27th european youth team championshipschampionships.eurobridge.org/eytc2019/bulletins/bul_06.pdf ·...

EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUEwww.eurobr idge.org

ISSUE NO 6 • Wednesday, July 10th, 2019

27TH EUROPEAN YOUTH TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS4th - 11th July 2019 • Stokke, Norway

Brian Senior: EditorJos Jacobs: JournalistFrancesca Canali: lay-out Editor & Photographer

europeanbr idge ebl_pics ebl

BBO MATCHES TODAY

SHOESCHAMPIONSHIPS PHOTO

SCHEDULE TODAY

Tuana Altun, from Turkey, is the Youngest player of the Championships

UNDER 26:10.00: Round 1712.40: Round 1816.00: Round 1918.35: Round 20

WOMEN UNDER 26:10.00: Round 1012.05: Round 1114.50: Round 1216.55: Round 1319.00: Round 14

UNDER 21:10.00: Round 1412.40: Round 15

UNDER 16:10.00: Round 1012.05: Round 1114.50: Round 1216.55: Round 13

10.00:Germany vs Russia U26Norway vs Israel U21

12.40:Poland vs Netherlands U26France vs England U21

16.00:Sweden vs Norway U26Denmark vs Finland U26

18.35:Israel vs Estonia U26Slovakia vs Czech Rep. U26

There are live streams from the matches on youtube: www.youtube.com/MilanMacura/liveThe videos can be watched also later at https://www.youtube.com/MilanMacuraAll captains or players can come and comment on their matches on BBO in the dining area at the BBO corner.

Please note that players are asked not to wear high-heeled shoes in the playing area.

Championship Committee

WE WILL TAKE A PHOTO OF ALL THE PARTICIPANTSTODAY AT 9.30 A.M.

PLEASE MEET, WEARING YOUR TEAM UNIFORM, AT THE ORANGE PLAYGROUND, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE VENUE.

27th European Youth Team Championships Stokke, Norway • 4 - 11 July 2019

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HUNGARYSWEDENLATVIAPOLANDGREECEESTONIADENMARKENGLANDISRAEL

CZECH REPGERMANYRUSSIANETHERLANDSNORWAYTURKEYCROATIAFRANCEROMANIA

MATCHES TODAY

BYESCOTLANDPOLANDPORTUGALNORWAYBULGARIAITALYDENMARKAUSTRIATURKEYCROATIASLOVAKIA

IRELANDISRAELNETHERLANDSESTONIAFRANCEFINLANDSWEDENCZECH REPENGLANDGERMANYLATVIARUSSIA

FRANCEGERMANYISRAELTURKEYITALY

ENGLANDNETHERLANDSPOLANDSWEDENNORWAY

ENGLANDITALYTURKEYISRAELHUNGARY

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLAND BYE

BYEIRELANDSCOTLANDPOLANDPORTUGALSWEDENFINLANDENGLANDCZECH REPAUSTRIASLOVAKIARUSSIA

ISRAELNETHERLANDSESTONIAFRANCEBULGARIANORWAYDENMARKITALYGERMANYCROATIATURKEYLATVIA

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLANDITALY

ISRAELTURKEYBYEHUNGARYENGLAND

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLANDTURKEY

ITALYISRAELHUNGARYBYEENGLAND

UNDER 26 — ROUND 17



UNDER 26 WOMEN — ROUND 10








BYEPOLANDPORTUGALNORWAYFINLANDFRANCECZECH REPSWEDENTURKEYLATVIAGERMANYCROATIA

SCOTLANDIRELANDISRAELNETHERLANDSESTONIAITALYBULGARIAAUSTRIADENMARKENGLANDRUSSIASLOVAKIA

BYEISRAELIRELANDSCOTLANDPOLANDDENMARKNORWAYGERMANYITALYCZECH REPRUSSIALATVIA

NETHERLANDSESTONIAFRANCEBULGARIASWEDENPORTUGALENGLANDFINLANDCROATIASLOVAKIAAUSTRIATURKEY

ENGLANDNETHERLANDSPOLANDFRANCENORWAY

SWEDENITALYGERMANYTURKEYISRAEL

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLANDHUNGARY

BYEENGLANDISRAELTURKEYITALY

TURKEYFRANCEITALYENGLANDISRAEL

NETHERLANDSBYENORWAYPOLANDHUNGARY

HUNGARYCZECH REPPOLANDNORWAYNETHERLANDSGREECEESTONIAROMANIAFRANCE

GERMANYLATVIASWEDENRUSSIATURKEYCROATIAENGLANDDENMARKISRAEL

HUNGARYGERMANYNORWAYTURKEYRUSSIANETHERLANDSGREECEISRAELDENMARK

LATVIAPOLANDCZECH REPSWEDENCROATIAENGLANDROMANIAESTONIAFRANCE

HUNGARYLATVIATURKEYCROATIASWEDENRUSSIANETHERLANDSFRANCEESTONIA

POLANDNORWAYGERMANYCZECH REPENGLANDROMANIAISRAELGREECEDENMARK

UNDER 16 — ROUND 10 UNDER 26 — ROUND 11 UNDER 16 — ROUND 12



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SCHEDULE OF MATCHES — U26 WOMEN

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLANDHUNGARY

BYEENGLANDISRAELTURKEYITALY

TURKEYFRANCEITALYENGLANDISRAEL

NETHERLANDSBYENORWAYPOLANDHUNGARY

NETHERLANDSFRANCEPOLANDTURKEYISRAEL

HUNGARYNORWAYITALYBYE ENGLAND

ENGLANDITALYTURKEYISRAELHUNGARY

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLAND BYE


ITALYISRAELHUNGARYBYEENGLAND

NORWAYPOLANDENGLANDTURKEYISRAEL

NETHERLANDSFRANCEHUNGARYITALY BYE

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLANDITALY

ISRAELTURKEYBYEHUNGARYENGLAND

POLANDHUNGARYENGLANDITALYISRAEL

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYBYETURKEY


ITALYISRAELHUNGARYBYE ENGLAND

ROUND 10

ROUND 13

ROUND16

ROUND 11

ROUND 14

ROUND 17

ROUND 12

ROUND 15

ROUND 18

SOME PICTURES FROM THE GALLERY

...More pictures on the EBL Facebook Page...


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Day 4 of the 27th European Youth Championships(and some memories)

The rally of the Dutch juniors continued with full force ahead (winning ten matches, tying with Scotland) with only Sweden visible in the rearview mirror at a respectable distance of 8 VPs. The Netherlands are half-way through the championship the absolute favorite for the title, the distance to third-placed Germany being 29 VPs. The Dutch U21 team had an OK fourth day, establishing a place near the head of the rankings. Between leaders Poland, England, Netherlands, Sweden and fifth place France are only 12 VPs. With seven matches to go nothing is decided.

The Girls and Kids of the Netherlands were eager to follow the good example by their compatriots in the U26 and U21 teams.

With ‘my’ Anneke acting since 2016 as the npc of the Dutch girls, I am accustomed to receive girls for practice matches in our house. And of course I develop my position as a steady supporter. Sitting down behind Esther Visser (with a girls world title in 2016 and European gold in 2017) I followed the first round clash against France, always one of the teams to be reckoned with. With only nine countries, this competition consists of 16 (all the teams meeting each other two times) matches of 12 boards. In short matches usually one or two swings determine the final result. It stayed quiet until:

Round 1. Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul. [ 6 ] J 10 8 5 3 { K 8 3 2 } Q 6 2 [ 10 7 2 [ A K Q J 8 4 3 ] A 7 6 2 ] K Q 9 { Q 7 6 4 { 9 } 10 3 } 7 4 [ 9 5 ] 4 { A J 10 5 } A K J 9 8 5

West North East South – – – 1} Pass 1] 4[ All Pass

When the Dutch South did not take any action France seemed to be heading, with the cold ten tricks in 4[ and +420, to a good result. Esther saved the Dutch girls.

West North East South – – – 1} Pass 1] 4[ 4NT 5[ Pass Pass Dble All Pass

South, Anais Leleu, found the excellent 4NT – in the bulls eye – which would lead to five in a minor (diamonds playing more awkward than clubs, 5} only depends on locating {Q,). West, Sandra Kolen, saw little defensive value in her hand and decided to enter the five level. After two tricks in clubs it seems logical to take {A but West rather unfortunately decided to first develop a trick in hearts and returned the singleton ]4, to the ]2, ]10 and ]K. After [A and a small spade to [10 declarer finessed for [J, cashed [Q and crossed to [7 for [A to dispose of the losing diamond; +650 and +6 IMPs for the Netherlands and a (16-10 IMP, 12.01-7.99 VPs) win.

At the end of 1992, two boys entered the junior bridge world. Simon and Ricco (both were in their age category Dutch chess champions) used a highly conventional and artificial bidding system. When you follow the bridge at high level you will know that they developed to international stars. It cannot be of more joy to me that I could watch in the kids match Netherlands versus Norway in Round 2, Lotte and Sarah de Wijs (indeed: the twin daughters of Simon). Noticing with the opponents the family name ‘Norby’ gave me another kind memory. In the 80s and 90s, during my own playing days, I fought many severe battles with Nordby/Aaby, the formidable Norwegian pair. Was this Norwegian kid the grandson of?

DUTCH DIARY 2Kees Tammens


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

West North East South Sarah Lotte

Pass Pass 1{ 1[ 1NT Pass ?

I noticed the question mark in the eyes of the young girl (in parenthesis what she told me afterwards):

a) 3NT (she feared the hearts with West denying four cards in hearts) b) 3}, (a little overbid because forcing to game) c) 3{, somewhat of an underbid (14-16 with six good diamonds).

After some pondering she chose 3{, closing the bidding. After a club lead she ended up with eleven tricks. “Was I too cautious?”. Of course no, you sometimes have to make a choice.

The decision in the match:

Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul. [ J 8 2 ] A Q J 6 { 2 } J 10 9 8 7 [ A 5 [ 10 7 4 3 ] 5 4 2 ] 10 9 { Q J 10 9 7 { K 5 4 } A 6 3 } K 5 4 2 [ K Q 9 6 ] K 8 7 3 { A 8 6 3 } Q

West North East SouthSarah Lotte – – Pass 1{ Pass 1] Pass 3} Pass 3NT Pass 4] All Pass

East, Lotte, had obviously the choice between a spade or a club lead (“Daddy told us to lead aggressive”), but clubs had been bid by South, so after a while she put [7 on the table. Sister Sarah took [A and returned a spade for [J. Declarer, fearing a spade ruff, drew two rounds of trumps. Then he played a diamond to {A and ruffed a diamond, followed by a small club. East took }K and played back another club. Declarer, who now was sure it was East who had the doubleton spade, ruffed in dummy, ruffed another diamond in hand and had to cross in spades to dummy to draw the last trump. To his shock it was West who ruffed with {Q as the setting trick. Leaving Lotte shaking her head realizing she already could have defeated the contract by giving West the spade ruff herself. Comparing scores is always a fine moment for any bridge player. With Kids however it is a party: 35 – 9 for us, we win and have 17.16 VPs!

As I have heard from a very reliable source (the sponsor White House Junior Internationals 2019 will continue to take place in Amsterdam. The dates are not yet set (I assume week 13;12 or 14 are also possible). If your country is interested in participating: contact Bob Drijver and Tim Heeres (two former juniors who already in 2017 and 2018 did a great job in organizing this very fine junior event) at [email protected] or [email protected].

Lotte DE WIJSNENETHTHERERLALANDNDSS


6

As in ‘my great sin’. Well, as the match was about to start, I was fuming. We have Germany-Netherlands (third against first), or Bulgaria-Sweden (seventh against second), so who is on BBO? Fifth against twelfth… So I expected it to be less of a spectacle to watch these somewhat lower ranked teams. And how wrong I was! This was one of the most entertaining matches of junior bridge I had the luck to witness. No, it was not without mistakes, but for us, independent observers, we could see some true master plays, as well as amazing defenses, so let’s proceed!

On Board 17 it looked like we are up to a quiet start. Not so…

Board 17. Dealer North.None Vul. [ A ] 10 9 6 4 { 8 5 } J 9 8 6 5 4 [ Q 9 7 4 [ K 6 3 ] 8 7 3 2 ] Q5 { A 10 7 { K Q J 6 4 3 } 3 2 } K Q [ J 10 8 5 2 ] A K J { 9 2 } A 10 7

In the Open Room, the Danes played in a quiet 2{, so it seemed peaceful until we could see France had higher hopes in the Closed.

Closed RoomWest North East South Combescure Caspersen Deheeger Bune

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

The 1NT reopening probably showed more points than what Deheeger had, so Comberscure bid on.2[ was obviously forcing, not getting the message

through as to what he wanted – maybe Deheeger thought it a transfer, and bid a non-suit. Combescure shrugged and bid the game that looked hopeless on the cards.

If Bune leads the heart king, her partner may encourage, and the contract could well end up down two but, even if he doesn’t, when North gets in later with the spade ace he should be able to play another heart, for down one – and let’s not even imagine the double dummy lead of a club. Alas, South led the spade jack, which did not look disastrous when looking at her hand only, so could not be blamed. North won, and had to switch. Hearts looked hopeless, as partner rated to hold three of those at most, so he tried a small club to the king and ace – and now Bune still had the chance to cash a high heart and hope for something positive from partner, but she didn’t, just returned a club, and that was a surprising 10 tricks after the marked spade finesse; +430 and 8 IMPs to France where it could have been –5.

On Board 18, Deheeger tried his luck again, hoping to find partner with the perfect hand after he raised 1] to 2], and showed a spade stop, when holding x, AQJxxx, x, AKQxx. He felt he could not stop at only 4]; after all, what if partner holds two key-cards, enough for slam? Well, partner had none, so he would have needed to drop the singleton trump king offside, and he didn’t, so 5] was down two, while his counterpart did drop the king, but he was in 4], so this was 11 to Denmark, taking the lead in the match. To my mild surprise, half the field was in 5], all going down – well, they are juniors, who are we kidding.

After a quiet slam... Well, when are slams quiet? France wrong-sided 6NT due to system, and needed a club guess from KJ to make on that lead, but did, while the Danes got it the right way up, and were rewarded with an IMP. A push later, France showed their good defense against 2[.

FRANCE vs DENMARK U26, ROUND 12

Daniel Gulyas

MEA MAXIMA CULPA


7

Board 21. Dealer North. N/S Vul. [ A 9 4 3 2 ] J 8 3 2 { A K } J 6 [ K 10 8 [ J 7 5 ] 10 9 7 4 ] A 6 5 { Q J 8 7 3 { 107 4 } 10 } A Q 5 2 [ Q 6 ] K Q { 9 6 2 } K 9 8 7 4 3

Both rooms bid 1[ – 1NT – 2] – 2[, so it was all about the play. The diamond four was led, both declarers playing a trump towards the queen, losing, and the club ten returned. Our Easts won, and gave partner a ruff, both declarers guessing well to play low, and now it looked quiet, only a trump and a heart to lose – until Combescure played a heart, and Deheeger played yet another club, for the trump uppercut! Caspersen had to win, but the [J7 was good for two more tricks for France. Had they played the same way in the other room we will never know, as Buus Thomsen wasted his spade seven during the first round, and dummy’s six would have prevented his having 2 natural trump tricks in the end – you have to be careful with those trump pips!

Well done France, gaining 5, and leading 13-12.The next board showed why it is worth not only

playing, but also watching high level bridge.

Board 23. Dealer North. E/W Vul. [ 2 ] K 10 9 7 2 { A 8 5 } Q 9 5 2 [ A K 7 5 [ 8 6 4 3 ] Q 8 5 4 ] 3 { 3 2 { J 10 7 4 } K 10 6 } A J 4 3 [ Q J 10 9 ] A J 6 { K Q 9 6 } 8 7

Open Room West North East South Bune Guillemin B. Thomsen Boulin

– Pass Pass 1{ Dble 1] 2[ PassPass Dble Pass 3]All Pass


– Pass Pass 1{ Dble 1] 1[ Dble(i) 2[ 4] All Pass

(i) 3-card heart support

While in the Open Room Boulin could not show support on the first round due to lack of strength, he was tempted when partner reopened. He made a wise choice, pulling to 3] which made on the nose, despite his opponents’ forcing dummy with clubs, so he had to give up a trump in addition to his three black losers; +140.

The Closed Room saw Caspersen bid game when he heard his partner’s support, but the wasted-looking spades were a bit of a disappointment. On the spade lead, and three rounds of clubs, the contract looked doomed, as there weren’t enough trumps left in dummy to take two finesses. However, he started on setting up spades (West ducked the first, but covered the second), in the meantime taking a trump finesse, and these were the last five cards...

Baptiste COMBESCUREFRFRANANCECE


8

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

Caspersen played two rounds of diamonds, ending in dummy, cashed the high spade to discard his losing club, and held K10 over Q8 in trumps at the penultimate trick. A true grand coup, congratulations, Soren Veel Caspersen, very well played. (Only one other declarer, Veri Kiljan of the Netherlands got home in this contract. Did he play the same way? Please let us know.) That was a well deserved 10 IMPs to Denmark, 22-13 in front.

On the very next board, Caspersen tried a speculative double of 5], which happened to make (well, unless partner finds the killing lead from Q109xxx, –, xxxx, Axx after 3{ – (3]) – 5{ – (5]) – Dbl, the killer being a low club to give partner a third-round ruff when he gets in with the trump ace). That cost 5, so it was time to turn our heads to the Open Room for the next board.

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


– 1{ Dble 1] Pass 1NT Dble 2}(i) 2[ Pass 2NT? All Pass

(i) Forces 2{

The French got to 2NT, which made with an overtrick somehow after a diamond lead, but it looked like 4[ cannot make, so it seemed a small pick-up was due when the Open Room ended in that contract.


– Pass 2NT Pass 3] Pass 3NT(i) Pass 4] Pass 4[ All Pass

(i) Good spade support

After the heart lead, this contract required only 3-2 in the black suits, as you can set up clubs even if you cannot get a doubleton club king from North. However, with trumps 4-1, it looked like declarer was losing four tricks. Buus Thomsen tried a neat trick: he played four rounds of trumps, and Boulin had to find three discards. He could discard a heart and a diamond, end eventually a club. Their carding is high encouraging, high-low even, so those small cards did not make much sense to his partner, who could return the heart queen easily, though. Now came the next nice play – the queen of clubs! Poor North could not imagine this gigantic club suit in declarer’s hand, and returned the suit, looking to be safe…and the impossible game got home! 10 IMPs to Denmark, leading 32-18.

Soren BUNEDEDENMNMARARKK


9

…and when you thought there was nothing left to report, we had a great declarer play and a great defense clashing on the very same contract!

Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul. [ J 2 ] A Q 8 { A 8 3 } A Q 5 3 2 [ A K [ Q 8 7 6 4 3 ] 10 7 3 ] 9 6 4 { 10 5 2 { K 9 } J 9 7 6 4 } 10 8 [ 10 9 5 ] K J 5 2 { Q J 7 6 4 } K

Both rooms bid the obvious 3NT, and both Easts led a small spade. Our Wests cashed both top spades, and could not read the second spade card from partner (which should be suit preference) and returned a club. In the Closed, Caspersen thought ‘If they didn’t play a diamond, the finesse must be on’, cashed his side winners, and duly went down 200. In the Open, Guillemin reconsidered the situation, and figured there was a better way: cash all side winners, and endplay Buus Thomsen in spades to get two diamond tricks in the end, no matter who has the king! Well played and 13 to France, right? Wrong! Buus Thomsen could see through declarer’s plans, and discarded a diamond early, so when he was thrown in, he had not two, but THREE high spades to cash, for down one, losing only 3 IMPs. Well done!

Alas, there was more to come.

Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul. [ K 9 8 ] A 10 9 { 8 7 3 } A 8 6 5 [ 6 4 [ 5 3 2 ] 8 5 2 ] K J 4 3 { A Q 10 6 5 2 { K J 9 } 7 4 } K 10 9 [ A Q J 10 7 ] Q 7 6 { 4 } Q J 3 2 Closed RoomWest North East South Combescure Caspersen Deheeger Bune

– 1} Pass 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 2{(i)Dble Pass Pass 2[Pass 3[ Pass 4[All Pass

(i) Game-forcing

Caspersen opened that decent 11-count, quickly reaching game. After the heart lead to the king, there was nothing to the play; +620 for Denmark.


– Pass Pass 1[ 3{ 4[ All Pass

Guillemin passed in first seat, so Bune felt it safe to pre-empt with his six-card suit, despite being vulnerable, but the final contract was the same. However, Bune led a club, which felt like a singleton, so declarer rose in dummy, drew trumps in three rounds, and played a club up. East won the next round, then played the jack of diamonds, followed by the king, which declarer ruffed. For some reason, declarer was sure the vulnerable jump overcall had to be on a seven-card suit, so took the double heart finesse, and went down after Buus Thomsen had a diamond exit. Could he have done better? Of course, he had a much better play than trying to guess the heart suit. He carefully preserved a club entry to dummy, so he should have used that to ruff the third diamond, and then played a heart – this would have ensured the contract unless Bune held both missing heart honors, highly unlikely.

This hand gave yet another 12 to Denmark, winning the match 46-26, or 15,13-5,87 VPs, and gave us, spectators and journalists a very exciting match. Thanks France, thanks Denmark!

Theo GUILLEMINFRFRANANCECE


10

Looking at the U 21 results and rankings, I got the impression that at least half of the teams in play might still win the event. The way the standings are changing after every round also implies that play is quite spectacular from time to time. Both daring actions in the auction and more or less terrible misplays might occur on every board. The Tuesday morning match between France and Germany proved my 'theory'. Below, I will show you the material.

The opening board of the match, and thus of the day, offered both teams the chance to show their intentions, as far as daring bids are concerned. Game is on for N/S as the cards lie and as a consequence of the actual layout, E/W can be heavily punished as soon as they reach the three-level.

Apparently, the two teams were still involved in the warming-up procedure, as this is what actually happened:

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

Open Room West North East South Gündel Fragola Dransfeld Tabata

– Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2} Pass 2{ Pass 2] All Pass

Whatever the side implications of North’s 2] were, South had no reason at all, I think, to move any further with his minimum count, 1NT showing 14+-17; Eleven tricks, France +200.

West North East South Guth Otto Rabourdin Pabst

– Pass Pass 1} 1[ Dble 3} Pass 3[ All Pass

South could not open 1{ as this would show an unbalanced hand. East’s 3} was a mixed spade raise but 3[ was already far too high. Neither defender could know this, however, so any axes stayed at home. The defence collected all the obvious tricks and a club ruff as well. North led a club, South winning the ace and continuing the suit. Dummy’s }J won and declarer took a losing spade finesse which was followed by a heart to South and a ruff for North; down three, Germany +150 but 2 IMPs to France.

Making a game on the next board would require a little care.

FRANCE vs GERMANY U21, ROUND 2.3

Jos Jacobs

France U21


11

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


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

South led a heart to the nine and queen and North returned a diamond. Declarer won the ace in hand and established his spades, South eventually winning his king. South exited with another diamond, North’s queen being allowed to win. A club came back and declarer was allowed to win the king in hand. Declarer went on the cash his spades but when he tried to get off lead with the }J, South held off the ace again. Another club now would have saved the day for him but he cashed the ]A instead…one down, France +50.

Closed Room West North East South Guth Otto Rabourdin Pabst

– – Pass 1} 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass

The play started the same way as at the other table: heart to the ]9 and ]Q and a diamond. Rabourdin timed the play better: he won dummy’s {K and played a club to his king before cashing the [A. Next, he took a heart finesse of the king to get back to his hand, and only then he established the spades. This way, his nine tricks were secure; France another +400 and 10 IMPs.

The next board was a possible slam.

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


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

West’s 3] was alerted as a fitbid and to me, East’s pass of 4[ was intended as forcing. When your side bids a vulnerable game voluntarily, the opponents cannot play anything undoubled. In view of the double fit, West might as well have gone on to 5}. To make a slam, the hearts have to come in but as it is, the ]Q can be finessed often enough to collect five tricks from the suit, this way establishing two parking places for the spade losers.

East led a top club against 4[ and, on seeing the dummy, played [A and another to solve declarer’s problem; ten tricks, France +420.


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

In the replay, the double N/S fit was never disclosed, so South did not see any reason to disturb the opponents’ 4] bid.

On a spade lead, declarer played carefully to ensure his contract. He won the ace, played ]A and a heart to the jack, followed by the ]K. He could afford to lose a heart, a spade and a diamond but no more (club ruffs, for example); France another +620 and 14 more IMPs.


12

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


1] Pass 1[ 4{ Pass Pass Dble Pass 4] All Pass

This looks a pretty normal auction. The play also was quite normal: one off after three rounds of clubs, South ruffing with his lone trump; France +100.


– 2] Pass 4] All Pass

The Germans did well to leave 4] alone but a wheel then came off in defence. North led the }A and South contributed the }7. According to the CC, they play attitude so North continued a low club…

This way, declarer lost no more than two clubs and a trump trick; France another +620 and 12 more IMPs to lead 38-0 after four boards.

On the next board, the Germans hit back a little.

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


– 1{ 1] Pass 2{ Dble 2] All Pass

West showed a strong heart raise but East made a disciplined sign-off. Germany a fine +140 when there turned out to be four obvious losers.


– 1{ 1] Dble 2NT Dble 4] All Pass

West’s 2NT was equally invitational with four-card support but the French East could not resist temptation. There were nine tricks at this table as well, so Germany another +50 and their first 5 IMPs.

Germany U21


13

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


– – 1} Pass 1{ Dble Pass 2{ Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3} All Pass

Another disciplined auction by the Germans saw them reach a good spot. Eight tricks are the legitimate maximum in NT and 3} also proved a reasonable spot; Germany +110.


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

In the Closed Room, the French overbid a little to 3NT against which North found the excellent lead of the {J. Dummy’s queen won, East playing the {8, and declarer immediately led a spade to his [Q. North won the ace and what now? From North’s point of view, South needs two possible entries to push diamonds through. On the spade, South played the [7 to show count, he can assume. Had South played the [8 to show three, North would have known the position of the [J and thus might well have found the winning defence of another spade. When he cashed the {A and continued the suit, declarer had nine tricks; France +600 and 10 more IMPs to them.Three flat boards followed. On Board 10 Germany scored one extra overtrick and this was Board 11:

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


– – – 2] Pass 2NT Pass 3NT Pass 4] All Pass

Sheer routine as slam is clearly odds-against. It needs trumps to come in for no losers, so the singleton or doubleton king with East. (No, we don’t include peeks in our percentages…)

France +450 when the ]K misbehaved.


– – – 2] Pass 2[ Pass 3] Pass 4} Pass 4] Pass 4[ Pass 5{ Pass 6] All Pass

North’s 2[ was an Ogust relay and 3] showed a maximum number of HCP but a (relatively) bad suit.


14

When South showed an ace and the trump queen over 4[, North could bid the slam with some confidence after all. No luck and one down; France another +50 and 11 more IMPs.

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


Pass Pass 1} Pass 1] Pass 1NT Dble Pass 2] All Pass

West’s 1] showed spades, of course. The contact went only one off on three rounds of

clubs to begin with. West ruffed the 3rd round but declarer later cashed the ]A to restrict his trump losers. He had already seen [AQ and }K with East at that moment and West had only shown the {A so far; Germany +100.


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

The French reached an optimistic, youthful 3NT in the replay but with the hearts 4-4 and the [K well placed, not to speak of the not unfriendly club break, this contract could not be beaten; France +400 and 7 more IMPs to them.

The last board of the match then produced the final nail into the German coffin:

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


Pass Pass 1[ Pass 1NT All Pass

When Fragola hit upon the }9 lead, this contract was doomed right from the start. South won the queen and cleared the suit, upon which declarer crossed to his [K, unblocking the suit. As he was stranded in his hand now, he tried a diamond to the jack but South took the queen and cashed his three clubs. Dummy had discarded all the small spades so South could afford to exit with the [Q, showing his heart interest. Declarer won dummy’s ace perforce, only to find out this was his last trick. Down four; France +400.


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

South might as well have passed in the balancing position here, not to speak of a balancing double to possibly hit the jackpot. Two Clubs was a solid enough place to be but +110 was not at all enough to compensate the -400 at the other table.

The final result:: 73-6 to France, or an old-fashioned 20-0 VP.


15

Both Croatia and Estonia were in the bottom third of the rankings going into their Round 13 match in the U26 series, so neither had realistic hopes of making it to next year's world championships, but that didn't mean that there could not be some good and/or exciting bridge from the two teams so we will take a brief look at the best of the action.

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

West North East South Zvorovski Bilusic Iher Evacic

– – – Pass Pass 1[ 2} 2[ 3} 3{ Pass 4[ All Pass

West North East South Stefanec Maide Ferenca Piibeleht

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

Which do you prefer, Mirjam Iher's 2} overcall or Matko Ferenca's 1NT?

Two Clubs saw Rao Zvorovski, for Estonia, compete with 3} on the West cards, a bit of an underbid, quite apart from the issue of what if anything to do about the hearts and, when Ivan Bilusic made a game try and Emanuel Evacic accepted, the hearts were shut out completely. Worse, 5} requires only that declarer pick up the hearts without loss, and there they were defending against 4[. Iher cashed the king of clubs then switched to a low heart to his partner's ten. Zvorovski switched to the king of diamonds but

Bilusic won that with the ace and ruffed his losing club then led dummy's remaining low spade to the ten. Iher could have won that and given her partner a diamond ruff to beat the contract one, but he didn't spot the possibility and played low, then won Bilusic's next spade play. But now it was too late and the ace of spades was the last trick for the defence; +420.

In the other room, the 1NT overcall not only encouraged partner, Kristijan Stefanec, to show his hearts, but also dampened the enthusiasm of N/S to do more than compete the partscore. Ferenca raised to 4] and the Croats were allowed to play there when their opponents had a very cheap favourable vulnerability save on the double fit deal. Rasmus Maide led a spade. Stefanec rose with the ace and and played ace of hearts and a heart to the king, then continued with the ]J. That lost to the queen and the defence played two rounds of diamonds. Stefanec ruffed, drew the outstanding trump, and had five club tricks to bring his total to ten; +620 and 14 IMPs to Croatia.

Mirjam IHERESESTOTONINIAA

CROATIA vs ESTONIA U26, ROUND 13

Brian Senior


16

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


– Pass 2{ Pass Pass 2[ All Pass


– 2{ Pass 2[ 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass

Estonian players opened 2{ at both tables on this one.

Maide opened 2{, multi, on the North hand, and Tiit Hendrik Piibeleht (is there anyone else anywhere whose first name and family name both feature a double ii?) responded 2[, pass or correct. When Stefanec now overcalled 2NT, Ferenca had an easy raise to game. Maide led the king of spades. Stefanec won the ace and led a heart to his eight, which of course held the trick, and continued with a low spade towards dummy. Maide won the ten and returned the ten of clubs, ducked to declarer's queen, and Stefanec crossed to dummy with a diamond to lead a heart to the queen and ace, continuing with the ]10 to South's king. He won the diamond return on table, cashed the nine of hearts pitching the }J, then gave up a spade to establish his ninth trick; +600.

Bilusic passed the North hand and it was Iher, East, who opened 2{, showing 0-9 with at least four-four in diamonds and a major (diamonds at least as long as the major). Zvorovski judged to pass that with her 16-count and passed again when Bilusic's balancing overcall came round to him. Iher led a club, Zvorovski winning the jack and switching to ace and another diamond. Iher won the queen and switched back to clubs, and Stefanec won the queen and continued with the ace before switching to diamonds once more. Bilusic ruffed and played a heart to the king and ace, won the heart return with the queen and ruffed a diamond. He exited with his last heart then

put in the ten on the spade return and had two spade tricks; down three for –150 but 10 IMPs to Croatia.

Just when Croatia seemed to be taking a grip on the match, Estonia hit back with a swift one-two.

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


– – 1NT 3{ All Pass


– – 1} 1{ Dble 1[ Dble 4[ All Pass

Evacic's 3{ overcall could have been a winner on another day, but today it lost his side's spade fit The lead to 3{ was the king of spades, which hardly paralysed declarer, who won the ace and lost just one trick in each minor; +150.

Ferenca's 1} opening made it routine for Piibeleht to overcall 1{ and Stefanec doubled to show hearts. Maide introduced his spades and, after a Support Double from Ferenca, Piibeleht raised to 4[. Ferenca led the king of hearts to dummy's bare ace. Maide cashed the ace of diamonds and Ferenca tried a falsecard with the queen, but Maide simply led a spade up and, when Stefanec also falsecarded, with the king, won the ace and cashed the [J and soon had all 13 tricks for +720 and 11 IMPs to Estonia.


17

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


– – – 1] Dble 2NT Pass 3} Pass 3{ Pass 4{ Pass 4NT Pass 5} Pass 5{ Pass 6] All Pass


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

Zvorovski made a take-out double and that may have encouraged Bilusic to be optimistic as he would have upgraded the [Q. Once Evacic was willing to co-operate in a slam hunt, Bilusic took control and bid the small slam – one down when the heart was offside for –50.

Stefanec did not make the take-out double and his opponents stopped in game, also making 11 tricks, but +450 was worth another 11 IMPs to Estonia, who were almost level in the match.

Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul. [ 8 4 2 ] 7 3 { A J 9 8 } A Q J 8 [ 9 5 3 [ J ] Q ] A K 10 9 8 6 4 { 7 4 2 { Q 10 6 3 } K 10 9 6 5 3 } 4 [ A K Q 10 7 6 ] J 5 2 { K 5 } 7 2


– – 1] 1[ Pass 2] 3] 4[ All Pass West North East South Stefanec Maide Ferenca Piibeleht

– – 4] 4[ Pass 4NT Pass 5[ Pass 6[ All Pass

Iher opened the East hand with 1] and her opponents had a simple auction to 4[, against which Stefanec led his singleton heart. Iher overtook and played two more rounds of hearts for Zvorovski to ruff with the nine in front of dummy, and she now switched to a diamond for the ten and king. Evacic drew trumps, led a diamond to the ace and continued with the {9, running it when Iher played low; +420.

A club switch at trick four would have been more challenging; declarer has to decide which minor-suit finesse to take and could go wrong.

Ferenca's 4] opening put the pressure on and his opponents got it wrong. Piibeleht overcalled 4[, as who would not, and Maide followed a rather optimistic auction, asking for key-cards then raising to the small slam. Surely, if North cannot resist making a slam try, a simple raise to 5[ is enough with no spade honour and, more to the point, no heart control? Of course, that too would have resulted in a minus score. The defence again began with three rounds of hearts for a ruff and Stefanec did switch to a club. Piibeleht got that wrong, rising with the ace and drawing trumps then playing {K and a diamond to the jack, so was down three for –150 and 11 IMPs to Croatia.

The final score was 43-22 in favour of Croatia, converting to 15.32-4.68 VPs.

Rao ZVOROVSKIESESTOTONINIAA


18

We have seen nothing of the U16 tournament up to now but, thanks to Ricahrd Probst for telling us about a Polish squeeze against his Croatian team. It comes from U16 Round 5.

Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul. [ 9 7 5 4 ] A J 8 4 { A K 3 } A 3 [ A 8 6 [ Q J 2 ] 9 7 2 ] 10 6 5 { Q 9 { 10 8 7 6 } Q J 10 7 4 } 8 6 2 [ K 10 3 ] K Q 3 { J 5 4 2 } K 9 5

The Polish declarer, Kasper Kuflowski, was in 3NT, against which the lead was the queen of clubs. Kuflowski ducked but, of course, won the club continuation with dummy's ace. He cashed the ace and king of diamonds then, noting the fall of the queen, led a spade to the ten and ace. He won the club return, and cashed the heart winners, and that squeezed East between his spade and diamond guards.

The squeeze was only for the second overtrick, but he clearly knew exactly what he was doing and that's not bad for a 14-year old declarer. I wonder if Kasper will be the next champion off the Polish production line?

EASY SQUEEZYBrian Senior

Kasper KUFLOWSKIPOPOLALANDND

Poland Team under 16


19119919119191919191999991119191999991919199199111919999991199199999191991999999919919999999999999999999999919999999999999999

In their first match of the day, England had dropped from 2nd to 5th in the standings. Norway also had gone down one place, falling from 6th to 7th. The question thus would be which team, if any, would be able to improve their current position.

After a flat board, we saw a remarkable defensive problem on the second.

Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul. [ Q 9 5 4 2 ] J 10 2 { K 10 6 4 } A[ K 10 6 [ J 8] A 8 5 4 3 ] K 9 6{ 7 { J 5 3} 9 6 4 3 } K 10 8 7 5 [ A 7 3 ] Q 7 { A Q 9 8 2 } Q J 2

Open Room West North East South Sanderson Lund Winter Austad

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

After this straightforward auction you, as West, lead your singleton. Declarer wins partner’s {J with the ace and plays [A (partner follows with the [8) and another. What do you do and why?

The situation is not obvious. If partner has got the ]K, you should take your [K and play two rounds of hearts to get your diamond ruff. If not, your only hope would be that partner started with {QJxx or something and will produce a natural diamond trick in the end. It should thus make little sense to play low, because declarer is bound to play the queen from dummy, hoping to avoid the ruff; Norway +620 when West played the [10.

Closed Room West North East South Curran Anoyrkatis Devik Gahan

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

The same auction and lead at the other table. When declarer played [A and another, West jumped in with the [K and played ]A and another. Partner won the king and duly returned a diamond for one down; Norway +100 and 12 IMPs to them.

The more subtle point of the hand is that East might help his partner by playing the [J under the ace. Now West knows that playing low to the second trump will not make sense. He is thus forced to go up with the king and try for his luck in hearts.

NORWAY vs ENGLAND U21 ROUND 2.4

Jos Jacobs

Daniel WINTER


20

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


– – – 1[ 2] 4[ All Pass

When West shifted to a trump rather than a diamond after cashing his }A, the contract only went one down; England +100.


– – – 1[ 2] 3[ 4{ Pass 5{ All Pass

On a sunny day, 5{ might make but today was the wrong moment to give it a try. When South led her singleton heart, declarer could not avoid down two when he ducked the lead. North won and returned the suit for a ruff. After that, the {K and [A were still to come; England another +200 and 7 IMPs back to them.

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


– Pass 1} Pass 1[ Pass 3} Pass 3[ Pass 3NT Pass 5} All Pass

Had West bid 4} over 3NT, his slam aspirations would have been clear and the slam might thus well have been reached. With dummy’s second diamond going on a top heart, 12 tricks are pretty cold; England +620.


– Pass 1} Pass 1[ Pass 3} Pass 4} Pass 4{ Pass 4[ Pass 4NT Pass 5] Pass 6} All Pass

The Norwegians produced the recommended textbook auction and thus easily got to the slam. +1370 gave them 13 deserved IMPs.

Liam SANDERSONENENGLGLANANDD


21

Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul. [ A 8 ] Q 3 { Q J 9 5 2 } K J 6 4[ Q 7 [ K J 9 2] 10 ] K J 9 7 5 2{ K 10 6 3 { A 8} A 9 7 5 3 2 } 10 [ 10 6 5 4 3 ] A 8 6 4 { 7 4 } Q 8


– – 1] Pass 1NT Pass 2] Pass 2NT All Pass

North led the {Q taken by dummy’s ace and a heart was led to declarer’s ]10. It does not help North to duck, but after winning the ]Q he has to find the switch to a low club. Even if declarer wins the queen with the ace and returns the }9 to scoop South’s }8, you (North) still have your heart exit left to give partner the lead for a diamond through declarer.

When North returned a spade instead and later cashed the }K prematurely, declarer could emerge with eight tricks; England +120.


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

Even though North led the [A and another after this Gazzilli-style auction, the contract stood no chance for lack of communication. That was down two; England another +200 and 8 IMPs to them.

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


– Pass 1{ Dble 1] 2[ Pass Pass Dble All Pass

When West led his trump out of turn, declarer (North) elected to let his partner play the contract but this did not make any difference. Eight tricks are always there because East will score his club over-ruff from natural trump tricks anyway; Norway +670.


– Pass 1{ Dble 1] 1[ 1NT Pass Pass 2[ All Pass

}} KKKK JJJJ 6666 4444

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22

On the ]7 lead by East, not out of turn, the same contract was made easily in the other room but it was worth only +110 to England. Norway thus gained 11 IMPs.

Board 30. Dealer East. None Vul. [ A 9 5 ] Q 7 6 2 { A Q J 9 6 } 3[ J 10 6 [ 7 4 3] J 9 5 4 3 ] A 10 8{ 5 2 { K 7} Q J 4 } A 10 8 6 5 [ K Q 8 2 ] K { 10 8 4 3 } K 9 7 2


– – Pass Pass Pass 1{ Dble Rdbl 1] Dble All Pass

The Norwegians had a penalty double at their disposal, even against 1]. North led his club, ducked to South’s king and three rounds of spades followed. South, on lead, gave his partner a club ruff and North then played {A and another to dummy’s {K. Dummy then continued a low heart. Declarer was obviously playing for ]KQx left in North but when South won the king, he gave his partner another club ruff for two down; Norway +300.


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

In the other room, N/S reached a 4-3 fit rather than a 5-4 fit but all was well when the trumps broke 3-3. Declarer even made a overtrick, losing a trick in each side suit. England scored +170 but another 4 IMPs to Norway.

With the score at 46-24 to Norway, this was the last board...

Board 32. Dealer West. E/W Vul. [ Q 10 6 2 ] K Q 5 { 7 6 3 } Q 9 5[ A 9 7 4 [ K 8 5] A J 9 7 2 ] 3{ 8 { A K Q 9 5 2} 7 4 3 } A 6 2 [ J 3 ] 10 8 6 4 { J 10 4 } K J 10 8


Pass Pass 1{ Pass 1] Pass 3NT Pass 4{ Pass 4] Pass 4[ Pass 6{ All Pass

3NT no doubt showed good diamonds but for a successful slam, this was by no means enough, even though the trumps were 3-3. Down three, Norway +300. Declarer had won the [J lead in hand and returned the suit, inserting the seven when South played low. North won and returned the suit for South to ruff, hence the third undertrick.

Closed Room. West North East South Curran Anoyrkatis Devik Gahan

Pass Pass 1{ Pass 1] Pass 3NT All Pass

Good diamonds or not, Curran made a sensible pass. Once declarer had ducked the first two rounds of clubs, the count was rectified for an automatic major-suit squeeze on North for two overtricks and another +660 and 14 IMPs to Norway to increase their winning score to 60-24 or 17.39 – 2.61 VPs.


23

In the round before this one, Latvia, 15th in the table with an average score of about 8 VPs per match, had to face the leaders, the Netherlands. As it happened, this match really went their way and they emerged with a score of 48-19, thus adding 16.72 VP to their tally. Would they be able to repeat this performance against France, a team by no means out of contention for a world championship berth?

The boards seemed to be very quiet in this set.. After three boards, France led 2-1, which looked more like a soccer score. This was Board 4.

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

Open Room West North East South Balodis Bernard Ilzins Combescure

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

East’s raise, based on his nice distribution, came at the wrong moment because the trumps were stacked behind declarer. North had an easy double and the repeated heart leads fatally shortened declarer’s tumps right from the start. The end came with declarer making just six tricks, down four; France +1100. Maybe, declarer can save a trick or two by cashing the [A and then playing side-suit winners.

Not that it mattered very much, because in the Closed Room we saw another Latvian disaster.

Closed Room West North East South Boulin Pruul Guillemin Maasik

1[ Pass 1NT 3{ Pass 3NT Pass Pass Dble All Pass

West had an easy enough double on the basis of his good diamond stoppers. A spade to the ace followed by a top club restricted declarer to his seven top tricks; down two for another +500 and 17 IMPs to France.

Then came:

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

Open Room West North East South Balodis Bernard Ilzins Combescure

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

After their own Gazzilli variation, the Latvians ended up in a good contract that needed some care, however. In spite of a club lead into his }AQ, declarer still managed to go one down. After this club lead, you should be able to lose not more than two hearts and two trumps…

Anyway, France +50.


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

East’s 3] was searching for a heart stopper, so West bid game with confidence. North led a heart to South’s king but when South returned a low club to declarer’s }10 and North’s king, the hand was almost over, even more so when North returned a

FRANCE vs LATVIA U26, ROUND 15

Jos Jacobs


24

club, setting up the suit for declarer. Declarer’s only other loser then was the {A when North held up his ]A once more. That meant one overtrick; France +430 and 10 IMPs to them. Please note that 3NT can always be made.

Both teams added 4 more IMPs to their scores over the next eight boards but this was not because these boards were straightforward and/or dull. Take for example Board 12.

In another match, The Netherlands had lost 1100 on this board against Austria. Not wanting to rub it in to my fellow-countrymen, of course, I paid a visit to the Austrian team. My polite question to them: “May I ask you something about one of the boards just played?’ resulted in a tremendous collective roar of laughter. ”Yes, we know which board it is…”

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

In the Open Room, the Dutch N/S pair had been allowed to play 4]. On the lead of the }A, followed by the }K, declarer soon ran into trouble. Of course, he can make his contract by ruffing in North and advancing the ]J. After drawing trumps in three rounds he can then exit with a low diamond, forcing a further entry to dummy to run the [J equally successfully and emerge with an overtrick. For this line, however, you have to be a little more than clairvoyant…

If you simply cash the AK in both majors, you will go down in either major-suit game. This had happened in the Open Room of the Netherlands v. Austria match.

For the 'real thing', we have to move to the Closed Room.

Closed Room West North East South Sprinkhuizen Eder M. de Leon Piibor

3} Pass 5} Dble Pass 5{ Pass 6{ Pass Pass 7} Dble All Pass

Maybe North should have passed the double but, when he did not, South was happy to raise to Six and everybody believed her. The sacrifice went down five for another +1100 and 16 IMPs to Austria.

In our featured match, both France and Latvia went down three in 5} doubled. No swing and no story there…

On the last board of the set, a few more IMPs changed hands, once again in the same direction.

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

Open Room West North East South Balodis Bernard Ilzins B Combescure

– – – Pass Pass 1] 1NT All Pass

Yes, East has a maximum point count for his overcall but still, a further raise by West looks overdone, even more so because his seven-count contains three jacks. Both the rounded tens are working, however, and the pointed suits are 3-3, both of them. With the ]K also right for declarer, it was virtually impossible to make less than nine tricks; Latvia +150.


– – – Pass Pass 1] 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass

The same applied, of course, in the other room. The difference was that West slightly overbid, no doubt because of his nice five-card suit, so the French were in game in which they made the same nine tricks easily enough. France thus scored +400 and 6 more IMPs to finish the match with a 40-5 IMP win, 17.61-2.39 VPs.


25

RANKING AFTER ROUND 16





RESULTS

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 NORWAY Bye 0 0 12 0.002 FINLAND PORTUGAL 31 44 6.38 13.623 ITALY POLAND 37 31 11.81 8.194 CZECH REPUBLIC SCOTLAND 31 38 7.91 12.095 AUSTRIA IRELAND 41 43 9.37 10.636 ISRAEL TURKEY 21 15 11.81 8.197 LATVIA NETHERLANDS 48 19 16.72 3.288 ESTONIA RUSSIA 43 6 17.87 2.139 SLOVAKIA FRANCE 42 49 7.91 12.0910 CROATIA BULGARIA 26 40 6.15 13.8511 SWEDEN GERMANY 44 27 14.51 5.4912 DENMARK ENGLAND 29 58 3.28 16.72

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 FINLAND Bye 0 0 12 0.002 ITALY NORWAY 34 35 9.68 10.323 CZECH REPUBLIC PORTUGAL 45 31 13.85 6.154 AUSTRIA POLAND 13 80 0.00 20.005 TURKEY SCOTLAND 49 19 16.88 3.126 IRELAND LATVIA 52 32 15.13 4.877 RUSSIA ISRAEL 18 59 1.63 18.378 NETHERLANDS SLOVAKIA 26 23 10.94 9.069 CROATIA ESTONIA 43 22 15.32 4.6810 GERMANY FRANCE 42 7 17.61 2.3911 BULGARIA ENGLAND 51 25 16.23 3.7712 SWEDEN DENMARK 34 38 8.76 11.24

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 PORTUGAL Bye 0 0 12 0.002 NORWAY POLAND 37 35 10.63 9.373 FINLAND SCOTLAND 13 40 3.60 16.404 ITALY IRELAND 51 19 17.18 2.825 CZECH REPUBLIC ISRAEL 33 15 14.72 5.286 NETHERLANDS AUSTRIA 31 40 7.38 12.627 TURKEY ESTONIA 38 11 16.40 3.608 FRANCE LATVIA 40 5 17.61 2.399 RUSSIA BULGARIA 13 51 2.00 18.0010 SLOVAKIA SWEDEN 10 55 1.19 18.8111 DENMARK CROATIA 27 46 5.07 14.9312 ENGLAND GERMANY 18 23 8.47 11.53

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 POLAND - - 12 2 PORTUGAL SCOTLAND 37 38 9.68 10.323 NORWAY IRELAND 92 15 20.00 0.004 FINLAND ISRAEL 31 32 9.68 10.325 ITALY NETHERLANDS 25 44 5.07 14.936 ESTONIA CZECH REP. 19 18 10.32 9.687 AUSTRIA FRANCE 25 41 5.71 14.298 BULGARIA TURKEY 37 21 14.29 5.719 LATVIA SWEDEN 32 18 13.85 6.1510 RUSSIA DENMARK 54 25 16.72 3.2811 ENGLAND SLOVAKIA 46 23 15.70 4.3012 GERMANY CROATIA 46 29 14.51 5.49

1 SWEDEN 241.242 NETHERLANDS 236.333 NORWAY 204.304 GERMANY 203.545 POLAND 195.936 BULGARIA 194.197 FRANCE 187.108 ISRAEL 185.539 CZECH REP. 181.0110 ENGLAND 174.0711 ITALY 173.8512 DENMARK 149.9213 SLOVAKIA 144.6614 SCOTLAND 141.5515 LATVIA 138.8516 CROATIA 137.0317 PORTUGAL 129.9818 TURKEY 128.6619 RUSSIA 121.4720 IRELAND 119.1321 ESTONIA 117.3622 AUSTRIA 106.2323 FINLAND 96.27


26

RESULTS




WOMEN UNDER 26 — ROUND 6






TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 221 ENGLAND ITALY 22 41 5.20 14.8022 NETHERLANDS NORWAY 37 23 13.75 6.2523 POLAND TURKEY 71 19 19.34 0.6624 FRANCE GERMANY 73 6 20.00 0.0025 SWEDEN ISRAEL 44 39 11.48 8.52

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 TURKEY Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 POLAND HUNGARY 44 47 8.95 11.0533 NETHERLANDS ISRAEL 44 16 17.08 2.9234 FRANCE ENGLAND 37 44 7.69 12.3135 ITALY NORWAY 13 50 1.59 18.41

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 ISRAEL Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 HUNGARY FRANCE 36 50 5.78 14.2233 TURKEY NORWAY 44 36 12.61 7.3934 ITALY POLAND 11 78 0.00 20.0035 NETHERLANDS ENGLAND 36 11 16.55 3.45

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 221 NORWAY ENGLAND 60 24 17.39 2.2122 TURKEY NETHERLANDS 41 46 8.52 11.4823 SWEDEN POLAND 42 27 13.97 6.0324 ISRAEL FRANCE 24 39 6.03 13.9725 ITALY GERMANY 45 31 13.75 6.25

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 HUNGARY Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 TURKEY ISRAEL 23 27 8.62 11.3833 POLAND FRANCE 31 21 13.18 6.8234 NORWAY NETHERLANDS 12 29 5.07 14.9335 ENGLAND ITALY 7 53 0.56 19.44

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 FRANCE Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 ISRAEL NORWAY 5 36 2.44 17.5633 HUNGARY ITALY 31 30 10.36 9.6434 ENGLAND TURKEY 17 37 4.42 15.5835 POLAND NETHERLANDS 27 24 11.05 8.95

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 NORWAY - - 12 32 FRANCE ITALY 28 17 13.45 6.5533 ISRAEL ENGLAND 46 9 18.41 1.5934 NETHERLANDS HUNGARY 15 3 13.71 6.2935 TURKEY POLAND 3 19 5.30 14.70

1 POLAND 160.362 FRANCE 156.933 NETHERLANDS 151.814 SWEDEN 149.755 ENGLAND 135.086 NORWAY 126.217 ITALY 115.788 ISRAEL 115.769 GERMANY 106.9510 TURKEY 78.97

1 NETHERLANDS 112.782 FRANCE 111.573 POLAND 106.294 NORWAY 105.595 HUNGARY 97.146 ITALY 90.897 TURKEY 76.698 ISRAEL 64.699 ENGLAND 61.36


27






TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY ESTONIA 15 30 5.20 14.8042 DENMARK GREECE 34 20 14.54 5.4643 NETHERLANDS FRANCE 31 21 13.43 6.5744 RUSSIA ISRAEL 9 33 3.22 16.7845 ROMANIA SWEDEN 0 60 0.00 20.0046 ENGLAND CZECH REPUBLIC 39 22 15.29 4.7147 CROATIA GERMANY 13 43 2.16 17.8448 LATVIA TURKEY 14 59 0.24 19.7649 NORWAY POLAND 37 30 12.51 7.49

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY GREECE 23 36 5.72 14.2842 ESTONIA NETHERLANDS 49 25 16.78 3.2243 RUSSIA DENMARK 17 44 2.66 17.3444 SWEDEN FRANCE 17 34 4.71 15.2945 ISRAEL CZECH REPUBLIC 31 21 13.43 6.5746 ROMANIA GERMANY 37 34 11.14 8.8647 ENGLAND LATVIA 58 11 19.96 0.0448 POLAND CROATIA 82 7 20.00 0.0049 TURKEY NORWAY 30 10 15.97 4.03

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY NETHERLANDS 20 37 4.71 15.2942 GREECE RUSSIA 12 25 5.72 14.2843 SWEDEN ESTONIA 60 11 20.00 0.0044 CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK 13 25 6.00 14.0045 FRANCE GERMANY 45 0 19.76 0.2446 ISRAEL LATVIA 43 18 16.97 3.0347 ROMANIA POLAND 2 82 0.00 20.0048 NORWAY ENGLAND 24 15 13.14 6.8649 CROATIA TURKEY 18 41 3.41 16.59

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY RUSSIA 23 11 14.00 6.0042 NETHERLANDS SWEDEN 19 42 3.41 16.5943 CZECH REPUBLIC GREECE 1 50 0.00 20.0044 GERMANY ESTONIA 16 35 4.25 15.7545 DENMARK LATVIA 43 3 19.22 0.7846 FRANCE POLAND 10 49 0.90 19.1047 ISRAEL NORWAY 46 16 17.84 2.1648 TURKEY ROMANIA 64 9 20.00 0.0049 ENGLAND CROATIA 80 0 20.00 0.00

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY SWEDEN 23 26 8.86 11.1442 RUSSIA CZECH REP. 32 11 16.18 3.8243 GERMANY NETHERLANDS 2 45 0.45 19.5544 LATVIA GREECE 11 54 0.45 19.5545 ESTONIA POLAND 2 39 1.16 18.8446 DENMARK NORWAY 15 22 7.49 12.5147 FRANCE TURKEY 46 10 18.71 1.2948 CROATIA ISRAEL 0 85 0.00 20.0049 ROMANIA ENGLAND 10 72 0.00 20.00

RANKING AFTER ROUND 91 POLAND 149.262 ISRAEL 133.603 ENGLAND 130.984 NETHERLANDS 129.575 SWEDEN 126.826 FRANCE 123.967 DENMARK 121.478 TURKEY 106.029 GREECE 95.7510 ESTONIA 95.7011 NORWAY 88.0912 RUSSIA 82.6413 CZECH REP. 64.9814 HUNGARY 64.8515 GERMANY 51.1216 ROMANIA 32.8617 LATVIA 13.3118 CROATIA 6.02

3RD European Transnational Open Teams3RD European Transnational Open TeamsWINTER GAMES 2020

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