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EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUEwww.eurobr idge.org

ISSUE NO 7 • Thursday, July 11th, 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

PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY SHOES

SCHEDULE TODAY

UNDER 26:10.00: Round 2112.40: Round 2216.00: Round 23

WOMEN UNDER 26:10.00: Round 1512.05: Round 1614.50: Round 1716.55: Round 18

UNDER 21:10.00: Round 1612.40: Round 1716.00: Round 18

UNDER 16:10.00: Round 1412.05: Round 1514.50: Round 1616.55: Round 17

10.00:Poland vs Netherlands U26WHungary vs France U26W

12.40:Netherlands vs Sweden U26Netherlands vs France U21

16.00:To Be Announced

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

THE PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD

TODAY AY 8.00 P.M.IN THE PLAYING AREA.

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

2

HUNGARYPOLANDCROATIAENGLANDCZECH REPSWEDENRUSSIADENMARKGREECE

NORWAYTURKEYLATVIAGERMANYROMANIAISRAELFRANCENETHERLANDSESTONIA

MATCHES TODAY

BYEESTONIANETHERLANDSISRAELIRELANDGERMANYPOLANDSLOVAKIANORWAYFINLANDTURKEYAUSTRIA

FRANCEBULGARIASWEDENDENMARKENGLANDSCOTLANDCROATIAPORTUGALRUSSIALATVIAITALYCZECH REP

POLANDFRANCEISRAELNORWAYTURKEY

ENGLANDNETHERLANDSGERMANYSWEDENITALY

ENGLANDPOLANDGERMANYSWEDENISRAEL

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYITALYTURKEY

NETHERLANDSFRANCEPOLANDTURKEYISRAEL

HUNGARYNORWAYITALYBYEENGLAND

BYEFRANCEESTONIANETHERLANDSISRAELCROATIASCOTLANDRUSSIAPORTUGALNORWAYAUSTRIACZECH REP

BULGARIASWEDENDENMARKENGLANDGERMANYIRELANDSLOVAKIAPOLANDLATVIATURKEYFINLANDITALY

NORWAYPOLANDENGLANDTURKEYISRAEL

NETHERLANDSFRANCEHUNGARYITALYBYE

UNDER 26 — ROUND 21


UNDER 26 WOMEN — ROUND 15



UNDER 21 — ROUND 17 UNDER 21 — ROUND 18




BYENETHERLANDSISRAELIRELANDSCOTLANDENGLANDPORTUGALCROATIAFINLANDITALYLATVIATURKEY

ESTONIAFRANCEBULGARIASWEDENDENMARKPOLANDGERMANYNORWAYSLOVAKIARUSSIACZECH REPAUSTRIA

ENGLANDNETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYITALY

GERMANYPOLANDSWEDENTURKEYISRAEL

POLANDHUNGARYENGLANDITALYISRAEL

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYBYETURKEY

NETHERLANDSFRANCENORWAYPOLANDTURKEY

ITALYISRAELHUNGARYBYEENGLAND

HUNGARYNORWAYENGLANDROMANIAGERMANYCZECH REPSWEDENESTONIANETHERLANDS

TURKEYCROATIAPOLANDLATVIAISRAELFRANCEDENMARKRUSSIAGREECE

HUNGARYTURKEYROMANIAISRAELLATVIAGERMANYCZECH REPGREECERUSSIA

CROATIAENGLANDNORWAYPOLANDFRANCEDENMARKESTONIASWEDENNETHERLANDS

HUNGARYCROATIAISRAELFRANCEPOLANDLATVIAGERMANYNETHERLANDSSWEDEN

ENGLANDROMANIATURKEYNORWAYDENMARKESTONIAGREECECZECH REPRUSSIA

UNDER 16 — ROUND 14 UNDER 26 — ROUND 15 UNDER 16 — ROUND 16



3

..came by today». Those are Elvis Presley`s opening words of his great hit 'His latest flame'. In Tuesday's side game here in Stokke (14 tables) my partner, Per Bryde Sundseth, encountered a good friend, not being present for a long time: the double squeeze. Our opponents, E/W, were the former U20 Norwegian international, Sian Sørlie Helgeby and his father Bjørn. The layout was:

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

The bidding was simple:

West North East South – 1{ 1[ 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass

The six of spades opening lead went to the queen and ace, the ten of diamonds ran unchallenged round, and the queen of diamonds went round to East`s king. He tried a small spade, taken by Per`s king, a club discard from North, and a heart went to dummy`s ten. The queen of clubs was covered by the king and won by the ace, and a second heart went to the queen. Then the remaining diamonds were cashed and, before the last one, the position was:

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

When the nine of diamonds was played, East could safely discard a spade. Per let go of his heart, and West was already squeezed. He had to keep his hearts so a club had to go. The final nail in the coffin was hammered in when the ace of hearts was played. East had to keep his king of spades, and the five of clubs finally emerged as the twelfth trick for a massive score.

A VERY OLD FRIEND...Knut Kjærnsrød

Championship offerThe new dealing machines that are [only] used during the championships will be sold at the end for EUR 2299 incl. a full five years warranty. Cards and boards are also sold atspecial prices in conjunction with a purchase of a machine.Please contact [email protected] regarding paymentand pick up at Stokke/shipping from Sweden.


4

As captain of the Norwegian U26 Woman team it was a pleasure to sit behind Ida Øberg on this deal from Round 6.

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

West Nortrh East South Ida Janneke T. Lucia M. Holm

Øberg Wackwitz Indrebø Christensen

Pass 1[ 2NT(i) Pass 3} Pass 4} Pass 5} All Pass

(i) Minors

Ida choose not to open because of the vulnerability and that she had four spades besides her broken heart suit. When Thea Lucia Indrebe invited her to game, she was afraid that four hearts would show slam interest so bid game in clubs. North led the king of spades.

When dummy came down, she regretted that she had not suggested four hears but did not panic. After some thought she went for a crossruff. After winning the lead in dummy she played the ace of diamonds, diamond ruff, spade ruff, diamond ruff, king of hearts and a heart to the queen, leaving this position...

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

Now she led the queen of hearts and North had no good options. If she chooses to pitch the king of diamonds, the heart queen will win the trick and declarer will score two more trump tricks. So North choose to ruff. Ida over-ruffed and exited with a diamond and South had to give her the ace and queen of trumps for a total of 11 tricks.

In the other room, Netherlands won 12 tricks in 3NT. Hence, Ida's nice play reduced the loss to three IMPs.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ONSven-Olai Høyland

Ida ØBERGNONORWRWAYAY


5

Well, in the end, they could not keep a clean sheet, but they played pretty much flawlessly all through the match. After taking over from the Dutch at the top, helped by their win over Germany, and their counterparts losing surprisingly to Latvia, Sweden was looking forward to extending the lead in the 15th round.

The first pick-up was a bit lucky, as the Slovaks tried for a decent game that had about 50% of a chance, two finesses out of three, but only one worked, so that was 6 IMPs for Sweden, taking the lead. Soon, that was extended when Safsten found a very good slam, but he had to play carefully.

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

In the Open Room, Slovakia reached 4[, as most of the field, and made the obvious 12 tricks.

Closed RoomWest North East South Gabriel Safsten Jakabsic Gronkvist

– – – Pass Pass 1] Pass 1[ Pass 2}(i) Pass 3](ii) Pass 4} Pass 4] Pass 4NT Pass 5}Pass 6] All Pass

(i) Gazilli(ii) 5-7, three-card heart fit

The Swedish pair added a twist to the popular Gazilli convention, when they invented this weakish heart raise. Now, when Safsten cuebid, it was obvious he had a huge hand and Gronkvist wished she could cuebid something, too. Her partner was not to be stopped, he could visualize the exact two honours in her hand that she happened to hold – otherwise, why would she bid 1[ if that was a weak suit? The key-card ask found the trump king (her failure to cue in diamonds showed that it cannot be that ace), and now all he needed to do was to make it.

There were suggestions about ruffing a club or two, but those are much riskier than simply hoping for the major suits to behave. Once declarer got trumps right, he could not ruff a club for the possible overtrick, but was happy with the 12 he could take – spades were likely to break after East had not led the possible singleton. The slam was only bid at four tables, one declarer going down, probably by choosing an inferior line.

The match continued quietly but, somehow, when Slovakia bid game, Sweden didn’t, and it went down, while when it was the other way round, it was making! With these small swings, the lead mounted to a 29-0.

SLOVAKIA vs SWEDEN U26, ROUND 15

Daniel Gulyas

PERFECT SWEDEN TOPPING THE LEADERBOARD

Johan SAFSTEN and Ida GRONKVISTSWSWEDEDENEN


6

After some quiet boards, Sweden gained big.

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

Slovakia tried their hands at 4[, which is actually makeable by double finessing in spades, but declarer lost his way and went down two, for –200, which looked like a medium loss if Sweden stayed in a partial as we could expect. However, Richard Gabriel thought otherwise.


– – Pass 1} 1NT? Dble Rdbl(i) Pass 2} Dble(ii) All Pass

(i) SOS(ii) Take-out

This 1NT overcall was a bit brave, so to say, with a bad 15, and a passed partner, and it got punished. Although it looked like his partner will rescue him and run into 2{ which would not be a huge disaster, they ended up playing the 4-3 fit. After the ace of spades, Safsten switched to the ]J and, when in with the spade king, tried to cash a couple more heart tricks, which helped declarer, who could have gone down two, but tried drawing trumps and ended up down three, for –800, and that gave 14 IMPs to Sweden, now leading 43-0.

On Board 12, Slovakia found a good save while they were allowed to play the vulnerable game in the other room – but could they make it?

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


3} Pass 5} DbleAll Pass

The Slovaks went for the highest pre-empt immediately, and the best N/S could do was double them. The [3 lead confused Gronkvist, who failed to cash all five of her winners, thinking partner had three spades, and eventually that trick got away, so it went only down two for +300.

Open RoomWest North East South Matsson Kvocek Hult Vodicka

3} Pass 3NT DblePass Pass 4} DblePass 4] All Pass

Hult knows his partner, and was probably afraid 5} could go for more than 500, while his major-suit queens could prove useful against a four of a major contract.

Hult led a high club, and switched to diamonds, which ran to his partner’s king, who returned the suit, declarer’s jack winning. Kvocek now correctly deduced that Matsson would not have more high cards for his pre-empt, and tried pinning the trump ten, so led the jack! Hult did not cover, but this only made matters worse, as now Kvocek played the spade jack for the very same reason, hoping for one of the majors to break 3-2. As it was, both suits split, so he ended up with an overtrick – very well done! Finally, Slovakia got on the scoreboard with 8 IMPs, but were still down 8-43.

On the very next board, a bad hand evaluation caused them to give it all back, and some.


7

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


– Pass 1} 1{Dble 3{ 3] All Pass

Gabriel showed the majors with his 5-5, a questionable tactic, but passing his partner’s free 3] bid is extreme, especially vulnerable – true, only 7 HCP, but five trumps, a singleton, and no wastage in his second suit that partner is likely to be short in. As it was, a long spade could be set up for 10 tricks, but +170 only.

Open RoomWest North East South Matsson Kvocek Hult Vodicka

– Pass 1} 1{1[ 3}(i) Pass 3{3] Pass 4{ Pass4] All Pass

(i) Mixed raise, 4-card fit, 7-9

Hult was probably not sure if 3] was meant as forcing or not, so even gave an advance cuebid on the way to 4]. The play went along similar lines, scoring 10 tricks and +620, for yet another 10 IMPs to Sweden, now 53-8.

The penultimate board saw an unusual error by Ida Gronkvist, failing to give her partner a ruff, and that led to a partial making, which could have been another 5 IMPs, but was instead a loss of one point, and that made the final score 55-10, which translates to 18.81-1.19 in VPs.

Overall, the Swedish team played this match extremely well. With the sight of the Dutch faltering more and more, it looks very likely that the Scandinavians are going to defend their title – but look out for the Netherlands-Sweden match coming up!

SOME PICTURES FROM THE GALLERY

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


8

Portugal and Scotland, two teams who went into the match in the lower half of the rankings and almost certainly out of contention for medals or world championship qualification met in Tuesday evening's last match. Of course, for every self-respecting bridge player, being out of contention doesn't mean that every match doesn't matter as they would want to finish as high up the rankings as possible.

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

West North East South O'Brien Moraes Valentine Ribeiro

– 1} Dble 1[ Dble 3} Pass Pass 3] 3NT Dble Pass Pass 4} Dble All Pass

West North East South Pimenta Nakamuru-P Ferreira Pinkerton

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

For Portugal, Jose Moraes bid once too often on the North hand – at least on this misfitting lay-out. 3NT showed the secondary diamond suit but when doubled he ran back to the relative security of the long clubs, though he was doubled once more. Ronan Valentine cashed the ace of hearts then switched to the two of spades for the king, ace and ruff. Moraes played ace and another club, so Liam O'Brien won the jack and king then led his diamond through and Valentine had the queen and ace for down two and –300.

For Scotland, Jun Nakamuru-Pinder contented

himself with two bids on the North cards then left his opponents to play their heart partscore. Nakanmuru led the ace of clubs and continued with a second club, on which Carolina Pimenta pitched a diamond from dummy. She won the }J and led a heart, ducking to Stewart Pinkerton's queen. Pinkerton returned the ten of spades for his partner to ruff with the king, and a club back enabled Pinkteron in turn to take a ruff. Bit that was that for the defence and Pimenta just made her contract for +140 but 4 IMPs to Scotland.

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


Pimenta Nakamuru-P Ferreira Pinkerton

– – 1NT Pass 2] Pass 2[ All Pass

Both Easts opened 1NT and both Wests transferred to spades then passed the completion.

For Portugal, Miguel Ribeiro led the five of diamonds to the eight and ten. Valentine played ace and ten of spades to Moraes' king and Moraes returned a low club, ducked to the king. Ribeiro cashed the [Q then went back to clubs – five, jack, queen, ace. Valentine ruffed the nine of clubs then ran the ]Q to the king. Ribeiro cashed the '[J now followed by the {A, and that was down one for –50.

For Scotland, Pinkerton led the four of hearts. Miguel Ferreira put up dummy's queen and, when it held the trick, led the ]10 to his ace followed by the ]J to king and ruff. Now he led a spade to the ace and a second spade to Nakamuru's king. Nakamuru returned a low club. Ferreira rose with the ace and

PORTUGAL vs SCOTLAND U26, ROUND 16

Brian Senior


9

cashed the nine of hearts, throwing dummy's }J, before leading a low diamond. Pinkerton rose with the ace, cashed the spades and king of clubs, but then had to lead a diamond. Ferreira went up with the king, crashing his own queen, and the nine of diamonds was his eighth trick; +110 and 4 IMPs to Portugal.

It would have been better for Pinkerton to unblock the }K under the ace. had the play gone as at the table from that point, he could then have led the low club to his partner and there would have been an extra club winner with which to defeat the contract. Of course, with the ace of diamonds where it was, declarer could thwart this plan by ruffing a club after cashing the ]9, then playing a diamond off the dummy. He still has to guess the {J, but then, without Pinkerton's play of the ace on the first round, he has to do that anyway.

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


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


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

When North made the weak jump overcall, Ferreira simply raised his partner to 4[, while Valentine cuebid 4] to show a hand too good for that call. It made no difference, with both West players asking for key cards then bidding the small slam on finding partner with two. That was perhaps well-justified facing the cuebid but a trifle pushy facing the simple 4[ raise.

Nakamuru cashed the ace of hearts then switched to a trump. Pimenta drew trumps then split the

diamonds, getting rid of a club so that she did not require the club finesse; +1430.

Moraes led the eight of diamonds round to O'Brien's ace. O'Brien took the club finesse at trick two and when it lost was one down for –100 and 17 IMPs to Portugal.

I don't understand the club play. If the king is onside now it will still be onside later, and I could not bear to go down at trick two without trying the spades and diamonds first to discover whether I needed the finesse? On the actual deal, both spades and diamonds divide evenly so it is not needed.

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


Pass 1{ 1] Pass 2] Pass 4] All Pass


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

It is not clear that the N/S club bidding should affect things to any great extent, so the fact that Scotland got to game while Portugal contented themselves with partscore was a matter of the East players' valuation of their hand.

Nakamuru led the ace of diamonds against 3]. continuing with a suit-preference ten to the jack and ruff. Pinkerton duly returned a spade , Ferreira winning the ace and leading the jack of hearts. Pinkerton played low so Nakamuru won the bare king and gave his partner a second diamond ruff. Pinkerton cashed the ace of hearts and that was that; down one for –100.

Moraes too led ace and another diamond against O'Brien's game. Ribeiro ruffed and returned a club. O'Brien did well now, winning the club and crossing to the ace of spades to lead the queen of hearts.


10

That tempted Ribeiro, who went up with the ace and crashed his partner's king. He returned a club but O'Brien could ruff that and draw trumps ending in dummy to take the diamond finesse, and had 10 tricks for +620 and 12 IMPs to Scotland.

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


– – Pass Pass 1[ Pass 2} Pass 2[ All Pass


– – Pass 2{ Pass 3{ All Pass

Pinkerton opened a weak 2{ on the South cards and Nakamuru's simple raise proved to be sufficient to shut out the opposition. Pimenta cashed a top spade then switched to a low heart and Pinkerton made the obvious 10 tricks for +130.

Ribeiro did not open the South hand as he did not have a weak 2{ at his disposal. O'Brien therefore got to open the West hand and he signed off in 2[ facing Valentine's 2} Drury response. After a trump lead he too had an easy overtrick for +140 and 7 IMPs to Scotland.

Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul. [ 7 6 5 3 ] Q 10 { J 3 } Q J 10 4 3 [ 8 [ A K 10 2 ] J 8 5 ] 4 3 { A K Q 10 8 { 9 7 4 2 } A K 6 5 } 9 8 2 [ Q J 9 4 ] A K 9 7 6 2 { 6 5 } 7


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


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

Pinkerton's jump overcall took space away from his opponents, who did well to alight on a pinhead in 4{, where there were two hearts and a club to be lost; after queen of hearts, heart to the king, club switch; +130. There was the alternative defence of playing a third heart to promote the {J, but then dummy's club loser would have gone away, so there would have been no difference to the outcome.

Ribeiro's simple overcall left sufficient room for his opponents to hand themselves. I am sure that Valentine's combination of 3] asking bid followed by 3NT sounded like half a heart stopper to O'Brien, and if his partner had half a stopper so did he, so he would have been content to pass out 3NT. Alas, there was no half stopper in declarer's hand. Ribeiro led a low heart to his partner's ten, overtook the queen and cashed six heart tricks; down two for –100 and 6 IMPs to Portugal.

QQQQ

KKKK 77

Miguel FERREIRAPOPORTRTUGUGALAL


11

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


– 1] Pass 4] 4[ 6] Dble All Pass


– 1] Pass 4] All Pass

Both Souths made weakish raises to game. O'Brien bid 4[ over that, one of those bids you just have to make though you know it could go horribly wrong, and Moraes just blasted 6], no doubt upgrading his tempting hand still more because of the likely spade shortage in the dummy. I'm not sure where Valentine's double came from as surely 6] was bid to make and

Valentine had no nasty surprise for declarer. Pimenta passed over 4] and so did Nakamuru.

The defence to 4] was slightly careless and allowed Nakamuru to take all the ruffs he wanted in the dummy, so he came to 12 tricks for +480. It would need to be more careful against the doubled slam.

Valentine led the king of spades. Moraes won the ace and returned a spade, won by Valentine with the nine. He returned the eight of clubs to the jack and ace and Moraes started out on a grand crossruff, ruffing a club, pitching a spade on the ace of diamonds, then continuing to crossruff in the minors. However, at the crucial moment, Valentine ruffed in front of dummy with the nine of hearts. Moraes could over-ruff but any further attempt to ruff in dummy would see Valentine ruff with the ten for the setting trick. All Moraes could do was to cash the ace of hearts and hope that West had not been counting the black suits so might keep the wrong winner for trick 13. No, he kept the queen of spades and the contract was down one for –100 and 11 IMPs to Scotland.

Suppose that, instead of giving up a spade at trick two, declarer plays ace then ruffs a club, ruffs a diamond, ruffs a club, ruffs a diamond and leads the fourth club. East has to ruff in with the nine or ten or declarer gets the last low ruff he requires. So declarer discards the spade loser from dummy. Whether East returns a trump, a diamond or a spade, declarer can now continue his crossruff with no further interruption and brings home his slam.

Seven pairs in the U26 championship bid to slam with only one making it. The successful declarer was Christian Bakke of Norway, but he received the lead of the nine of hearts, which broke up East's trump position.

Jose MORAES

Stewart PINKERTON

POPORTRTUGUGALAL

SCSCOTOTLALANDND


12

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


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


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

Nakamuru opened 1NT and, after an invitational Stayman sequence, he accepted the game try and

declared 4[. Ferreira led a diamond, Pimenta winning the ace and switching to a heart. Nakamuru rose with the ace and played the queen of diamonds to the king and ruff. Next, he came to hand with the ace of spades, cashed the [K, getting the bad news, and tries to cash diamonds, throwing aheart on the jack. Pimenta ruffed and cashed the [Q before leading a heart to her partner's king and there was also the ace of clubs to come; down two for –200.

Moraes opened 1{ and rebid 1[. When Ribeiro made a single raise, Moraes invited game but Ribeiro was not interested. Valentine led a low heart. Moraes went up with the queen and, when it scored, played dummy's diamond. O'Brien took the ace and returned a heart to declarer's ace. Moraes played the ten of diamonds and ran it, discarding a heart from dummy, then cashed the ace of spades before going back to diamonds, playing the jack and again discarding a heart when Valentine played low. O'Brien ruffed and returned the queen of spades to declarer's king but Moraes was in control. He played the jack of clubs, which was ducked, then the }9, Valentine winning the ace and playing the {K. That was ruffed and over-ruffed, but declarer had the rest for +140 and 8 IMPs to Portugal.

The final score was a win for Scotland by the narrowest of margins, 38-37, converting to 10.32-9.68 VPs.



BA

SM

AN

/TE

NE

NB

AU

M4.

2019

Tournament ProgramMixed Pairs November 7,8M.P. Pairs November 9National Simultaneous November 10IMP Pairs November 11,12Open Pairs November 13,14,15Teams November 16

Participants from All Over the WorldIncluding European and World Champions.

Further information and registration: Organizing Committee: David & Alon Birman, 50 Pinkas St., Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel.: +972-3-6058355, +972-50-6698655, Email: [email protected], www.bridgeredsea.com

Entrance Fee: €18 per sessionTotal Prize Money in Excess of €27,500Special Accommodation PackagesDaily Social EventsPerfect Weather 25°C

F E S T I V A L

25 th R E D S E AI N T E R N A T I O N A L

N O V E M B E R 7 - 1 7 , 2 1 9 E I L A T - I S R A E L

The organiser off ers free accommodation

and entry fees for four players from the

winning European U26 Open team.

All junior players will have 50% discount

off the normal entry fee price.


14

The big match of Round 18 in the U26 series featured two heavyweights of world bridge, fifth-placed Poland and second-placed the Netherlands. Both had a lot to play for and neither could afford a heavy defeat.

The first board saw both N/S pairs play 1NT, making with an overtrick for a push board, and 1NT was the contract at both tables on the second board also, but this time declared by Poland in both cases.

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

West North East South J. Patreuha Kiljan P. Patreuha Tijssen

– Pass Pass 1NT All Pass

West North East South Sprinkhuizen Marcinowski M De Leon Sobczak

– – Pass Pass 1[ Dble Pass 1NT All Pass

For Poland, Jakub Patreuha opened a 15-17 no trump and played there. Veri Kiljan led the king of diamonds, which caused Patreuha no problems at all. He won the ace and returned a diamond, winning the jack when Kiljan played low. Patreuha called for the ten of spades and Luc Tijssen erred by covering with the king. Patreuha won the ace and continued with the queen of spades and the fall of the jack meant that he had five spade tricks and eight in all; +120.

For the Netherlands, Thibo Sprinkhuizen opened 1[ and Piotr Marcinowski doubled. Mateusz Sobczak's 1NT response to the double concluded the auction and Sprinkhuizen led a low spade. Sobczak put up dummy's jack and, when that held the trick, led a heart to his queen and Sprinkhuizen's ace. Back came the nine of clubs to the four, jack and ace. At this point declarer could have made an overtrick had he taken the heart finesse, but why should he play for this heart position rather than play West for the {J? When he ran the nine of diamonds he was down. The diamond lost to the jack and Guy Mendes De Leon returned a spade. That went to the king and ace and, after a little thought, Sprinkhuizen cashed the remaining spades. Sobczak came down to ]K10, {Q8, QK, so that when Sprinkuizen exited a club he could play on diamonds and force an opportunity to take the heart finesse; down one for –100 but 1 IMP to Poland.

The Poles picked up another minor swing on Board 19 for 3}-2 for –200 against 2[+1 for –140, so 2 IMPs, and Board 20 was flat in 3NT+1 by N/S. On Board 21, Poland bid to a thin 3NT, down one for –100 N/S, while the Netherlands stopped a level lower for +120 and 6 IMPs.

POLAND vs NETHERLANDS U26, ROUND 18

Brian Senior

Guy MENDES DE LEON


15

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


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


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

For the Netherlands, De Leon opened with a weak 2{ and 2] was a strong inquiry. What 3} meant I cannot say, but it didn't excite Sprinkhuizen, who completed the auction with 3NT, where he made 12 tricks after a spade lead for +690.

For Poland, Patrik Patreuha did not open the East hand, not having a weak 2{ at his disposal. Jakub opened a Polish Club and Kiljan overcalled 3[. That just put momentum into his opponents' auction as Patryk bid 3NT and Jakub drove to the

club slam. He won the spade lead, unblocked the ace of diamonds, then played the king of clubs. Tijssen won the ace and tried a heart return, but Jakub could win that, club to the ten and come back to hand with a heart to draw the last trump before crossing to the king of spades to cash the diamonds; +1370 and 12 IMPs to Poland.

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


– – – Pass 1] 1[ 2{ 3[ Pass Pass Dble Pass 5{ All Pass


– – – Pass 1] 1[ 2} 3[ 4{ Pass 5{ All Pass This one turned out to be a great board for

transfers in competitive auctions as both E/W pairs bid to the diamond game.

The natural auction put Tijssen on lead as South and he made the natural lead of a spade to the king and ace. Kiljan switched to ace then two of clubs to his partner's king and that was one down for –100. All very straightforward.

The 2} transfer response at the other table saw West become declarer in 5{ after South had made a pre-emptive spade raise. What should North lead? It would be easy to say that the ace of spades is the obvious choice, but give South the [K and West the {K, and a low spade may be the only winning option. So thought Marcinowski, but when the low spade ran round to declarer's bare king he looked rather foolish as declarer wrapped up all 13 tricks for +640 and 12 IMPs to the Netherlands. Unlucky.

Piotr MARCINOWSKIPOPOLALANDND


16

Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul. [ 10 9 6 4 ] 5 2 { A 7 3 } K 7 3 2 [ 5 [ Q 8 3 ] 10 9 6 3 ] Q J 8 { Q J 10 8 4 { K 6 5 2 } J 9 6 } Q 10 4 [ A K J 7 2 ] A K 7 4 { 9 } A 8 5


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


Pass Pass Pass 1} 1{ 1](i) 3{ 4{ Pass 4[ All Pass

(i) Transfer to spades

Tijssen opened 1[ and Kiljan made a Mixed Raise. I am guessing that 4{ showed the shortage and that 4] was Last Train, but whatever was going on Tijssen checked on key cards then bid the small slam. He won the diamond lead and cashed the ace and king of spades so was down one, losing a spade and a club, for –50.

Sobczak opened a Polish Club, and his opponents got together in diamonds. Sobczak cuebid in support of his partner's spades but then accepted his partner's sign-off. Marcinowski too won the diamond lead and cashed the top spades so had 11 tricks for +450 and 11 IMPs to Poland.

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


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


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

Sobczak opened the South hand with 1} then watched as his opponents took over and bid to the no trump game. Sobczak led the eight of spades in Polish style, Marcinowski winning the ace and continuing with the two of spades to the jack and queen. Sobczak got out passively with his last spade so De Leon won and led the eight of diamonds, running it when Sobczak played low. That lost to the jack and Marcinowski returned a low club, De Leon winning the ace and taking a second diamond finesse. That won and he continued with the ace but there was no good news there. De Leon played a fourth diamond to Sobczak's king and Sobczak cashed the ace of hearts for down one and –50.

In the other room, Tijssen opened a 12-14 no trump, which Patryk doubled for penalty. Kiljan redoubled as the start of a wriggle to show both majors and eventually alighted in 2], doubled by Jakub. Patryk led a trump, ducked to the queen, and Jakub switched to a spade, also ducked to the king. Patryk switched back to hearts, so Kiljan rose with the ace and cashed the queen of spades then played dummy's remaining spade. Jakub ruffed and cashed the king of hearts, then switched to a club. Jakub won that and switched

}} KKKK 7777 3333 2222 }} JJJJ 6666 5555


17

to a diamond, Kiljan guessing to put up the king. That lost to the ace and Jakub continued with the queen then ten of diamonds. Kiljan ruffed, cashed the ace of spades and played a club, and came to a club at trick 13 for down three and –500; 11 IMPs to Poland.

On Board 30 both N/Ss bid a thin but playable 3NT. There was a queen guess to be taken and then declarer needed to find a ninth trick with both the key missing cards badly placed. Sobczak got the guess right so was down only one for –50. Tijssen got the guess wrong and, having gone all out for his contract, came to only four tricks so was down five for –250 and 5 IMPs to Poland.

It had been largely one-way traffic for some time, and the last board just confirmed the Polish victory.

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


– – – Pass 1] 3} 3] Pass 4] All Pass


– – – Pass 1] 2} 2NT Pass 4} Pass 4] All Pass

Kiljan made a 3} jump overcall and the Patreuhas had a simple auction to 4]. Kiljan cashed the king of clubs then switched to his spade but, though he was given his ruff, that was all for the defence; 10 tricks for –420.

Marcinowski made a simple 2} overcall and De Leon showed a constructive heart raise. Now Sprinkhuizen showed his club shortage in case slam might be in the picture, but with a flat invitational hand De Leon quickly signed-off in game. Marcinowski led his singleton spade, knowing that there could be at most one club to be cashed. Sobczak won the ace and dealt his partner a ruff, and Marcinowski underled the ace-king-queen of clubs to put his partner back in with the jack to give him a second ruff. Very nicely done and the outcome was down one for –50 and 10 IMPs to Poland.

This match put a serious dent in the Dutch hopes of the European title, losing as they did by 18-53 IMPs, or 2.39-17.61 VPs. They were now 28 VPs behind Sweden, while Germany were only 8 VPs behind in third. Poland, meanwhile, were up to fourth and in the thick of the battle for medals.Patryk PATREUHA

POPOLALANDND

Jakub PATREUHAPOPOLALANDND


18

With five more matches to play, Norway and Israel were 25 and 35 VP behind a medal position so only a very good win would be of any use for them. Norway’s chances might improve a lot if that big win would be theirs. They made an excellent start as this was Board 1.

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

Open Room West North East South Khutorsky Lund Zeitak Austad

– 1} 1{ 1[ 2{ 2[ 3{ 4[ All Pass

Nothing special, the normal contract but an overtrick when West’s diamond lead went to the jack and queen; Norway +450.

In the Closed Room, an innocent looking jump overcall caused a lot of trouble.

Closed Room West North East South Saetre Matatyahou Johnsen Slivovich

– 1} 3{ 4{ Pass 5} All Pass

South’s 4{ showed a club splinter so it could hardly occur to North to introduce any major. The {A lead ensured defeat because the two defensive trump tricks could not run away; Norway another +50 and 11 IMPs to start with.

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


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

The mini-NT worked very well for Israel as it made it virtually impossible for N/S to reach their 3NT. Two Diamonds showed either hearts or clubs and spades so after North’s 2NT enquiry N/S ended up in 4] which happened to be the wrong place to be, even with the trumps 3-3; one down, Israel +100.


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

N/S were given a free run in the replay and thus easily reached their good 3NT. East led a diamond to the king and ace but with the diamonds now frozen and the clubs 4-2 with West, the contract could always be made on a double dummy basis. Cash the hearts, discarding a club and two spades, followed by the }AK before exiting in spades. East will give you the ninth trick.

NORWAY vs ISRAEL U21, ROUND 2.5

Jos Jacobs


19

At the table, however, North immediately played the [Q but East won and returned a low diamond to declarer’s {J; Israel +600 and 12 IMPs to them.

Two boards later:

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


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

A bit to my surprise, N/S were playing 1NT as 15-17 in the balancing position as well, so after a Stayman auction they ended up in a razor-sharp 3NT. With South the declarer, the defence could never come to more than two clubs and two pointed aces; Norway +600.


1} Pass Pass Dble Pass 1[ All Pass

South might have ventured 1NT over partner’s 1[ but it remains uncertain whether they would have reached game, had he done so. One Spade

made with an overtrick for +110 to Israel but 10 more IMPs went to Norway.

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


– – – 1[ 2} Dble 3} All Pass

Ten easy tricks, Israel +130.


– – –1[ 2} Pass 2[ Pass 5} All Pass

When East produced a more invitational raise in the Closed Room, West jumped straight to the club game. North led the [10 to declarer’s queen. Had declarer cashed two top diamonds and ruffed the third, he might have made his contract by continuing a trump to his jack. When he first cashed two top diamonds and then crossed to the ]A to lead a trump to the king, he had managed to go down; Israel another +200 and 8 IMPs to them rather than 10 away.

Team Norway U21


20

The next board:

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


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

North’s double of the mini-NT showed 13+ and 2{ was diamonds and a major. When South suggested some values next, 3NT was North’s logical rebid. When East led the ]2 and dummy’s nine held the trick, declarer had all the time in the world to take a diamond finesse and repeat the heart finesse for his nine tricks; Norway +400.


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

No mini-NT here but a mistimed 2NT rebid with North’s 4-4-4-1 – always a tricky distribution to handle correctly. Four Spades escaped the double but nevertheless there were only nine tricks; Norway another +50 and 10 IMPs to them. At half-time, Norway looked to be cruising nicely and were leading 31-21.

On the next board, we entered the slam zone.

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

Open Room West North East South Khutorsky Lund Zeitak Austad – Pass 1} Pass 1[ Pass 3[ Pass 4[ All Pass

Israel stayed on firm ground and rightly so, because a slam off two aces will only occasionally be the right place to be; Israel +650.


– Pass 1} Pass 1] Dble 4[ Pass 5{ Pass 5] Pass 6[ All Pass

West’s 1] showed spades but East’s 4[ was a clear overbid. West was justified in expecting better trumps. A direct 4NT, rather than 5{, might have seen them land on their feet but as it was, they ended up too high. That was only one down but +100 and 13 IMPs to Israel who thus took the lead.

Team Israel U21


21

The next board produced a makeable slam, and what is more: a grand.

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


– – Pass 1NT Pass 2] Pass 3[ Pass 4NT Pass 5[ Pass 5NT Pass 6} Pass 6] Pass 7[ All Pass

A pretty natural auction to an interesting grand slam. South no doubt thought that 6] was showing the king but on the other hand, even without that card there were chances.

West led a trump and declarer won, unblocked both the }A and the {K and then drew trumps. The }KQ came next, declarer noting (or not?) that West did not follow suit on the 3rd club and throwing two hearts from dummy. Another heart went on the {A and declarer next cashed all dummy’s trumps. At the penultimate trump, this was the position:

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

On the penultimate trump, declarer can discard his {J and then, on the last trump, East will be squeezed. This is the only possible squeeze because East is known to hold the last club and thus the squeeze only works if he also is looking at the ]K. A red-suit squeeze against West cannot possibly work. However, declarer threw his last club on the penultimate trump and thus threw away the effect of the squeeze he had created. That was an expensive one down; +100 to Israel.


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

A basically natural, fit-showing auction in the other room as well but the Israeli N/S did not go all the way to seven. Making 12 tricks in 6[, however, turned out to be enough for a 17-IMP gain…

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22

Over now to the penultimate board of the match.

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


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

North showed diamonds and spades by bidding 2{. After awaiting developments, South came to life and North raised to game.

West led a heart to the king and ace and East cashed another heart before shifting to his club. West won the }J and continued a diamond, rather than a club to put South to the test. This defence, combined with West’s opening bid of a mini-1NT, had apparently created the impression for South that West was looking at the [Q himself. So declarer decided to finesse him for the [Q. One off, Israel +100.


– – – Pass Pass 1[ 2[ 4[ 5} Pass 5{ Pass 5] Dble All Pass

In the replay, West did not open and E/W took the sacrifice once East showed his red two-suiter. This contract went the normal two down but rather than bringing in 8 IMPs, it cost Norway another 9. The final result: 67-31 or 17.59-2.41 VPs.




23

In the first three rounds of Tuesday, a lot had already happened. Sweden had reached the top of the table because of the heavy defeat inflicted upon The Netherlands by Latvia. Meanwhile, Norway had made steady progress and had reached 4th place by just beating Poland in the previous round and thereby taking over their spot in the rankings. Ireland, on the other hand, had not been doing too well, so no doubt Norway were hoping to score a lot of VP to enhance their bid for a medal. This was the opening board of the match.

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

Open Room West North East South Connolly Bakke Barr Flatt

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

South’s 1] showed spades, of course. West’s double looks more reasonable on paper than it turned out in practice: when East led a trump, declarer finished up with an overtrick when he led a low heart to dummy’s ]Q at trick two, stealing an entry when East did not play the ace (and why should he). This way, he could repeat the trump finesse already given to him. He just lost a heart and two diamonds thereafter; Norway +570.

Closed Room West North East South Saether Doyle Scheie Donnelly

– 1} Dble 1[ Dble 3} 3] Pass 4] All Pass

At the other table, the Norwegian E/W were overboard in 4]. Any major-suit game was bound to fail, for lack of intermediate spot cards or more; Ireland +50 but first blood to Norway: 11 IMPs.

Two boards later, we had a slam:

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


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

The combination of the 1NT opening underbid with both five spades and 17 HCP, followed by the 3] overcall, made it difficult for the Irish to investigate slam, even had they wanted it. As West’s 4[ rebid most certainly showed a maximum, East might well have taken some further action but when he passed, the Irish had to be content with +680.

NORWAY vs IRELAND U26 ROUND 16

Jos Jacobs


24


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

West opened 1[, the first step towards reaching the good slam (depending on either the {J or the }K behaving well), so after East’s fit-showing 2NT neither the 3} fit-bid nor the 4] jump disturbed them in exchanging controls; Norway an OK +1430 and 13 more IMPs.

Then came three consecutive partscore battles.

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


Pass 1{ 1] 1NT All Pass

On a heart lead and continuation after losing to the }A, declarer ended up with nine tricks; Norway +150. Please note that West did not bid.


Pass 1{ 1] Pass 2] All Pass

At the other table, West did support hearts but now, it was South who did not introduce his clubs though a fit looked quite likely in view of North’s now known shortness in hearts. The contract could not be beaten so Norway chalked up another +110 and 6 IMPs.

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


– 1] 1[ Dble 2[ 3] All Pass

It only needed the lead of the [A and another to let 3] through. Norway +140. This way, Bakke was rewarded for rebidding just 3].


– 1] 1[ 1NT 2[ 4] All Pass

When Doyle rebid 4], he might as well have thanked heaven that nobody doubled. On the [A lead, however, he went one down only for –100 but still 6 more IMPs to Norway.

John CONNOLLYIRIRELELANANDD


25

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


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

Well, theoretically speaking E/W were right in not competing any further after 3{. This contract makes with an overtrick (or even two overtricks when East led the [Q, overtaken by West to continue a low club on which declarer played the king) but 3[ can be defeated on an initial heart ruff. This would need an underlead of the ]A or, a little easier, another shift to a doubleton king at trick two, this time by South; Norway +150.


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

The Norwegians did compete further over 3{. They even made an overtrick when North led the }K; Norway another +170 and 8 more IMPs.

Time for the Irish to hit back a bit. This was the next board.

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


– – – Pass 1{ Pass 1[ Dble Rdbl 2} Pass Pass Dble All Pass

A for once ill-timed double by South enabled the Irish to punish their opponents in 2}. East led his diamond and got his ruff. He exited with a trump to North’s jack. North (declarer) then played the {9, throwing a spade from dummy. East discarded a heart and West won the {10 to play ]A and another. The }10 came next, East winning his ace and playing a spade to the king and ace. A heart ruff and the [Q then put the contract three down; +800 to Ireland.

This might not have been that expensive, had 4[ been on:


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

South led the ]K and continued a trump. When declarer ran this to dummy’s [7 to play a diamond to the queen and North’s king, the latter could exit with a heart. In the fullness of time, declarer’s hopes of a successful cross-ruff would fail.... One down, Ireland another +100 and 14 IMPs to them.

Slam time again, two boards later.

}} KKKK 7777

Stephen BARRIRIRELELANANDD


26

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


– 1] Pass 4] Pass 6] All Pass

Looking at this auction, I can only say: “That’s the way I like it.” From North’s point of view, slam must have some play. In earlier days, this jump raise to game would show an ace, a singleton and five trumps; Norway +980.


– 1] Pass 4] All Pass

Lack of 'historical knowledge' prevented the Irish from reaching the slam; Ireland +480 but 11 more IMPs to Norway.

The next board asked for careful defence.

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

At both tables, East opened 1NT and North bid 4]. Connolly, sitting West for Ireland, doubled this and Saether, West for Norway, quietly passed.

Both Easts led a logical [Q and continued the [J when declarer won the [A and played ]A and another to East’s ]K. Both Wests had shown an even number of spades by playing the six and then the two. Four more rounds of trumps came next, .on which East discarded two diamonds and his last two spades. When declarer next exited with a low club, West won the nine but, rather than continuing a club, he played a winning spade on which East had to guess. When East discarded his }Q rather than another diamond, the game was suddenly made as declarer could continue another low club to fell the ace; Norway +790.

In the replay, declarer exited with the }10 after only one extra round of trumps. East won the }Q and exited in diamonds. When declarer ruffed West’s ace, the situation had become clear tor the defence; one down, Norway another +100 and 13 more IMPs to them.

The score stood at 75-15 to Norway when Board 29 arrived.

Joakim SAETHERNONORWRWAYAY

Marcus SCHEIENONORWRWAYAY


27

Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul. [ A K 8 3 ] A 7 { Q J 10 8 5 } J 9[ Q J 9 2 [ 10] 10 4 2 ] K J 8 3{ A 3 { K 9 7 6 4} 10 7 6 5 } A 8 2 [ 7 6 5 4 ] Q 9 6 5 { 2 } K Q 4 3 Open Room West North East South Connolly Bakke Barr Flatt

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

On another day, 2{ would have been quite playable and might even have escaped the double but North, this time looking at five trumps, could not resist temptation, of course. When West tried 2], South had something to comment on this as well. When North made the good lead of ]A and another, the contract soon was down four for Norway +1100.


– 1NT Pass 2} Pass 2[ Pass 4[ All Pass

Without intervention N/S reached an optimistic 4[. East made the good lead of his singleton trump, which made the contract impossible to handle. In the end, declarer went down three for another +300 and 16 IMPs to Norway.

The final result thus became 92-15 to Norway, a clear old-fashioned 20-0 in VP.

GRAND SLAM SQUEEZEBrian Senior

The hand of Round 17 in the U26 and Round 14 in the U21s, was Board 10, on which everyone was in slam on the N/S cards, but some had over-reached a little and were in Seven.

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

Six pairs in the U26 and three in the U21 series bid to 7[.

On a spade, club or diamond lead, the play should go: win, draw two rounds of trumps, cash {K and }A, spade to the queen, cash {A and }KQ pitching hearts, run the spades. Because of the six-two club split, declarer knows that the positional squeeze for which he

must play against East is a club/heart squeeze, so on the penultimate spade away goes dummy's {J and it is simply a matter of checking to see whether East throws his remaining club on the last spade or bares the king of hearts to decide what the last two cards in dummy should be. This would be a much tougher declarer-play problem had the clubs been five-three, when it would not have been so clear what to keep out of the club and diamond menaces at trick 10.

Two out of three U21 declarers were successful – Oscar Nijsssen of the Netherlands against Italy, and Efecan Ozban of Turkey against France.

Three out of six U26 declarers were successful – Johan Safsten of Sweden against Austria, Lukas Kolek of Czech Republic against Bulgaria, and Tiit Hendrik Piibeleht of Estonia against Finland.

Of the three U26 declarers who went down, two had no chance to succeed, as West found the killing heart lead which took away the late entry which was required for the squeeze to operate. The successful opening leaders were Maximilian Niklas Stepper of Germany against Russia, and Martin Vasar of Estonia against Finland. Estonia, therefore gained 20 IMPs for playing 7[ just made and defending 7[ down one.


28

In the morning at breakfast it is nice to see all those yellow, red and blue T-shirts, with the Estonian delegation proudly presenting their sponsor. Bridge is also at the youth level a competitive sport. Of course everybody likes the game itself, but winning remains the most important goal. On the sixth day of the championships the Dutch junior team were hunting Sweden. Winning and losing is part of any sport, also at bridge. Poland proved to be (like many times before) a too high hurdle. The big loss (the match described elsewhere in this bulletin) created a distance of 29 VPs between Sweden and the Netherlands, with only five matches to be played, practically destroying the Dutch chances for the title.

I sat down behind the Dutch U21 team in their confrontation with Italy. After four boards the match was tied at 11-11.

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

West North East South Tim Oscar

– 1} Pass 1{ Pass 1] (i) Pass 2[ Pass 3[ Pass 3NT Pass 4} Pass 4{ Pass 4NT Pass 5[ Pass 6[ All Pass

(i) 12-15 balanced

If there would be a prize for the most optimistic (there is some doubt about the realism) bidding sequence then South, Oscar Nijssen, and North, Tim van de Paverd, certainly earn themselves a nomination for

that award. Counting the chances of 6[ making after the ]J lead: }Q has to be rightly placed because you need to get rid of the heart loser right away. The first hurdle taken with success: }K club to }J and }A disposing of the heart. After a spade to [A, declarer played a diamond to the queen and ducked a diamond; diamonds being divided three-three is almost a necessity. West erred by playing a second heart, ruffed by declarer, who ruffed a diamond and drew trumps with [K and [A (spades three-two also necessary) for 12 tricks and +1430. And the Italian East looked angrily at his partner because if West – instead of a heart – tables }Q, East can discard {10 and there will be a trump promotion for one down. All the chances together are some 10 % and you have to include the defensive mistake for a total of minus 5 % for this heroic U21 slam.

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

West North East South – – 1] 3{ 3[ Pass 4{ Pass 5} Pass 5{ Pass 6[ All Pass

The Italian East/West pair (Federico Porta/Matteo Lombardi) tried to take revenge immediately. After a diamond for {A and a diamond return (not ruffed), the 6[ contract more or less is on the [K finesse.

The Italian boys were unlucky (in respect to the 6[ on the previous board) to go down. On Board 7 the Dutch pair went down one in 2] doubled with 3NT cold in the other direction. So it was: Netherlands 47 – Italy 11 and one more to come for the pair of the Low Countries.

DUTCH DIARY 3Kees Tammens


29

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

West North East South Tim Oscar

– – Pass 1NT Pass 3{ Pass 3[ Pass 4} Pass 4{ Pass 4NT Pass 5[ Pass 5NT Pass 6} Pass 6{ Pass 6] Pass 7[ All Pass

North showed a strong hand with a spade suit and asked for aces (South: two + [Q) and said with 5NT that all keycards were present. 6} showed }K and 6{ was the last try for grand slam. Nobody knows what South meant with 6] but the effect was that North decided to go for all the tricks. There was a remote chance for West to find the killing heart lead but, after a spade lead, 13 tricks rolled in with the use of the }J/]KJ squeeze. In a spectacular, youthful, and extremely fortunate way, it was 60-11 for the Netherlands. The Italian pairs fought back and won 22 IMPs with a better declared 4] and 4[ but ran out of boards: Netherlands 65 Italy 36 (16.58-3.42). By this result the Dutch climbed in the standings to second place and, with a big win over Germany in Round 15, even to the top. Three more matches to go, it will for sure bring excitement.

The kids tournament is a joy for the eye (and ear when you hear the boys and girls compare scores and discuss bidding and play). For the future of bridge we need the youth and to introduce bridge to this age category is a must. Dennis Stuurman does a great job with the kids in the Netherlands, collecting them (sometimes 30 to 40 of them) monthly for a training session. During one of those sessions Dennis gave a long introduction on defensive plays and signals. One of the boys, highly interested, asked: “May I ask something?’. Dennis: “This is only your eighteenth question but I am happy to answer”. For the Dutch kids team this championship is like a roller coaster:

big wins followed by big losses. Still, with the podium disappearing at the horizon, every board they enjoy the thrill of playing.

In the Girls Championship the team of Anneke sails a steady course avoiding terrible disasters. The top of the field is close to each other. And there will be a fierce struggle up to the very last match, in fact at the last board decisions may occur. When the Netherlands took on England I took my place behind Esther Visser who on the third board got a difficult decision as well in bidding as in play.

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

West North East South Sandra Esther

– – – Pass Pass 3{ Dble Pass 3NT Pass 4] All Pass

The first question was the bid by East, Esther, after 3{: a) double b) 3], c) 4]? The second issue was the reaction by West, Sandra Kolen: a) Pass, b) 3NT c) 3[? The third matter was the meaning of double followed by 4]: a) just showing a strong hand with hearts or b) 6]+4[?

When South led {K against 4], declarer pondered. With almost for sure a loser in trumps and the danger of }AQ in South, there seemed to be four losers. Could North have opened on a six-card suit? If so you can dispose of }J on {Q before drawing trumps. This would have been fatal: South ruffs, cashes }A, crosses to [A and a third diamond causes a trump promotion for down one. Esther embarked on another line, maybe including a club guess. She drew trumps in three rounds and played [K, for [A. }Q from North made that choice easy and the spade loser went on {Q. Since at the other table South overcalled 3] and was left to play there that meant 10 IMPs for the Netherlands.

The next board will go into history as the ‘Janneke’show’.


30

The Dutch Delegation

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

West North East South Janneke Malene

– Pass Pass 1] Dble 2] 3} Pass 3[ Pass 4} Pass 5} All Pass

After 2] North, Janneke Wackwitz, could (should?) have bid more enthusiastically than the modest 3}. And when South, Malene Holm, showed extra values with 3[, a 4{ bid (4NT?) by North seemed logical. However this ‘I only have clubs’ method worked very well. After two heart tricks East, completely in the dark about the diamonds, shifted to {10 solving all problems for declarer and +600. Since England, after a 1{ opening bid by North, ended up in 5{ and did not manage the trump position this gave the Dutch girls 12 IMPs. In this competition there were still seven matches to play so lots can happen.


31

Both France and England belong to the group of five or possibly even six teams that might still win the U21 championship. After the first of the two matches scheduled for Wednesday, they were in 3rd and 5th position respectively. For this second round of the day, the boards once again had decided to stay on the quiet side, at least for the time being.

With the score at 6-3 to France, this was the 7th board of the set.

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

Open Room West North East South Gahan Fragola Anoyrkatis Tabata

– – – Pass 1] 1[ 2{ 4[ Pass Pass Dble All Pass

The French overbid a little (who does not, from time to time) but the English had their eyes on the ball. East doubled on general principles (partner has an opening bid and I have an AKQ combination) and led the {A. Upon seeing partner’s {10, he switched to the ]Q and the defence collected four red tricks and their natural trump trick; England +500.

This looked a bad result for France but on the actual layout, the French had done quite well: they had managed to find a profitable sacrifice in spite of being vulnerable. In the other room, their team-mates had bid game as follows:

Closed Room West North East South Bellicaud Winter Bloch Sanderson

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

Not that 4] is a very good contract as it does not need much more than the ]J coming down in two or three rounds; its chances are about 50%, more than enough for a vulnerable game. When the required heart layout duly materialised, France scored +650 on the [A lead and a diamond continuation and thus gained 4 IMPs.

In another match, a Dutch U21 player showed his routine already acquired in the game. He was playing in 3[ and found the classic way to avoid the loss of a trump trick apart from his possible four red losers. A spade went to the king and ace and his next move was a low spade from hand, taking East by surprise. We will no doubt hear more from him (see below).

A few boards later:

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


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

In the Open Room, the English had reached the normal contract of 3NT and made an overtrick. North led the ]10 to South’s ace and South continued the ]J. Declarer won and ducked a club to South’s }10. South now returned the {2 which ran to North’s {J. Had North led a spade now, declarer might have had a serious problem but North returned a diamond (keep in mind, please, that WEST was the declarer). When South put up the king, that was the end of the defence; England +430.

In the Closed Room, the English N/S stole the contract.

FRANCE vs ENGLAND U21, ROUND 2.6

Jos Jacobs

QQ


32


– – – 1} 1{ 1] Dble Rdbl Pass 2] All Pass

South’s redouble showed three-card support, but also treated both East and West to a difficult problem. No doubt, they both wanted to bid but had not the slightest idea which bid would make any sense. Anyway, it was down three, so England –150 and 7 more IMPs to them to trail 10-13 at this point.

Near the end, the boards finally woke up:

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


– – Pass 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass

Had West led the ]J, we would hardly have had any story but she selected a more natural [Q. Declarer won the king in hand and immediately took a diamond finesse into the safe hand of East. By playing this way, declarer had avoided an immediate heart shift, but now East could return a spade to put declarer in dummy, ready for the club finesse. When it lost to West’s king, declarer could only make two more tricks in the end, losing two spades, five hearts, a diamond and a club for down five; England +250.


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

East led a natural heart to declarer’s king (the contract being played by North here) and the AK followed. Declarer’s next move was to finesse the {Q through East so he easily came to his required nine tricks; England another +600 and 13 IMPs.

The next board looked like a normal 4] until a few players showed their different ideas.

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


– – – Pass 1] 2} 3} Pass 4] All Pass

When North led a top club and continued his spade, he duly got his ruff but had to concede the rest to declarer; England +420.


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

The French auction, to me, looked very much like a case of: “Any response to 4NT can show any number of key cards and queens of trumps.” North led his singleton spade and got his ruff. Thereafter, the }A meant down two for +100 and 11 more IMPs to England who thus suddenly had won the match 33-13 or 15-5 VP.

Looking deeper into this hand, it occurred to me that even 4] should go down. So off I went into the play records, to find out that three declarers had actually gone down in 4] already. So full marks to Piotr Marcinowski (Poland) and Christian Bakke (Norway), both playing in the Open U26 event, for leading the singleton spade then underleading in clubs to get their second ruff.

A very special mention, and maybe even an (incentive) prize, should go to Ronald Goor (Netherlands) for finding this same defence, I think. He is playing in the U21. Above, I already showed you the hand on which he used a classic old trick to avoid a trump loser but no praise can be high enough for having the courage to find this defence. “What is the difference between him and the two others?” you may ask, and rightly so. I will tell you the difference. Ronald is only 15 years old. It’s already exceptional that he is representing his country not in the U16s but in the U21s. By now, we all know why.


33

RANKING AFTER ROUND 20





RESULTS

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 IRELAND Bye 0 0 12 0.002 SCOTLAND ISRAEL 6 48 1.52 18.483 POLAND NETHERLANDS 53 18 17.61 2.394 PORTUGAL ESTONIA 14 55 1.63 18.375 NORWAY FRANCE 43 35 12.36 7.646 BULGARIA FINLAND 70 20 19.31 0.697 ITALY SWEDEN 17 55 2.00 18.008 DENMARK CZECH REPUBLIC 16 32 5.71 14.299 AUSTRIA ENGLAND 31 28 10.94 9.0610 TURKEY GERMANY 3 39 2.26 17.7411 CROATIA LATVIA 45 14 17.03 2.9712 SLOVAKIA RUSSIA 14 44 3.12 16.88

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 SCOTLAND Bye 0 0 12 0.002 POLAND IRELAND 61 12 19.22 0.783 PORTUGAL ISRAEL 18 45 3.60 15.904 NORWAY NETHERLANDS 33 29 11.24 8.765 FINLAND ESTONIA 41 57 5.71 14.296 FRANCE ITALY 5 44 1.57 17.837 CZECH REPUBLIC BULGARIA 73 37 17.74 2.268 SWEDEN AUSTRIA 62 36 16.23 3.779 TURKEY DENMARK 25 50 3.94 16.0610 LATVIA ENGLAND 5 43 2.00 18.0011 GERMANY RUSSIA 62 25 17.87 2.1312 CROATIA SLOVAKIA 22 27 8.47 11.53

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 ISRAEL Bye 0 0 12 0.002 IRELAND NETHERLANDS 16 41 3.94 16.063 SCOTLAND ESTONIA 18 35 5.49 14.514 POLAND FRANCE 51 28 15.70 4.305 PORTUGAL BULGARIA 32 27 11.53 8.476 SWEDEN NORWAY 23 30 7.91 12.097 FINLAND DENMARK 32 49 5.49 14.518 ENGLAND ITALY 24 8 14.29 5.719 CZECH REPUBLIC GERMANY 24 41 5.49 14.5110 AUSTRIA CROATIA 81 0 20.00 0.0011 SLOVAKIA TURKEY 37 24 13.62 6.3812 RUSSIA LATVIA 40 34 11.81 8.19

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 21 NETHERLANDS Bye 0 0 12 0.002 ISRAEL ESTONIA 24 38 6.15 13.853 IRELAND FRANCE 42 51 7.38 12.624 SCOTLAND BULGARIA 23 62 1.87 18.135 POLAND SWEDEN 23 46 4.30 15.706 DENMARK PORTUGAL 57 24 16.83 2.677 NORWAY ENGLAND 42 26 14.29 5.718 GERMANY FINLAND 39 33 11.81 8.199 ITALY CROATIA 59 23 17.74 2.2610 CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA 44 34 12.88 7.1211 RUSSIA AUSTRIA 49 58 7.38 12.6212 LATVIA TURKEY 45 38 12.09 7.91

1 SWEDEN 299.082 NETHERLANDS 275.543 GERMANY 265.474 NORWAY 254.285 POLAND 252.766 BULGARIA 242.367 ISRAEL 238.068 CZECH REP. 231.419 ENGLAND 221.1310 ITALY 217.1311 FRANCE 213.2312 DENMARK 203.0313 SLOVAKIA 180.0514 ESTONIA 178.3815 CROATIA 164.7916 LATVIA 164.1017 SCOTLAND 162.4318 RUSSIA 159.6719 AUSTRIA 153.5620 PORTUGAL 149.4121 TURKEY 149.1522 IRELAND 143.2323 FINLAND 116.35


34

RESULTS




WOMEN UNDER 26 — ROUND 11






TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 221 ENGLAND SWEDEN 21 21 10.00 10.0022 NETHERLANDS ITALY 65 36 16.58 3.4223 POLAND GERMANY 51 12 17.97 2.0324 FRANCE TURKEY 54 53 9.91 8.0925 NORWAY ISRAEL 31 67 2.41 17.59

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 NETHERLANDS Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 FRANCE ENGLAND 12 24 6.29 13.7133 NORWAY ISRAEL 40 5 18.14 1.8634 POLAND TURKEY 65 11 20.00 0.0035 HUNGARY ITALY 34 5 17.24 2.76

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 NORWAY Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 FRANCE TURKEY 10 35 3.45 16.5533 NETHERLANDS ISRAEL 28 24 11.38 8.6234 POLAND HUNGARY 30 17 13.97 6.0335 ITALY ENGLAND 32 10 15.99 4.01

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 221 FRANCE ENGLAND 13 33 5.00 15.0022 GERMANY NETHERLANDS 23 71 1.03 18.9723 ISRAEL POLAND 36 14 15.38 4.6224 TURKEY SWEDEN 37 14 15.56 4.4425 ITALY NORWAY 41 29 13.28 6.72

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 HUNGARY Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 ITALY FRANCE 19 14 11.70 8.3033 TURKEY NORWAY 16 22 7.99 12.0134 ISRAEL POLAND 14 25 6.55 13.4535 ENGLAND NETHERLANDS 6 54 0.36 19.64

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 FRANCE Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 ITALY NORWAY 15 48 2.14 17.8633 TURKEY NETHERLANDS 22 36 5.78 14.2234 ENGLAND POLAND 9 53 0.76 19.2435 ISRAEL HUNGARY 12 31 4.63 15.37

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 231 POLAND Bye 0 0 12 0.0032 FRANCE ISRAEL 47 33 14.22 5.7833 NORWAY HUNGARY 20 40 4.42 15.5834 NETHERLANDS ITALY 12 18 7.99 12.0135 TURKEY ENGLAND 62 31 17.56 2.44

1 NETHERLANDS 187.362 POLAND 182.953 FRANCE 171.844 SWEDEN 164.195 ENGLAND 160.086 ISRAEL 148.737 NORWAY 135.348 ITALY 132.489 GERMANY 110.0110 TURKEY 102.62

1 POLAND 184.952 NETHERLANDS 178.013 NORWAY 170.024 HUNGARY 163.365 FRANCE 155.836 ITALY 135.497 TURKEY 124.578 ISRAEL 92.139 ENGLAND 82.64


35





TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY CZECH REPUBLIC 11 13 9.23 10.7742 SWEDEN GERMANY 29 17 14.00 6.0043 LATVIA RUSSIA 17 20 8.86 11.1444 POLAND NETHERLANDS 48 13 18.58 1.4245 GREECE NORWAY 19 43 3.22 16.7846 ESTONIA TURKEY 21 37 4.95 15.0547 DENMARK CROATIA 86 9 20.00 0.0048 ENGLAND FRANCE 9 40 2.00 18.0049 ISRAEL ROMANIA 37 7 17.84 2.16

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY GERMANY 27 7 15.97 4.0342 CZECH REPUBLIC LATVIA 11 34 3.41 16.5943 POLAND SWEDEN 20 5 14.80 5.2044 NORWAY RUSSIA 26 23 11.14 8.8645 NETHERLANDS TURKEY 25 22 11.14 8.8646 GREECE CROATIA 71 6 20.00 0.0047 ESTONIA ENGLAND 19 26 7.49 12.5148 ROMANIA DENMARK 13 53 0.78 19.2249 FRANCE ISRAEL 6 43 1.16 18.84

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY LATVIA 46 18 17.51 2.4942 GERMANY POLAND 18 51 1.70 18.3043 NORWAY CZECH REPUBLIC 39 37 10.77 9.2344 TURKEY SWEDEN 5 34 2.32 17.6845 RUSSIA CROATIA 48 10 17.97 1.0346 NETHERLANDS ENGLAND 7 37 2.16 17.8447 GREECE ROMANIA 42 7 18.58 1.4248 ISRAEL ESTONIA 55 1 20.00 0.0049 DENMARK FRANCE 54 12 19.44 0.56

TEAM 1 TEAM 2 IMPs 1 IMPs 2 VPs 1 VPs 241 HUNGARY POLAND 20 38 4.48 15.5242 LATVIA NORWAY 38 39 9.61 10.3943 TURKEY GERMANY 46 34 14.00 6.0044 CROATIA CZECH REPUBLIC 7 60 0.00 20.0045 SWEDEN ENGLAND 16 36 4.03 15.9746 RUSSIA ROMANIA 55 16 19.10 0.9047 NETHERLANDS ISRAEL 21 52 2.00 18.0048 FRANCE GREECE 93 0 20.00 0.0049 ESTONIA DENMARK 26 34 7.17 12.83

RANKING AFTER ROUND 131 POLAND 216.462 ISRAEL 208.283 DENMARK 192.964 ENGLAND 179.305 SWEDEN 167.736 FRANCE 163.687 NETHERLANDS 146.298 TURKEY 146.259 RUSSIA 139.7110 GREECE 137.5511 NORWAY 137.1712 ESTONIA 115.3113 HUNGARY 112.0414 CZECH REPUBLIC 108.3915 GERMANY 68.8516 LATVIA 50.8617 ROMANIA 38.1218 CROATIA 7.05

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