 ♥ A K 10 9 7 4
♦ KJ4 W E ♦ 64
♣ 832 S ♣9
North opens 1♦. If East doubles South bids 1♥
Bertens Nowosadzki Cheek Kalita
Pass 1♦ Double 1♥
Pass 1♠ 2♥ Pass
Pass 3♣ All Pass
South’s semi psychic response was easily exposed, but West, whose diamonds were under the gun,
was unwilling to compete to the three-level. North’s hand was ♠7643 ♥ – ♦AQ1092 ♣AJ107, so
you could make 5♣ if you were in it. Declarer played safely for ten tricks.
Hampson Gitelman Greco Kokish
Pass 1♦ Double 1♠*
Pass 2♣ Double 3♣
3♥ 3♠ 4♥ All Pass
South’s 1♠ was probably a transfer to 1NT, denying a major suit. he had excellent club support,
but with a trump trick and a defensive hand it was hardly obvious to ‘save’ in 5♣.
North led the ace of clubs and South followed with the six. Whatever that implied East switched
to the ace of diamonds and declarer was soon claiming ten tricks.
Recommended auction: 1♦-(1♥)-1NT-(2♥)-Pass-(4♥).
Choosing between a double and 1♥ is a matter of style. If you opt for the overcall it looks rea-
sonable to raise – you have four-card support and sometimes the diamonds turn out to be useful.
Marks: 4♥ 10, 3♥ 8, 3♣ (EW) 5.

 Intermediate
Hand 7. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ A9 8 7 6 4 N ♠ KQ2
♥ AK 4 ♥ Q86
♦ Q4 W E ♦ A9 7
♣ K2 S ♣ A 10 5 3
West East
Kalita Nowosadzki
– 1NT
2♥* 2♠
3♥ 3NT
4♣* 4♦*
4NT* 5♦*
5♥* 5NT*
6♠ Pass
2♥ Transfer
4♣ Cue-bid
4♦ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♦ 0-3 key cards
5♥ Asking about the ♠Q
5NT Spade queen, no kings
If East had been able to show the ♦K then West would have tried 7♠, only wrong if the trumps
were 4-0 or if East had been dealt ♦AK doubleton.
South’s hand was ♠J5 ♥732 ♦J83 ♣QJ987 so there was no squeeze for an overtrick.
West East
Kokish Gitelman
– 1NT
2♥* 2♠
3♥* 3NT
Pass
2♥ Transfer
Al Hollander was informed that 3♥ was promising 6+♠, invitational or a slam try with a bad suit
or COG, 6-3-2-2. Perhaps West was unsure as to the meaning of 3NT – was it slam positive or
merely accepting the invitation?
Recommended auction: it would be hard to improve on the Polish auction, which might easily
have delivered an excellent grand slam.
Marks: 6♠/6NT 10, 3NT 5, 7♠/7NT 2.

 Intermediate
Hand 8. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ 10 8 6 N ♠ AQ 5 4 3
♥ K63 ♥J
♦8 W E ♦ AQ 9
♣ J98543 S ♣ AK Q 2
South opens 2♦, Multi and North responds 2♥. If East doubles South passes.
Bertens Nowosadzki Cheek Kalita
– – – 2♦*
Pass 2♥* Double Pass
4♣ Pass 4♥* Pass
5♣ All Pass
2♦ Multi
2♥ Pass or correct
4♥ Cue-bid
North led the ten of hearts from his ♠KJ72 ♥1095 ♦K107632 ♣- but South’s ace was the only
trick for the defence.
Hampson Gitelman Greco Kokish
– – – Pass
Pass Pass 1♣* 1♥
Pass 2♦ Double 3♦
4♣ 4♦ 6♣ All Pass
1♣ Strong
South led the four of diamonds and with the spade king onside declarer was eventually able to
claim.
Recommended auction: Slam is not a great proposition.
Marks: 3NT/4♠/5♣ 10, 6♣ 3.
Here is this month’s bonus deal, the biggest swing of the final:

 Intermediate
♠ Q87
♥ A Q 10 9 7
♦ 9752
♣ 3
♠ 52 N ♠ A 10
♥ K8632 ♥ J54
♦ QJ84 W E ♦ A K 10
♣ J9 S ♣ A Q 10 5 2
♠ KJ9643
♥ —
♦ 63
♣ K8764
Open Room
Kalita Bertens Nowosadzki Cheek
Pass Pass 1♣ 2♠
Pass 3♥* 3♠* Pass
4♥ Pass 5♣ Double
All Pass
3♥ Fit, non-jump
You see how difficult bidding becomes once the opponents interfere. Mind you, East’s 3♠ was a
huge overbid.
South found the best lead of a spade and declarer won with the ace and played a club to dum-
my’s nine, followed by the jack. When North discarded a spade declarer put up the ace and tried
three rounds of diamonds, South ruffing, cashing the king of spades and continuing with a spade,
forcing declarer and ensuring four down and +1100.
Declarer can save a trick by abandoning trumps once the nine has held, either playing on dia-
monds or exiting with a spade.
Closed Room
Kokish Hampson Gitelman Greco
Pass Pass 1♣* 3♠
Double 4♠ Double All Pass
1♣ Strong
West led the two of spades and East won with the ace, cashed two diamonds and the ace of clubs
and now does best to exit with a spade, which leads to two down. When he went for the ten of
diamonds declarer ruffed, ruffed a club, pitched a club on the ace of hearts, ruffed a heart, ruffed a
club, ruffed a heart, drew the outstanding trumps and claimed, only one down, but 16 IMPs away.
Although Pepsi scored more IMPs on my selected deals they lost 121.5-103 – and the score was
only respectable because they picked up 33 IMPs over the last four deals of the match.
You can play through the deals mentioned in this article. Just follow the links:
Hands 1, 2, 3 & 4: http://tinyurl.com/y9xo56h2
Hand 5: http://tinyurl.com/y73enblg
Hands 6, 7 & 8 and the bonus deal: http://tinyurl.com/y8l4jfyr

 Intermediate
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 Intermediate
MARKS & COMMENTS
Set 319 conducted by Alan Mould
Summer is still here (well it is as I write this!) and I
am still here with eight problems as usual. This month THE BIDS & MARKS
the problems come from: 1 through 3 are from the ever Bid Marks No. of Votes
dependable Marc Smith and are from various events; 1. Two Spades 10 11
problem 4 was sent to me by friend, and sometime 2NT 9 6
Two Hearts 7 2
partner, Ollie Burgess and comes from a local dupli- Three Hearts 2 0
cate; problem 5 was sent to me by our editor Mark Three Spades 1 0
Horton and comes from this year’s Lady Milne (the 2. Three Spades 10 10
home international women’s event for our overseas Three Diamonds 9 1
Four Clubs 8 1
readers); problems 6 and 7 was sent to me by another 3NT 7 6
frequent source of problems, Martin Cantor, the sec- Four Spades 7 1
ond of which comes again from the Lady Milne; and Three Hearts 5 0
finally problem 8 was sent to me by John Matheson Any other bid 1 0
3. Three Clubs 10 9
and comes from this year’s Spring IVs competition. A Three Spades 8 3
healthy panel of 19 this month so on with the show. Four Spades 8 3
2NT 8 3
PROBLEM 1 3NT 6 1
Three Diamonds 4 0
IMPs. Dealer North. Both Vul. Three Hearts 4 0
Pass 3 0
♠ 10 5 4. 2NT
Pass
10
9
8
7
♥ A K 10 7 Three Clubs 8 1
♦ 9754 3NT 7 3
♣ K 10 6 Four Hearts
Two Spades
6
3
0
0
West North East South Three Hearts 1 0
– 1NT* 2♦* Pass 5. Two Clubs 10 12
? Two Spades 9 4
1NT 12 -14 Three Diamonds 9 1
2♦ BM standard so either ♥ or ♠. Responses
Double 8 1
are 2♥/♠ = P/C (2♠ can be corrected to 4♥), 2NT
Two Diamonds 7 1
= enquiry (responses are 3♣/♦ = min with ♥/♠, Three Hearts 4 0
3♥/♠ = max with ♠/♥), 3m = nat and F1 2NT 2 0
1NT/Four Hearts 1 0
Bid Marks No. of Votes 6. Pass 10 13
Two Spades 10 11 Three Clubs 8 3
2NT 9 6 Double 7 3
2NT 5 0
Two Hearts 7 2 Four Clubs 5 0
Three Hearts 2 0 Three Hearts/3NT 3 0
Three Spades 1 0 Any other bid 1 0
Assuming that partner has spades (and as several pan- 7. 3NT 10 13
Pass 8 6
ellists say, where are the spades if she doesn’t?), effec- Double 1 0
tively we need to decide whether we would move over Four Clubs 1 0
a natural Two Spade overcall. I suppose this is really 8. Three Diamonds 10 7
a function of what you think the lower limit of a Two Three Spades 9 4
Four Hearts 8 3
Spade overcall over a weak NT to be. Six panellists Four Diamonds 8 2
are prepared to try for game, knowing they are risking Five Diamonds 7 1
the last potential plus score. Mike makes the points I Four Clubs 6 1
have just done: Pass 5 1
3NT 1 0
Lawrence: 2NT. Seems like this problem is more Five Clubs 1 0

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running time: 119 minutes

 Intermediate
a case of knowing partner’s style. I considered Two to play in game (or the three-level after an abortive
Spades first but that does not encourage in spades. try). Can’t we just bid freely at the two-level and not
So 2NT it is. One nice thing, relatively speaking be punished?”
is that I can declare the hand if partner is weak. Two multi-internationals:
Which I expect. Silver: Two Spades. If partner’s suit is spades we
Well if you expect him to be weak, then why try are high enough (especially since double of 1NT
Mike  is penalty). Of course, I intend to bid Four Hearts
Sime: 2NT. It is our style to interfere with any over Three Hearts. I know, I know partner can bid
excuse over a weak 1NT. However, we also bid Two Four Hearts over Two Spades, but that is putting
Diamonds with a hand not quite strong enough to too much pressure on the poor dear; my heart fit
double. Therefore, I must make a move, as there with the club control is too good to leave it up to
may be ten easy or obvious tricks. partner, and not gamble on game.
Teramoto: 2NT. Asks partner. We will play Four Three multi-internationals:
Spades if he is max with spades. Apteker: Two Spades. The perfect bid, invitational
Several panellists think that the vulnerability is highly if partner’s suit is hearts otherwise let’s play in Two
relevant, both in terms of what partner will overcall Spades.
on and the risk/reward ratio: Four multi-internationals:
Green: 2NT. Game could be completely solid so Cannell: Two Spades. Pass-or-correct. I do not feel
I think I must invite especially when vulnerable at I have quite enough for a 2NT enquiry auction.
IMPS. If non-vulnerable I would be happy to bid Five multi-internationals:
Two Spades. Carruthers: Two Spades. It is inconsistent to allow
Leufkens: 2NT. If partner with his vulnerable two- Two Spades to be corrected to Four Hearts when
level overcall has a maximum, we should have a play we have the 2NT enquiry available to find out if he
for Four Spades. is max or min. Plus if he shows a minimum I can
Byrne: 2NT. Completely clear cut in my view. Part- bid Three Spades invitational or Four Hearts after
ner obviously has spades (if we have ten hearts the that enquiry. What am I supposed to bid with ♠xx
other hand would have bid - probably spades) and ♥xxxx ♦xxxx ♣xxx for example? I’d shudder if he
a response of Two Spades (pass or correct) will lead bid Four Hearts over my Two Spades (well bid Two
to missing game opposite as little as ♠AQJxxx ♥xx Hearts then! You want partner to play the contract any-
♦Kx ♣Qxx assuming the 1NT opener has the miss- way. Surely these methods are standard multi-Landy.
ing values. Since I wouldn’t have passed a natural It is exactly the same as responding to a multi – Two
overcall of Two Spades in a million years (sorry if Spades shows interest in progressing hearts). I suppose
my sound rubber bridge roots are showing through) I have to bid Two Hearts and allow him to jump to
2NT as a force seems the only choice. (Cue Alan Three Spades. Horrible, horrible methods.
to mention a load of World Champions that now No, completely standard methods!! If you bid Two
vote for Two Spades). Hearts and partner bids Two Spades you can raise if
Very kind of you to set me up like that Michael. you are interested – why does partner need to leap to
OK here goes: Three Spades.
One World Champion: Six multi-internationals:
Greco: Two Spades. This maybe a bit low but part- Rosen: Two Spades. Feels very normal. Surely it
ner did not double. Hopefully partner can raise or would be too much to relay with 2NT here, we all
bid a minor with a very good hand. like to wander in over a weak-no trump with a six-
Two World Champions: card suit and any old excuse (9/10+ HCPs being
Brock: Two Spades. I like to bid quite aggressively very normal).
over 1NT and need more than this to proceed. Seven multi-internationals:
Three World Champions Rigal: Two Spades. Is this a problem? Should we
Robson: Two Spades. Pass or correct. See answer do more or less? I just don’t see it but no doubt
to Problem 8 last month. my esteemed colleagues will find more to this than
To save you all scrambling back to the relevant set meets my eye.
of electrons, Andrew’s comment on problem 8 last More internationals:
month (about whether to proceed after a protective Alder: Two Spades. This seems reasonable to me.
Two Spades over 1NT was: “Pass. For me, clear. I hate Bowyer: Two Spades. This is a problem?
the style whereby you either defend 1NT or you have And a partridge in a pear tree.

 Intermediate
Well not really, but something rather pear-shaped. PROBLEM 2
Those long time collaborators, Marc Smith and David
Bird, take a contrary view to the rest of the panel, argu- IMPs. Dealer West. Both Vul.
ing that you are more likely to make game in spades
than in hearts, i.e. a 6-2 fit than and 6-4 fit. Seems ♠ A Q J 10 7 4
counter-intuitive. Can they convince us all?: ♥ KJ2
Smith: Two Hearts. Curiously, I seem to have a bet- ♦ K 10 5
ter hand if partner has spades than if he has hearts. ♣ 7
If I invite in hearts (via, say, Two Spades) he’ll prob- West North East South
ably accept on something like ♠Ax ♥QJxxxx ♦AJx 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass
♣xx, and yet game is not particularly good. The 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
more interesting question is whether I should raise ?
when he converts, as expected, to spades. It’s all a Bid Marks No. of Votes
bit guessy, of course, since game is decent opposite Three Spades 10 10
♠AKxxxx ♥xx ♦xx ♣AJx or ♠AKxxxx ♥Qx ♦xx Three Diamonds 9 1
♣Axx but far from good opposite ♠AKxxxx ♥xx Four Clubs 8 1
♦AJx ♣xx. 3NT 7 6
Bird: Two Hearts. If his long suit is hearts, he will Four Spades 7 1
need a lot outside to make ten tricks. There is a Three Hearts 5 0
better chance if his long suit is spades. I will think Any other bid 1 0
again over a Two Spade rebid. If we make the assumption that all balanced hands
Sorry lads, but I just do not see this! You need far less will bid 2NT here (some play this way and some say
to make Four Hearts than Fours Spades. Say partner that with – say – ♠AQxxx ♥xx ♦AQx ♣xxx you are
has as little as ♠xxx ♥Qxxxxx ♦x ♣AJxx that is an expected to bid Two Spades) then we have already
excellent game; reverse the majors and you might go shown six spades. Is there any reason therefore to rebid
off in Two Spades on a bad day. I am with the panel them again? “Yes” say just over half the panel, citing
in suggesting a game if partner has hearts rather than reasons ranging from there might be a slam on to 3NT
spades. As for whether you should bid 2NT, despite might be the wrong contract. After all, with this suit,
Michael’s claim that it is “the only choice”, nearly twice if partner raises us, how bad can that be?
as many bid Two Spades and partner’s hand justifies Silver: Three Spades. It is a useful agreement to
that choice: ♠AQJxxx ♥x ♦xxx ♣J9x. Don’t tell me have that after a 2 over 1 game force, a jump rebid
you would not overcall on that Michael, as I won’t in opener’s major shows a suit with at most one
believe you! It is a misfit, but you could give partner loser opposite a singleton (ie KQJ10xx, AKJ10xx,
the ♦K as well for example and you still would not AKQ109x etc) independent of opener’s outside
want to be any higher. strength. With slam still a possibility my hand is a
little too good to sign off in 3NT. This way partner
can still cue-bid (even without a spade fit) on the
way to Four Spades, and then so can I, in order, to
try and reach slam.
YOUNG CHELSEA Fair enough! Barry says similar things:
Rigal: Three Spades. Two Spades is just perfect
BRIDGE CLUB for me – Three Spades would be a possibility with
a slightly better hand. Ideally that call is a no-loser
One of the World’s Great Bridge Clubs suit or one missing the ace/king so that KC will
expose the issue. Now Three Spades may get coop-
eration from partner if such is appropriate.
Duplicate every weekday evening Several make comments along the lines in my
preamble:
Tel: 020 7373 1665 Apteker: Three Spades. Confirming at least six in
the suit as Two Spades, while likely to have six, may
www.ycbc.co.uk have five when lacking stoppers in the red suits.
Four Spades looks safer if partner raises as he has
confirmed some values in the red suits. It would

 Intermediate
be lazy to bid 3NT as partner could have 2-4-3-4 Leufkens: Three Diamonds. Two Spades is good.
shape and lack sufficient club values or even five Three Spades would be too much, although not by
with poor clubs where spades plays better. a mile. 3NT now is too negative, Three Diamonds
Again, fair enough. Imagine partner holding ♠K at least keeps the ball rolling.
♥AQxx ♦QJx ♣Jxxxx and whilst you would be rather We have two other single votes on the hand, both
unlucky to go off in 3NT, Four Spades is completely of which commit to spades. This one at least keeps the
cold barring diamonds 6-1 or hearts 7-0. slams in the crosshairs:
Green: Three Spades. Could Two Spades be a 5-2- Brock: Four Clubs. Would this be a splinter? It
3-3 hand with two small hearts? Or did it guaran- would be in my book.
tee six? The Two Spade bid is fine, for me Three I am sure it is an auto splinter Sally. We could have
Spades would show a slightly better hand. bid Three Clubs on either of the previous rounds of
Teramoto: Three Spades. Simply shows six-plus bidding.
spades and awaits his next action. This one doesn’t keep the slams in the crosshairs:
Others think about the potential slam: Rosen: Four Spades. Two Spades on previous round
Sime: Three Spades. In our (not so) new shiny was fine. Might bid 3NT but feels like we might
system, we are in a game-forcing auction. This is be behind in the race if they attack (as they surely
good, since I want to strongly suggest playing in will) the right red suit.
spades, but not insist upon it. If partner bids 3NT Hmm. If anything, I would have thought the reds
next, presumably with a bunch of quacks, he can were OK – both are liable to be double stopped – it is
play it. If he cues, I will co-operate; Six Spades is the clubs I worry about.
conceivable. The second largest vote of the set was for simply
Michael makes similar points: raising to 3NT, hoping this will be the right contract
Byrne: Three Spades. The most likely game is 3NT and giving up on slam unless partner has very signif-
and I have a fairly solid redouble if I were to try icant extras.
that (Really? And watch them cash six club tricks off Cannell: 3NT. Comfortable with the previous
it…), but we will simply miss a slam too often facing action. Also comfortable with a simple raise to 3NT.
something like ♠Kx ♥Axx ♦Qxx ♣AKxxx. Three Eric believes we have already promised six:
Spades gives the chance to cue-bid or try 3NT if Greco: 3NT. Two Spades should guarantee six over
he is say 1-3-4-5 with soft values. Two Clubs in any system. I have super minimum
Bird: Three Spades. My suit was not good enough but hopefully partner can bid again with slam being
for Three Spades on the previous round, so I sup- good but I have no real way to find out about where
pose this is the way to say that I do not need spade partner’s points are.
support. The alternative is 3NT, which might miss Lawrence: 3NT. Good stoppers, etc. Assuming
a spade slam. that 2NT is forcing.
Bowyer: Three Spades. Assuming this is stronger Yes Mike, you have won – we play two over one
than Four Spades. FG now 
Yes Paul! Carruthers: 3NT. Not prepared to rebid spades
Smith: Three Spades. Not sure what else I can bid at again with such good red suits and only one club.
this point, although how enthusiastic is partner sup- I’m OK with Two Spades.
posed to get with, say, ♠x ♥Ax ♦AQx ♣Axxxxxx? Just about alone Andrew would have rebid Three
After all, wouldn’t I bid this way with, say, ♠AJxxxx Spades on the last round, and even he thinks it is close:
♥Kxx ♦Kxx ♣x? (not in my world Marc no. That is Robson: 3NT. But I would have jumped to Three
Three Diamonds or 3NT over 2NT) Personally, I’d Spades last time because of my ten of spades.
prefer to bid Three Spades on the previous round, Alder: 3NT. I might have rebid Three Spades, but
but I seem to recall that when this auction arose I doubt it would have made any difference.
before I was told that Three Spades showed a solid Partner held ♠x ♥Axxx ♦AQJx ♣Axxx so this time
suit playing 2/1. both issues are present. Six Spades is excellent and cold
That certainly used to be the case Marc. These days on the lie, whereas a club attack puts 3NT in some
most partnerships allow a one loser suit plus a decent danger with only eight solid tricks. I think the non-
hand in the jump rebid as well. 3NT bidders had the better of the argument by a long
One panellist does bid Three Diamonds. There is way, and I have thus downgraded 3NT.
no danger – we have denied four already – so why not
explore the hand fully?

 Intermediate
PROBLEM 3 3NT might be the place to play, our nine-card fit not-
withstanding. Tadashi is on the same wavelength:
IMPs. Dealer West. Both Vul. Teramoto: Three Clubs. Help suit game try. This
hand is good if he has something in clubs. If he con-
♠ A Q 10 9 5 2 tinues by bidding Three Hearts then I will bid 3NT.
♥ J5 And here is a similar one:
♦ AQ Leufkens: Three Clubs. Gives partner room to
♣ QJ6 indicate where his strength is (if medium values).
West North East South Green: Three Clubs. Long suit game try. I know
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass that I sound like a broken record but it’s worth a
? go when vulnerable!
Note: We do NOT play a forcing 1NT so 2♠ does Rigal: Three Clubs. Planning to accept a sign-off.
not have constructive overtones
I’m not sure there is anything wrong with these
Bid Marks No. of Votes methods but I do like to be able to distinguish
Three Clubs 10 9 the quality of the raise at the first turn. So I bid
Three Spades 8 3 1NT with the weak hands and Two Spades remains
Four Spades 8 3 constructive.
2NT 8 3 This was the reason for my footnote. If you play Two
3NT 6 1 Spades as about 8-10 (common if you are playing a
Three Diamonds 4 0
Three Hearts 4 0 forcing 1NT) then this hand is basically a game force.
Pass 3 0 Robson: Three Clubs. Just worth a try.
Partner has make a wide-ranging raise of our open- Sounds like Andrew is closer to passing (which none
ing bid, almost always exactly three-card support. We of the panel did) than bidding game. And Neil is
have a sixth spade, and a sixteen count, but a load of even closer:
quacks (the word of the month I think). We are also Rosen: Three Clubs. A case for 2NT here also I
vulnerable at IMPs, where it pays not to be shy about know. I might well pass if non-vul to be frank.
bidding game. Thus, three panellists follow Meck- Three panellists make their try Three Spades, some-
stroth’s First Law: thing which certainly over this side of the pond would
Carruthers: Four Spades. Following Meckstroth’s be regarded as pre-emptive by most players (say some-
Law: “When your-six-card major is raised, bid game.” thing like a 6-1-3-3 10-12 count). Mike gives us a
Sime: Four Spades. This must be better than any full analysis:
bid which helps North with the lead. There are Lawrence: Three Spades. I play this is invitational.
plenty of game-suitable East hands which won’t I can see the merits of playing in 3NT but can see
accept any (other) game try. the danger of Jx of hearts facing 10x. Three Spades
Apteker: Four Spades. Should have play opposite gives away no information which bids like Three
many minimums and is it VUL teams. No trial Clubs do.
bid really gets across what might be required from Since I was interested in his view that Three Spades
partner. was invitational I emailed Mike and asked him
Not so, say 15 of the panel, who make a variety of whether this was standard in the US, or a personal
trial bids. The most common with nine votes, is the preference. He kindly sent me this reply:
lowest suit bid of Three Clubs, hoping partner can Three Spades as invitational is not a universal treat-
provide some help there: ment. My logic is that I get to make a general pur-
Cannell: Three Clubs. A help-suit-game-try. If pose bid that doesn’t give much information to
partner can give us a high club honour, we should the opponents. The trade-off is that you can’t bid
have a play for game. Three Spades pre-emptively. I feel that if I wanted
Bowyer: Three Clubs. Routine game try. to make a pre-emptive Three Spade bid, I might
Greco: Three Clubs. Seems like that is the suit I have heard from the opponents by now. SJ Simon
need the most help in. Pass is terrible vul at IMPs. quotes a hand where he has a very weak opening
Just bidding four is also reasonable but 3NT might bid and faces a One Heart – Pass – Two Hearts -
be the spot, which I will happily bid over Three Pass auction back to him. He solves the problem
Hearts. by bidding Four Hearts. Down three. He then lis-
OK, that is a good reason for making the try – that tens to his weak opponents chortling over this result
while not seeing they were cold for a slam. These

 Intermediate
opponents don’t live in our world any more. for the world Juniors next year (the U26 women also
Now that is a very valid point. In the modern scooped a bronze medal,l the U26s finished sixth, and
game, where everybody bids all the time, if the oppo- the U16s finished fourth).
nents have something they will have bid by now. Still, Brock: 2NT. 3NT seems our most likely game. I
on the other side, when was the last time you had a don’t think your note is really a sequitur. Even if
nine-card major fit, were allowed to play in 2M, and 1NT is not forcing, it can be the best bid with a
made exactly eight tricks? poor hand and balanced three-card support.
Bird: Three Spades. I have always thought that Yes, Sally, but see above. I suspect that you would not
this should be game try (rather than pre-emptive) be bidding a NF 1NT on say ♠Kxx ♥Kxxxxx ♦xxx
when the suit is spades. Pass could be right at the ♣x whereas that is what you have to do if Two Spades
table, but not among panellists with 150% of the is 8-10, so I think my comment is valid.
world’s average testosterone level. Phillip is even less worried about his ♥Jx and just
An accurate panel prediction. You are right there blasted what he feels is the most likely game:
David, no one passed. As so often, Marc agrees with Alder: 3NT. We are vulnerable at IMPs, and this
him: seems more likely to make than Four Spades. I
Smith: Three Spades. With neither opponent hav- could bid 2NT, but partner would have no par-
ing shown any inclination to bid yet, I don’t see why ticular reason to know when he has a useful or bad
we should have to propel ourselves to the three-level hand for me.
pre-emptively here, quite possibly turning +110 into Well he might bid something useful over 2NT, such
-100 when they haven’t forced us to a decision. As as Three Clubs or Three Diamonds….
such, I feel that Three Spades should be constructive. Partner held ♠Jxx ♥Axx ♦J1098 ♣xxx so game
I am surprised to discover that we don’t play 1NT is terrible even for a vulnerable one (yes I know that
forcing – how is that playable in a 2/1 system? (You everyone playing a forcing 1NT would bid 1NT and
pass only with 12-14 balanced) It just about works indeed Sally and others probably would playing a non-
when 2/1 is forcing to 2NT, since opener can then forcing 1NT, but I can take you to people who are reli-
pass with a weak NT, but even that doesn’t seem gious about not denying three-card support – anyone
to be an option if partner could have a 12 count French for example). Anyway, a diamond from xxxx
(you simply have to take a view on 12 counts – and took that finesse and when the ♠A at trick two felled
hey we all just force to game ). the king that was two entries to dummy to lead twice
Next up are three panellists who make their try as towards the clubs for a contented 620!
2NT. My own view is that in a strong NT, five-card
major system this should be forcing.
Silver: 2NT. With my good 16 point collection of
quacks, it seems to me that any prospect of game
lies with the no-trump variety, so that is the path
I will follow. CARD TABLES
Hmm, like others I would be a little concerned
about my ♥Jx. FOR SALE
Michael elicited some aid and some science: Refurbished old tables standard size
Byrne: 2NT. Just to ease the agony of waiting for with new green baize top
the score page at the Junior Europeans to refresh I
got one of my coaches to run a simulation on his £29 each
phone (I didn’t even know such things were possi- Will deliver within reasonable distance
ble) about what the right game would be, 3NT was
a very big winner. The problem with trying Three DANNY ROTH
Clubs as a long suit game try is that it will tip the 47 Bearing Way, CHIGWELL,
lead too often. 2NT shows 18-19 or thereabouts ESSEX IG7 4NB
and will get partner to make a sensible judgement.
Congratulations to Michael and the under 21 Eng- 020 8501 1643 tel/fax dannyroth@btinternet.com
land team who finished with the bronze medal in the
Junior Europeans in Slovakia. Indeed, many, many
congratulations to all of the England teams who had
a fantastic tournament with all four teams qualifying

 Intermediate
PROBLEM 4 Marc makes the same points:
Smith: Pass. Sure, we could have a game, but how
IMPs. Dealer South. E/W Vul easy is it going to be to persuade partner that it’s
in hearts when he has something like ♠AKxxx ♥9
♠ 5 ♦AQxxx ♣xx? The odds are that the hearts are 7-1-
♥ K Q 10 8 7 5 4 0-5 around the table and that we have three trumps
♦ 10 6 3 losers to start with, so I’ll try to go plus here.
♣ AK Silver: Pass. Despite South’s opening, from where I
West North East South am sitting hearts looks to be the best place to play,
– – – 1♥* the only question as I see it is “how high”? With
Pass Pass 2♥* Pass three potential heart losers, and no way I know
? of to investigate game in the enemy’s suit, I’ll stay
1♥ N/S are playing SNT and four-card majors right where I am.
2♥ Michaels, 5-5 ♠ & m The only way to investigate game in the enemy’s
Bid Marks No. of Votes suit is the Landy game try.
2NT 10 8 Apteker: Pass. If partner turns up with a big hand
Pass 9 7 that would move over Three Clubs and can make
Three Clubs 8 1 game in 3NT or Five Clubs, I will just apologise.
3NT 7 3 It is likely that this is our best spot and there are
Four Hearts 6 0 bound to be terrible breaks around the table.
Two Spades 3 0 Bird: Pass. It is possible that Four Hearts is play-
Three Hearts 1 0 able our way, much less possible that partner will
An opening bid and a good seven-card suit, but the realize that I want to play there.
auction has gone appallingly for us. Three Hearts He should if you bid it.
would not be natural (a good spade raise for most). Robson: Pass. Undisciplined.
I am sure Four Hearts is natural (how can you pass Not prepared to be undisciplined, eight panellists
over One Heart and then have a slam try presum- make the game try of 2NT, unsure where this will
ably in spades as you do not even know partner’s lead them:
minor yet), but interestingly no one bids that, often Bowyer: 2NT. At pairs, I’d probably Pass this as
because they are unconvinced that partner will read there’s only one player who may be unamused. Here
it as natural. Even if Four Hearts floats, partner will we may have a vulnerable game (3NT?) depend-
probably need a heart for it to have any play, and ing on partner’s strength and three teammates who
who says that is going to happen? So, if you want to lack a sense of humour. I’ll try 2NT for now and
play in hearts says the panel, you have to break disci- see what that brings forth.
pline and stop right NOW. Partner is going to be SO I can confirm that having played in teams with
pleased when they have ♠AKQxx ♥A ♦x ♣QJ10xxx Paul for 30+ years, I have never found anything to
and Six Clubs is laydown. However, rather to my laugh about in the results he brings back .
surprise, seven out of 19 panellists, losing out on the Brock: 2NT. Seems as good a place to start as any.
top vote by a short head, choose to break discipline It’s not going to be easy to get to Four Hearts if that
and play right here: is our best game!
Alder: Pass. This really is a nightmare. Will I have After 2NT, impossible I would say.
any company? (Yes!) My main worry is the finality Green: 2NT. Horrible problem! Can I bid hearts
of my call, but I do not see how bidding will nec- later naturally? (not after 2NT I don’t think) Or per-
essarily get me to a better spot. And partner has haps I should have passed Two Hearts and avoided
to play it! a disaster?
Lawrence: Pass. If we make 170 I will be the first Byrne: 2NT. Strong enquiry. Holding 12 points
to agree it was my fault. I expect we have two heart and the heart suit under lock and key (no exagger-
losers at least in a heart contract. That means to ation there!) we must at least make a try for game.
make Four Hearts, partner has to hold his other Partner should have solid values at this vulnerability
losers to one. If he has ♠Axxxx ♥x ♦AKxxx ♣xx, since he has a catch all spade overcall on any loosey-
we have a play for Four Hearts. That’s optimistic. goosey hand that doesn’t make the cut (good point).
Opener could have five hearts and if so, my partner Over 2NT partner will bid Three Clubs/Diamonds
is a big underdog to have the last heart.

 Intermediate
with that suit and a minimum and Three Hearts/ PROBLEM 5
Spades with clubs/diamonds and a maximum. Part-
ner probably has something like ♠KQJxx ♥ - ♦AJx IMPs. Dealer North. N/S Vul
♣QJxxx and 3NT can’t be a million miles away even ♠ 2
if our communication is a complete mess.
Unconvinced that partner needs to have quite that ♥ Q42
much, but the points are well made. Also, their com- ♦ AQ 7 3 2
munications will be a mess as well, and they end up ♣ Q 10 8 6
being forced to give dummy a load of tricks. West North East South
Greco: 2NT. This should be a constructive minor- – 1♣ 1♥ 1♠*
suit inquiry. I will then decide what to do. I could ?
throw Four Hearts out there but if they have five 1♠ At least five spades
hearts that may be very wrong. Note: BM standard says: After a 1M overcall, 2NT =
Sime: 2NT. If partner does no more than bid his four-card limit raise or better and a cue-bid is a three-
minor, I pass and may regret not passing Two Hearts. card limit raise or better, raises are pre-emptive, change
However, East can have a 16 count. Two Hearts of suit forcing one round. Fit jumps, jump cue is a
needs 17 overtricks to match a vulnerable game mixed raise (about 6-9 and four trumps). There is no
in the other room. He plays them well, but not comment as to when the opposition have bid two suits.
that well! Bid Marks No. of Votes
And that folks, is the comment of the month for Iain. Two Clubs 10 12
Rigal: 2NT. I stay fixed; I use 2NT as guaranteeing Two Spades 9 4
an invite with Three Clubs to play in the minor and Three Diamonds 9 1
Three Diamonds to issue a mild invite in the major. Double 8 1
Maybe we will be happy to stay out of Four Hearts? Two Diamonds 7 1
Cannell: 2NT. Requesting partner’s minor. If all Three Hearts 4 0
partner offers next is three-of-a-minor I will pass. 2NT 2 0
At opposite ends of the spectrum, three shrug their 1NT 1 0
shoulders and bid 3NT: Four Hearts 1 0
Leufkens: 3NT. Simple and hopefully effective. Well, I am very surprised at the panel here. By the
What alternative do you have that will solve any- second largest majority of the set they opt for the good
thing? Anything else might make the lead easier. three-card raise bid of Two Clubs. Do they really expect
Hmmm – cannot see them leading a heart on that to be allowed to play Two Hearts? REALLY? How is
auction! this possible when we have a singleton spade and the
Carruthers: 3NT. I do not profess to have any idea opposition have already bid them and are known to
on this hand. Hoping for the best. hold at least eight of them? Surely this will just attract a
Teramoto: 3NT. If I bid Four Hearts partner may Two Spade bid for sure (or South will bid Two Spades
not understand. Also Four Hearts is bad when they over Two Hearts). I would have thought you want to
have something like ♥AJ9xx. get this auction to the three-level NOW, and hope to
And alone, Neil is not even prepared to make a try: shut the spade raise out, notwithstanding that it is a
Rosen: Three Clubs. Pass or correct. Need a very violation of The LAW. Whilst it is a trump short for
good hand to make game - I won’t play for it. Pass?! most people, but not everyone, this holds considerable
Not on your Nelly....... appeal for me:
I have to say I cannot see any particular reason Sime: Three Diamonds. Prototype Fit Jump for
why Three Clubs is going to play any better than Two me. I can describe my hand with one bid, and leave
Hearts (worse I would have thought) and partner will subsequent decisions to partner.
not be moving over it (we just have too much for that) As has been pointed out before, both red suits are the
so I simply don’t get this as a bid. same when competing against spades, so it may well be
Anyway, partner held ♠K10xxx ♥9 ♦AKQxx ♣xx right to play in diamonds on this hand when partner
so Four Hearts was where you wanted to be and was is say 3-5-4-1, hardly an unlikely shape. If you don’t
the only making game. fancy that, but want to get the auction to the three-
level, then how about Two Spades? Four votes for that:
Carruthers: Two Spades. I need four trumps for a
fit jump. I want to take up some of their room as

 Intermediate
well - that won’t matter to us. be part of the BMS system by now), it would be
Quite John, quite! right to cue-bid (ie bid Two Diamonds) rather than
Brock: Two Spades. I’m going to call this a four- to try to show your diamonds on the way, since the
card raise because I want to encourage partner to odds of North raising spades are high, meaning we
bid when they bid more spades. For me Two Spades would not then have room to show the heart fit at
is mixed, and not as strong as 2NT. a safe level
Fair enough – very sensible. Apteker: Two Clubs. Right on evaluation, but
Alder: Two Spades. My feeling is that there are two might be lacking tactically as the opponents may
sensible approaches: Two Clubs is natural (espe- outbid you in spades at the three- or four-level and
cially against a pair using five-card majors) and partner won’t know where your values are when con-
Two Spades is a cue-bid raise; or both are cue-bid sidering to compete beyond those levels. A Three
raises, with Two Spades being stronger than Two Diamond jump fit is possibly tactically superior
Clubs. I am happy with whichever interpretation but the lack of a fourth heart feels too significant
partner puts on my bid. a drawback to make this bid.
Teramoto: Two Spades. Limit raise or better with Rosen: Two Clubs. Pretty hefty majority for this
three hearts. It also shows a hand that can bid to I predict....
at least the three-level. They have a spade fit. This You win (for once) – 12 out of 19.
hand can bid to at least the three-level. Greco: Two Clubs. This has to be the three-card
OK, let’s hear it from the brigade who bid Two limit raise or better and that is what I have.
Clubs: Green: Two Clubs. Happy to show a good three
Bird: Two Clubs. Since I have a sound three-card card raise.
raise, I will make the bid that shows a ‘sound three- Robson: Two Clubs. Show my good raise.
card raise’. What could possibly go wrong with that Cannell: Two Clubs. Limit raise or better with three
cunning plan? hearts. I suppose a case can be made for Two Clubs
The opponents spade raise perhaps? being only a limit raise and Two Spades being at least
Leufkens: Two Clubs. Three-card limit or better an opening bid with three hearts. Mike Lawrence
seems like a nice description of my hand. So why hates these open ended bids so that may be a good
should I divert from that plan? treatment here. Of course, all of that is undiscussed.
Because of the spades? Well, let us see what Mike says:
Bowyer: Two Clubs. Some mistake surely. Two Lawrence: Two Clubs. A rare hand that doesn’t
Clubs is a sound raise to Two Hearts. Two Spades seem to offer many other choices. Note I did not
would be a sound raise to Three Hearts. This is the say it offers zero other choices.
former rather than the latter. Well the panel found four other choices Mike!
Do your opponents never bid? Well I suppose you Two we have already heard from, here are the other
do live in Leicestershire. two, both of which get the diamonds into the mix:
Byrne: Two Clubs. Good three-card raise. The dif- Silver: Two Diamonds. With the villains most prob-
ference between Two Clubs and Two Spades is that ably holding at least a nine-card spade fit, this is
Two Spades forces us to the three-level and thus shows not a battle our side can easily win at the prevail-
four trumps, this shows three. I intend to bid dia- ing vulnerability. Since red suits compete equally
monds later to show three hearts and five diamonds over spades, finding a secondary fit (read diamonds)
and and a shapely hand. (With 3-6 I would start with with partner is all important, especially since it is
Two Diamonds and raise hearts later, with 5-4 I’d fit quite possible we will have to go to the five-level
jump). Mind you, later we will probably be at the in order to buy the contract.
five-level given that N/S are probably going to raise But partner might be able to judge better if you
spades (quite!), but I can live in hope. show both your fit and your suit at the same time!
Dream on Michael, dream on. Rigal: Double. Diamonds and a reasonable hand.
Smith: Two Clubs. I don’t think this hand is good Not quite right for a fit jump with only Qxx in the
enough for a three-card, high card raise to the three- trump suit. Make it Q10x and I go high.
level, so Two Spades is therefore not an alternative Nothing actually mattered this time. Partner held
cue-bid option. We have a constructive raise to the ♠A10x ♥Axxxx ♦Jxx ♣xx and with both red kings
two-level, and a Two Club cue-bid seems to be the right for the opposition they could make Four Spades
only way to show that hand. Even if we were playing easily enough, which is what South bid over Two Clubs
transfer responses to overcalls (which should surely on ♠KJxx ♥xx ♦Kx ♣AKJxx!

 Intermediate
PROBLEM 6 Diamonds. May miss the odd game when Two
Spades is passed with shortage and partner elects
Pairs. Dealer South. E/W Vul not to protect with three spades.
Green: Pass. I’m hoping to double Three Diamonds
♠ A 10 8 5 as they could be going for a number and at least
♥ K J 10 8 that way I can get both my suits in. The alterna-
♦— tive is Three Clubs but I could easily lose the hearts
♣ AQ 7 6 5 that way and my opponents (however unlikely)
West North East South may hold clubs.
– – – 2♠* Sime: Pass. A slightly better problem if the opener
? was Two Hearts, allowing Two Spades as an option.
2♠ 5♠ & 4+m, weak As it is, all bids are badly flawed, and it is quite
Bid Marks No. of Votes likely that I will have the chance to double Three
Pass 10 13 Diamonds.
Three Clubs 8 3 Apteker: Pass. Partner is still there so pass feels
Double 7 3 superior to an offbeat 2NT or understrength Three
2NT 5 0 Clubs which could be a very poor spot if partner
Four Clubs 5 0 lacks support and cannot make a forward going
Three Hearts 3 0 move.
3NT 3 0 Leufkens: Pass Three Clubs is risky, and it doesn’t
Any other bid 1 0 get you to hearts for sure, if it’s right. 2NT is ridic-
An unattractive collection to decide what to do on, ulous, although maybe West doesn’t believe his
with no good bid available. One bright spark is that partner has diamonds when he’s got 6 himself .
since this opening shows spades and a minor, North Smith: Pass. Well, colour me yellow perhaps, but
may bid Three Clubs, pass or correct, and then we the alternatives (2NT, Double, Three Clubs, Four
can double Three Diamonds for takeout. The problem Clubs) seem to range from seriously flawed to truly
is that North may well be something like 6-2 in the demented. If I had to choose one, I guess it would
minors and so will assume South has clubs and hence be Four Clubs, Leaping Michaels, which is only
pass. Actually, South may have clubs for all we know. mildly perverted.
All these considerations lead us to the largest major- I hadn’t thought of Four Clubs. Only a heart short
ity of the set, with the panel belying the 150% testos- I agree.
terone level David espoused earlier, and going quietly. Bird: Pass. Sorry, but at the moment I am begin-
Neil passed without comment. Joey puts the case well: ning to think this is not one of the best sets of prob-
Silver: Pass. There is no way I can accurately describe lems. Am I really meant to consider 2NT or Three
this hand at this point in time, so what is the hurry Clubs? If you will be holding a collection for any
to enter the auction at my first turn? Passing now poor panellists who voted for one of these actions,
does not obligate either partner, or me, to pass later please tell me where I should send the fiver.
on. Should North pass Two Spades, I expect part- I assume that you also include Double in that
ner with values and a spade shortage to protect. If David. So, you are £30 down on that deal. If you
he can’t, we will have missed only disaster. Should just send the cheque to me, I will ensure it gets dis-
North – South settle in diamonds I have no inten- tributed appropriately:
tion of keeping out of the auction at my next turn. Byrne: Three Clubs. Ugh, pretty grim. I can’t risk
Brock: Pass. This could be ridiculous but I don’t like passing since partner with say ♠Qx ♥Qx ♦KJ9xx
my choices on this round and if I end up defending ♣Kxxx won’t protect and a solid game will be
Two Spades that doesn’t have to be bad. missed. It’s true that after a two-suited opening
Bowyer: Pass. Could get a stupid result but so could the suits always break badly, but first at green it’s
bidding. Let’s see if anyone else has anything to say. quite common to have 5-4-2-2 so I will take my
Greco: Pass. Yuk. But it is only pairs after all, hope- chances. I can’t really see many other options (a
fully they will correct to diamonds and then I can 2NT overcall might see the opponents humming
double. “diamonds are forever” as they cash the first six tricks
Alder: Pass. Another nightmare. I will pass and hope against game, partner giving us a withering look as
to have the opportunity to double Three Diamonds. we show out on the first round) (yes that would be
Robson: Pass. Can double after they settle in Three embarrassing wouldn’t it) so like or not I will plump

 Intermediate
for Three Clubs. opener was 5-3-5-0 responder probably will bid Three
Cannell: Three Clubs. I will tell partner that my Clubs (P/C) if you pass and you do get to double Three
spade eight was in with my clubs! Not happy, but Diamonds. If you overcall, partner will raise in com-
double makes me feel even worse with that dia- petition and you then have to have the courage to pass,
mond void. We hope we are able to find a heart- as you should with all those losing cards to dispose
fit if there is one. of. You can make 10 tricks in clubs, they can make
Well the 4-4 heart fit will not be easy to find. about seven tricks in diamonds and who knows how
Teramoto: Three Clubs. The clubs are not great, many in spades (it depends entirely on how the hand
but the hand is too good to pass. A hand with a is played and defended). Your best option is getting
void diamond should not double. hold of Three Diamonds and defending it accurately.
I agree with you Tadashi, but….
Lawrence: Double. It’s the only sane way to get PROBLEM 7
hearts into the bidding. If I pass, I might be on lead.
Rigal: Double. Takeout and my best guess – after IMPs. Dealer South. All Vul
all I can always bid 3NT over Three Diamonds? I ♠ AK 9 7
assume this is a Lebensohl position? ♥ 72
Yes. ♦ 10 9 7
Carruthers: Double. But only because I can’t think ♣ QJ54
of another sensible bid other than pass and my hand
it too powerful in playing strength to do that.
– – – Pass
Curiously no one mentioned that this was Pairs
Pass 2♠* Double 3♠
(maybe no one noticed!) which affects things in my
?
view. Partner held ♠Jx ♥Qx ♦A109x ♣J109xx. Since 2♠ Natural and weak
Bid Marks No. of Votes
3NT 10 13
Pass 8 6
ACBL Encyclopedia of Double 1 0
Bridge Four Clubs 1 0
OK this wasn’t much of a problem and I really should
Official ACBL Encyclopedia of Bridge – have foreseen this. What choices I thought the panel
7th Edition could make other than 3NT or Pass, hoping for
Edited by Brent Manley, 600+ pages another double, is unclear to me. As it was, by a two
to one majority, the panel bid the house. Let’s just get
(Hardback)
on with it:
OUT NOW Byrne: 3NT. If in doubt go for the action with
RRP £49.95 SUBSCRIBERS’ £45 + post free the biggest upside. It might well be right to pass
to UK customers (£10 for overseas customers) and collect a few 50s (a few 100s actually Michael,
which makes it rather more attractive) but I could
The most complete volume of bridge informa-
never bring myself to risk it at the table (I can con-
tion and instruction ever compiled.
firm that!) so I won’t here. Besides which some-
Over 600 easy-to read and easy-to-search thing I’ve learned from David Bird is that macho
pages actions always score well on a bidding panel, as all
the experts compete to show how brazen they are.
• Thousands of entries cov-
On a more scientific note, partner rates to hold a
ering bridge terms, con-
ventions, systems, rules,
void spade and thus a nice five-card suit for us to
and top personalities. play on, I have a feeling our diamond intermedi-
ates might come in useful facing say ♠ - ♥J108x
• Contains a CD-ROM con-
taining hundreds of extra
♦AJxxx ♣AKxx.
biographies that didn't
Funny how Michael can always construct the exact
make the printed edition hand he needs .
Lawrence: 3NT. I have some values and useful
pushers. And I have the nine of spades. I’m assuming

 Intermediate
double is takeout. Not passing since I have too plus score. Do you really want to play 3NT oppo-
much to realistically hope for partner to double site an 0-4-5-4 12 count? (Try Michael’s 13 count
again. Anyway, I expect to make 3NT. above) (At least it would be a better spot than 3NT
Silver: 3NT. Thank you but I will take care of busi- doubled, but that’s not really up to you.) Or per-
ness on my own rather than gambling on my OX haps you think a responsive double if right – your
to do it for me. big spades will be really useful in Four Clubs oppo-
Green: 3NT. I think I have too much to expect site ♠ - ♥AJxx ♦QJxx ♣Kxxxx I’m sure (or were
partner to double again with for example a bare you going to raise?!?!?!).
15 count. Obviously pass would pay big bucks if Robson: Pass. Won’t be bullied into a failing 3NT
partner does double. turning plus into minus.
Leufkens: 3NT. Easy. Naïve to expect partner to Apteker: Pass. I am going for blood and hoping
double again if you pass. Vulnerable take-out dou- partner will double again which I will obviously
ble at two-level is not for fun, so I’ve got enough pass. 3NT is a reasonable alternative but has no
for game. assurance of making.
And we are a passed hand, so partner will not be Rosen: Pass. Then pass again if partner doubles
straining to bid, when the chances of game are lessened. again, double from me here is not penalties in my
Rigal: 3NT. Martin Luther said it best: “Hier stehe book. Might make 3NT I suppose, but might well
ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen.” not so prefer small plus if partner unable to dou-
Usually translated as “Here I stand, I can do no ble or bid again.
other. God help me. Amen”. His famous statement at Bowyer: Pass. Reluctantly, but I have no reason to
the Diet of Worms, the name being the source of amuse- think 3NT will make. Just possible a shape-suitable
ment to schoolchildren down the centuries. partner will double again.
Sime: 3NT. If we belong in 3NT, I need to bid it Partner held ♠ – ♥A10xx ♦KQJxx ♣Kxxx so what-
now. The chances of making 3NT with less than ever you do will end the auction. Opener is 6-3-1-3
the recommended quota of points improve when so Three Spades is more or less cold, as is 3NT. I hate
an opponent has opened a weak two. to admit it, but Michael was right – the diamond pips
True indeed. were important.
Brock: 3NT. Chances of game are quite reasonable
so I’m not just going to accept +200 or so. PROBLEM 8
Cannell: 3NT. Thank you R.H.
R.H. = Robert Hamman, so Hamman’s First Law IMPs. Dealer East. N/S Vul
(“If you have a number of viable alternatives and 3NT ♠ AJ 7
is one of them – bid it.”). ♥-
Alder: 3NT. Penalty doubles, anyone? ♦ A Q 10 8 7 5
Indeed! ♣ KQJ6
Teramoto: 3NT. Double is responsive and so for
take-out. Three Spades Doubled would be good,
– – Pass Pass
but he may pass if I pass.
1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass
Greco: 3NT. Only option here other than pass as
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass
double is not penalty, and pass will often miss a
2♠ Pass 3♣ Pass
vul game.
?
Carruthers: 3NT. What else?
This, and only this, apparently John: Bid Marks No. of Votes
Bird: Pass. Again, 3NT and Four Clubs seem poor Three Diamonds 10 7
options to me. I am almost embarrassed to collect Three Spades 9 4
the 10 points for my obvious pass. Four Hearts 8 3
That’s OK David, the panel have saved you from Four Diamonds 8 2
your embarrassment. Five Diamonds 7 1
Smith: Pass. Two hands in a row where the choice Four Clubs 6 1
seems to be between passing or doing something Pass 5 1
3NT 1 0
bordering on insane. Hoping for a second double Five Clubs 1 0
from partner, but if he’s not that good then perhaps Three Hearts 0 0
Three Spades will go down anyway and we’ll get a

 Intermediate
OK, after the dud of the last problem we have a great available including Four Hearts, confirming a splin-
problem, where the panel come up with no less than ter and showing this hand. But partner might not
seven bids, ranging from full-blooded slam tries, to be on the same wavelength. Isn’t Three Diamonds
passing out the part-score. Wow! forcing? I’ll choose that.
Let’s start with the pass and work up: Rigal: Three Diamonds. Continuing the nice and
Smith: Pass. Again! This is déjà vu all over again accurate (so far) description of my assets. Where
(Yoggi Berra, legendary US baseball player and com- do we go? Nobody knows; maybe round and round
mentator) after last month (readers will recall Marc’s the mulberry bush?
plaintive comments after passing six hands last month. Rosen: Three Diamonds. Very happy to continue
This month he has managed four passes – more than the description of my hand. Feel quite comfortable
any other panellist – but three on the bounce). Where with this auction.
would you like to play opposite something like ♠xxx Including if it now ended?
♥KQxx ♦Jx ♣xxxx (Two Clubs – which is where I Going up, we have a stronger bid of Three Spades:
would be playing after passing partner’s Two Club bid). Carruthers: Three Spades. A goal kick to allow
Partner surely has four clubs for his Three Club bid, partner to decide. Only he knows how good the
but he didn’t raise to Three Clubs last time because hearts are - if he has QJ109 he’ll love 3NT Even
he didn’t want to hear 3NT next. more so if he has 10x or Qx of spades. Of course,
Going up, we have seven votes and top marks for if he has something like ♠x ♥xxxxxx ♦KJx ♣Axx ,
Three Diamonds: further bidding will ensue.
Bird: Three Diamonds. Well, I have shown my Cannell: Three Spades. I have previously denied
hand by now. 3-0-6-4 shape with a healthy point- four spades so this effort should portray a 3-0-6-4
count. If we miss a game, I will be saying ‘Well, distribution with just short of a jump-shift Three
don’t blame me!’ Club bid on the second round. A Three Diamond
Brock: Three Diamonds. Partner may well have bid instead would be a lesser hand I think.
given false preference to keep the bidding open. Greco: Three Spades. I could not possibly have a
I think I need a bit more cooperation from him better hand so I will cue-bid spades and see what
to proceed. It surely sounds like I’m very short in happens. I don’t think I can cue-bid a heart void.
hearts now so he should know that if he has good Well Enri, Tadashi and Andrew do:
cards outside hearts, that is what I want. Leufkens: Four Hearts. Should be showing my
Sime: Three Diamonds. I have made my try and hand. Although I don’t know if it is/can be exclu-
partner still has a 3-5-2-3 five count. If that’s untrue, sion in our system (I don’t either!), that’s fine too.
I hope to be better informed before my next bid. Three Clubs is obviously the best news I could hear.
Bowyer: Three Diamonds. The question here is Clearly Enri also thinks Three Clubs is construc-
whether Three Clubs is encouraging or an attempt tive, as does Tadashi:
to sign-off. How would you want him to bid ♠xx Teramoto: Four Hearts. A splinter trying for a slam.
♥KQJx ♦xxx ♣10xxx? I prefer partners to bid Two For Three Clubs he probably has the ♣A so Six
Diamonds on these hands than pass Two Clubs, so Diamonds is possible.
how else might he bid such a heap? Why not Pass Robson: Four Hearts. I think we’re driving to game
then? Well, just in case partner has other ideas I’m now and we may as well try for the perfecto slam.
giving him another chance.... In between Three Spades and Four Hearts we have we
I have to say I have considerable sympathy with have three votes for four of a minor. This I understand:
the above arguments here – ie that Three Clubs shows Silver: Four Diamonds. A priori, 11 tricks are a
no extra values, but was merely descriptive, and hence lot to take, so after doing all this bidding, I’ll give
Three Diamonds is not forcing. Apart from Paul’s exam- partner one last chance to stop short of game, or
ple hand, what about, say, ♠xxx ♥xxxxx ♦Jx ♣Axx. cue-bid towards slam with Four Spades or 4NT.
Might we not bid Three Clubs here merely as our best Amusingly Mike thinks Three Diamonds is forcing,
description? However, others argue that Three Clubs is whereas Joey doesn’t even think Four Diamonds is forcing!
definitely constructive and hence Three Diamonds is Green: Four Diamonds. If I recall this was a hand
forcing. Do you find the arguments convincing?: from the Spring Fours (yes) that Zia was asking
Lawrence: Three Diamonds. By now I expect part- people about and his view was that it was correct
ner to have three diamonds or four clubs. His auc- to rebid Three Clubs, not Two Clubs (Personally I
tion doesn’t make sense with fewer. And, Three wouldn’t be close!). I think I’m close between Four
Clubs is progressive. There are some cute bids Diamonds and Four Hearts. I want to show the

 Intermediate
sixth diamond and a slam try and I have already sixth diamond is like gold dust. Since I am still not
shown short hearts (but perhaps not a void). sure what strain we want to be in I will try Three
And this I think you need to be very clear about Spades and try to get partner to try 3NT if he has
what partner is showing: the hearts under lock and key (he only bid the suit
Apteker: Four Clubs. I expect partner to have 2-4- once for goodness sake). If he returns to a minor then
3-4 shape with useful values. Slam is good opposite we shall be climbing to the five-level, otherwise it
♦K and ♣A and would have play and be reasonable will be “The Mayors”. Incidentally as little as ♠xx
with ♠K and ♣A. I bid Four Clubs to set trumps ♥xxxxx ♦Kxx ♣Axx makes slam solid, so I don’t
and see partner’s reaction. If he bids Four Hearts, I think I am being too optimistic.
would sign off at Five Clubs. If Four Diamonds, I “The Mayor’s” is a sobriquet for 3NT. Every year a
would continue with Four Hearts. If Four Spades, bridge tournament is held in Den Bosch in the Neth-
I would again sign off as slam is unlikely to better erlands. The event is formally opened by the mayor,
than 50% and could be worse. who is a non-bridge player. At the end of his speech
Phillip, as usual for this set, is determined not to each year he is presented with a hand and asked what
miss game: he would bid. After studying the cards intensely, he
Alder: Five Diamonds. Did partner give a false always announces “3NT”. Wild applause from the
preference, or is he now showing the club ace in a audience and the tournament begins.
hand that he likes? Whichever, it seems that Five Partner held ♠10xx ♥Jxxxx ♦Kx ♣Axx and so
Diamonds will have play. should surely bid on over Three Diamonds with those
Last word in this set to the man who knows the two glorious cards. As the cards lie you can, as Michael
hand: claimed, make game in three denominations.
Byrne: Three Spades. This one I do remember A decent set of problems this month, with only one
from the Spring Fours, our opponents (who were dud, but all the others producing at least three votes
somewhat optimistically seeded six) (it is entirely and one of them seven. Only four problems had over-
based on gold points Michael, apart from teams with all majorities.
overseas players) bid carefully to Three Diamonds In a low scoring month, Paul Bowyer heads the
to find out that they couldn’t quite make a slam table for, I think, the first time with 78, followed by
but game was cold in about three strains. Since Ben Green and Iain Sime just behind on 77, to com-
Three Clubs should be forward going (if partner plete a very rare all UK medal table. Can any reader
is two diamonds and four clubs weak then he should beat the entire panel?
have passed Two Clubs!) I am worth game, since the
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 Intermediate
SET 319 – THE PANEL’S BIDS & MARKS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Paul Bowyer England 2♠ 3♠ 3♣ 2NT 2♣ Pass Pass 3♦ 78
Ben Green England 2NT 3♠ 3♣ 2NT 2♣ Pass 3NT 4♦ 77
Iain Sime Scotland 2NT 3♠ 4♠ 2NT 3♦ Pass 3NT 3♦ 77
Eric Greco USA 2♠ 3NT 3♣ 2NT 2♣ Pass 3NT 3♠ 76
Sally Brock England 2♠ 4♣ 2NT 2NT 2♠ Pass 3NT 3♦ 75
Barry Rigal USA 2♠ 3♠ 3♣ 2NT Dble Dble 3NT 3♦ 75
Michael Byrne England 2NT 3♠ 2NT 2NT 2♣ 3♣ 3NT 3♠ 74
Drew Cannell Canada 2♠ 3NT 3♣ 2NT 2♣ 3♣ 3NT 3♠ 74
Joey Silver Canada 2♠ 3♠ 2NT Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT 4♦ 74
Enri Leufkens Netherlands 2NT 3♦ 3♣ 3NT 2♣ Pass 3NT 4♥ 73
Neil Rosen England 2♠ 4♠ 3♣ 3♣ 2♣ Pass Pass 3♦ 73
David Bird England 2♥ 3♠ 3♠ Pass 2♣ Pass Pass 3♦ 72
Andrew Robson England 2♠ 3NT 3♣ Pass 2♣ Pass Pass 4♥ 72
Tadashi Teramoto Japan 2NT 3♠ 3♣ 3NT 2♠ 3♣ 3NT 4♥ 72
Alon Apteker South Africa 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ Pass 2♣ Pass Pass 4♣ 71
Mike Lawrence USA 2NT 3NT 3♠ Pass 2♣ Dble 3NT 3♦ 70
Marc Smith England 2♥ 3♠ 3♠ Pass 2♣ Pass Pass Pass 69
Phillip Alder USA 2♠ 3NT 3NT Pass 2♠ Pass 3NT 5♦ 68
John Carruthers Canada 2♠ 3NT 4♠ 3NT 2♠ Dble 3NT 3♠ 67
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 Intermediate
rd
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
Bidding Competition – Set 320
Open to all – Free Entry
See following pages for system and method of entry
PROBLEM 1 PROBLEM 5
IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul. IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ 943 ♠ A Q 10 6 5 2
♥ AK 3 ♥ —
♦ A9 2 ♦ A 10 5 2
♣ AJ 5 3 ♣ J97
West North East South West North East South
– Pass Pass 1♦ – – 1♣ 1♥
1NT 2♦ Double* Pass 1♠ 3♥ * 3NT Pass
? ?
Dble Takeout 3♥ Pre-emptive
PROBLEM 2 PROBLEM 6
IMPs. Dealer East. None Vul. IMPs. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ J53 ♠ AJ 4
♥ 7 ♥ AQ 9 6 4
♦ AJ 9 5 4 2 ♦ A9 5 4
♣ A7 5 ♣ 5
West North East South West North East South
– – 1♣ 2♣* 1♥ 4♣ Double Pass
2♦* 4♥ Pass Pass ?
?
PROBLEM 7
2♣ Michaels, 5-5 Ms
2♦ Natural and NF IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
PROBLEM 3 ♠ —
♥ A K Q J 10 6
IMPs. Dealer West. All Vul.
♦ A 10
♠ K2 ♣ AJ 9 8 5
♥ A 10 9 6 4 West North East South
♦ J – Pass Pass 2♠*
♣ KQ973 ?
West North East South 2♠ Natural and weak
1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass
PROBLEM 8
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass
3♣ Pass 4NT* Pass IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul.
? ♠ Q
4NT Natural and invitational ♥ KQ5
PROBLEM 4 ♦ A 10 9 7 4
♣ A K 10 5
IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ AK Q 4 2 – – 1♠ Pass
♥ A2 2♦* Pass 2♥ Pass
♦ — 2NT Pass 3♦ Pass
♣ AK J 7 6 5 3♥ Pass 3NT Pass
West North East South ?
– 1♦ Pass Pass
Double 3♦ Pass Pass
?


How to enter
Send your chosen bid in each of the eight sequences opposite, preferably by email, to John Carru-
thers at: marksandcomments@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can enter by post, to: John Carruthers,
1322 Patricia Blvd., Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada. Entries must be received by the 30th Sep-
tember. Include your name, address and telephone number. Please quote the month, competition
and value of your prize when ordering Master Point Press books.
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(January – December).
Bridge Magazine Bidding System

Basic Method response 2NT is a relay asking for a high-card
feature if not minimum with 3NT showing a
Natural good suit, non-minimum. 3♣ asks for a sin-
Five-card majors gleton with 3NT showing a singleton ♣. 4♣
is RKCB
Minors are three cards in length minimum.
Always open 1♣ with 3-3 or 4-4, so 1♦ is 3 Three-level openings are natural and pre-emp-
cards only if precisely 4-4-3-2 shape tive. Over 3♦/♥/♠, 4♣ is RKCB and over 3♣,
4♦ is RKCB.
15-17 no-trump in all positions and
vulnerabilities 3NT opening is Acol gambling – solid suit and
at most a queen outside.
Two over one is game forcing in all uncontested
auctions Four-level openings are natural.
A 1NT is up to a non-game force but it is not- No-trump bidding:

forcing. However the only hands that Pass are After 1NT 15 – 17, 2♣ = Stayman, 2♦/2♥ =
weak no-trump types. transfers, 2♠ = ♣s with 2NT/3♣ denying/show-
Jumps at the two-level are weak (eg, 1♦ – 2♠) ing a fit, 2NT = ♦s with 3♣/♦ denying/showing
and at the three-level are invitational (eg 1♥ a fit. After this new suits are splinters. 3♣ is 5
– 3♣) card Stayman, 3♦ is 5-5 ms FG, 3♥/♠ 1-3-(4-
5) / 3-1-(4-5) and FG. 4♣ is 5-5 majors, game
1M – 3M is a limit raise only, 4♦/♥ = ♥/♠s (then 4NT = RKCB and
new suits are Exclusion).
Inverted minors are played. 1m – 2m is F2NT
and 1m – 3m is pre-emptive. Over 1m – 2m, 1NT rebid = 12 – 14 with 2♣ a puppet to 2♦
2NT is a WNT and is non-forcing, 3m is unbal- to play in 2♦ or make an invitational bid, 2♦ is
anced and non-forcing. All other bids are at least game forcing checkback, new suits at the 3 level
quasi-natural and FG are 5-5 FG and higher bids are auto-splinters.
Weak 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠ (5 – 9, six-card suit). In


Jump 2NT rebid = 18 – 19 with natural Jumps when a bid of the suit one level lower is
continuations. forcing are splinters, as are four-level responses
in a lower-ranking suit to 1♥/1♠. Jumps when
After 2 over 1, 2NT is 12-14 balanced or 18-19 the previous level is forcing are splinters.
balanced and 3NT is 15-17 range with a reason
not to have opened 1NT 4th suit = game-forcing.
3NT rebid after a one-level response shows a When responder’s suit is raised a return to open-
good suit and a good hand. er’s suit is forcing.
After 2NT, 20-22, 3♣ = Stayman, 3♦/3♥ = Slam bidding:
transfers, 3♠ = slam try with both minors. Four-
Roman Key Card Blackwood (1 or 4, 0 or 3, 2,
level bids are as after 1NT opening.
2 + trump Q).
Kokish is played after 2♣ opening (2♣-2♦-2♥-
Exclusion Blackwood only in clear circum-
2♠-2NT is 25+ balanced FG, and 2♣-2♦-2NT
stances including a jump to the five-level in a
is 23-24 balanced NF)
new suit and after 1NT – 4♦/♥. Responses are
Initial response: 0, 1, 2.
Jump shifts are weak at the two-level and invita- Cue-bids are Italian style, that is the lowest con-
tional at the three-level. Bidding and rebidding trol is shown regardless of whether it is first or
a suit is invitational, bidding and jump rebid- second round or a positive or negative control
ding a suit is FG (eg 1♦, 2♥ is weak, 1♦, 1♥, and skipping a suit denies a control in that suit.
2♣ 2♥ is invitational; 1♦, 1♥, 2♣, 3♥ is FG). Exception: a negative control in partner’s suit is
not shown immediately.
2NT after 1♣/1♦ is natural and invitational
without 4M. The default for 5NT is “pick a slam”.
2NT after 1♥/1♠ = game-forcing with 4+ card Competition:
support. Continuations in new suits are splin-
Responsive and competitive Doubles through
ters, 3♥/♠ extras with no singleton, 3NT =
3♠ – after that, Doubles are value-showing, not
18-19 balanced, 4 new suits are 5-5 good suits,
4♥/♠ minimum balanced. penalties.
Continuations: Negative Doubles through 3♠ – after that, Dou-

bles are value showing, not penalties.
1x – 1M – 2M promises four-card support or
three-card support and an unbalanced hand. After a 1M opening bid and an overcall, 2NT =
Balanced hands with three-card support rebid four-card limit raise or better and a cue-bid is
1NT a three-card limit raise or better, raises are pre-
emptive, change of suit forcing one round but
Reverses are forcing for one round after a one- not FG. New suits at the three-level are FG.
level response. The lower of 2NT and 4th suit
encompasses all weak hands, responder’s rebid After a 1m opening and an overcall, 2NT is nat-
of own suit is F1 but not necessarily strong, all ural and invitational and the cue-bid is a limit
other bids are FG. raise or better, raises are pre-emptive, change
of suit F1 but not FG, new suit at the three-
All high reverses are game-forcing. level is FG.


Fit-jumps after opponents overcall or take-out Defences:
Double.
Against all pre-empts, take-out Doubles with
Fit jumps after our overcalls. Jump cue-bid is a Lebensohl responses – same structure as above.
mixed raise (about 6-9 with four-card support)
2NT is rarely natural in competition (except as
Double jumps are splinters. defined above). Possibilities include Lebensohl
or scramble if game is not viable.
Lebensohl applies after interference over our
1NT. An immediate 3NT shows a stopper but Over 2M, 4♣/♦ are Leaping Michaels (5,5 in
not 4oM, 2NT then 3NT shows a stopper and ♣/♦ and oM, FG). Over Natural weak 2♦, 4♣ =
4oM, 2NT then cue-bid shows no stopper but Leaping Michaels (5, 5 in ♣ & a M with 4♦ to
4oM immediate cue-bid shows no stopper and ask for M). Over 3♣, 4♣ = Ms and 4♦ = ♦&M
no 4oM. In summary 3NT at any time shows with 4♥/♠ as P/C. Over 3♦, 4♣ = Nat and
a stopper and cue-bid at any time denies one, a 4♦ = Ms. Over 3♥, 4♣/♦ = Nat, 4♥ = ♠&m,
jump to 3♠ (eg 1NT – 2♥ – 3♠) is FG. 4NT = ms. Over 3♠, 4♠/♦/♥ = nat, 4♠/4NT
= two-suiter
2NT is rarely natural in competition (except as
defined above). Possibilities include Lebensohl Over their 1NT, Double = pens, 2♣ = majors,
or scramble if game is not viable. 2♦ = 1 major, 2♥/♠ = 5♥/♠ & 4+m 2NT =
minors or game-forcing 2-suiter.
Overcalls:
Over a strong 1♣, natural, Double = majors,
After a 1M overcall, 2NT = four-card limit raise
1NT = minors, Pass then bid is strong.
or better and a cue-bid is a three-card limit raise
or better, raises are pre-emptive, change of suit
forcing one round. Fit jumps, jump cue is a
mixed raise (about 6-9 and four trumps)
After a minor-suit overcall, 2NT is natural and
invitational and the cue-bid is a limit raise or
better, raises are pre-emptive. Fit jumps, jump
cue is a mixed raise (about 6-9 and four trumps)
Weak jump overcalls, intermediate in 4th.
Michaels cue-bids. 1m -2m = Ms, 1M – 2M
= oM and m with 2NT asking for the m, inv+
and 3m P/C
Send stamped addressed envelope to Chess & Bridge Ltd for WBF style Convention Card. You will be
able to find a link to the new Convention Card on our web site.
IMPORTANT! New email address!! please send entries to: marksandcomments@gmail.com


WEST Bid these hands with those on the following
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
September 2017 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer East. N/S Vul. Hand 5. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ AKQJ764 ♠ 2
♥ — ♥ KJ53
♦ AK9 ♦ K6
♣ 654 ♣ AKQ932
Hand 2. Dealer East. E/W Vul. North overcalls 1♦
♠ J43
♥ AK2 Hand 6. Dealer West. None Vul.
♦ K9 ♠ 952
♣ Q J 10 8 2 ♥ 8532
If East opens 1♣ and West bids 2♣ North overcalls 2♦ and ♦ KJ4
South raises to 4♦. ♣ 832
♠ J 10 8 5 Hand 7. Dealer North. All Vul.
♥ Q872 ♠ A98764
♦ 73 ♥ AK4
♣ A86 ♦ Q4
♣ K2
♠ A J 10 9 6 2 Hand 8. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♥ AQ6 ♠ 10 8 6
♦ 42 ♥ K63
♣ A9 ♦ 8
♣ J98543
South opens 2♦, Multi and North responds 2♥. If East doubles
South passes.
BIDDING COMPETITION Why not enter a bridge hand or bidding problem of your
own for use in BRIDGE Magazine?
SET 320
♠
(for the September Competition) ♥
My answers are (the Adjudicator)
♦
1. ♣
♠ ♠
2. ♥ ♥
3. ♦ ♦
♣ ♣
4. ♠
5.
♥
♦
6. ♣
7. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
8.
Total marks: Name: (please print)

Email to marksandcomments@gmail.com
or post to: Bidding Competition (292), Address:
John Carruthers, 1322 Patricia Blvd.
Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada Telephone: ___________________________________
Entries must be received by

30th September.


EAST Bid these hands with those on the previous
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
September 2017 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer East. N/S Vul. Hand 5. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ 82 ♠ AQ8653
♥ AQJ87 ♥ Q42
♦ QJ842 ♦ A 10 2
♣ A ♣ 6
Hand 2. Dealer East. E/W Vul. North overcalls 1♦
♠ K972 Hand 6. Dealer West. None Vul.
♥ 975
♦ 6 ♠ A K Q 10
♣ AK754 ♥ A K 10 9 7 4
♦ 64
If East opens 1♣ and West bids 2♣ North overcalls 2♦ and ♣ 9
South raises to 4♦.
♠ A9 Hand 7. Dealer North. All Vul.
♥ A K 10 ♠ KQ2
♦ Q92 ♥ Q86
♣ K 10 9 4 3 ♦ A97
♣ A 10 5 3
♠ KQ8 Hand 8. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♥ K 10 ♠ AQ543
♦ K865 ♥ J
♣ K 10 8 4 ♦ AQ9
♣ AKQ2
South opens 2♦, Multi and North responds 2♥. If East doubles
South passes.
BIDDING COMPETITION
Set 318 Top Scores Set 317 update: Chris Shambrook scored 1= Olga Shadyro 371
75 on Set 317 but was inadvertently left 1= Nick Simms 371
Olga Shadyro is on top this month with
off the report last month. ₤15 worth of 3 Bill Gordon 370
76, good for ₤50 worth of Master Point
Master Point Press books from Chess and
Press books from Chess and Bridge. Tied 4= Peter Hawkes 368
Bridge are coming his way!
on 75 are Tony Burt and Nick Simms – 4= Tugrul Kaban 368
the coin toss awarded ₤25 worth of books Grand Prix Standings 4= Andrew King 368
to Tony and ₤15 worth of books to Nick. after Set 318
All tied on 74 are Peter Hawkes, Edwin 7 Stuart Nelson 365
Lau, Bill Linton and Mike Perkins – the After eight months the race is tighter than 8 Bill Linton 363
random draw gave ₤10 worth of books ever! Only your best five scores of the year 9 James Carpenter 362
to Bill. count at the end, so the more times you
10= Nigel Guthrie 361
enter the better chance you have for five
Other Good Scores good scores! 10= Mike Perkins 361
72 Bill Gordon 12= Tony Burt 357
71 Ian Andrew, Peter Barker, David
IMPORTANT! 12= Frank Turton 357
Barnes, Tina Jay Chobham Remember the email address!! Please 14 Norman Massey 356
send entries to: 15 Edwin Lau 355
70 Bob Brown, James Carpenter, James
marksandcomments@gmail.com 16= Chris Bickerdike 354
Dunlop, Keith Lawler, Norman Massey,
Andy Poole The old address has been phased out. 16= Graham Johnson 354
69 Nigel Guthrie, Tugrul Kaban, Michael 18 Axel Johannsson 352
Kay, Chris Shambrook 19 Dudley Leigh 351
If your own records do not agree with
68 Andrew King, Dudley Leigh, Martin these standings, please email so we can 20= Andy Poole 348
Turner check. 20= Mike Ralph 348

BOOKS FROM MASTER POINT PRESS
Master Point Press are the world’s leading bridge book publisher and winner of many bridge publishing awards. A list of Masterpoint titles
can be found below - for full details on each of these titles please visit www.bridgeshop.com. Recent releases are highlighted in bold.
Please note, winners of the Bidding Competition do not get the 10% Subscriber discount when redeeming their prize
VOUCHERS and a deduction will also be made to cover the cost of postage. For further details please call 020 7288 1305
Deadly Endplay (fiction) Allen, Ken £12.95 Falsecards (New Edition) Lawrence, Mike £14.95
Shades of Grey (fiction) Allen, Ken £11.95 Tips on Bidding Lawrence, Mike £12.95
Six Steps to Winning Declarer Play Apfelbaum, Jay £11.95 Tips on Cardplay Lawrence, Mike £13.95
I Love This Game Auken, Sabine £12.50 Tips on Competitive Bidding Lawrence, Mike £12.95
25 Bridge Myths Exposed Bird, David £10.50 Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques Levé, Guy £21.95
Arrow Through the Heart (fiction) Bird, David £11.95 Bridge Squeezes Complete Love, Clyde. E £14.95
Bridge Endplays for Everyone Bird, David £12.95 Bridge, Probability and Information MacKinnon, Robert F. £12.95
Bridge Squeezes for Everyone Bird, David £11.95 Win the Bermuda Bowl with Me Meckstroth & Smith £11.50
Clever Plays in the Trump Suit Bird, David £12.95 Competitive Bidding in the 21st Century Miles, Marshal £11.50
Defensive Signaling at Bridge Bird, David £11.95 Inferences at Bridge Miles, Marshall £11.50
Off-Road Declarer Play Bird, David £11.95 It's Your Call Miles, Marshall £12.95
Somehow We Landed in 6NT Bird, David £12.95 Modern Constructive Bidding Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Duplicate Tactics Bird, David £12.95 My System: The Unbalanced Diamond Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Notrump Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Bridge in the Menagerie (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Winning Suit Contract Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Card Play Technique Mollo & Gardener £14.95
Leading Questions in Bridge Brock, Sally £11.95 Diamonds are the Hog’s Best Friend (fiction)
Mollo, Victor £13.95
Bridge at the Edge Brogeland & Bird £13.95 Last Call in the Menagerie (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Following the Law Cohen, Larry £9.95 Swings and Arrows (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Larry Cohen's Bidding Challenge Cohen, Larry £9.95 The Hog Takes to Precision (fiction) Mollo, Victor £11.95
To Bid or Not To Bid Cohen, Larry £11.50 Kickback: Slam Bidding at Bridge Munger, Robert £7.95
Death in Duplicate (fiction) Coplea, Carole £13.95 First Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
Standard Bidding with SAYC Downey & Pomer £11.95 Second Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
A Modern Approach to Two-Over-One Eichenbaum, Ken £8.95 Bridge Behind Bars (fiction) Pottage & Smith £12.95
I Shot My Bridge Partner (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Clues from the Bidding Pottage, Julian £10.95
Murder at the Bridge Table (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Defend These Hands with Me Pottage, Julian £11.50
Bridge Conventions in Depth Granovetter & Granovetter £13.95 Play or Defend? Pottage, Julian £8.95
Bridge Master Vs Bridge Amateur Horton, Mark £11.95 Defend or Declare? Pottage, Julian £11.95
Misplay These Hands with Me Horton, Mark £11.95 Deadly Hold-Up Priebe, Jim £11.95
The Hands of Time Horton, Mark £10.50 Double Elimination: A Bridge Mystery (fiction)
Priebe, Jim £11.95
The Mysterious Multi Horton, Mark £12.95 Takeout Double: A Bridge Mystery (fiction) Priebe, Jim £11.50
Duplicate Bridge at Home Horton & Gittelman £12.95 Positive Declarer Play in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
The Bridge Magicians Horton & Kielbasinski £11.50 Positive Defense in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
For Love or Money Horton & Senior £12.95 The Extra Edge in Play Reese & Pottage £10.95
The Rabbi’s Rules Horton, Mark £12.95 Accurate Cardplay Reese & Trezel £12.95
Building a Bidding System Hughes, Roy £11.50 Imaginative Cardplay Reese & Trezel £12.95
Canada’s Bridge Warriors Hughes, Roy £15.95 Modified Italian Canapé System Rexford, Ken £8.95
Card by Card Hughes, Roy £11.50 New Frontiers for Strong Forcing Openings Rexford, Ken £8.95
Fantunes Revealed Jacobs, Bill £9.95 Overcalling Opponent's 1NT Rexford, Ken £6.95
Polish Club International Jassem,Krzysztof £10.95 Really Unusual Notrump (R.U.N.T.) Rexford, Ken £7.95
Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner Jourdain, Patrick £12.95 Variable Key Card Blackwood Rexford, Ken £8.95
Advanced Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Breaking the Bridge Rules Rigal, Barry £12.95
Classic Kantar Kantar, Eddie £9.50 Rodwell Files: Secrets of a champion Rodwell, Eric £17.95
Defensive Tips for Bad Card Holders Kantar, Eddie £14.95 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Smith £10.50
Kantar on Kontract Kantar, Eddie £10.50 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know: Seagram & Bird £9.99
Modern Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Practice Makes Perfect
Roman Keycard Blackwood - 5th ed. Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 More Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Bird £10.50
Topics in Declarer Play Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 Ways to Be a Better Defender Seagram & Bird £10.50
Improve Your Bidding Judgment Kimelman, Neil £12.95 25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding Seagram & Smith £10.50
The Right Bid at the Right Time Kimelman, Neil £12.95 25 Ways to Take More Tricks as Declarer Seagram & Bird £10.50
The Thin Line Kimelman, Neil £12.95 Bidding at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
365 Winning Bridge Tips Kleinman, Danny £13.95 Declarer Play at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
Human Bridge Errors Kleinman & Straguzzi £10.50 Defensive Play Quizbook: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
A Bridge to Inspired Declarer Play Laderman, Julian £12.95 Planning the Play of a Bridge Hand Seagram & Bird £12.95
A Bridge to Simple Squeezes Laderman, Julian £11.95 Pocket Guide to Defensive Play Seagram & Bird £6.95
Bumblepuppy Days Laderman, Julian £14.95 The Canterbury Bridge Tales - Silver & Bourke £9.95
Still Not Finding Squeezes? Laderman, Julian £7.95 Should I or Shouldn’t I? Drawing trumps Smith, Marc £12.95
25 Conventions for ACOL Players Landry & Horton £11.95 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 Thurston, Paul £10.50
Complete Book on Overcalls (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £13.95 North of the Master Solvers’ Club Vine, Frank £11.95
Complete Book on Passed Hand Bidding Lawrence, Mike £13.95 Bridge at the Enigma Club (fiction) Winkler, Peter £11.95
Complete Book Takeout Doubles (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £15.95 The Lone Wolff Wollf, Bobby £15.95
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

FAMOUS BRIDGE SWINGS

PLAYING 2/1: THE REST OF THE STORY

ALSO FROM PAUL THURSTON

AVAILABLE FROM CHESS & BRIDGE

2 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

3 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

Fun starts Here

Up for the Cup

Four more Years

4 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

MASTER POINT PRESS the bridge publisher

5 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner,

6 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

7 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

8 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

9 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

10 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

11 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

12 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

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16 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

17 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

18 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

19 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

West leads the nine of hearts and I get a splendid dummy:

20 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

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25 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

26 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

The defenders took all their tricks, two down, -300.

It would have been interesting to see how declarer would

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They think it’s all Over

40 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

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Doxialis left nothing to chance, just bidding what he thought

43 September 2017 BRIDGE Magazine

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