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Oostende & Jabbeke

Editor : Mark HortonCo-Editors: Jos Jacobs, Brian Senior

Journalists: David Bird, John Carruthers, Barry Rigal, Ron Tacchi

Lay-out Editor: Francesca CanaliPhotographers:

SATURDAY,JUNE 16 2018ISSUE No 11

We are down to the last day, and in all three competitions there is still much to play for, especially for those trying to finish in a qualifying position.

In the Open series Israel and Russia are separated by a mere 0.04 and Norway is only 5.12 adrift of the leaders. Then come Netherlands, Sweden, England, Monaco & Iceland.

In the Women's series Poland is almost 10 VP clear and they are followed by Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England, Russia, France & Scotland.

In the Seniors' France are more than 35 VP clear and then come Ireland, England, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Norway & Netherlands.

Our incredible Duplicating teamNumber 40,117 - just in case!

Carine Jeunen, Elena Sokolova, Peter De Pauw, Monica Gorreri, Jonathan Mathers

TTTOODDAAAYY'SSS SSSCCCHHEEDDDUUULLEE10.00: Open (R31) Women (R21) Seniors (R19)13.20: Open (R32) Women (R22) Seniors (R20)16.10: Open (R33) Women (R23) Seniors (R21)

Schedule

EBL Press Conference

France vs Norway (S)

Netherlands vs Greece (O)

When is a (played) card not a card?

Championship Diary

France vs Monaco (O)

Iceland vs Netherlands (O)

The 2018 South American Festival

First Meeting of WBC

Iceland vs Israel (O)

Estonia vs France (W)

Results

Jos Jacobs

Daniel Gulyás

Barry Rigal

Mark Horton

David Bird

Brian Senior

Mary Kelly-Rogers

Jos Jacobs

Brian SeniorMisplay this hand with meMark Horton

CCOONTTEEENNTTTSS

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PRRIZZE GIVVINGGG AANND CCLOOSSINNGG CCCEREEMOOONYYYThe Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony of the 54th European Bridge Team Championships will take place today at 19.30 in the Kursaal Auditorium.Cocktails and a Buffet will follow.

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54th European Team Championships Ostend, Belgium • 6 - 16 June 2018

2

BBO 2 ENG vs NOR GER vs ISR EST vs NEDBBO 1 SWE vs RUS MON vs ROMBBO 3 FRA vs GRE POL vs IRE SPA vs ITA AUT vs HUN LIT vs FIN TUR vs CRO BEL vs DEN ICE vs LAT WAL vs SCO UKR vs CZE POR vs SWI BUL Bye

POR vs ENG EST vs POL HUN vs NED SER vs FRA RUS vs FIN GRE vs SWE ITA vs IRE SPA vs TUR BEL vs DEN ISR vs GER NOR vs SCO ICE Bye

IRE vs FIN SPA vs SER BEL vs HUN GER vs EST POR vs SCO NOR vs ICE ENG vs ISR DEN vs POL TUR vs NED FRA vs ITABBO 4 RUS vs SWE GRE Bye

SPA vs GRE BEL vs FIN GER vs SER SCO vs HUN EST vs NOR ISR vs POR ICE vs DEN TUR vs ENG ITA vs POL NED vs SWE FRA vs RUS IRE Bye

ROM vs SPA ICE vs POR FRA vs FINBBO 4 SWE vs NED SCO vs POL TUR vs ISR AUT vs DEN HUN vs GER BEL vs ENG ITA vs IRE NOR vs BUL

ROM vs ISR POL vs DEN GER vs SWE BEL vs FRA POR vs IRE SPA vs NOR ICE vs BUL FIN vs ITA ENG vs NED SCO vs HUN AUT vs TUR

ROM vs AUT HUN vs TUR SCO vs ENG NED vs ITA BUL vs FIN NOR vs ICE IRE vs SPA BEL vs POR FRA vs GER DEN vs SWE POL vs ISR

DRAW & BBO SCHEDULE TODAYDRAW & BBO SCHEDULE TODAYBBO SCHEDULE

ROUND 31

ROUND 21 ROUND 22 ROUND 23

ROUND 19 ROUND 20 ROUND 21

WAL vs CZE POR vs SCO BEL vs ICE CRO vs DEN FIN vs TUR AUT vs LIT HUN vs SPA ITA vs IRE GRE vs POL ROM vs FRABBO 2 MON vs RUS EST vs SWEBBO 1 NED vs ISRBBO 3 GER vs NOR ENG vs BUL SWI vs LAT UKR Bye

BBO BEL vs PORmatches CRO vs WALto be UKR vs FINdecided AUT vs CZE SPA vs SCO GRE vs ICE DEN vs ROM TUR vs RUS EST vs LIT ISR vs HUN ITA vs NOR BUL vs POL FRA vs ENG MON vs GER SWE vs NED IRE vs SWI LAT Bye

ROUND 32 ROUND 33

OPE

N T

EAM

S W

OM

EN T

EAM

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NIO

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AM

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BBO commentators:

OPEN, ROUND 31

David Bird, Roland Wald (BBO1, voice)

Mark Horton, Bill Jacobs

OPEN, ROUND 32

Marc Smith, Peter Lund (BBO1, voice)

Bill Jacobs, Roland Wald

OPEN, ROUND 33

David Bird, Marc Smith (BBO1, voice)

Roland Wald, Peter Lund

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54th European Team Championships


Ostend, Belgium • 6 - 16 June 2018

Held at the Oostende Kursaal on 15th June, 2018

Present were:Yves Aubry, EBL President, Josef Harsanyi, EBL Treasurer, Jan Kamras, EBL Championship Committee Chairman, Marc De Pauw, RBBF President, Bart Magerman, On-Site Organiser and Barry Rigal, IBPA President.

Attending were 28 journalists.

Yves Aubry began by stating that organising the European Championships in 2018 had been an easy task since it was the seventh time that Ostend played host. The participation numbers

did not disappoint, although the record of Budapest 2016 had not been broken.The changes that had been implemented in 2015 had now become commonplace: the Bulletin was no longer available in printed form, which saves a lot of money, as does the practice of having some journalists work from home. Still, the Bulletin is very good, being produced by the best journalists in the world.

Marc De Pauw told the journalists that the Belgian organizers tried to ensure optimal playing conditions, and he thought the players were satisfied with those conditions. The weather had been typically

Belgian, with cloudy periods punctuated by a few sunny afternoons.

Barry Rigal commented that the majority of IBPA members took advantage of the possibility of getting a printed copy of the Bulletin in the Press Room. Maybe that reflects on the Luddite character of many journalists. He extended a tribute to the writers.

Josef Harsanyi gave a short insight in the financial situation of the EBL. The reserves have been severely hit by the cheating cases, but entry fees of €265,767 mean that the situation is again satisfactory.

The floor was opened to questions from the journalists.

Per Jannersten asked about the certainty of the championships taking place in Opatija next year. Yves Aubry confirmed that the first contract, that between the EBL and the Croatian Federation, had been signed. Currently however, there were some problems with the second contract, that between the Croatian Federation and the local authorities. The former mayor has some political problems, and this has so far prevented the signing of the contracts. During the Youth championships, in three weeks' time in the same city, everything will be worked out. Jan Kamras and Josef Harsanyi praised Croatian Federation President Jurica Carić for his input but lessons had been learnt from Montecatini and if the venues are not up to standard there might still be problems. The EBL are diligent however.

EBL PRESS CONFERENCEEBL PRESS CONFEREENCEPRESS CONFERE


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Barry Rigal and Per Jannersten informed the journalists that a bequest from Patrick Jourdain of around $600 had been used to produce a printed version of the 2018 Handbook. Copies are available free of charge to all IBPA members, from Jan Swaan in the Press Room here, or from Dilip Gidwani ([email protected]) by post, although in that case postage fees of around 16 USD will have to be paid.

Jan van Cleeff asked if the EBL was still running any financial risk from convicted cheaters who were cleared by the Justice system? Yves Aubry made it clear that the EBL has insurance, and that the

rule of reciprocity meant that those convicted by the FIGB were still not permitted to play in EBL events. A court case will be heard in Italy in March 2019, after which some players might be allowed back. However, a recent change to the bye-laws means that players convicted of cheating will be barred for life from playing with each other (not just in their previous partnerships, but also with others that were convicted). This may well be as good as a ban, because who would wish to have tainted players in their team? But as to the financial side, Josef Harsanyi stressed that there is no need to be worried - the EBL will not have to increase membership fees.Jan Kamras added that we shall still need the wording

in several Laws and Codes to be changed so that the things the CAS reproached the Bridge Community for will not be repeated. There will be more cameras (Kamras?) so that the whole playing area can be covered.

When asked about future events, Yves Aubry gave the following information:The 2019 Bermuda Bowl will be held in Sanya, China. The format will be changed a little, with two extra (European) teams. The round-robin will get an extra day, but the knock-out phase will lose a day, so the tournament will not be longer.A fourth event will be added: a Mixed Teams. The WBF decision to add this came too late for the EBL to add a qualifying tournament for that event to these championships, so a special event will be held, in the last week of February 2019, to select the eight European qualifiers. Jan Kamras uttered his personal opinion that this would mean that the European event would be far stronger than the actual world championship, but things will be evaluated after Sanya. The venue for that European event is not definite yet, but Jūrmala (Latvia), Lisboa (Portugal) and Tallinn (Estonia) are in the running - a decision will probably follow in the next few weeks.

Jan Kamras finished the press conference by asking for a huge applause for outgoing president Yves Aubry, to which the audience complied with pleasure.

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CHAMPIONSHIP DIARYCHAMPIONSHIP DIA

Herman remarked the fabulous line-up at the Kursaal this summer. Next week, they have Elvis, and later on an evening of Jacques Brel. Abba and Queen are scheduled later in the year. Herman wonders what this forebodes for Elton John, scheduled for September.

Some of the Belgian staff decided to pull a prank on one of their staffmates. He was told that the car that features prominently near the entrance of the venue, would be given as a prize in a lottery among the competitors. 2500 lottery tickets would be needed, and our friend was asked to make the tickets, all containing a different number. For two days the victim was wondering how to produce these tickets, until he was let off the hook. After asking whether the chief organizer, Bart Magerman was in on the joke (he was), our friend decided to extract a little revenge. He went to Bart the next morning, carrying two heavy boxes and handed over the "lottery tickets" and an invoice of 300€.

Just so his work isn't completely wasted, here's the picture that was going to grace the lottery ticket.

A member of the Duplication team, Carine Jeunen, is a very cunning linguist. Her latest project is Spanish and on Thursday night she took (and passed) a very important examination. As a result she has been appointed Official Spanish Translator to the Court of the Daily Bulletin.

In his relentless pursuit of "possibly useless statistics", Herman reports that 40,116 deals were played during these championships. It is the first time (that we know of for certain) that every single duplicated board was played just the once, so Monica and her team produced that same number of boards (and some reserves, obviously).

When the Internet dropped out on the third floor on Thursday, the BBO tables did not get to the world. Yet, at this moment you can find all the action in BBO's archive. What happened? Well, Traian Chira single-handedly re-entered eight deals from each of eight tables into the system. Truly well beyond the call of duty, that!

ARYAMPIONSHIP DIAMark Horton

Your editor hopes to drive it home.


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6

The idea to have a ‘person from each NBO to look after Women’s Bridge’ started in Belfast at the EBL Seminar in February and the first meeting of this group has taken

place at these championships naming this ‘person’ as a WBC, a Women’s Bridge Co-ordinator. 26 NBOs now have a WBC and one of the goals of the EBL Women’s Committee is to have a WBC in each of the 46 NBOs.

Anna Maria Torlontano, founder of the Women’s Committee had a vision that ‘women would have full participation in the sport of bridge and be active on Bridge executives throughout Europe’. Happily the number of women on the EBL Executive has doubled after the elections here in Ostend – there are now 2

women on the Executive! Our Chairman Sevinç Atay from Turkey was re-elected and has been joined by Kari-Anne Opsal from Norway.

Next comes the full participation by women in the sport of bridge and the WBC’s who met here last week discussed goals and strategies for the future with due consideration to the financial and societal issues around women’s bridge and because we like having men around we think there is a place for more mixed championships.

It is hoped that the WBC with a Women’s Database to hand will in turn coordinate with the Youth, Senior and PR within their NBO and plan a strategy for development of the game to a high international level, planning friendly matches online and sharing ideas and issues with other WBCs while making plans for the future.

Watch this space!Mary Kelly-Rogers

FIRST MEETING OF WOMEN’S BRIDGE COORDINATORS (WBC)FIRST MEETING OF WOMEN S BRIDGE COOORDINATORS (WBC)OMEN S BRIDGE COMary Kelly-Rogers

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NETHERLANDS vs GREECENETHERLANDS vs GRE

The Dutch were leading the field before the match, so for them, this was all about going for the title now. The Greek had been placed better, but were just under the line, in ninth, hoping to qualify for the Bermuda Bowl.

The match started out with two small swings in the Hellenes' favor. First, Koukouselis was more disciplined than Drijver, and passed partner’s 1[-1NT-2[ bid with [— ]K5 {J98642 }A7653 while Bob tried 3{, which went down when trumps were 4-2. 2[ made with an overtrick after a neat little squeeze, for 6 IMPs.

On board 4, the strength of the reopening no-trump mattered. With 17, Filios was able to bid 1NT and played it there, just making, while this was too strong for Muller. After starting with a double, he ended up in 3NT, taking the same seven tricks, for yet another 7; Greece led 13-1.

Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. [ A ] A J 8 7 6 5 3 2 { 2 } A 6 2 [ K 9 7 5 4 [ J 8 6 3 ] 4 ] K 9 { Q J 7 6 { 10 8 5 4 } 10 7 5 } K J 4 [ Q 10 2 ] Q 10 { A K 9 3 } Q 9 8 3

Open Room West North East South Kontomiros De Wijs Koukouselis Muller

4] All Pass

De Wijs was more scared of 4[ than of missing slam, and soon he scored up +680 on a small club lead.

Closed Room West North East South Nab Papakyriakopoulos Drijver Filios

1] Pass 2} Pass 2] Pass 2NT Pass 3] Pass 4]Pass 4NT Pass 5{Pass 6] All Pass Here, the stakes were much higher, and a club lead

would have given a very different swing, but Drijver led a diamond, and that was 13 IMPs to the Netherlands, up 14-13.

Slam is pretty much on the trump finesse; it is hard to bid scientifically with an 8-card suit, and most of the field played in slam, but only four declarers were lucky enough to get a club lead.

After a few minor swings, at 21-13, another interesting hand came up. Several matches ended up at the 5-level, either 5{ going down, or 5]x making, so this match had it more quietly.

EECEERLANDS vs GREOPEN TEAMS, ROUND 23Daniel Gulyás

Konstantinos KONTOMITROSGREECE

Bauke MULLERNETHERLANDS

Simon DE WIJSNETHERLANDS

Tassos KOUKOUSELISGREECE


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Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. [ K 4 3 ] A K 6 5 { 9 8 5 } J 7 5 [ Q J 10 8 7 [ 6 2 ] Q ] 10 4 2 { K Q 7 6 2 { A J 10 4 3 } K 4 } A 9 8 [ A 9 5 ] J 9 8 7 3 { — } Q 10 6 3 2


1NT Pass 2] 2[ 3] Dble Pass3[ All Pass

Over the mini no-trump, 2] was to play, and De Wijs did well to compete with his 4333 hand. Koukouselis made a takeout double, but surprisingly, his partner chose to rebid his spades, and that had no chance, -100. While 4{ would have made, this did not look good.


Pass Pass 2] 2[ 2NT Dble 3} Pass 3] All Pass Filios could open third seat with his 5-5, and his

partner showed good support by asking for his suit, then bidding 3]. Filios did not accept, and was sad when he soon scraped up 11 tricks, but he gained 3 IMPs for his efforts. Still the Dutch by 5, 21-16.

Then came this gem:

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. [ 2 ] K 8 6 4 { Q } K J 9 8 7 5 2 [ K Q 9 8 6 [ A J 5 4 3 ] Q J 5 2 ] A 9 7 3 { K 10 { J 9 5 } 4 3 } Q [ 10 7 ] 10 { A 8 7 6 4 3 2 } A 10 6


1[ 3{ 4{ Pass 4[ All Pass

Most tables probably had this or some similar bidding, making with an overtrick after the singleton heart ten lead, and this happened here, as well. The excitement was at the other table:


1[ 2{2NT 3} Pass 4}4[ 5} Dble All Pass

Filios could overcall 2{, and 2NT showed spade support. This was low enough for Papakyriakopoulos to show his 7-card suit, and he got a raise. Thus it was obvious for him to bid 5, for a save – or a make, this time! Drijver could cash his 2 aces, but that was all; the diamond suit was set up quickly, and +750 for Greece meant a vulnerable game at both tables for a 16 IMPs swing. They went up 32-21.

Yankos PAPAKYRIAKOPOULOSGREECE

Aris FILIOSGREECE

Bart NABNETHERLANDSBob DRIJVER

NETHERLANDS

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On Board 11, the Greeks were more aggressive once more, bidding a good, low HCP 4[ to gain another 6, and there was more to come.

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul. [ 3 2 ] K Q 10 6 3 2 { A K 8 } 7 4 [ A Q J 4 [ K 7 5 ] J 4 ] 8 7 { Q J 7 5 4 2 { 9 6 3 } A } J 10 9 3 2 [ 10 9 8 6 ] A 9 5 { 10 } K Q 8 6 5


1{ 2] Pass 4] All Pass

The intermediate 2] made bidding game easy, while finding the good 5{ save was impossible. But do you want to save against a game that goes down? Some tables found the killing defense, the best being the spade 5, which enabled partner to cash the club ace and play a spade to the king – it was easy to know which suit to return. Koukouselis led a diamond, though, and it was +620 soon.

Closed Room West North East SouthNab Papakyriakopoulos Drijver Filios

1{ 1] Pass 3}3{ 4] 5{ PassPass Dble All Pass

Nab saw that 4] might go down, so he tried to sneak in four spade tricks to discard his heart loser; this only achieved an extra down, but -500 was good enough to gain 3 IMPs. Greece still up, 38-24.

Board 13 was about the defense. 1NT, same lead, but Drijver made an overtrick, while Koukouselis went down. Another 6 points went to the Dutch, closing the gap, 38-30.

Board 15 had an interesting choice from Kontomitrios who tried 3NT with a known 5-4 spade fit, holding a double stop in the opponents’ suit. But the finesse that would have allowed to make 4[ as well was off, and so was his game, down two actually. Some tables did not lead their side's best suit against

3NT, which allowed that contract to make; De Wijs did not make that mistake here.

From his hand, even 4[ would have been cold, but the Dutch 3[+1 was enough for a 7 IMP gain, 38-37 only.

But Greece had the last laugh:

Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul. [ Q 8 5 4 2 ] K 9 8 6 4 { 7 } A Q [ A K 10 7 [ J 9 6 ] Q J ] A 10 3 2 { K Q J 10 { 9 8 4 2 } K J 10 } 9 7 [ 3 ] 7 5 { A 6 5 3 } 8 6 5 4 3 2

Closed Room West North East SouthNab Papakyriakopoulos Drijver Filios

2NT Pass 3} Pass3{ Pass 3[ Pass3NT All Pass

The Puppet Stayman sequence led to the normal 3NT, which was an easy make on the lie of the cards...


2NT 3} Dble 3] Dble All Pass

but De Wijs thought there was more to this than just passing, and he overcalled to show both majors. The Greeks soon applied the axe, despite the vulnerability. The defence was merciless, and four down meant -800, and 5 more to Greece, winning the match 43-37, or 11,76-8,24 VP. The Dutch narrowly remained in the lead, while the small win caused Hellas to drop to tenth, not far off a qualifying spot.

7777 44


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10

ICELAND vs NETHERLANDSICELAND vs NETHERLA

With eight rounds to play in the Open Series, so still 160 VP to be fought over for each team, nobody could consider themselves a sure thing to qualify for next year's Bermuda Bowl, particularly with the top of the rankings so congested that the top ten teams were still covered by only 24 VP. The big match of Round 26 featured the leaders, the Netherlands, and sixth-placed Iceland.

Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul. [ K 6 3 2 ] 6 5 4 { 9 7 4 } Q 8 7 [ J 7 [ 10 9 4 ] A 9 7 ] Q J 2 { A K 8 3 2 { J } J 4 3 } A K 10 9 5 2 [ A Q 8 5 ] K 10 8 3 { Q 10 6 5 } 6

West North East South Nab Thorvaldsson Drijver Jorgensen

Pass 1} Dble Rdbl 1[ 2} Pass 2[ Pass 3} Pass 5} All Pass

West North East South Olgeirsson De Wijs Magnusson Muller

Pass 2} Dble Rdbl 2[ Pass Pass 3[ Dble 4} Pass 5} All Pass

For the Netherlands, Bob Drijver opened 1} and rebid the suit at his next turn. When Bart Nab cuebid 2[ to ask for more information, Drijver repeated the clubs for a third time and Nab raised him to game. Adalsteinn Jorgensen led ace and another spade to Matthias Thorvaldsson's king and Thorvaldsson switched to a heart for the queen, king and ace. Drijver led the jack of clubs to his ace, ruffed the third spade and called for dummy's last club. When he judged correctly to put in the ten he had his contract for a strong start to the match; +400.

for Iceland, Ragnar Magnusson opened with a

Precision 2}. Omar Olgeirsson also drove to game with the West cards, starting with a redouble, then asking for a spade stopper before raising to 5}. Bauke Muller too led ace and another spade and Simon De Wijs won the king and switched to a heart to queen, king and ace. Magnusson led a club to the ace then cashed the king so, was down one for –50 and 10 IMPs to the Netherlands.

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul. [ A Q 9 7 4 ] 9 8 4 { 9 } K 8 5 2 [ K J 8 6 5 3 [ 2 ] 7 3 2 ] A 10 { J { K 7 6 4 3 2 } J 10 3 } A Q 7 4 [ 10 ] K Q J 6 5 { A Q 10 8 5 } 9 6


2{ Pass 2[ Dble Pass Pass 3{ Dble All Pass


Pass Pass 1{ 1] 1[ 2{ 2NT 4] All Pass

Olgeirsson did not like the spade suit so did not show a weak two bid, instead passing. Magnusson opened a Precision 1{ in third seat and Olgeirsson introduced the spades after Muller's overcall. When De Wijs cuebid to show a constructive heart raise, Magnusson bid 2NT to suggest genuine diamonds with a secondary club suit, and Muller jumped to 4], where he played. Olgeirsson led his singleton diamond round to declarer's queen. Muller took the spade finesse and continued with the ace of spades, ruffed and over-ruffed. He ruffed his low diamond and played a trump. Magnusson won the ace and returned a diamond to the eight, ruffed and over-ruffed, so Muller ruffed a spade, drew the missing trump and played ace and ten of diamonds and Magnusson

ANDSAND vs NETHERLABrian Senior OPEN TEAMS, ROUND 26

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was endplayed to lead up to the }K for declarer's tenth trick; +620.

Nab was not worried about his suit quality, or if he was he didn't allow the worry to affect him and opened with a multi 2{. No doubt Drijver would have liked to be able to pass that, but unfortunately 2{ included strong options so he could not afford to do so and instead responded 2[, pass or correct so showing interest opposite hearts but not opposite spades. When Jorgensen doubled for take-out and Nab passed to confirm that spades was indeed his suit, Thorvaldsson was delighted to leave it in and see what size of a penalty he could collect. The answer, according to Deep Finesse, is probably only down two for +500. Drijver, however, is a man after my own heart. If you find yourself standing in a hole holding a shovel, you try to dig your way out. So he bid 3{ and found that the hole had grown considerably deeper when Jorgensen doubled for penalty. Nab had the pleasure, if that is the correct word, of being declarer. Thorvaldsson led his singleton trump, Jorgensen winning the queen and switching to the king of hearts, which held the trick, and a second heart to dummy's ace. With no way to get to hand, Nab tried a low club to his jack. Thorvaldsson won the king and returned a heart. Nab ruffed in dummy but there was no way to prevent Jorgensen from making all his remaining trumps. The contract was four down for –1100 and 10 IMPs to Iceland.

Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul. [ A 10 7 6 ] K Q 10 { J } A Q 10 6 3 [ K Q 4 [ 9 2 ] 9 6 ] A J 8 5 4 2 { A K Q 9 3 { 8 } 9 7 4 } J 8 5 2 [ J 8 5 3 ] 7 3 { 10 7 6 5 4 2 } K


Pass 1NT Dble 2{ Pass 2] Dble 3] All Pass


Pass 1NT Dble Rdbl Pass 2{ Dble 2] All Pass

Olgeirsson opened a 14-16 no trump and De Wijs doubled, which appears from their card to be for penalty. Magnusson redoubled to start to show one long suit and Olgeirsson suggested his own long suit by bidding it. No, Magnusson didn't fancy 2{ and bid his hearts and was allowed to play there. Muller led the king of clubs and, when that held the trick, switched to a spade for the king and ace. De Wijs switched to his diamond. Magnusson won on table and played a second top diamond, De Wijs ruffing with the queen. Magnusson pitched a club and now De Wijs cashed the ace and queen of clubs then got out with a spade. Magnusson won the [Q and took the heart finesse and had eight tricks for +110.

Nab's 1NT was 15-17 and Thorvaldsson's double showed four spades and a longer minor. Drijver transferred to hearts and, when Nab completed the transfer, Thorvaldsson doubled again to show his extras. Drijver bid 3] to shut Jorgensen out – a good idea in theory as N/S can make +140 in a spade contract, and that was that. Thorvaldsson led his diamond. Nab won and tried to cash a second diamond and once again that was ruffed, this time with the king. Nab pitched a club from dummy and Thorvaldsson cashed the ace of clubs, crashing his partner's king, and continued with the ten for the jack and ruff. After a spade back to the king and ace, Thorvaldsson cashed the queen of clubs then led a fourth club, ruffed by Jorgensen and over-ruffed by declarer. Nab took the heart finesse and had the rest but was down one for –100 and 5 IMPs to Iceland.

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Board 25. Dealer North. E/W Vul. [ J 10 6 4 ] A K J 7 6 { 2 } J 8 6 [ Q 5 2 [ 9 8 7 ] 8 5 2 ] Q { J 8 7 { A K 9 6 5 3 } A 10 9 7 } K 5 3 [ A K 3 ] 10 9 4 3 { Q 10 4 } Q 4 2


1] 2{ 2NT 3{ 3] All Pass West North East South Olgeirsson De Wijs Magnusson Muller

1] 2{ 2NT 3{ 3] Pass 4] All Pass

Both Souths showed four-card invitational or better heart raises and both Norths said 'no thanks'. While Jorgensen respected that decision, Muller went on to game.

Drijver led the king of diamonds then switched to king and another club. Nab won the ace and played a third club. Thorvaldsson won, drew trumps and took the spade finesse; just made for +140.

Magnusson too led a top diamond then switched, in his case to the nine of spades. De Wijs won the [A and drew trumps then played king and a third spade and Olgeirsson won and returned a spade. There were two inescapable club losers so the contract was one down for –50 and 5 IMPs to Iceland.

Board 27. Dealer South. None Vul. [ j 8 3 ] Q 7 6 2 { K Q 7 6 } 5 4 [ A 9 5 [ K Q 7 ] K 10 8 4 ] A 5 { 9 { J 10 5 4 3 } J 8 6 3 2 } Q 9 7 [ 10 6 4 2 ] J 9 3 { A 8 2 } A K 10


1NT Pass Pass Dble Pass Pass 2} All Pass


1{ Pass 1] Pass 1[ All Pass

Jorgensen opened a 10-12 no trump and Drijver doubled in pass-out seat. When that came round to Thorvaldsson he ran to 2}, presumably with the intention of redoubling to get partner to pick a red suit. He is still waiting for the double. Drijver led the jack of diamonds, Thorvaldsson winning the ace and playing a second diamond, winning the king when Nab discarded. A club to dummy was followed by a third diamond, but this time Nab ruffed and returned a club for the queen and king. Thorvaldsson played the ten of clubs so Nab won the jack and led a heart to Drijver's ace. Drijver led a diamond so Nab ruffed and could put his partner in with a spade to cash the long diamond. The contract was down four for –200.

Muller opened a Precision-style 1{ and rebid 1[. Facing a limited hand, De Wijs left him to try his luck in the four-three fit. Olgeirsson led his singleton diamond. Muller won the king and played three rounds of clubs, ruffing, followed by a diamond to the ace. Olgeirsson ruffed that and led a low heart. Magnusson won the ace and returned a heart to Olgeirsson, who gave him a ruff and was given a diamond ruff in return. Best would now have been for Olgeirsson to give his partner another heart ruff and collect his own third diamond ruff. That would have been down two with the defenders coming to six trump tricks. In practice, Olgeirsson cashed the [A so the contract was down only one for –50, but 4 IMPs to the Netherlands.

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Board 28. Dealer West. N/S Vul. [ J 9 4 ] 10 7 5 3 2 { 5 4 } A J 3 [ Q 8 5 2 [ K 10 3 ] J 6 ] K 8 4 { A 6 3 { J 10 8 7 } K 10 4 2 } 9 8 7 [ A 7 6 ] A Q 9 { K Q 9 2 } Q 6 5


1NT Pass 2} Dble 2[ 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass


1NT Pass Pass Dble All Pass

Nab opened a 10-12 no trump and Drijver chose to run ahead of a possible double. Jorgensen doubled the Stayman response and Nab admitted to holding four spades. Thorvaldsson showed some values by competing with 2NT and Jorgensen raised to the thin game. Drijver led the jack of diamonds, which did Thorvaldsson no harm at all. He covered with the queen and Nab won the ace and tried a low club. That was not what was required from the defence as it gave declarer a third club trick. Thorvaldsson ran the club to dummy's queen and led dummy's nine of hearts, Nab winning the jack and returning a second club to the

jack. Thorvaldsson played ace then queen of hearts to Drijver's king and back came a spade, ducked to the queen. Thorvaldsson won the spade continuation, crossed to the ace of clubs and cashed the hearts then led a diamond to the nine and had nine tricks for +600.

Thorvaldsson would have been pretty happy with his result but whether it would be enough to win the board was unclear as the action developed at the other table. There, Olgeirsson too opened a mini-no trump, in his case 10-13, and Magnusson did not run immediately, nor did he run when Muller's double came round to him. He was, after all, 4-3-3-3 with some useful values, and perhaps 1NT would be as good as anything – for sure it would require one fewer trick than anything to which Magnusson might scramble. De Wijs led a heart and Muller won the queen and ace then cleared the suit. Olgeirsson won the ]K and led a club and, after a little thought, ran it to the jack. De Wijs cashed his hearts and Muller threw both his small spades as dummy discarded a diamond and a spade, and declarer one card in each suit. A diamond switch now would have seen the defence establish three winners in the suit to go with their black aces, and that would have meant down four. But De Wijs could not convince himself that Muller would hold all of the king, queen and nine of diamonds. He switched instead to a spade and Muller won the ace with Olgeirsson unblocking his queen. Muller returned the queen of diamonds. Declarer won the ace and led the eight of spades to dummy's ten then cashed the [K before exiting with a diamond in case that might be won on his left. No, it was Muller who won the diamond and he returned his low club, of course. A winning play of the ten would have meant only down two, but Olgeirsson guessed to put up the king and he was down three for –500 but still 3 IMPs to Iceland. It could, of course, have been 7 IMPs to the Icemen, or 5 IMPs to the Dutch.

Simon DE WIJSNETHERLANDS

Ragnar MAGNUSSONICELAND

Bauke MULLERNETHERLANDS

Omar OLGEIRSSONICELAND


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Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul. [ K 9 4 ] Q 8 5 { 10 8 7 6 } K 10 3 [ 10 [ A J 6 5 3 ] J 9 7 2 ] 10 3 { A 9 4 3 { K 2 } 9 7 6 2 } A J 5 4 [ Q 8 7 2 ] A K 6 4 { Q J 5 } Q 8


Pass 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 2} All Pass


Pass 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 2} Pass 2{ Pass 2[ Pass 3} All Pass

The Dutch pair had a very simple auction to 2}. Jorgensen cashed the ace of hearts then switched to the queen of diamonds. Drijver won the ace and crossruffed his way to eight tricks for a quick +90.

I can't find anything on their card to explain the Icelandic auction. All that we can know for sure is that it ended with them getting a crucial level higher under their own steam. Muller also led a top heart, the king, then switched to the queen of diamonds. Magnusson won the ace and played a heart, losing to the queen. Back came another diamond to his king and he too set about a crossruff. He could take two spade ruffs in the dummy and two red-suit ruffs in hand. But the fourth spade was over-ruffed and the club return meant that was the end of the crossruffs. So Magnusson had to go one down for –100 and 5 IMPs to the Netherlands.

Board 31. Dealer South. N/S Vul. [ A J 9 3 2 ] A 7 6 { A 8 2 } K 9 [ Q 7 4 [ 10 8 ] J 5 ] Q 10 8 4 3 { Q J 10 5 4 3 { 6 } Q 3 } A J 10 6 5 [ K 6 5 ] K 9 2 { K 9 7 } 8 7 4 2


Pass 3{ All Pass


Pass Pass 1NT 2] 3NT All Pass

De Wijs opened 1NT in third seat and Muller jumped to 3NT over Magnusson's intervention. Magnusson led an unfortunate ten of clubs round to the queen and declarer's king. De Wijs led a spade to the king then back to his jack and when, that showed that he had five spade tricks, could afford to play the nine of clubs next and eventually establish a second club trick. He had 11 tricks in all for +660.

In the other room, Nab opened a very aggressive 3{ in second seat which shut everyone out. Thorvaldsson led ace and another spade. Olgeirsson won the [K and switched to a diamond so Thorvaldsson won and switched to the king of clubs. Nab won the ace, unblocking his queen, and continued with jack then ten of clubs for a heart discard. Thorvaldsson ruffed and there was a heart and a diamond to come; down two for –100 but 11 IMPs to the Netherlands.

Iceland sneaked a narrow win by 31-28 IMPs, which translated to 10.91-9.09 VPs. They remained in fifth place, while the Dutch slipped to fourth. It was all still very tight at the top.

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ESTONIA vs FRANCEESTONIA vs FRANC

The second of the four-match days in the Women's Series featured a string of matches between a top team and a much lower-ranked team, but one very big encounter between France, lying sixth, and Estonia, also very much in contention in ninth place.

Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul. [ K 4 3 ] 5 3 2 { A Q 8 2 } 8 3 2 [ A J 6 2 [ 10 9 ] K Q J 7 4 ] 9 8 { K 6 { 9 4 3 } Q 7 } A K J 10 6 5 [ Q 8 7 5 ] A 10 6 { J 10 7 5 } 9 4

West North East South Huberschwiller Oras Mourgues Iher

Pass 1] Pass 1NT Pass 2} Pass 3} Pass 3NT All Pass

West North East South Piibeleht Puillet Taube Bessis

Pass 1] All Pass

The Estonian auction was over before it had really begun when Aire Taube judged to pass her partner's 1] opening, which was supposedly limited to 15 HCP by system even if it actually contained 16 on this occasion. That seems to be a bit of an extreme view to take to me but there appeared to be no game on for her side so no harm done, right? Carole Puillet led a club so Ines Piibeleht won dummy's ace and played a trump to her king. When that held she continued with the queen of hearts, Veronique Bessis winning the ace and returning a second club to kill the dummy. Declarer should really

have won on table and taken a spade finesse now but in practice won the club in hand to cash the jack of hearts. She ducked a spade to Bessis who returned the jack of diamonds to the king and ace. Two more rounds of diamonds saw Piibeleht ruff and play ace then jack of spades, a combination which cost her an overtrick. She made exactly now for +80.

For France, Anne-Laure Huberschwiller opened 1NT and Jennifer Mourgues responded 1NT. Surprise, surprise, given the generally poor standard of convention cards at this tournament, but I can see nothing on the French card to explain why 2} is the correct rebid with the West cards (1NT was only semi-forcing). That collected a 3} bid from Mourgues and Huberschwiller went on to 3NT. Mirjam Oras led a spade, which Mourgues ran to Maarja Oras's king. Having no idea that declarer's clubs were quite so long and solid, Oras switched to the suit. Mourgues won the ace and led a heart up and, when Iher ducked, dummy's king scored. Mourgues could have guaranteed her contract now as the cards lay by cashing clubs then taking the spade finesse, but maybe the [Q was offside? If South held the ]A and North the {A, maybe South would have won the first heart and led a diamond through? So Mourgues continued with the queen of hearts, and Iher ducked again – why, only she knows. Now Mourgues cashed the clubs and Iher kept three spades plus the ]A. Mourgues still wasn't willing to risk the spade finesse so led the ten of spades to the ace then exited with the jack of hearts. Iher won that and had to give a trick to dummy's [J at the end; 10 tricks for +630 and 11 IMPs to France.

CETONIA vs FRANCBrian Senior WOMEN TEAMS, ROUND 17

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Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. [ A 8 4 ] A 8 2 { A Q 10 7 3 } J 4 [ K J 10 7 6 3 [ 5 2 ] Q J 10 3 ] 9 4 { – { K J 9 2 } A K 3 } 10 9 7 6 2 [ Q 9 ] K 7 6 5 { 8 6 5 4 } Q 8 5


1NT Pass Pass 2} 2{ Pass Pass Dble All Pass


1NT Pass Pass 2[ All Pass

What is your view on how to handle six-four in the majors against an opposing 1NT opening – do you treat the hand as a one-suiter or do you show both majors? My own usual style is to treat the hand as a one-suiter, because a six-one fit is usually at least as good as a four-three fit, and considerably better than a four-two. Only when partner is void in the long suit or has four in the shorter is finding that fit important. Anyway, our featured match saw one West go each way.

Piibeleht followed my approach and overcalled a simple 2[ and played there. Puillet led the jack of clubs, declarer winning the ace and leading her low heart to the nine and king. Bessis returned a low diamond. Piibeleht discarded her low club so Puillet won the ace and returned ace and another heart. Piibeleht ruffed and led a spade to the jack and ace, won the club return and cashed the [K, dropping the queen. She had the rest now for +140. Or, at least, that is what the BBO record tells us. The boards was scored as down one for –50. Did declarer actually play a spade to the king rather than the jack, thereby losing two spade tricks and a heart ruff? As you will appreciate, it is difficult to find a specific player to check on the details when there are so many teams taking part and one does not know where each one meets to score up.

Huberschwiller preferred to overcall 2}, both majors, but perhaps with the intention of bidding 2[ over 2] to show not only the sixth spade but also her extra values? Oras took the opportunity to introduce her

five-card diamond suit but soon regretted it when that went back to Huberschwiller and her take-out double was left in by Mourgues. The opening lead was a spade to the queen, king and ace, and Oras cashed the ace of diamonds, confirming the suspected four-nil break. She cashed the top hearts then gave up a spade to Huberschwiller, who cashed the queen of hearts then the top clubs before playing the fourth heart. Mourgues could over-ruff declarer and get out with a club and there were still two more trump tricks to come; down two for –500 and 8 IMPs to France.

Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul. [ A K Q 9 3 ] A K Q 3 { 10 9 2 } Q [ J 10 6 [ 8 4 2 ] 9 6 5 ] 10 7 2 { 8 6 5 { J 3 } K 9 7 3 } A J 5 4 2 [ 7 5 ] J 8 4 { A K Q 7 4 } 10 8 6


Pass Pass 1} Pass 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 2} Pass 2{ Pass 3[ Pass 5{ Pass 6{ All Pass


Pass Pass 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3} Pass 3] Pass 3NT All Pass

Oras opened a strong club, 16+, and the 1[ response was either balanced or any 4-4-4-1 with 8+ HCP. Oras made two inquiries then, on discovering her partner's shape, jumped to 5{, presumably to play. However, with such powerful trumps the context of the auction, Iher raised to the small slam. After a heart lead there were 13 easy tricks for +1390.

Puillet opened a natural 1[ and Bessis responded with a wide-rangeing 1NT. Two No Trump was an artificial game-force and, presumably, 3} relayed, with Puillet showing the four-card heart suit. With no major-

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suit fit, Bessis signed off in 3NT, but found that to be quite the wrong game, never mind that a diamond slam was well with the odds. Piibeleht led her better minor, clubs, and the defence took the first five tricks; down one for –100 and 16 big IMPs to Estonia.

Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul. [ Q 9 4 3 2 ] 10 7 3 2 { Q 8 3 2 } – [ K 6 [ J 10 ] – ] K Q 8 6 { K 7 { A 9 6 5 4 } A K J 10 6 5 4 3 2 } Q 7 [ A 8 7 5 ] A J 9 5 4 { J 10 } 9 8


1] 5} 5] Pass Pass Dble All Pass


Pass 1} Pass 2{ Pass 3} Pass 3] Pass 4} Pass 4NT Pass 6} All Pass

Iher, protected to some extent by the fact that 1] was limited to 15 HCP, opened the South hand, and Huberschwiller overcalled 5}. Oras was not to be shut out when she had a shapely hand with four-card heart support and competed with 5]. Looking at a far better hand than she might have had for her initial action, Huberschwiller doubled and that ended the auction. She led the ace of clubs, which was ruffed in the dummy. Iher led the ten of hearts to the king and ace, ruffed her last club and led the seven of hearts to the eight and nine. Declarer continued with ace and another spade to the king and Huberschwiller returned a club, which declarer ruffed. Eventually, Iher had to lose two hearts as well as two top diamonds so was down three for –500.

Bessis did not open the South hand, and it would never have occurred to me that she would have done so after seeing her at so many past championships. Piibeleht opened with a strong club and 2{ was a natural positive. Piibeleht bid her clubs twice and now

Taube showed slam interest with Piibeleht accepting the invitation and jumping to 6}. On a diamond lead, that contract is on the spade guess as the cards lie, but Puillet led a spade. So that was that, and Piibeleht had 12 easy tricks for +920 and another 9 IMPs to Estonia, who led in the match at this point. However, France were to come with a strong run and turn the match around over the last few deals.

Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul. [ 10 8 5 4 3 ] Q J 6 4 { K J } 10 6 [ A 7 [ K Q 6 ] K 10 3 ] 5 2 { Q 9 7 3 { 10 8 5 2 } A Q J 4 } K 8 5 3 [ J 9 2 ] A 9 8 7 { A 6 4 } 9 7 2


Pass Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass


Pass Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2[ Pass 3} Pass 3NT All Pass

Mourgues made a natural game invitation while Taube went through a range-enquiry, both Wests accepting so declaring 3NT. Both Norths led a spade.

Huberschwiller won the spade on table and led a diamond to the nine and jack. Oras continued with a second spade so Huberschwiller won the ace and played a second diamond. In again with the {K, Oras cleared the spades and, with no choice but to establish a diamond winner, that is what Huberschwiller did. Iher won the ace of diamonds and led a low heart and once again Huberschwiller had no option if she was to try to make her contract. She closed her eyes and went up with the king and, when she opened her eyes again, found that she had nine tricks for +600.

Oras could have defeated the contract by switching to a heart after winning either the jack or king of diamonds – would Puillet find one of those plays in the other room? Yes she would! Piibeleht too won the spade lead in dummy to play a diamond. Puillet won

––––

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the jack and found the heart switch at the first time of asking. The heart switch and continuation left declarer with only eight tricks for down one; –100 and 12 IMPs to France.

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul. [ Q 8 4 2 ] 7 6 { K Q 3 } K 10 8 2 [ 7 5 [ A 3 ] A 4 3 ] K Q J 10 9 5 { A 6 5 4 2 { 9 8 } Q 9 4 } 7 6 5 [ K J 10 9 6 ] 8 2 { J 10 7 } A J 3


1[ Pass 2NT 3] 3[ 4] All Pass


Pass Pass Pass 2{ Pass 2[ Pass 3] All Pass

After three passes, Taube opened a multi in fourth seat. Piibeleht responded with a pass or correct 2[, suggesting interest facing hearts but no interest facing spades. With a near-minimum for a fourth-seat weak two bid, Taube simply converted to 3] and Piibeleht put down dummy. Bessis led the jack of diamonds and, when that held the trick, switched to a spade. Taube won the ace, drew trumps with the queen and king, then ruffed out the diamonds, and the ace of hearts provided the necessary entry to get to the diamond winners. She had 10 tricks for +170.

There was perhaps an argument for Bessis to find the killing spade

lead against 3] as declarer had shown a weak bid with hearts and dummy had denied interest in spades. At the other table the information suggesting a spade lead was much more clearcut. There, Iher opened 1[ with the South cards and Oras responded 2NT, supposedly distributional and invitational with spade support. When Mourgues now overcalled 3], Iher bid 3[ to deny interest in game and Huberschwiller raised to 4], ending the auction. A spade lead looks normal to me but once again the chosen lead was the jack of diamonds and again declarer ducked it. Now Iher switched to a spade but, as we have seen, it was too late. Mourgues won, ruffed out the diamonds and drew trumps ending in dummy. 10 tricks for +420 and 6 IMPs to France.

We can see that a club switch would have beaten the contract. From Iher's point of view, a club switch would have required Oras to hold both the king and ten, while a spade switch needed only the ace, assuming partner to have only four spades. Should North have overtaken at trick one? Probably, but would she then have played partner for her actual club holding or would she have led a spade through? Three club tricks are required when declarer has six solid hearts, but if the hearts are less solid so that trumps cannot be drawn ending in dummy a less active defence – overtake the diamond and lead a spade through – may be good enough. How likely is it that declarer's hearts are not good enough to draw trumps ending in dummy? She rates to have a six-card suit, and that means that North is playing for declarer to hold a very specific hand for anything other than a club switch to be correct. Tough, I agree, but I think to overtake to switch to a low club is indicated.

France won the match by 48-28 IMPs, which translated to 15.00-5.00 VP. They moved up to fifth while Estonia fell to twelfth, with six rounds to play.

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MISPLAY THIS HAND WITH MEMISPLAY THIS HAND WI

We have made a poor start to a major championship but are on the road to recovery when I pick up these cards:

[ Q J 9 7 5 ] A K 8 7 { 8 4 } A 10

With both sides vulnerable I am the dealer and when I open 1[ my partner responds 1NT. When I rebid 2] my partner jumps to game leaving us with this simple auction:

West North East South 1[ Pass 1NT* Pass 2] Pass 4] All Pass

West leads the ]5 and I get a modest dummy:

[ 6 2 ] Q J 10 4 2 { K Q 6 } Q 6 4

[ Q J 9 7 5 ] A K 8 7 { 8 4 } A 10

I win the opening lead with dummy's queen and play a spade. East plays the ace and switches to the }7. When I play low West wins with the king, cashes the {A and the [K to put me one down.

This was the layout:

Dealer South. Both Vul. [ 6 2 ] Q J 10 4 2 { K Q 6 } Q 6 4 [ K 8 4 [ A 10 3 ] 9 5 ] 6 3 { A 10 7 { J 9 5 3 2 } K 8 5 3 2 } J 9 7 [ Q J 9 7 5 ] A K 8 7 { 8 4 } A 10

Post mortemThis is one of those deals where the reader will

be well ahead of the game. Declarer should win the trump lead in hand and play a diamond, hoping to find the ace onside. If West withholds the ace declarer returns to hand with a trump and plays a second diamond. If West now takes the ace and plays a club declarer should draw the inference that West's passive lead suggests an awkward holding in the side suits and go up with dummy's queen.

To defeat 4] West must find a spade lead.

ITH MEAY THIS HAND WIMark Horton

http://www.federbridge.it/tornei/2018/Milano/indice.asp


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FRANCE vs NORWAYFRA

Before the start of this match, scheduled for Thursday’s last round, France were leading the Seniors’ field. This was no surprise at all because France are one of the pre-tournament favourites. Their opponents this time would be Norway, another strong team who were in third place when the match got underway.

On the first board, it was Norwegian solidity against French aggression. To my memory, it used to be the other way round more often than not for these teams but aren’t we all getting older?

Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. [ K Q 10 9 ] Q 10 7 4 3 { J } 10 6 3[ A 7 4 [ J 5 3] A 5 ] K 9 2{ A 10 8 3 { 9 5 4} A K 4 2 } J 9 8 7 [ 8 6 2 ] J 8 6 { K Q 7 6 2 } Q 5

Open RoomWest North East South Marstrander Lebel T Bakke Soulet

Pass Pass Pass1} 1] Pass 2]Dble Pass 3} All Pass

A good contract, made with an overtrick when the clubs behaved well. Norway +130.

Closed RoomWest North East South Lasserre L Stabell Poizat T Stabell

Pass Pass Pass2NT Pass 3NT All Pass

Some slight upgrading here and there but when there was no club loser, there was no way to defeat 3NT by West either. At the table, North made life easy for declarer by leading the [K. France +400 and the first 7 IMPs of the match.

On the next board, the issue was whether N/S could reach 4[ or not.

Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul. [ K 8 7 6 2 ] A K 5 { 10 4 2 } A 6[ 9 [ J 4 3] Q 8 4 ] 3 2{ A K 9 3 { Q 8 7 6 5} K 8 5 4 2 } Q J 3 [ A Q 10 5 ] J 10 9 7 6 { J } 10 9 7


Pass Pass1} 1[ Pass 3]Pass 4[ All Pass

The helpful fit-bid made reaching game look very easy indeed. France +620.


Pass Pass1} 1[ Pass 3[All Pass

Not suspecting such an unbalanced raise, North could not be sure about the diamond singleton and thus cautiously gave up. Norway +170 but 10 more IMPs to France.

AYANCE vs NORWASENIOR TEAMS, ROUND 15Jos Jacobs

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Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul. [ 8 6 5 4 2 ] K 6 4 { 4 } K 10 9 2[ K Q [ 10] 9 7 5 3 2 ] A J 10{ A K Q J { 9 8 7 6 3 2} 5 4 } A J 3 [ A J 9 7 3 ] Q 8 { 10 5 } Q 8 7 6


2[Dble 4[ 5{ All Pass

Four Spades should go one off because declarer is bound to lose one trick in each suit.

Five Diamonds will only go down if the defence, immediately returns a club after winning the SA.

For Soulet, this was not a problem. France +100.


Pass1] Pass 1NT Pass2{ Pass 3[ DblePass 4[ 5} Pass5{ All Pass

Poizat was actually contemplating slam slam after the fierce E/W intervention in spades. Three Spades was already a splinter a splinter for diamonds but over 5}, West had to sign off.

Spade lead to the ace but when South returned the suit, declarer was home, as the hearts could be established for the necessary club discard. France another +600 and 12 more IMPs to lead 29-0.

Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. [ K ] A 10 7 { 10 8 7 6 } K 9 8 7 5[ 10 6 4 3 [ A Q J] Q 8 4 3 ] J 6{ Q 3 { A J 9 2} 6 4 2 } A J 10 3 [ 9 8 7 5 2 ] K 9 5 2 { K 5 4 } Q


Pass Pass 1} Pass1{ Pass 2NT All Pass

One Diamond showed hearts.

On a spade lead, declarer cashed three top spades and led a diamond to dummy’s queen. When this held, a club to the jack and South’s queen ensured the contract when South returned a heart to North’s ten and declarer’s jack. Norway +120.


Pass Pass 1{ All Pass

This innocent-looking contract went down when the defenders set up a cross-ruff for themselves. Declarer won the }Q lead with the ace and led a low diamond, South rising with his king. A spade then went to the king and ace and declarer led a trump to dummy’s queen. When he tried to get back to his hand, the ruffing festival got underway. Spade ruff, }K, club ruff, another spade ruff and the ]AK led to one down. Norway another +100 and their first 6 IMPs of the match.

A part-score swing on the next board.

Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. [ A 10 4 ] Q J 7 3 { 8 2 } 10 9 8 3[ J 2 [ K 7 3] 10 9 ] A K 8 6 5 4{ A Q 9 6 5 3 { 7} 7 6 4 } K Q J [ Q 9 8 6 5 ] 2 { K J 10 4 } A 5 2


Pass 1] 1[Pass 2[ 3] 3[4] All Pass

Rather than trying for +500, the Norwegians tried for game. Had trumps behaved, they would have scored +420 alright but in that case, they might well have missed 800.


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Needless to say: 4] went one off. France +50.


Pass 1] 1[Pass 2[ 3] All Pass

The French were not led into any temptation and thus ended up with +140 and 5 more IMPs.

The next board was a slam.

Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul. [ K 7 5 3 ] 10 { Q 9 5 3 2 } K Q 8[ 10 8 6 [ A Q J 9 4 2] A K Q 9 8 6 ] J 5 2{ A { 6} 10 5 4 } A 3 2 [ -- ] 7 4 3 { K J 10 8 7 4 } J 9 7 6


1[ 3{3] 5{ 5] Pass6] 7{ Dble All Pass

Well, 7] by West might have gone down but 7[ is on for E/W. As we have been taught to avoid grand slams on a trump finesse, the Norwegians could do little else than double the sacrifice, and thus scored a disappointing +500 only (down three).


1[ 3{3] 5{ 5] DbleAll Pass

Though N/S in the Closed Room did relatively well by bringing the stripe-tailed ape double into operation, they still lost -1050 when the initial spade ruff turned out to be the only possible defensive trick. France thus gained 11 more IMPs to lead 45-6 after just 6 boards.

After this pretty sensational start, the boards quietened down a little, even more so because both sides missed a good slam on board 10.

On board 13, however, it was a matter of finding the best denomination.

Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul. [ K 2 ] K Q 5 { 8 6 } 10 8 7 5 4 2[ A Q J 7 6 5 [ 10 9 3] A ] J 10 8 7 4 3 2{ K 10 9 7 4 { A 3} K } Q [ 8 4 ] 9 6 { Q J 5 2 } A J 9 6 3


Pass 2{ Pass2NT Pass 3} Pass3{ Pass 3[ Pass4] All Pass

Once East showed a good weak two in hearts, playing in spades seemed no longer an option for West. Had the [K been right, this would have been a board without much history. On the actual layout, France wrote another +100.

West North East South Lasserre L Stabell Poizat T Stabell

Pass Pass Pass1[ Pass 2[ Pass3{ Pass 4[ All Pass

Once East decided not to open, the French were never in danger of getting overboard one way or another. France another +650 and 13 more IMPs.

The final result of the match; 58-16 or 18.33 – 1.67 VP to France.

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FRANCE vs MONACOFRANCE vs MONAC

France were edging towards a top eight position that would see them qualify for the 2019 Bermuda Bowl. Monaco had already achieved such a position in the top eight and would be holding on tightly to this with both hands (no pun intended). It seemed that Mark Horton and I would have an exciting match to watch.

Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul. [ A K Q 9 8 6 ] Q 5 3 { K 8 7 6 } – [ 10 7 4 3 2 [ J 5 ] J 7 4 ] 10 9 8 2 { 9 5 { – } 6 3 2 } A K 10 9 7 5 4 [ – ] A K 6 { A Q J 10 4 3 2 } Q J 8

Closed Room West North East South Lorenzini Helness Rombaut Helgemo

1{ Pass 1[ 4} Dble Pass 5} Pass 6{ all Pass

Helness bid 5} on the second round, clearly a cue-bid with diamonds agreed. (It would not be Exclusion Blackwood for most players, since it was not a jump.) Mark and I were expecting Helgemo to cue-bid 5] now, since a grand slam was close to certain on his hand if partner held a void club. No, he was content to bid just 6{ and the grand slam was missed.

Open Room West North East South Multon T.Bessis Martens Volcker

2{ Pass 2[ 3} 3{ Pass 5} Pass 7{ all Pass

Volcker’s 2{ suggested 8/9 playing tricks (2} would show the traditional game-force type). Martens bid just 3}, with an eye on the vulnerability, and North’s leap to 5} over just 3{ was then clearly a

void. Volcker lost no time in bidding the grand slam, which was easily made.

It was 11 well-deserved IMPs to France and I’m looking forward to seeing how many of the field reached 7{. Excuse me for a moment while I take a look.

Right, 24 out of 32 tables bid to 7{, 6 stopped in 6{, 1 in 5{ and 1 preferred to double 3} for only +500. It had been a surprising lapse by one of the world’s top pairs.

Both sides missed a difficult slam on this deal:

Board 22. Dealer East. E/W Vul. [ J 9 7 3 2 ] 8 5 3 { 8 6 } 8 6 5 [ 10 [ A Q 6 4 ] K 9 7 6 ] J 10 { A K Q J 7 4 { 10 } Q 7 } A K 10 9 4 2 [ K 8 5 ] A Q 4 2 { 9 5 3 2 } J 3


1} Pass 1{ Pass 1[ Pass 2] Pass 3} Pass 3{ Pass 3NT all Pass

Once the fourth-suit 2] set up a game force, neither player was able to express his extra values. The slam was missed and four overtricks were made for +720.


1} Pass 2{ Pass 2[ Pass 3{ Pass 3] Pass 4{ Pass 5{ all Pass

Monaco had a great chance to reach the slam when West began with what I assume was a strong jump shift (their convention card does not describe this response).

COANCE vs MONACOPEN TEAMS, ROUND 28David Bird

}}}} 88 66 55


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24

If I have read the West bidding correctly, it seems that Martens might have bid 4[ over 4{. This would show a spade control and deny a heart control, expressing slam interest. He preferred to sign off and the slam was again missed. That was +640 and 2 IMPs to France.

Once again, I will take a look at how the Open field bid on this slam deal. 11 pairs out of 32 bid 6{ and 3 reached a successful 6NT. So, just under half the field bid a slam.

Our next board was interesting, if only because 29 of the 32 tables played in a doubled contract.

Board 24. Dealer West. Neither Vul. [ K 9 7 6 ] 10 9 7 2 { – } Q J 9 4 3 [ A Q J 5 3 2 [ 10 4 ] K J 6 ] A Q 8 4 3 { K 9 7 5 { J 3 2 } – } K 10 7 [ 8 ] 5 { A Q 10 8 6 4 } A 8 6 5 2


1[ Pass 1NT 2NT 3[ 5} Dble all Pass

Helness went straight to 5}, aiming to put pressure on East. Rombaut had no reason to think that a 5-level contract was a good idea his way and was happy to double. With the favourable lie of the diamond suit and five running tricks in the unmentioned heart suit, West can make 5[.

West won the [10 lead with the ace and switched to the ]6. East won with the ]Q and played back a low heart, ruffed in the dummy. After a diamond ruff, the }Q was covered by the king and ace. The {A for a spade discard was followed by a diamond ruff and a heart ruff. The {Q was covered by the {K and ruffed with the }9. East could score only one more trick and that was -100.


1[ Pass 1NT 2NT 3[ 4} 4[ Pass Pass 5} Dble All Pass

The play was similar for a shared board. Most of the field ended in 5} doubled. When Finland faced Belgium, 3} doubled making 11 tricks played off against 4} doubled making 10 tricks, for a swing of just 4 IMPs. Latvia and Turkey were allowed to play in 4[ doubled, making 10 and 11 tricks respectively.

Board 28. Dealer West. N/S Vul. [ A 10 9 6 ] 8 4 3 { J 10 6 4 } Q 3 [ K 4 [ Q 7 5 2 ] Q 10 9 5 2 ] K J { A K { Q 7 3 2 } A 7 6 5 } 9 8 2 [ J 8 3 ] A 7 6 { 9 8 5 } K J 10 4


1] Pass 1[ Pass 2} Pass 2{ Pass 3NT All Pass

Lorenzini’s 2} rebid was Gazzilli, showing clubs or any 16-point hand. Rombaut’s artificial 2{ indicated 8+ points, setting up a game-force if West held the 16+ type. Lorenzini closed the auction with a leap to 3NT and it seemed that the contract would be touch-and-go.

Helness led the {6 to the 2, 5 and king. Only one card was now good enough from declarer to keep the contract on track. Would you have found it? He played the {A! Three diamonds, four hearts, the }A and a spade would bring his total to nine, but entries were a problem and he needed to be sure that he could score the {Q.

When declarer continued with a heart to the king, Helgemo won immediately with the ace and switched to the }K, aiming to dislodge West’s presumed }A, which might be a key entry to declarer’s hand. Lorenzini ducked the first club, North following with the }3, and Helgemo continued with the }4. The second key moment of the deal had been reached. Should declarer win the second round of clubs or duck again?

It was no easy decision, particularly after the }K switch, and Lorenzini kept the BBO audience in suspense for a while. Eventually, to cheers from the French kibitzers, he won with the club ace on the second round. (To duck would have allowed North to win and set up a diamond trick before his [A was removed).

QQQQ

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Lorenzini played the ]Q and scored his four heart tricks. When he then led the [K, Helness won and had to present three tricks to the stranded [Q7 and {Q in the dummy. It was a fine piece of cardplay by the Frenchman!


1] Pass 1[ Pass 2} Pass 2] all Pass

Multon’s 2} rebid was again Gazzilli. Martens was invited to respond 2{ on any hand of 8+ points, which would set up a game-force if West had the 16+ type. Understandably, Martens was not attracted to placing his sad-looking hand in this category. He rebid only 2] and this ended the auction. It was 7 IMPs to France.

Board 29. Dealer West. N/S Vul. [ Q 7 6 5 4 ] – { A J 8 5 } Q 10 8 3 [ A [ J 10 9 ] K J 8 3 ] 10 9 4 2 { K Q 10 7 6 { 9 4 2 } A 6 4 } K 9 5 [ K 8 3 2 ] A Q 7 6 5 { 3 } J 7 2


Pass Pass 1] 2{ All Pass

Helness led a low spade to the king and ace, declarer then crossing to the }K to lead a heart. Helgemo rose with the ]A and North discarded the [5. It was clear that delivering a heart ruff was not a good idea. Helgemo gave declarer a chance, however, by returning a spade. If declarer discards his last club now, setting up dummy’s [J in the process, the contract will be made.

Lorenzini ruffed instead, continuing with ace and another club to North’s queen. He discarded a heart on North’s [Q and could not avoid three further losers for one down.


Pass Pass 1] 1NT Dble Pass 2[ Pass 4[ All Pass

What a remarkable auction! South opened light in the third seat and was not prepared to stand his partner’s double of 1NT. He pulled to 2[, hoping for the best, and must have been surprised when he was raised to game.

Volcker won the {K lead in dummy and led the }3, East rising with the king and switching to the [J. West won with the [A and played ace and another club, declarer winning with dummy’s }Q. A diamond ruff in hand was followed by the [K, the ]A for a diamond discard and a heart ruff in dummy. After a diamond ruff and a heart ruff, declarer drew the last trump with the queen and scored dummy’s }10. It was a splendid +620. Four other pairs made 620 and two more were doubled there for +790. It was 11 IMPs for France.

France won the encounter by 33 IMPs to 7, translating into 16.09-3.91 in VP. Well done to them!

QQQQQQ 110 0 88 33

Thomas BESSISFRANCE

Krzysztof MARTENSMONACO

Franck MULTONMONACO

Frederic VOLCKERFRANCE


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26

ICELAND vs ISRAELICELAND vs ISRAE

For Friday morning’s round, the draw had produced no less than three matches involving the top ten. A report on France v. Monaco will appear elsewhere in the Bulletin and reports on Italy v. Netherlands will no doubt appear in the respective bridge magazines of these two countries. Iceland v. Israel, the match between a Nordic team fighting for its chances to make it into the last eight and the overnight leaders and title candidates Israel, was the third top match in this round, so here is the report on that one.

On the first board, we immediately saw the first big swing of the match.

Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul. [ A 9 6 3 ] Q J 8 2 { Q } A 10 9 3[ K Q 4 [ 2] A 5 4 ] K 10 9{ K J 6 5 4 { A 10 9 7} J 8 } K 7 6 5 4 [ J 10 8 7 5 ] 7 6 3 { 8 3 2 } Q 2

Open RoomWest North East South Levin Baldursson Roll Haraldsson

2{ Pass 2[All Pass

Two Diamonds showed both majors.West’s suit did not meet the requirements for an

overcall at the three-level but East might have ventured a double in the balancing seat, though South could have been much stronger than he actually was.

When the defenders dropped a heart trick or two in the play, declarer emerged with an overtrick. Iceland +140.

Closed RoomWest North East South Jörgensen Bareket Thorvaldsson Lengy

1} Pass 1]2{ 2[ 3[ Pass3NT All Pass

One Heart showed spades and 3[ asked for a stopper.

Over a response at the one-level, West felt free to introduce his shaky suit only to find himself in game a few moments later. On the ]Q lead, the contract was safe already but when the defenders discarded too many clubs, 12 tricks were actually made. Iceland another +490 and 12 IMPs to open their account in great style.

After a simple game and an equally simple grand slam this was board 20:

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul. [ K 3 ] A 4 { 9 8 6 2 } K Q 5 4 2[ Q 9 6 2 [ A J 5 4] K 10 3 2 ] J 9 8 5{ 7 4 { J 3} A J 10 } 9 8 7 [ 10 8 7 ] Q 7 6 { A K Q 10 5 } 6 3


Pass 1{ Pass 2NTPass 3NT All Pass

After the nebulous diamond, the old-fashioned limit response of 2NT with no stoppers in either black suit turned out to be equally nebulous for the defence, as we shall see.

West led an unlucky heart to declarer’s queen and a club was led next, dummy’s queen winning. Declarer crossed to a top diamond and led another club, the last chance for West to put up the ace and shift to a low spade. When West ducked, dummy’s king won and declarer was home. Iceland +600.


1{ Pass 1] Pass2] All Pass

ELCELAND vs ISRAEOPEN TEAMS, ROUND 28Jos Jacobs

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In the replay, West could open his hand so the E/W heart fit was quickly established. As the South hand with its eight losers does not really qualify for an overcall, it rested in 2], a contract that made with an overtrick for another +140 and 12 IMPs to Iceland.

On the next board, slam was on the cards but the right denomination was not so clear.

Board 21. Dealer North. NS Vul. [ 8 6 5 4 ] 9 7 2 { 7 4 } A 6 3 2[ A J [ K Q 10 3] J 10 5 ] A K 8 6{ A K 10 8 2 { 5} Q 5 4 } K J 10 9 [ 9 7 2 ] Q 4 3 { Q J 9 6 3 } 8 7


Pass 1} Pass2} Pass 2{ Pass2] Pass 2[ Pass2NT Pass 3{ Pass3NT Pass 4NT Pass6NT All Pass

Over the 2} GF response, the Israeli pair found the slam alright but it was asking too much of them to land in 6}, the unlikely but making slam. On not too bad breaks in both majors, you can ruff a heart with the }Q if necessary to produce 12 tricks. 6NT is basically on the heart finesse plus some outside chances. There is also a squeeze/endplay in the red suits against South but North did very well to return a diamond into declarer’s suit, after winning his }A, to disrupt the communications for this squeeze. Iceland +50.


Pass 1} Pass2} Pass 2{ Pass2NT Pass 3NT Pass4NT All Pass

Over the Strong Club, West showed a GF hand with a minor. Over the 2{ relay, he went on to show a balanced hand and a quantitative raise which was

rejected by East. Iceland another +460, good for 11 IMPs and a lead of 35-0 after 5 boards.

Believe it or not: the next board was yet another slam. The important difference with the previous board was that this slam was cold in no less than three denominations.

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Vul. [ J 9 7 3 2 ] 8 5 3 { 8 6 } 8 6 5[ 10 [ A Q 6 4] K 9 7 6 ] J 10{ A K Q J 7 4 { 10} Q 7 } A K 10 9 4 2 [ K 8 5 ] A Q 4 2 { 9 5 3 2 } J 3


1} Pass1{ Pass 1[ Pass2{ Pass 3} Pass4} Pass 4{ Pass4] Pass 4[ Pass6{ All Pass

Two Diamonds was an artificial GF and 3} then showed 6-4 in the blacks and not minimum. A series of cuebids then did the rest. With the ]K protected and the clubs breaking, making 12 tricks was no problem. Israel a fine +1390 when North led a spade.


2} Pass3{ Pass 3[ Pass4{ Pass 4[ Pass5{ All Pass

After a Precision-style 2}, the Iceland E/W did not get the full value of the combined hands into the picture. On a heart lead, just one overtrick was made. Iceland +620 but 13 IMPs back to Israel.

Two more small swings to Israel on the next two boards but then, another big board came up.

66 33


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28

Board 25. Dealer North. EW Vul. [ K Q 10 9 7 ] 10 9 6 { K } K Q 9 3[ 8 6 5 3 [ A 4] K Q J 7 5 3 ] A 8 4{ 9 7 4 { A 8 3} -- } A 10 8 7 4 [ J 2 ] 2 { Q J 10 6 5 2 } J 6 5 2


1[ 1NT 3{4{ Pass 4] All Pass

This looked very much like a routine 11 tricks. Israel +650.


1[ 1NT 2{2] All Pass

When West bid a very quiet 2], there it rested. Iceland +200 but Israel another +10 IMPs.

Two boards later, another possible slam was on:

Board 27. Dealer South. None Vul. [ J 9 8 7 4 3 ] 8 5 { 9 6 4 3 } J[ K Q 10 6 5 [ 2] K 7 3 ] A Q J 10 6 2{ A J 8 5 { Q 7 2} Q } A 9 3 [ A ] 9 4 { K 10 } K 10 8 7 6 5 4 2


2}2[ Pass 4] 5}5] Pass 6] All Pass

South opened a Precision-style 2} but when he rebid his suit, West seized the opportunity to insert a fine 5] bid, an invitational offer his partner could not refuse.

Though South did his best by leading a deceptive {10, East was not to be fooled. He ran the lead to his queen and after this, the rest was easy. Israel +980.

QQ

Jon BALDURSSONICELAND

Josef ROLLISRAEL

Amir LEVINISRAEL

Sigurbjorn HARALDSSONICELAND

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1}1[ Pass 2] 4}4] All Pass

After a one-level opening bid and overcall, getting to the slam was much more difficult as East had to be careful because of his singleton in partner’s suit. Iceland +480 but another 11 IMPs to Israel, who had now taken the lead: 42-36.

The next board was all about beating 3NT.

Board 28. Dealer West. NS [ A 10 9 6 ] 8 4 3 { J 10 6 4 } Q 3[ K 4 [ Q 7 5 2] Q 10 9 5 2 ] K J{ A K { Q 7 3 2} A 7 6 5 } 9 8 2 [ J 8 3 ] A 7 6 { 9 8 5 } K J 10 4


1] Pass 1[ Pass1NT Pass 2NT Pass3NT All Pass

On a double-dummy }Q lead by North, 3NT has no play, declarer having to lose three clubs and two aces.

On a more normal diamond lead, the contract should also go down. Declarer can overtake the second round of hearts but South can return a spade upon winning his ]A. As the entry to the {Q is gone now, eight tricks are the maximum.

In the Open Room, South returned the }J after winning his ]A. When this held, he continued the suit rather than seizing his last chance to push a spade through. Israel +400.


1} Pass 2{ Pass2] Pass 2[ Pass3NT All Pass

Strong Club and 2{ showing a balanced 8-10 hcp.In the Closed Room, declarer also cashed his {A

after winning the diamond lead with his king. When he next played hearts, South could win the ace and return the }J followed by a low club. This enabled North to continue the {J after winning the }Q. This way, one down was assured as North still had the [A as an entry. Israel +50 and 10 more IMPs to them.

The final score: 58-37 or 14.20 – 5.80 VP to Israel. They would stay firmly at the top of the table but Iceland, too, just kept their place among the top eight.

QQ

Ilan BAREKETISRAEL

Matthias G. THORVALDSSONICELAND

Amir LEVINISRAEL

Assaf LENGYISRAEL

Adalsteinn JORGENSENICELAND


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WHEN IS A (PLAYED) CARD NOT A CARD?WHEN IS A (PLAYED) CARD N

In the match between Croatia and Norway the Croatian declarer reached a slam that was not attempted by the Norwegians. Boye Brogeland led an ace and declarer got in at trick two and attempted to extract a high trump from his hand. As he did so, another card fluttered onto the table (doubtless stuck to the first card). It was a low trump, and all Brogeland had to do was play his jack to set the slam.

However, Brogeland doesn’t want to win that way. He said ‘Take it back’ and declarer duly made his slam for a 13 IMP gain instead of loss.

Brogeland told me that he could see the card wasn’t the one declarer was trying to play; and it turns out that not only did Brogeland do the ethical thing, it was legally the case that a card that was incontrovertibly one that wasn’t what declarer intended to play, is not a played card and CAN be taken back. And of course, if the card is not played, the opponent does not have the option to accept it.

Marc van Beijsterveldt confirms that – but to my surprise he told me that this also applies in a way to a defender, if the card is a nine or lower. What happens then is that the dropped

card becomes a minor penalty card – in essence it must be played before you play any other small card in that suit.

So Brogeland has the satisfaction of not only doing the right thing ethically but also of following correct procedure!

OT A CARD?PLAYED) CARD NBarry Rigal

The Young Chelsea Bridge Club

2nd Ladies Swiss Teams At 54 Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8HA, England.

10-11 November 2018 Format: 10 x 10 board matches

Start time 10:30am on Saturday, finishing at 4:30pm on Sunday

Entry fee: £300 per team (free for Juniors)

(includes a buffet lunch on both days and a drinks reception)

Teams may be comprised of 4, 5 or 6 players Good prize pool including a special Junior prize

Entries and enquiries to Paula Leslie at:

[email protected] Visit www.ycbc.co.uk for updates of further

details

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The South American Bridge Festival was held from May 10th to 23rd.

The Junior and the Senior Zonal Championships were played first, the first two of each tournament qualified to represent the WBF Zone 3.

In the Junior category (U26) 8 teams participated representing 6 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay.

The Semi-final: the Chile A team, winner of the double Round Robin qualifier, secured its place in the World Cup in China after defeating the Chile B team by a wide margin.

In the other semifinal, the Brazil A team faced Colombia, who sat down to play the last set with a 3 IMPs advantage; in this instance the Colombians displayed their greater experience and won the match by a large margin.

The final was very close. With three boards to go, Colombia was winning by a few IMPs. Then a catastrophe occurred: the young people from Colombia played a failling slam and the result was 14 IMPs for Chile, who ended up winning the final by only 3 IMPs. Both teams acquire the right to represent Zone 3 in the next World Cup in China. These two delegations, will be accompanied by Chile and Uruguay in Category U21 and in Girls by Brazil and Chile.

In the Seniors category, five teams competed in a double round robin, and there was no surprise here, the big favorite Brazil: Gabriel Chagas, Marcelo Castello Branco, Leda Pain, Eduardo Barcellos and Guilherme Junqueira won by a wide margin followed by the second favorite Chile: Marcelo Caracci, Jose Manuel Robles, Roberto and Enrique Garcia. Both countries obtained the right to dispute the d'Orsi trophy of 2019.

Southamerican Pairs Championships

OpenMost of the favorite couples qualified for the final

that was played on Sunday, May 13th. The victory went to Juan Carlos Ventin (ESP) and Adam Stokka (Swe), second were: Boguslaw Gierulski and Jerzy Skrzypczak, both from Poland and third were Mauricio Figueiredo and Marcos Paiva from Brazil.

Ladies The winners were Ana Carolina Vidigal and Lúcia

Menezes, second Sylvia Mello and Isabella Vargas all from Brazil and third were Analia Smalinski and Irene Elkin from Argentina.

Mixed The winners were Carlos Hoyos (COL) and

Alejandra Lavin (CHI), second Dario Attanasio (ITA) and Gabriella Manara (ITA), third Pablo Ravenna (BRA) and Sandra Garafulic (BOL).

Southamerican Teams ChampionshipsOpen The 2018 Champion is the Zaleski team: Romain

Zaleski, Massimo Lanzarotti, Dario Attanasio, Gabriella Manara all from Italy and Boguslaw Gierulski (POL) and Jerzy Skrzypczak (POL)

Second: The Chagas team: Gabriel Chagas, Frederic Wrang (SWE), Adam Stokka (SWE), Juan Carlos Ventin (ESP) and Antonio Palma (POR).

Third: The Arvechico team that was the revelation of the tournament: Perla Sultan (VEN), Alejandro Bianchedi (ITA), Juan Rueda (ARG), Alexis Pejacsevich (ARG), Carlos Hoyos (COL) and Alejandra Lavin (CHI).

During the semifinals and finals a team tournament was played and the winners were: Marcelo Caracci (CHI), Jose Manuel Robles (CHI), Fernando Lema (ARG), Ricardo Angeleri (ARG) and Ricardo Poleschi (ARG).

LadiesFirst team Tubi: Sylvia Mello, Paula David, Lia Cintra,

Leda Pain, AgotaMandelot and HeloisaNogueira all of them from Brazil.

Second: Covarubias: Paula Riedel (CHI), Lisi Covarrubias (CHI), Loreto Cuevas (CHI), Adriana Deik (CHI), Cecilia Previde (ARG), MariaJose Espinosa Paz (ARG).

Third: Arbra: Cecilia Malta (BRZ), Maria Lujan Amaral (ARG), Teresa Falk (BTZ), Irene Elkin (ARG) and Analia Smalinski (ARG).

THE 2018 SOUTH AMERICAN FESTIVAL TTTHHE 2018 SOUTH AMERICAAN FESTIVAALLL SOUTH AMERICA


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32

The South American U26 Youth Championship was played from May 10 to May 12, this event qualified the first two to represent the WBF Zone 3: South America for the 17th World Youth Bridge Team Championships to be held in China in the month of August 2018.

Colombia and Chile played the final. With two boards to go in the match, Colombia was 11 IMPs ahead….when the next board arrived:

[ J 10 8 5 4 ] 10 2 { 10 5 3 } 9 7 4[ 9 [ K Q 7 3] A Q 9 8 6 5 3 ] K{ A K 7 6 { Q J 4} A } K J 6 3 2 [ A 6 2 ] J 7 4 { 9 8 2 } Q 10 8 5

West North East South Bossonney Cazabon

Pass1] Pass 2}* Pass3]* Passo 3[ Pass4}* Pass 4[* Pass5}* Pass 6]* All Pass

2} any hand balanced with or without three heart cards or four spade cards3] Imposing the heart as trumps.4} Serious Cue-Bid4[ Roman Key Card Blackwood5} 0/36] To Play. Partner missing a KC

In the open room with a well-managed auction, the Chilean couple declared and fulfilled the small slam in the heart suit and scored 1,010 points in their column.

In the closed room, the Colombian couple handled the hand in the following way:

West Nord East South Correa Valenzuela

Pass1] Pass 2} Pass2{ Pass 3NT Pass4[ All Pass

On this hand it should be noted that: The distribution 7-4 should be treated as one-suited, as Kyle did in the other room and not as a two-suiter.

The contract was defeated and Chile scored 50 points in its column which added to the 1.010 from the other room produced a 14 IMPs difference, Chile now was three IMPs ahead. The last hand was a tie and Chile U26 was crowned as the new South American Champion.

The next appointment for the category will be in Lima (Peru) in 2020.

Lima

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RANKING AFTER ROUND 30

1 ISRAEL 385.802 RUSSIA 385.763 NORWAY 380.684 NETHERLANDS 366.425 SWEDEN 361.856 ENGLAND 348.617 MONACO 348.278 ICELAND 343.439 ITALY 342.0210 GREECE 339.0711 HUNGARY 334.7812 GERMANY 334.1813 FRANCE 333.6714 BULGARIA 326.7915 POLAND 325.1616 DENMARK 314.5417 BELGIUM 313.8718 LATVIA 300.2219 ESTONIA 299.3620 IRELAND 292.0821 FINLAND 291.8122 AUSTRIA 286.7523 TURKEY 283.6224 SPAIN 277.9825 LITHUANIA 277.3826 PORTUGAL 245.3827 CROATIA 228.4828 CZECH REPUBLIC 219.7629 SWITZERLAND 218.6730 UKRAINE 218.6331 ROMANIA 215.5832 WALES 214.6533 SCOTLAND 190.75

RESULTSRESULTS

ROUND 281 FINLAND BELGIUM 33 29 11.20 6.802 AUSTRIA LATVIA 38 42 8.30 11.203 PORTUGAL SPAIN 48 26 15.38 4.124 IRELAND WALES 50 23 16.26 3.745 GREECE UKRAINE 56 25 16.88 3.126 ROMANIA CZECH REPUBLIC 39 16 15.56 4.447 RUSSIA SCOTLAND 82 10 20.00 0.008 ICELAND ISRAEL 38 57 5.20 14.809 NORWAY DENMARK 57 45 13.28 6.7210 BULGARIA TURKEY 47 38 12.55 7.4511 LITHUANIA ENGLAND 32 33 9.69 10.3112 GERMANY HUNGARY 38 13 15.92 4.0813 ITALY NETHERLANDS 21 50 3.42 16.5814 POLAND SWEDEN 18 44 3.91 16.0915 FRANCE MONACO 33 6 16.26 3.7416 SWITZERLAND ESTONIA 23 70 1.13 18.8717 CROATIA Bye 0 0 12 0.00

ROUND 291 RUSSIA GREECE 31 24 12.03 7.972 ESTONIA IRELAND 36 26 12.80 7.203 SPAIN ISRAEL 31 33 9.39 10.614 NORWAY AUSTRIA 44 21 15.56 4.445 BULGARIA FINLAND 42 39 10.91 9.096 ENGLAND CROATIA 62 14 18.97 1.037 GERMANY BELGIUM 27 36 7.45 12.558 LATVIA NETHERLANDS 26 13 13.52 6.489 PORTUGAL SWEDEN 25 43 5.40 14.6010 MONACO WALES 24 39 6.03 13.9711 FRANCE UKRAINE 26 53 3.74 16.2612 CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND 36 28 12.29 7.7113 ITALY SCOTLAND 38 28 12.80 7.2014 ICELAND LITHUANIA 29 40 6.96 13.0415 DENMARK TURKEY 38 31 12.03 7.9716 HUNGARY SWITZERLAND 30 30 10.00 10.0017 ROMANIA Bye 0 0 12 0.00

ROUND 301 LATVIA WALES 28 20 12.29 7.712 BELGIUM UKRAINE 50 35 13.97 6.033 CZECH REPUBLIC CROATIA 28 15 13.52 6.484 FINLAND SCOTLAND 54 20 17.31 2.695 SPAIN ICELAND 30 25 11.48 8.526 IRELAND DENMARK 27 21 11.76 8.247 TURKEY GREECE 53 48 11.48 8.528 LITHUANIA ROMANIA 19 45 3.91 16.099 RUSSIA HUNGARY 29 16 13.52 6.4810 ESTONIA ITALY 42 23 14.80 5.2011 POLAND ISRAEL 33 41 7.71 12.2912 NORWAY FRANCE 35 22 13.52 6.4813 MONACO BULGARIA 26 32 8.24 11.7614 SWEDEN ENGLAND 16 27 6.96 13.0415 NETHERLANDS GERMANY 30 25 11.48 8.5216 SWITZERLAND AUSTRIA 44 4 18.09 1.9117 PORTUGAL Bye 0 0 12 0.00

IMPs VPs

OPE

N T

EAM

S

DUPLIMATE AND CARDSDUPLIMATE AND CAARDSLIMATE AND CA

The Duplimates used for the Duplication during the championships are sold out. You can instead offered a new (not used) Duplimate Mk V for € 2,400. Contact Jannerstens at the bridge stall in the Bridge Plaza, or drop a line to: [email protected]

New (not played) Ostend cards (of the same type as in the boards) are sold for $200 per 200 decks.

POSTCARD - GERMANYhttps://youtu.be/j64fzqwGb18

VIDEO CORNERVIDEO COORNEREO CO

https://youtu.be/j64fzqwGb18


1 POLAND 269.482 SWEDEN 259.573 NORWAY 241.504 DENMARK 232.605 ENGLAND 232.256 RUSSIA 224.047 FRANCE 218.488 SCOTLAND 215.449 NETHERLANDS 215.0810 ITALY 212.1911 ESTONIA 211.5912 PORTUGAL 205.0113 TURKEY 199.1614 BELGIUM 196.9315 ISRAEL 187.9716 SPAIN 187.0417 HUNGARY 179.1818 GERMANY 176.2819 SERBIA 169.2020 ICELAND 166.0021 GREECE 162.4722 FINLAND 143.6023 IRELAND 133.94


1 FRANCE 256.372 IRELAND 220.913 ENGLAND 220.014 SWEDEN 216.915 DENMARK 216.206 POLAND 213.177 NORWAY 208.688 NETHERLANDS 206.869 BULGARIA 198.5410 TURKEY 192.1211 GERMANY 187.7012 ISRAEL 187.8413 ITALY 183.5914 ICELAND 175.8415 SCOTLAND 161.6016 ROMANIA 161.1117 HUNGARY 156.4818 PORTUGAL 148.9119 BELGIUM 147.0220 SPAIN 113.7321 FINLAND 103.3322 AUSTRIA 67.08

ROUND 1821 GREECE SERBIA 56 22 17.31 2.6922 IRELAND HUNGARY 46 44 10.61 8.8923 SPAIN ESTONIA 42 57 6.03 13.9724 BELGIUM PORTUGAL 51 27 15.74 4.2625 ICELAND GERMANY 46 24 15.38 4.6226 SCOTLAND ENGLAND 23 47 4.26 15.7427 POLAND NORWAY 33 26 12.03 7.9728 ISRAEL NETHERLANDS 20 68 1.03 18.9729 DENMARK FRANCE 22 32 7.20 12.8030 RUSSIA TURKEY 43 23 15.00 5.0031 SWEDEN ITALY 30 58 3.58 16.4232 FINLAND Bye 0 0 12 0.00

ROUND 1921 HUNGARY PORTUGAL 27 53 3.91 16.0922 SERBIA ICELAND 22 36 6.25 13.7523 FINLAND ENGLAND 29 31 9.39 10.6124 GREECE POLAND 7 58 0.75 19.2525 NETHERLANDS IRELAND 25 36 6.96 13.0426 SPAIN FRANCE 30 9 15.19 4.8127 RUSSIA BELGIUM 42 13 16.58 3.4228 GERMANY SWEDEN 40 33 12.03 7.9729 SCOTLAND ITALY 24 27 9.09 10.9130 TURKEY NORWAY 14 30 5.82 14.1831 DENMARK ISRAEL 34 28 11.76 8.2432 ESTONIA Bye 0 0 12 0.00

ROUND 2021 BELGIUM IRELAND 39 14 15.92 4.0822 GERMANY GREECE 71 43 16.42 3.5823 SCOTLAND FINLAND 72 41 16.88 3.1224 NORWAY SERBIA 27 39 6.72 13.2825 HUNGARY ISRAEL 49 13 17.59 2.4126 DENMARK ESTONIA 32 40 7.71 12.2927 PORTUGAL TURKEY 47 47 10.00 10.0028 ITALY ICELAND 55 20 17.45 2.5529 SWEDEN ENGLAND 40 38 10.61 9.3930 POLAND RUSSIA 56 33 15.56 4.4431 NETHERLANDS FRANCE 41 13 16.42 3.5832 SPAIN Bye 0 0 12 0.00

IMPs VPs

ROUND 1641 ROMANIA SCOTLAND 23 53 3.27 16.7342 TURKEY NETHERLANDS 38 48 7.20 12.8043 FINLAND AUSTRIA 28 65 2.28 17.7244 ICELAND HUNGARY 44 23 15.19 4.8145 ENGLAND SPAIN 28 25 10.91 9.0946 ITALY PORTUGAL 54 36 14.60 5.4047 BULGARIA FRANCE 11 67 0.31 19.6948 NORWAY SWEDEN 11 47 2.41 17.5949 POLAND IRELAND 47 38 12.05 6.9550 BELGIUM ISRAEL 37 55 5.40 14.6051 DENMARK GERMANY 36 22 13.75 6.25

ROUND 1741 ROMANIA FRANCE 27 17 12.80 7.2042 PORTUGAL SWEDEN 17 55 2.15 17.8543 POLAND SPAIN 58 33 15.92 4.0844 ISRAEL ICELAND 46 26 15.00 5.0045 FINLAND DENMARK 13 42 3.42 16.5846 NETHERLANDS GERMANY 27 12 13.97 6.0347 SCOTLAND BELGIUM 25 47 4.62 15.3848 TURKEY IRELAND 24 26 9.39 10.6149 NORWAY AUSTRIA 52 30 15.38 4.6250 HUNGARY BULGARIA 15 59 1.45 18.5551 ITALY ENGLAND 18 40 4.62 15.38

ROUND 1841 ROMANIA TURKEY 32 38 8.24 11.7642 AUSTRIA SCOTLAND 14 42 3.58 16.4243 NETHERLANDS HUNGARY 50 28 15.38 4.6244 FINLAND ENGLAND 13 41 3.58 16.4245 ITALY ICELAND 20 25 8.52 11.4846 BULGARIA SPAIN 43 39 11.20 8.8047 NORWAY PORTUGAL 43 20 15.56 1.9448 IRELAND FRANCE 21 33 6.72 13.2849 SWEDEN BELGIUM 52 31 15.19 4.8150 GERMANY POLAND 49 39 12.80 7.2051 ISRAEL DENMARK 7 54 1.13 18.87

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editor : mark horton co-editors: jos jacobs, brian...

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