Bridge Magazine 2016.08

August 2016 Cover_Layout 1 29/07/2016 15:17 Page 1
NEW HONORS BOOKS FROM

MASTER POINT PRESS
THE BRIDGE PUBLISHER
Arrow Through the Heart

David Bird and Marguerite Lihou
David Bird’s third book of Robin Hood bridge stories

provides a feast of entertainment for his fans. The 27 stories
contain 113 splendid deals and provide the laugh-aloud
humor and painless instruction for which the author is
renowned.
Illustrator Marguerite Lihou is well known for her humorous

touch and attention to detail. This is David’s first book of
stories to be illustrated.
A Complete System for the

Tournament Bridge Player
Tu÷rul Kaban
This book is designed as a ready-made complete system for

the tournament player. The system framework is 2/1, which
is laid bare in the first part of the book. Then comes the
author’s choice of conventions and methods to cover all
practical aspects of bidding and carding, taking each part of
the convention card in turn.
The book comes with ready-made convention cards

(WBF, ACBL and EBU versions) together with 20-page
supplementary notes which serve as a handy summary of
the entire system discussed in the book.
AVAILABLE FROM CHESS & BRIDGE
2 August 2016 BRIDGE Magazine


Penalty Cards
BRIDGE
The Disciplinary Commission of the EBL has
concluded that Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio
Nunes have been guilty of infractions of the laws
of bridge. Accordingly, they have been banned
from playing together for life, and are separately
prohibited from playing in any EBL events or
MAGAZINE activities for a period of 5 years. Additionally,
the costs of the investigation and hearing in the
amount of €20,000 each have been awarded against them.
Meanwhile, Fantoni & Nunes have appealed to the Italian Olym-
pic Committee against the sentence of the Italian Bridge Federation
that was announced previously.
44 BAKER STREET
LONDON W1U 7RT Above Suspicion
Tel: 020-7486 8222
Fax: 020-7486 3355 An Italian player, Laura Villa, has posted a video on youtube:
email: info@bridgeshop.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq5QoHK6PJM
http://www.bridgeshop.com
Editor: The EBL’s Eric Laurant described it as ‘no more than a smokescreen’
Mark Horton
while Boye Brogeland said ‘I am not surprised to see accused cheat-
Assistant Editor: ers go to steps like this to protect themselves.
Christina Lund Madsen I would actually have thought it would have happened before,
Advertising: but it’s probably a convenient time to release something like this.
Matthew Read It also proves how hard it is to take down the real cheaters whose
Photographer: mentality seems to be: If you can’t prove it beyond reasonable
Ron Tacchi
doubt, we didn’t cheat!’
Proofreaders:
Danny Roth
Monika Kummel
Winter is Coming
Herman De Wael
The Winter Garden in Eastbourne will be playing host to the Eng-
Typesetter:
Ron Tacchi
lish Bridge Union’s 2016 Summer Meeting 19-28 August 2016
BRIDGE Magazine is published
for the first time, the event having moved from its long time loca-
monthly. tion in Brighton.
Online Subscriptions:
1 year: £19.95 Visit the pre-congress information page for travel and parking infor-
Individual Issue:
£2.00 mation, tourist advice, and news updates as the congress approaches
Distributors
CHESS & BRIDGE LTD.
at: http://www.ebu.co.uk/eastbourne-pre-congress#news
44 Baker Street
London W1U 7RT U.K. The tournament incorporates Weekend Challenges and One Day
Views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the Editor. Editorial
Events, the Mercian Travel Seniors Congress, the Under 25 Pairs,
contributions will be published at the
Editor’s discretion and may be shortened
and the Really Easy Congress. All events are Level 4 except for
if space is limited.
No parts of this publication may be
the Really Easy Congress, which is Level 2.
reproduced without the prior express
permission of the publishers. All rights
reserved. 2016
You can enter by email, by calling on 01296 317203/219, or
through the members area of the EBU’s website - otherwise please
enter at the venue as entries can be taken on the day.


The Yeh Online Bridge World Cup
As I announced last month, the first Yeh Online World Cup will take place 31 October - 2 Novem-
ber 2016 under the auspices of the World Bridge Federation.
Jean Paul Meyer and Francesca Canali will produce a ‘live’ Daily Bulletin with contributions from
your editor who will be joining an illustrious team of commentators, including Zia Mahmood,
Barry Rigal, Patrick Huang, Phillipe Cronier and Michel Abecassis.
A Matter of Technique
Between 2010-2014 Eric Rodwell and other world class players and journalists produced an online
series for New in Bridge that covered all the important subjects of modern bridge theory, pro-
viding in-depth explanations of concepts that will take your game to the next level and beyond.
The 48 topics covered in that period include such diverse subjects as Negative Free Bids, New
Minor Forcing, Mixed Raises, Transfers in Competition and Exclusion Blackwwod.
We have negotiated a special price - a 20% discount on the Topics (super) bundles for BM Online
subscribers. You must mention BMOL when paying.
You can view the complete list of topics at: http://newinbridge.com/topics-collection.
Washington Post
By the time we go to press, the ACBL’s Summer Nationals in the District of Columbia will have
been concluded. We will be providing in depth coverage in the September issue.
Incontrarsi a Salsomaggiore
The 2016 World Youth Teams Championships take place this month in the popular Italian spa
town Salsomaggiore Terme. The Championships comprise four events:
The World Junior Teams for the Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Trophy.
The World Youngsters Teams for the José Damiani Cup.
The World Girls Teams Championship for the Gianarrigo Rona Trophy.
The World Kids Teams Championship for the Koç University Trophy.
Frederick Illingworth, Ankush Khanelwal, Ben Norton, Alex Roberts, Shivam Shah & Yvonne
Wiseman, with Alan Shillitoe as Captain and Jon Cooke as Coach will be carrying England’s
hopes in the Junior Teams, while Jasmine Bakhshi, Elizabeth Gahan, Megan Jones, Harry Mad-
den, Henry Rose & Oscar Selby, with Sarah O’Connor as Captain and Michael Bell as Coach
will be flying the flag in the Kids Teams.
You can follow their progress at the WBF’s web site, worldbridge.org, their Facebook page, https://
www.facebook.com/WorldBridgeFederation/ and on youtube.
You can watch on BBO and make sure you visit http://livebridge.net/bbo/


Holland Casino
As we mentioned last month, after an interval of twenty-six years Holland Casino Scheveningen returns
as a major sponsor to host The Hague Bridge Experience, August 13-21. The tournament will be staged
in the Top Lounge in the Holland Casino Scheveningen, a perfect location for a bridge tournament.
The highlight of the week will be the Pro Am tournament on Friday August 19. Who would not
want to play a bridge tournament with Zia Mahmood, Berry Westra and Jan Jansma. There is a
rumour that your editor will be taking part.
For more information go to: www.sbsbridge.nl or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.
com/The-Hague-Bridge-Experience-1618198218405131
The Bridge week will be held from Saturday August 13 through Sunday August 21st.
Saturday August 13 Mixed Pairs
Sunday August 14 Butler IMP Pairs
Saturday August 20 Teams
Sunday August 21 Open Pairs
Schedule for the above events:
13.30 - 16.45 Session 1
16.45 - 17.45 Buffet
17.45 - 21.00 Session 2 followed by prize-giving
(last session ends at 22.30)
Wednesday August 17 Knockout Pairs
Thursday August 18 Knockout Pairs
Start at 19.45
Friday August 19 Pro Am-Tournament
minimum bid of €250
Starts at 18.00 and includes Indonesian rijsttafel
Be sure to reserve your place at:http://srln.io/w0by2
In This Issue
I 6 Problem Corner — Ron Tacchi & Patrick Jourdain. GI 140 This Month’s Video Page
I 7 Hungary - The Real Euro 2016 — The Editor I 143 Solution to Non-Prize Problem
reports on the 53rd European Championships I 145 Solution to Test Your Defence
GI 127 The Rainbow Bridge Club — Alex Adamson & I 64 Partnership Profile — Mark Horton
Harry Smith
I 74 Marks & Comments — Alan Mould
I 133 Test Your Defence — Julian Pottage
I 135 The Parrot’s Grande Finale — David Bird

 Intermediate
Ron Tacchi and Solution to Prize Problem 317
Patrick Jourdain’s Wait till next month
Problem ♠ A 10 9 3 2
♥ A 10 6 5 3 2
♦ 10 W
N
E
♠ KJ6
♥ KQ
♦ 9843
Corner ♣Q S ♣ J763
Prior to you arriving in 4♠ South shows 55 in the
sponsored by minors with opening values and no void. North leads
THE ORION PUBLISHING GROUP the queen of diamonds which holds the trick and
switches to a small club won by South with the king.
Master Bridge Series Plan your play.
From the preamble you know South is 2-1 in the
majors and thus North’s major-suit distribution must
be 4-3. He is odds on to have the trump queen in
his hand (70% to be precise) and so when you ruff
South’s third card you take the trump finesse and
when this holds you are guaranteed to fulfil your
Non-Prize Problem See Page 143 contract. Simply cash the king of trumps, this must
exhaust South of trumps as he has at most two. Now
Patrick Jourdain is currently not well, so I have used cash the king and queen of hearts and return to your
an example from his excellent Problem Corner. We hand via the trump ace.
wish him a speedy recovery.
Either North had three trumps and they are now all
♠ 4 N ♠ AK 5 drawn so you can give up a heart and still have trump
♥ A 10 8 6 5 ♥ K97 control or if he has four trumps the hearts will now
♦ A8 5 2 W E ♦ 10 6 4 3 run and he is free to make his trump whenever he
♣ A8 3 S ♣ K42 wishes but you will have the rest of the tricks as you
In his contract of Four Hearts West receives the lead run the heart suit.
of the seven of diamonds. This hand appeared in the recent European Champi-
Plan your play onships in Budapest and several declarers had a blind
spot and unsuccessfully tried to ruff a heart in dummy
Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner,

available from Chess & Bridge.
Congratulations
Prize Problems 316
Edwin Lau provided a comprehensive solution
which was close enough to David Bird’s analysis to Prize Problem 318
be declared a worthy winner. Counted Out
♠ AK 8 N ♠ 9653
♥ KQ2 ♥ A7 4
♦ KQJ W E ♦ A 10 4 3
♣ AK J 6 S ♣ 73
After a simple auction you reach 6NT and receive a
Email your answers to BMProb@vaupillon.com or send small heart lead. Should you duck a spade South will
on a postcard to The Editor, Bridge Magazine, 44 Baker encumber you by turning up with four cards in the
Street, London, W1U 7RT. Entries must be received before suit. Can you play the hand better than I did in our
31st August. The first correct solution out of the hat will local duplicate last month?
receive £15 of BRIDGE Magazine book vouchers.

 Intermediate
Hungary - The Real Euro 2016
The Editor reports from Budapest on the 53rd European Team Championships with plenty of as-
sistance from David Bird, John Carruthers, Jos Jacobs, Brian Senior, Ram Soffer & Ron Tacchi.
F or the first time since 1937 Hungary played host to the European Bridge Team Championships.
In those now far off years, the Championships were dominated by Austria and Hungary,
who between them won five of the seven contests between 1932 and 1938, only France man-
aging to disturb their joint hegemony.
The European Bridge League also revived the Women’s Pairs Championship, which was first
introduced in 1987. As here, it was held during the first days of the Championships. It was dis-
continued as a separate event in 2001 and, as of 2003, was incorporated in the European Open
Championships.
The venue was the ultra modern Groupama Arena, a multi-purpose stadium that is the third
home of Ferencváros, the most successful club in the history of Hungarian football. There was
general agreement that the venue was outstanding – many observers suggesting they might be
the best ever. For example, the air-conditioned Bulletin Room boasted its own his and hers wash-
rooms, a coffee machine, and a Eurocave!
The only minor issue was that the venue was a little way from town, which was slightly awk-
ward for pairs who were sitting out.
This year all three championships were to be decided by a complete round robin, which meant
a fearsome schedule in the Open Series, where 37 rounds had to be played over ten days.
Here is a day-by-day report:
Thursday 16 June
The Open Series and the Women’s Pairs start today. The latter attracted 61 entries, with pride of
place going to Ireland, who had the largest contingent of 11 pairs. Two days of qualifying, play-
ing 50 boards a day in five 10-board sessions, will be followed by a one-day all-play-all final.
Brian Senior (who will later be joining the English Senior team) reports on the latter, and with
the luck that is essential for all journalists he watches deals involving many of the leading pairs.
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ 84
♥ 96
♦ QJ853
♣ J 10 7 3
♠ AJ 7 5 3 N ♠ 62
♥ 87 ♥ AK Q 4
♦ K 10 2 W E ♦ A9 7 6
♣ K94 S ♣ Q86
♠ K Q 10 9
♥ J 10 5 3 2
♦4
♣ A52

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ 84
Poplilov Asulin Birman Levi ♥ 96
♦ QJ853
– Pass 1NT Pass
♣ J 10 7 3
2♥* Pass 2♠ Pass ♠ AJ 7 5 3 ♠ 62
3NT All Pass N
♥ 87 ♥ AK Q 4
2♥ Transfer ♦ K 10 2 W E ♦ A9 7 6
♣ K94 S ♣ Q86
In this all Israeli clash South led the three of hearts to the ♠ K Q 10 9
nine and king. Declarer played a spade and when South ♥ J 10 5 3 2
went up with the queen she ducked and won the jack ♦ 4
♣ A52
of hearts continuation with the ace. A spade to the jack
was followed by the ace and a fourth spade and when South won this trick she played another
heart. Declarer had eight tricks but unwilling to settle for one off she tried a diamond to the ten.
When North won with the queen she returned a club and South could win and cash two hearts
for down two and – 100.
That gave N/S the lion’s share of the points, 53/5.
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
♠ KJ
♥—
♦ AK742
♣ AQ9865
♠ Q2 N ♠ A 10 6 4 3
♥ AKQJ1063 ♥ 9874
♦Q W E ♦ J8
♣ 10 4 3 S ♣ KJ
♠ 9875
♥ 52
♦ 10 9 6 5 3
♣ 72
West North East South
Poplilov Asulin Birman Levi
– – Pass Pass
4♥ 4NT* 5♥ Pass
Pass Double All Pass
4NT Minors
North cashed the king of diamonds and the ace of clubs before trying the ace of diamonds. That
was ruffed but declarer had to concede a spade for one down and – 200 a little below average at
32/26.
Levi and Asulin ended the mini-session in second place with just over 65%.
The first round of the Open delivers a tough set of deals. Two deals from the match between
Germany & Austria are noteworthy:

 Intermediate
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ K 10 8 7 6 3
♥ K7
♦ 10 4
♣ J75
♠4 N ♠A
♥ J4 ♥ A 10 6 2
♦ AK J 8 3 2 W E ♦ Q75
♣ AK 6 2 S ♣ Q9843
♠ QJ952
♥ Q9853
♦ 96
♣ 10
Terraneo Auken Simon Welland
– 2♠ Double 4♠
4NT* Pass 5♣ Pass
6♦ Pass 6♥ Pass
7♣ All Pass
East/West are cold for 13 tricks in both minor suits as well as NT, but this is difficult to establish
during the bidding. On the other hand, following North’s natural weak 2♠ opening, it makes
sense for South to sacrifice at any level at this vulnerability. The most common score (occurring
at 19 tables) was E/W plus 800 against 6♠ doubled. The Irish E/W pair bid to the 7-level, but
their opponents saved at 7♠ doubled. Thus Austria was the only team to bid and make a grand
slam with the E/W cards.
How did this happen? Their bidding looked so unconvincing that Roy Welland didn’t bother
to save 1040 points for his side by bidding 7♠ (would E/W have tried 7NT?). West’s 4NT should
indicate a two-suiter, so after he bid 6♦ over 5♣ his partner assumed a red two-suiter. Simon’s 6♥
bid forced his partner to try his luck at 7♣, and lucky he was – Austria +2140.
Schwerdt Lindermann Linde Jonsson
– 2♠ Double 4♣*
4♦ All Pass
At the other table Jonsson tried to be clever with a 4♣ splinter bid, and it resulted in total success
when Schwerdt (assuming that more bidding was inevitable) tried 4♦ and then found to his hor-
ror that it has been passed out! Germany +190 for a loss of 18 IMPs. Their only consolation was
that they were probably booked for a big loss due to the result at the other table.

 Intermediate
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
♠ K75
♥ AKJ842
♦—
♣ KJ95
♠ A Q J 10 9 3 N ♠6
♥ 96 ♥ Q 10 7 5
♦ K8543 W E ♦ 762
♣— S ♣ A Q 10 6 2
♠ 842
♥3
♦ A Q J 10 9
♣ 8743
Terraneo Auken Simon Welland
– 1♥ Pass 1♠*
2♠ 3♣ Pass Pass
3♦ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
South’s 1♠ bid was artificial. Sabine Auken did extremely well to pass West’s 3♦ bid and then Pass
her partner’s penalty Double.
There was an interesting point in the play. After Sabine cashed ♥AK and switched to a spade,
three rounds of diamonds were played. Terraneo won the ♦K and cashed ♠A. Now he could have
endplayed South with a diamond and forced him to lead a club into dummy’s tenace, with North
squeezed in clubs and hearts along the way. But he missed this nice possibility of escaping for
-500 and eventually went down three (-800).
Schwerdt Lindermann Linde Jonsson
– 1♥ Pass 1NT
2♠ 4♥ Double Pass
Pass 5♣ Double All Pass
Lindermann tried to bid a game directly at his second turn without fully exploring the hand. He
evidently regretted it after East doubled, and his improvised 5♣ retreat was not a big success
either. GIB indicates that declarer could have somehow scrambled eight tricks, but at the table
he managed only seven. Plus 1100 together with plus 800 from the other room gave Germany
their own 18-IMP swing.
This board was part of a flourish of 52 unanswered IMPs for Germany over the last 7 boards
which saw them win 61-35 IMPs, 16.09-3.91 VP.

 Intermediate
Eyes on the Prize
In Round 2 of the Open Switzerland’s Dmitrij Nikolenkov and Stephan Magnusson produced a
contender for the best auction of the year:
Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul
♠ A5
♥ 65
♦ KQ954
♣ A532
♠ 10 8 3 2 N ♠ J6
♥ 7432 ♥ A K Q J 10 9
♦ J6 W E ♦ 872
♣ J76 S ♣ 94
♠ KQ974
♥8
♦ A 10 3
♣ K Q 10 8
Open Room
Welland Nikolenkov Auken Magnusson
Pass 1NT* Pass 2♥*
Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT*
Pass 4♣* Pass 4♦*
Pass 4NT* Pass 6♣
All Pass
1NT 11+ to 14,may have 6♣/♦
2♥ Transfer
2NT 5♠+4♣, game forcing
4♣ Fit, plus ♠Ax or ♠Kx
4♦ RKCB for clubs
4NT 2 key cards, no ♣Q
East led the king of hearts and continued with the queen. Declarer ruffed in dummy, drew trumps
and played four rounds of spades, ruffing the last of them and claiming +920.
That was worth 11 IMPs when Germany stopped in 4♠ in the other room.
You can replay this deal at: http://tinyurl.com/huy2wt4
In the same round, England met Ireland in what proved to be a low-scoring affair:
This deal had a slightly Molloesque tinge to it.

 Intermediate
♠ J97654
♥ 72
♦ A9
♣ Q 10 8
♠ Q2 N ♠ A K 10 8 3
♥ Q5 ♥ K983
♦ 73 W E ♦ Q862
♣ A9 7 6 5 3 2 S ♣—
♠—
♥ A J 10 6 4
♦ K J 10 5 4
♣ KJ4
Open Room
Bakhshi Garvey Gold Carroll
– 3♠ All Pass
With E/W having five tricks available in the suit in which declarer had pre-empted this was never
going to be a successful contract and it drifted three off, -150.
Closed Room
McGann Forrester Hanlon Robson
– 2♦* 2♠ All Pass
2♦ Weak two in a major or 16+ 4441
Having polled some experts on the multi 2♦ there were varying opinions as to the best course for
South. The two main actions considered were: Pass as espoused by Robson at the table or a Dou-
ble by those who were of the opinion that if partner’s major was spades then the contract may
well fail. In this instance, the Pass was in practice the better action as when South started with
two rounds of hearts declarer could win with dummy’s queen, cash the ace of clubs, ruff a club
and ruff a heart high for + 110 giving England a single IMP.
After leading the ace of hearts South needs to find a diamond switch, after which three rounds
of the suit put the defenders one-step ahead.

 Intermediate
♠ J753
♥ Q732
♦—
♣ Q7653
♠ 10 N ♠ K4
♥ A K 10 8 6 5 ♥ 94
♦ AQ 2 W E ♦ K8543
♣ K 10 9 S ♣ AJ 8 4
♠ AQ9862
♥J
♦ J 10 9 7 6
♣2
Open Room
Bakhshi Garvey Gold Carroll
– Pass Pass 2♠
3♥ 4♠ Double Pass
5♥ All Pass
Bakhshi elected to try for the vulnerable game and when dummy appeared he must have had high
hopes but after a spade lead and a diamond switch from South ruffed by North the 4-1 trump
split took him one down for -100.
Closed Room
McGann Forrester Hanlon Robson
– Pass 1♣* 3♠
4♦* 4♠ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
1♣ 11-13 balanced or 17+
4♦ Hearts
Here West tried for a vulnerable penalty and started with the classic lead of a trump. Robson won
in hand and essayed the nine of diamonds when West fell from grace by playing the two, declarer
pitched a club and was home as he could ruff two diamonds in dummy at the same time estab-
lishing the suit for +790 and 12 IMPs, the only significant swing of the match.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/hggfc8v

 Intermediate
Monaco v. France
In Round 4 the new-look French team took on the principality.
Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul.
♠ Q962
♥ K5
♦ J873
♣ 653
♠ K J 10 7 3 N ♠ A5
♥A ♥ QJ987
♦ KQ5 W E ♦ 9642
♣ 10 9 8 4 S ♣ AK
♠ 84
♥ 10 6 4 3 2
♦ A 10
♣ QJ72
Open Room
Volcker Multon Bessis Zimmermann
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass
3NT All Pass
2♣ Check-back
2♦ Denies 3♠
South led a low club to declarer’s king and declarer immediately led a low spade to dummy’s jack
and North’s queen. Now, rather than returning partner’s led suit, North decided to remove an
entry to dummy by returning the ♥5.
Declarer countered this defence by returning to hand in spades after winning the ♥A. His next
move was a low diamond to dummy’s king which held the trick. The ending was hard to read
(especially given North’s low heart shift from a doubleton, but when Bessis worked out to get off
play with a low diamond after the run of the spades, this brought down South’s ace, producing
declarer’s ninth trick in the process (4♠, 1♥, 2♦ and 2♣). France +400.
Closed Room
Helgemo Lorenzini Helness Quantin
– Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
3♣* Pass 3NT All Pass
3♣ Fourth suit forcing
Here too South led a low club to declarer’s king but Helness opted for a different line. He unblocked
dummy’s ♥A, came back to his hand with the ♠A and played the ♥Q. North took his king per-
force and simply returned a club. When the ♥10 did not appear and dummy’s ♠J lost to North’s
queen later on, the defenders had six tricks. You score four tricks in hearts 37.3% of the time,
while the spade suit offers a 25.83% chance of five tricks. Whatever, the contract was two down,
-100 and 11 IMPs to France.

 Intermediate
Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ J9872
♥ 10 7 4
♦ 98
♣ 763
♠ AQ 6 4 N ♠5
♥ AQ 3 2 ♥9
♦ A 10 7 5 W E ♦ KQ643
♣2 S ♣ Q J 10 8 5 4
♠ K 10 3
♥ KJ865
♦ J2
♣ AK9
Open Room
– – Pass 1♥
Pass Pass 2NT* Pass
3♥* Pass 5♣ Pass
6♦ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
2NT Minors
Bessis showed good judgement here by jumping to game over his partner’s cue-bid. His 5♣-bid
could not possibly be misunderstood as he was known to be a passed hand. Volcker’s raise to 6♦
then was automatic. Zimmermann expressed his scepticism about the auction by doubling the
final contract, no doubt hoping his ♣AK would survive. That was +1090.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1NT
2♣* All Pass
2♣ Majors
Helness could hardly be blamed for passing. Monaco +150 but 14 IMPs to France who led 25-0
after just two boards.

 Intermediate
Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ Q7
♥ 943
♦4
♣ K J 10 9 7 6 5
♠ K 10 3 N ♠ A9 8
♥ AQ 8 7 5 ♥ K J 10 6 2
♦ Q76 W E ♦ A5 2
♣ A8 S ♣ 42
♠ J6542
♥—
♦ K J 10 9 8 3
♣ Q3
Open Room
– – 1♥ 1♠
2♠* 5♣ Double All Pass
2♠ Game-forcing heart raise.
When his ♠Q proved a worthless value, Multon had to pay the full price when the defence was
as obvious as it was merciless. Two rounds of trumps, followed by rising with the ♦A on the first
round of the suit, meant that declarer was held to just his six trump tricks, -1400.
Closed Room
– – 1♥ 1♠
2NT* 3♣ Pass Pass
3NT Pass 4♦ Pass
4♥ All Pass
2NT Heart raise
Lorenzini, too, showed his suit at an already dangerous level but when nobody doubled, Monaco
settled for the normal 4♥. +620 to them but a further 13 IMP loss.

 Intermediate
Board 27. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ J854
♥ Q J 10 8 5
♦ 10 8 5
♣2
♠ KQ32 N ♠ A 10 9 7 6
♥ AK 4 3 2 ♥6
♦ A7 W E ♦9
♣ 64 S ♣ A K Q 10 7 3
♠—
♥ 97
♦ KQJ6432
♣ J985
Open Room
– – – 4♦
Double 5♦ 5NT* Pass
6♦* Pass 6♠ All Pass
5NT Two places to play
6♦ Pick a major
Cautious bidding saw the French end up in a small slam. Declarer claimed 13 tricks after the
♦K opening lead, though the layout is such that they are impossible. Declarer cannot both draw
trumps and ruff out the clubs.
Closed Room
– – – 4♦
Double Pass 6♠ Pass
7♠ All Pass
Good bidding by the Monegasques to an excellent contract, which has a well over 90% chance
of success. However, this was not their day, and one down meant France could chalk up another
14 IMPs to lead by 66-5.

 Intermediate
Board 30. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ AQ9874
♥5
♦ 10 5
♣ J972
♠— N ♠ J5
♥ A J 10 9 4 ♥ K2
♦ 32 W E ♦ AK J 9 8 7 6 4
♣ K Q 10 8 4 3 S ♣A
♠ K 10 6 3 2
♥ Q8763
♦Q
♣ 65
Open Room
– – 2♦* Pass
2♥ 2♠ 3♦ 4♠
5♠* Pass 7♦ All Pass
The classic French 2♦, followed by 3♦ showed a game-forcing hand with that suit. Bessis correctly
took 5♠ as an invite for the grand and accepted, hoping dummy would produce the ♥A as well
as a first-round spade control. France +1440.
Closed Room
– – 1♦ 1♠
2♥ 4♠ 6♦ Pass
7♦ 7♠ Double All Pass
When Helness opened 1♦, the tempo of the auction changed. This enabled the French to find the
good sacrifice. Down just four, -800 but another 12 IMPs to France to lead 79-5.
On the next board, Monaco finally struck back.

 Intermediate
Board 31. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠—
♥ KQ6
♦ A8532
♣ 10 9 7 5 3
♠ K 10 9 7 3 N ♠ AQ 6 5 4
♥ 10 5 2 ♥ 94
♦ 10 7 4 W E ♦ 96
♣ KJ S ♣ AQ 8 4
♠ J82
♥ AJ873
♦ KQJ
♣ 62
Open Room
– – – 1♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
When Volcker did not venture an overcall, the Monegasques scored their heart game in peace.
Monaco +650.
In the other room, Helgemo immediately overcalled 1♠ over South’s 1♥ opening bid, so the
Monegasques could not avoid reaching 4♠ in quick time. When the French judged not to go on
(the double fit not having been exposed during the auction) they had to be content with +50.
This gave Monaco 12 IMP to make the final score 79-17 but (still) 20-0 V.P. to France.
This result sent shock waves through the tournament – France would clearly be serious contenders.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/j76q4wl
Lady Luck
The definition of luck varies by the philosophical, religious, mystical, and emotional context of
the one interpreting it; according to the classic Webster’s dictionary, luck is “a purposeless, unpre-
dictable and uncontrollable force that shapes events favourably or unfavourably for an individual,
group or cause”. The author Max Gunther defines it as “events that influence one’s life and are
seemingly beyond one’s control.”
A game may depend on luck rather than skill or effort. For example, chess does not involve any
random factors such as throwing dice, while dominoes has the “luck of the draw” when selecting
tiles. In poker, especially games with a communal board, pure luck may decide a winning hand.
Luck plays its part in bridge, but from the journalists’ or commentators’ point of view, the
decision about which match to follow is of immense significance. Whilst part-scores can be inter-
esting, the excitement that readers and viewers crave comes from games and slams, but when you
choose a match you have no idea how things will turn out.
In these championships I was wearing so many hats that I was struggling to find the time to
put pen to paper, so whatever I decided to report on needed the utmost co-operation from the
Great Shuffler.
Decide for yourselves if he was in a benevolent mood for this Round 4 encounter between Ser-
bia and the early leaders Croatia.

 Intermediate
♠ J9872
♥ 10 7 4
♦ 98
♣ 763
♠ AQ 6 4 N ♠5
♥ AQ 3 2 ♥9
♦ A 10 7 5 W E ♦ KQ643
♣2 S ♣ Q J 10 8 5 4
♠ K 10 3
♥ KJ865
♦ J2
♣ AK9
Open Room
Perisic Borevkovic Parezanin Marinovski
– – 2NT* Double
5♦ All Pass
2NT Minors, 5-10
North led the seven of hearts for the king and ace and declarer played a club to the queen and
ace. He won the return of the ten of spades with the ace, crossed to dummy with a diamond and
played the jack of clubs, covered and ruffed. When both defenders followed to the ace of dia-
monds declarer claimed, +420.
Closed Room
Zoric Radisic Stanicic Zipovski
– – 3♣ 3NT
Double All Pass
West led the two of clubs and declarer took East’s ten with the ace and played the king of hearts
which was allowed to hold (that cost the defenders one trick). Declarer continued with the six of
hearts and West won with the queen and switched to the five of diamonds (East had discarded the
four of clubs). East won with the queen and returned the three (which cost the defenders a sec-
ond trick). The defenders cashed their diamonds and then East played a spade, five down, -1400
and 14 IMPs for Croatia – it would have been 17 if they had taken all their tricks.

 Intermediate
♠ K Q 10 7 4
♥8
♦ K J 10 6
♣ QJ4
♠ A9 N ♠ J532
♥ J743 ♥ A9 2
♦ A7 3 W E ♦ Q954
♣ 10 7 5 2 S ♣ K6
♠ 86
♥ K Q 10 6 5
♦ 82
♣ A983
Open Room
– 1♠ Pass 1NT
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♥
All Pass
West led the two of clubs for the queen, king and ace and declarer played a spade, West taking the
ace and switching to the three of diamonds. If declarer had guessed to put up the king he would
have had a shot at making eight tricks, but he played the jack, East winning with the queen and
returning the four, West taking the ace and switching to the five of clubs. Declarer won with
dummy’s jack and cashed the king of spades. Best now is to play a diamond, but declarer tried the
queen of spades and West ruffed, returning the ten of clubs. East ruffed that and played a spade,
ruffed with the ten and overruffed and West exited with a diamond. Forced to ruff declarer played
the king of hearts and East won and played a diamond, promoting a trump for three down, -300.
Closed Room
– 1♠ Pass 1NT
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠
All Pass
East led the two of spades and West won with the ace and returned the nine. Declarer won
with the king, played a heart to the queen and a diamond for the jack and queen. East returned a
diamond and West won and played a third diamond. Declarer won, cashed the queen of spades
and with the king of clubs onside emerged with nine tricks, +140 and 10 IMPs, getting Serbia
on the scoreboard.

 Intermediate
♠Q
♥ A 10 9
♦ AK7
♣ KQ8754
♠ A 10 7 6 4 N ♠ 9852
♥ Q543 ♥ KJ72
♦ 985 W E ♦ J432
♣3 S ♣2
♠ KJ3
♥ 86
♦ Q 10 6
♣ A J 10 9 6
Open Room
– 1♣* Pass 1♠*
Pass 2♥* Pass 3♣
Pass 3♦ Pass 3NT
Pass 6♣ All Pass
1♣ 11-14♥ balanced (could be 5332 with 5 diamonds and 2254 if we treat this hand as
balanced) or 10-21♥ natural unbalanced 5+♣ or (4414)
1♠ At least invitational if partner has balanced hand; could have 4M with some minimum
balanced hand and 4333 distribution). Opener bids 1NT with minimum balanced
2NT with maximum
2♥ Natural, strong
It was asking a lot for East to find a heart lead – after the nine of spades declarer quickly claimed,
+1430.
Closed Room
– 1♣* Pass 2♦*
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♥
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♥
Pass 6♣ All Pass
1♣ 15+ HCP 4441 or 18+ HCP or 8+ tricks
2♦ 5♣+, 4X+, 8-11 or 11-12, Balanced
This time East led the five of spades, no swing.
Four defenders found a heart lead, two from either side, and they all collected a double digit
swing.

 Intermediate
♠ AQ9874
♥5
♦ 10 5
♣ J972
♠— N ♠ J5
♥ A J 10 9 4 ♥ K2
♦ 32 W E ♦ AK J 9 8 7 6 4
♣ K Q 10 8 4 3 S ♣A
♠ K 10 6 3 2
♥ Q8763
♦Q
♣ 65
Open Room
– – 2♣* Pass
2♥* 3♠ 5♦ 5♠
6♦ Pass Pass 6♠
7♦ 7♠ Double All Pass
2♣ 22+ hcp or 8.5playing tricks
2♥ CRAS
I am not familiar with CRAS – are you? My guess is that West was showing the ace of hearts.
Declarer lost the obvious tricks, four down, -800.
Closed Room
– – 1♦ 1♥
1NT* 4♠ 5♦ Pass
6♦ All Pass
1NT looks like a transfer to clubs.
It is generally a good idea to raise partner when you have four-card support, so it is surprising that
South saw fit to remain silent. +940 was worth 4 IMPs, leaving the teams level, 23-23.

 Intermediate
♠—
♥ KQ6
♦ A8532
♣ 10 9 7 5 3
♠ K 10 9 7 3 N ♠ AQ 6 5 4
♥ 10 5 2 ♥ 94
♦ 10 7 4 W E ♦ 96
♣ KJ S ♣ AQ 8 4
♠ J82
♥ AJ873
♦ KQJ
♣ 62
Open Room
– – – 1♥
Pass 2♦ 2♠ Pass
4♠ 5♥ All Pass
West led the king of spades, and with both red suits behaving declarer could ruff in dummy, draw
trumps and claim, +650.
Closed Room
– – – 1♦*
Pass 1♥* 1♠ 3♥
4♠ Double All Pass
1♦ 2+♦, 1st/2nd possible 5M (11)12-15 HCP, Balanced
1♥ 0+, 3+♥
South led the king of diamonds and continued with the jack. North overtook that with the ace and
played the eight of diamonds. Declarer ruffed high, cashed the queen of spades and claimed, +590
and 15 IMPs to Croatia, their 38-23 victory leaving them looking down on the rest of the field.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zwakfkw
At the end of the day Croatia led with 62.91 VP. England had defeated Spain, 15.38-4.62, Ire-
land 14.60-5.40, Wales 10.61-9.39 and Iceland 12.29-7.71 to lie in seventh place.

 Intermediate
Friday 17 June
Women’s Pairs
At halfway the Lebanese pairing of Hana Kreidieh and Nahla Hamdan held the lead with 59.66%.
The top 24 pairs would qualify for Saturday’s final, which would be an all-play-all barometer over
46 boards. The leading qualifiers would start with a carry-over of 50 MPs, going down to zero for
the 24th, a spread of just over two tops.
♠ AJ987
♥8
♦ 97654
♣ 62
♠ K643 N ♠ Q5
♥ 6542 ♥ A 10 9
♦ K32 W E ♦ A Q 10 8
♣ Q5 S ♣ K 10 9 3
♠ 10 2
♥ KQJ73
♦J
♣ AJ874
Hamdan Asulin Kreidieh Levi
– 2♠ 2NT Pass
3NT All Pass
South led the king of hearts and continued the suit, declarer winning the third round (North
discarding diamonds) and playing a club to the queen. A diamond to the queen was followed by
a diamond to the king and a spade. At this point North can go in with the ace and play a club,
giving the defenders seven tricks, but she played low and the queen held.
Declarer might have cashed out for two down now, hardly a triumph, but better than her actual
choice of ducking a round of spades. Having overtaken he partner’s ten, North cashed the ace
and played a club for four down, -400 and only 47/11.

 Intermediate
♠ AK72
♥ AKQ4
♦ J97
♣ 10 7
♠ J83 N ♠ Q954
♥ J 10 6 5 3 ♥—
♦ K8 W E ♦ A 10 6 5 4 2
♣ 654 S ♣ A9 8
♠ 10 6
♥ 9872
♦ Q3
♣ KQJ32
Hamdan Asulin Kreidieh Levi
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1NT 2♦ Pass
Pass Double* Pass 2♥
All Pass
Double Takeout
West led king and another diamond and East took the ace and continued with the ten. Declarer
pitched a spade as West ruffed and returned a spade to dummy’s ace. A top heart disclosed the
break, so declarer ruffed a spade and played a club to the ten and ace. She won the spade return
with dummy’s king and cashed two club winners, throwing dummy’s last spade loser. There was
still a trump to lose but declarer had eight tricks and her contract for +110 and 54/4 MPs.
The young Israeli pair topped the qualifiers with 58.05%. Fiona Brown & Sarah O’Connor
and Sally Brock & Susanna Gross also made it to the final, as did Ireland’s Carol Cummins &
Sandra Newell.
Bulgaria v Iceland
Sometimes you get a session where nothing much happens. This was not the one. There were
spectacular boards from beginning to end.

 Intermediate
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ AJ2
♥ K Q J 10 9 6 3
♦—
♣ Q54
♠ 9863 N ♠ 54
♥ 85 ♥ A7 4 2
♦ KQ876 W E ♦ 10 9 4 3 2
♣ K7 S ♣ 63
♠ K Q 10 7
♥—
♦ AJ5
♣ A J 10 9 8 2
Open Room
Th.Jonsson Stamatov Magnusson Danailov
– – – 1♣*
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 5♦* Pass 5♠*
Pass 6♥ All Pass
1♣ Strong
5♦ Exclusion Keycard Blackwood
5♠ One keycard outside diamonds
Everything turned on the opening lead. A diamond was pointless, but should he lead a spade or a
club? A tiny clue might be that West had not doubled the 5♠ response. Against that, clubs were
dummy’s main suit. Magnusson did wonderfully well to diagnose a club lead and the slam was
one down.
Closed Room
Skorchev Jorgensen Popov B. Jonsson
– – – 1♣*
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
Pass 4♠* Pass 4NT*
Pass 5NT* Pass 6♥
All Pass
1♣ 16+ any shape
4♠ Cue-bid
I am not sure how to interpret 4NT & 5NT but when East led a diamond Declarer could ruff,
draw trumps and discard two clubs, for14 IMPs to Iceland.

 Intermediate
♠ J 10 8 7
♥ AK2
♦5
♣ J9743
♠ 9542 N ♠ AK Q 6 3
♥ J63 ♥ Q 10 5 4
♦ AK 9 6 2 W E ♦ 74
♣6 S ♣ AQ
♠—
♥ 987
♦ Q J 10 8 3
♣ K 10 8 5 2
Open Room
Th. Jonsson Stamatov Magnusson Danailov
– Pass 1♠ 2NT
4♠ 5♣ Pass Pass
Double Redouble All Pass
Stamatov could place his partner with a probable void in spades and knew that he held a great
hand in support of clubs.
Declarer ruffed the ♠K lead in dummy and played the ♦Q, West winning with the ♦A and
returning a heart. Declarer won and led the ♠J, covered and ruffed. The ♦J was also covered and
ruffed, setting up the ten. When a trump was led, East rose with the ace and returned the trump
queen. Declarer was still due to go down but West discarded the ♠5, baring his ♠9.
Declarer discarded the ♥2 on the ♦10, ruffed a diamond, cashed the ♥K and led the ♠10. East
had to cover and West’s ♠9 was pinned. The ♠8 was declarer’s eleventh trick and that was +800.
Closed Room
Skorchev Jorgensen Popov B. Jonsson
– Pass 1♣* 1NT*
Double 3♣ 3♠ 5♣
5♦ Pass 5♠ All Pass
1♣ 16+ any shape or 17+ if balanced
1NT Minors
Declarer lost a spade and two hearts, -100 but 12 IMPs to Bulgaria.
Iceland won a hard-fought and very enjoyable encounter by 47 IMPs to 39 (12.29 VP to 7.71).
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/jp52ty2

 Intermediate
Scotland v Wales
Wales had made a solid start and were comfortably ensconced in the top third of the table. By
contrast Scotland had faced six of the top teams in a row and were rooted at the foot of the table.
♠ KQ86
♥ K J 10
♦ 952
♣ KJ6
♠3 N ♠ 9754
♥ A3 2 ♥ 96
♦ A Q 10 6 W E ♦ K843
♣ 10 9 8 4 3 S ♣ Q52
♠ A J 10 2
♥ Q8754
♦ J7
♣ A7
Open Room
Pottage Short Ratcliff Goodman
– 1♣* Pass 1♥
Pass 1NT Pass 2♦*
Double 2♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
2♦ Artificial Game Force
Readers of this magazine will know that Julian Pottage has a column called ‘Test Your Defence’.
Will this hand appear in a future issue?
West led his singleton spade, for the six, seven and ace. A small trump was led towards dummy,
West ducked and took the second round, East following with the 6 and 9. West obviously needs
to find East’s entry to obtain his spade ruff. The question is which minor should he choose?
Here West led a club. Could he or should he have done differently? Had East played the ♥9
followed by the 6 that should be a clear signal for diamonds, but reversing the order might not
necessarily suggest something useful in clubs. There is also the consideration that if you choose the
diamond route you need less from partner, namely just a king and not an ace. However why not
have two bites of the cherry and lead your diamond ace and see what partner does; if he encour-
ages then put him in with the king of diamonds but if he discourages stake all on him holding
the ace of clubs.
(You can review this deal with Julian on this month’s video page.)
Closed Room
Peterkin Jones Sanders Jourdain
– 1NT Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass

 Intermediate
In the closed room N/S elected to play in the other major. This was the contract in thirty-four
of the thirty-six tables. It only failed eighteen times. The defence started with two rounds of dia-
monds and West then played a small heart taken by declarer with his king, East starting a peter
with his nine. Declarer ruffed his remaining diamond in dummy and started to draw trumps. West
inexplicably discarded his remaining diamond on one of the trumps so now declarer could draw
trumps (using the king of clubs as an entry to his hand) and give up a heart for a push.
♠ Q4
♥ A843
♦ AQJ87
♣ AQ
♠ A 10 3 N ♠ 52
♥ K 10 7 5 2 ♥9
♦K W E ♦ 10 6 5 4 2
♣ K 10 8 3 S ♣ 97654
♠ KJ9876
♥ QJ6
♦ 93
♣ J2
Open Room
– – – 2♠
3♥ 4♠ All Pass
West dodged a bullet when North chose to bid the spade game which came home trivially, par-
ticularly after the lead of the king of diamonds.
Closed Room
– – – 2♠
3♥ Double All Pass
Here West was less fortunate and was left to play in 3♥ doubled. It was not his most pleasant
experience of the tournament. For the spectators it had its lighter side as the double dummy ana-
lyser varied between four and six off at virtually every trick. Of course, it was almost impossible
for either declarer or the defence to play this with pinpoint accuracy, but five off and -1100 in
the out column was the par and 12 IMPs to Wales for the first double-digit swing of the match.

 Intermediate
♠ 73
♥ KQ63
♦ A765
♣ KJ4
♠ 94 N ♠ K86
♥ A7 5 ♥ J942
♦ K982 W E ♦ Q J 10 3
♣ 10 9 5 3 S ♣ 76
♠ A Q J 10 5 2
♥ 10 8
♦4
♣ AQ82
Open Room
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♦* Pass 2♠
Pass 4♠ Pass 5♣
Pass 5♦ Pass 5♠
Pass 6♠ All Pass
2♦ Game-forcing
The Scottish pair pushed hard towards the Hammanesque slam. Once the king of trumps proved
to be onside and only trebleton declarer was able to table his hand.
Closed Room
– – – 1♠
Pass 2♦ Pass 3♠
Pass 3NT All Pass
Not taking the same rosy view of the combined 26 count Wales rested in game and lost 12 IMPs
but they ran out comfortable winners 40-26 or 13.75 – 6.25 VPs which moved them three
places up the table.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/j9m9zdp

 Intermediate
England v Monaco
High-scoring matches are very entertaining, but big swings are often the outcome of (avoidable)
mistakes, so two strong teams are more likely to produce a low-scoring match.
Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
♠ K Q 10 7
♥ K84
♦ KJ52
♣ Q6
♠5 N ♠ A8
♥6 ♥ J 10 9 5
♦ Q 10 7 4 W E ♦ A9 6 3
♣ K 10 8 7 5 3 2 S ♣ AJ 4
♠ J96432
♥ AQ732
♦8
♣9
Closed Room
Helgemo Gold Helness Bakhshi
– – – Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT 4♣*
4♦ 4♠ 5♣ Pass
4♣ Take out
If North was expecting his partner to have a stronger hand for his vulnerable re-opening, he was
disappointed, as declarer lost only a heart and a diamond, +750.
Open Room
Robson Multon Forrester Martens
– – – Pass
3♣ Pass 3NT 4♣*
4♦ 4♥ 5♣ Pass
Pass 5♦ Pass 5♠
Pass Pass Double All Pass
Multon-Martens is a new partnership for team Monaco, but they negotiated this deal to perfection.
Declarer was able to draw trumps and ruff out East’s hearts, so that Forrester’s three aces were
the only tricks for the defence, -200 giving Monaco 11 IMPs.
Remarkably, this was the only gain for Monaco over the first 15 deals, while England slowly
accumulated six mini-swings, also totalling 11 IMPs. So it was all square going into the final board.

 Intermediate
Board 32. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
♠ Q8
♥ Q J 10 9 3
♦ K53
♣ AJ9
♠ K5432 N ♠ 10 9 6
♥ K7 ♥ 42
♦ A J 10 W E ♦ 874
♣ 652 S ♣ K Q 10 4 3
♠ AJ7
♥ A865
♦ Q962
♣ 87
Closed Room
Helgemo Gold Helness Bakhshi
1♠ Pass 2♠ All Pass
North led the queen of hearts and when South ducked declarer won with the king and exited with
a heart, South winning with the ace and switching to the six of diamonds. North took declarer’s
jack with the king and returned the five, declarer winning with the ten and playing the six of clubs.
North went up with the ace and played a third diamond. Declarer won with the ace, played a
club to the king and advanced the ten of spades. If South takes the ace and plays a diamond the
defenders will prevail, but when he followed with the seven, declarer went up with the king and
played a second spade for +110.
Open Room
Robson Multon Forrester Martens
Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
Declarer could not avoid the loss of four tricks, -50, 2 IMPs to Monaco and a last gasp win.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zxcuot2
At the end of day two Finland had won all eight of their matches to top the table. However, they
were playing four-handed – an almost impossible handicap with another 29 rounds to go.
England had the bye in Round 5, then beat Latvia 14.80-5.20 & Belarus 15.19-4.81 before
losing 9.39-10.61 to Monaco in a match where only 24 IMPs changed hands. That moved them
into sixth place.

 Intermediate
Saturday 18 June
Women’s Pairs Final
The leading qualifiers were the young Israeli pair of Adi Asulin and Hila Levi, and they were in
no mood to surrender their lead.
♠ K753
♥ 10 3
♦ A97
♣ K543
♠ Q62 N ♠ A J 10 9 8
♥ AQ 7 5 ♥ K4
♦ 543 W E ♦ KQ6
♣ AJ 2 S ♣ Q97
♠4
♥ J9862
♦ J 10 8 2
♣ 10 8 6
Asulin Poplilov Levi Birman
– Pass 1NT Pass
3NT All Pass
The leaders started the session against another Israeli pair, Matilda Poplilov and Daniela Birman.
South led the six of hearts and declarer won with dummy’s queen and played the queen of
spades, covered by the king and ace and declarer continued with a club to the jack, losing to the
king. North returned the ten of hearts and declarer won with the king and led the queen of dia-
monds. North won but declarer had the rest, +660. With a number of pairs playing in 4♠, that
was worth 16/6 MPs to the leaders.
♠ Q8543
♥ A9864
♦8
♣ KJ
♠7 N ♠ A9 6
♥ Q J 10 7 3 2 ♥K
♦ 653 W E ♦ K Q 10 7 2
♣ Q 10 9 S ♣ 7542
♠ K J 10 2
♥5
♦ AJ94
♣ A863

 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ Q8543
Asulin Poplilov Levi Birman ♥ A9864
♦ 8
– – 1♦ Pass
♣ KJ
2♥* Pass Pass Double ♠ 7 ♠ A9 6
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ N
♥ Q J 10 7 3 2 ♥ K
All Pass ♦ 653 W E ♦ K Q 10 7 2
2♥ Weak ♣ Q 10 9 S ♣ 7542
♠ K J 10 2
When South reopened with a Double North had a choice, ♥ 5
to play for penalties or bid her spades. ♦ AJ94
♣ A863
East led the king of hearts and declarer won with the
ace, played a diamond to the ace, ruffed a diamond, cashed the king of clubs, played a club to
the ace and ruffed another diamond. She ruffed a heart, East pitching a club and ruffed dummy’s
last diamond. On the next heart ruff, East got rid of her remaining club. Declarer ruffed a club
with the queen and East overruffed and returned her last diamond. Declarer ruffed in dummy so
East had a trump trick at the last. +650 was 8/14 for E/W.
East should have discarded on the last round of clubs, assuring herself of a second trump trick.
Once she had over-ruffed, declarer could have discarded from dummy on the diamond return.
She would have been able to ruff in hand with the eight of spades for a valuable twelfth trick.
♠ A85
♥ 10 9 8 6
♦ 7542
♣ K3
♠ Q 10 9 7 6 N ♠ KJ42
♥ K4 ♥ QJ7532
♦ K86 W E ♦ Q 10
♣ Q98 S ♣J
♠3
♥A
♦ AJ93
♣ A 10 7 6 5 4 2
Asulin Zorlu Levi Kotan
– Pass Pass 1♣
1♠ Double* 2♣* 2♦
2♠ Pass Pass 3♣
Pass 3♦ 3♠ All Pass
2♣ Unassuming cue-bid
North led the king of clubs then switched to the seven of diamonds for the ten, jack and king.
West played back a diamond to the queen and ace and declarer cashed the ace of hearts then
switched to a diamond, ruffed in dummy. Declarer cashed the king of spades, played a heart to
the king and could draw trumps ending in dummy and cash the hearts, claiming the rest; nine
tricks for +140 and 21/1 MPs.

 Intermediate
♠ Q7
♥ Q J 10 8
♦ A 10 2
♣ J984
♠ AK J 9 3 N ♠2
♥5 ♥ AK 9 3 2
♦ K643 W E ♦ J9875
♣ K Q 10 S ♣ 73
♠ 10 8 6 5 4
♥ 764
♦Q
♣ A652
Asulin Zorlu Levi Kotan
– – 2♥* Pass
2NT* Pass 3♦* Pass
3NT All Pass
2♥ Hearts and a minor
2NT Relay
3♦ Diamonds, not maximum
The best lead for the defence is a heart, but the bidding acted as a deterrent and North led the
four of clubs. South won with the ace and returned a club, declarer winning with the king, play-
ing a heart to dummy and the nine of diamonds for the queen, king and ace. Winning the club
return, she finessed in diamonds and cashed her winners, the fall of the ♠Q giving her 11 tricks
for +660 and 20/2 MPs.
On the next round the leaders faced one of their closest rivals:
♠ AQ732
♥ A9
♦ AQ62
♣ A6
♠K N ♠ 654
♥ KJ8653 ♥ 72
♦ K5 W E ♦ J 10 9 8 4
♣ K982 S ♣ 753
♠ J 10 9 8
♥ Q 10 4
♦ 73
♣ Q J 10 4
Dufrat Asulin Zmuda Levi
– – – Pass
1♥ Double Pass 1♠
2♥ 4♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
West led a low heart away from her king-jack and declarer ♠ AQ732
ran it to her hand, overtaking the nine with the ten. The ♥ A9
♠J was covered by king and ace, East following with the ♦ AQ62
♣ A6
six, and a second spade back to hand saw East follow with ♠ K ♠ 654
the five. Declarer continued with the queen of clubs and N
♥ KJ8653 ♥ 72
West, after some thought, covered. That simplified mat- ♦ K5 W E ♦ J 10 9 8 4
ters as declarer now had three club winners and needed ♣ K982 S ♣ 753
only one ruff in dummy. All the tricks meant +710 and ♠ J 10 9 8
♥ Q 10 4
18/4 for Levi/Asulin. ♦ 73
♣ Q J 10 4
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠K
♥ K Q J 10 9 3
♦ 97
♣ K 10 8 2
♠ AQ J 5 2 N ♠ 64
♥ A4 ♥ 862
♦ AK 8 6 W E ♦ J 10 5 4 2
♣ 97 S ♣ 654
♠ 10 9 8 7 3
♥ 75
♦ Q3
♣ AQJ3
Dufrat Asulin Zmuda Levi
1♣ 1♥ Pass 1♠
2♠* 3♥ All Pass
1♣ Polish Club
2♠ Natural
East led the four of spades, low from a doubleton in the Polish style, and West won with the ace,
cashed the king then ace of diamonds and then went back to spades. Declarer ruffed high, crossed
to dummy with a club and played a heart. West went up with the ace and played a third spade
but declarer could ruff high, draw trumps and claim, +140 for 18/4 MPs.
♠ J98743
♥9
♦ J 10 2
♣ K 10 5
♠ K Q 10 2 N ♠ A6 5
♥ 10 5 4 ♥ KQ62
♦ 85 W E ♦—
♣ J983 S ♣ AQ 7 6 4 2
♠—
♥ AJ873
♦ AKQ97643
♣—
 Intermediate
West North East South ♠ J98743
Hackett Asulin Eggeling Levi ♥ 9
♦ J 10 2
– 2♦* 3♣ 5♦
♣ K 10 5
Pass Pass Double All Pass ♠ K Q 10 2 ♠ A6 5
N
2♦ Multi ♥ 10 5 4 ♥ KQ62
♦ 85 W E ♦ —
With no trump to lead, East was powerless to prevent ♣ S
J983 ♣ AQ 7 6 4 2
declarer from taking all the tricks, three diamond ruffs ♠ —
establishing the fifth heart. However, +750 proved to be ♥ AJ873
worth only 14/8 as there were a number of pairs in the ♦ AKQ97643
♣ —
cold slam. Matilda Poplilov, for example, didn’t open
the North hand so Daniela Birman had to decide what to bid over a 1♣ opening on her right.
She plumped for 6♦, making plus one when West did not find the trump lead which would have
saved the overtrick.
♠ K9
♥ A97
♦ KQ9875
♣ A3
♠ 10 4 3 2 N ♠ J865
♥ Q54 ♥J
♦ 10 4 W E ♦ AJ 6 2
♣ 10 9 6 5 S ♣ KQ42
♠ AQ7
♥ K 10 8 6 3 2
♦3
♣ J87
Hackett Asulin Eggeling Levi
– – 1♦ 1♥
Pass 2♦* Pass 3♣*
Pass 3NT All Pass
2♦ Unassuming cue-bid
3♣ Looking for help in clubs
East led a spade and declarer won in hand with the king and had to decide how to play the hearts.
Knowing that East had length in diamonds and spades, she chose to lead the nine to the jack and
king then a low one back to the seven. When that paid off she could cash the ace and then set up
an eleventh trick in diamonds, +660 and 18/4 MPs.
Asulin and Levi had scored over 66% over the mini-session and taken a big lead, which they
maintained to the end. Fiona Brown & Sarah O’Connor finished sixth and Sally Brock & Susanna
Gross ninth.

 Intermediate
Open Teams
Russia-Finland
Going into round nine unbeaten Finland were leading the field.
Board 7. Dealer South. Both Vul.
♠ A K 10 6 5 3 2
♥8
♦ Q7
♣ K J 10
♠— N ♠ J974
♥ A J 10 9 3 2 ♥ Q74
♦ K J 10 4 3 W E ♦ A9 5 2
♣ 42 S ♣ A8
♠ Q8
♥ K65
♦ 86
♣ Q97653
Open Room
Nyberg Prokhorov Leskela Orlov
– – – Pass
1♥ 4♠ Double Pass
5♦ Pass 6♦ All Pass
A club lead would have forced declarer to get the diamonds right – not a certainty after North’s
overcall. When North led a top spade declarer ruffed, crossed to the ♦A and finessed the ♦J. That
lost but a subsequent heart finesse brought home the slam. Only 5 E/W pairs out of 36 bid and
made a slam.
At the other table:
Khazanov Koistinen Lebedev Fagerlund
– – – Pass
1♥ 1♠ 2♠* Pass
4♥ All Pass
2♠ Heart support
Finland gained 12 IMPs.

 Intermediate
The bidding had an untidy look on this deal:
Board 11. Dealer South. Neither Vul.
♠ K J 10 7
♥ Q 10 5 3
♦ AJ4
♣ 85
♠ A6 N ♠ 98542
♥ J972 ♥ AK 8 6 4
♦ K 10 7 3 W E ♦6
♣ K96 S ♣ QJ
♠ Q3
♥—
♦ Q9852
♣ A 10 7 4 3 2
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♦ Double 1♠ 2♣
Pass Pass 2♥ 3♠
Double 3NT Pass 4♣
After a confusing auction (what message did South intend to convey with his 3♠ bid?) East decided
to double 4♣.
West led the ♠A and switched to a heart. Declarer ruffed, and played ace and another club.
East won and switched to a diamond, declarer winning in dummy and ditching diamonds on
the spades. That was +510.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♦ 2♦* 5♦
Double All Pass
East led the ace of hearts and declarer ruffed and played the queen of diamonds for the king and
ace, and then ducked a club, East winning and switching to the eight of spades. West took the
ace and played a second heart, declarer ruffing East’s king and running the eight of diamonds.
When East discarded declarer could take no more than nine tricks, -300 giving Russia 13 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ A J 10 4
♥2
♦ K 10 4 3
♣ J965
♠ 9732 N ♠ KQ8
♥ KJ864 ♥ AQ 5
♦ A9 W E ♦8
♣ 42 S ♣ A K Q 10 7 3
♠ 65
♥ 10 9 7 3
♦ QJ7652
♣8
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♠ Double 2♣*
2♥ 3♦ 4♥ All Pass
2♣ Diamonds
North led the four of diamonds and declarer won, drew trumps and played the top clubs, finish-
ing with eleven tricks, +450.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
Pass Pass 1♣* Pass
1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass
2♥ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♦* Pass 4NT* Pass
5♥* Pass 6♥ All Pass
1♣ Polish Club
2♣ Strong
4♦ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards
What should North lead?
A diamond lead would have forced declarer to take a good view in clubs, but when North led
that suit declarer won in dummy, drew trumps and established the clubs. With the ♦A intact, he
could then lead a spade to set up an entry, +980 and 11 IMPs.
Finland’s sequence of wins was ended by a narrow defeat by 49 IMPs to 43 (11.76 VP to 8.24).
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/ztnevww

 Intermediate
A Bid Too Far
In Round 9 Serbia outscored England 39-20, primarily because of two slam swings. The first of
them came about as the result of an unfortunate opening lead (and sufficient funds have changed
hands for the guilty party’s name to be withheld.) The second was a cracker:
♠ A J 10 4
♥2
♦ K 10 4 3
♣ J965
♠ 9732 N ♠ KQ8
♥ KJ864 ♥ AQ 5
♦ A9 W E ♦8
♣ 42 S ♣ A K Q 10 7 3
♠ 65
♥ 10 9 7 3
♦ QJ7652
♣8
Open Room
Radisic Forrester Zipovski Robson
– – – Pass
Pass Pass 1♣* 1♦*
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♠ Pass 3♥* Pass
4♣* Pass 6♥ All Pass
1♣ 15+ HCP 4441 or 18+ HCP or 8+ tricks
1♦* Diamonds or hearts
3♥ RKCB for hearts
4♣ 2 key cards, no trump queen
North led the four of diamonds and declarer won with the ace and took the ace and queen of
hearts, revealing the 4-1 break. He cashed the ace of clubs and then drew trumps. Backing his
judgement, he played a club to the ten and could claim when South discarded.
South’s overcall had given the game away – a wit in the Bulletin Room remarked ‘Pity Rooney
wasn’t sitting South, at least he knows how to pass.’

 Intermediate
Israel v Denmark
Slam deals are the favourites of spectators and commentators alike. They often lead to swings,
and the swings are always big. Besides, the play is often (but not always) easier to understand or
analyse compared to game or part-score deals.
♠—
♥ 10 8 7 3
♦ AQ83
♣ A9754
♠ J863 N ♠ Q9542
♥ Q962 ♥ A5
♦ 75 W E ♦ J 10 2
♣ Q32 S ♣ 10 8 6
♠ A K 10 7
♥ KJ4
♦ K964
♣ KJ
Open Room
M. Bilde Barel D. Bilde Zack
– Pass Pass 1♦
Pass 1♥ 1♠ 2♠*
3♠ 6♦ All Pass
2♠ Strong hand without four-card heart support
West led the ♠3 and declarer took East’s queen with his ace. He immediately went after the clubs,
ruffing the third round with his ♦9. When that suit broke 3-3, it was all about guessing hearts,
but East was a clear favourite to hold the ♥A. Declarer drew trumps and cashed dummy’s club
tricks before tackling the critical suit. Naturally, he guessed correctly. In addition, West kept his
♥Q protected to preserve any chance for a set, so after East ducked the ♥A and declarer won his
♥K, West’s ♠J dropped under the king for an overtrick, +1390.
Closed Room
Levin Schaltz Roll Christiansen
– 1♥* Pass 1NT*
Pass 2♥* Pass 3NT
All Pass
1♥ 9-13,4-5 ♥, longer minor possible
1NT Forcing, invitational plus any shape
2♣ Longer minor
2♦ Relay
2♥ Minimum (possibly 0-4-4-5)
West led a diamond and declarer won in hand, crossed to dummy with a diamond and played a
heart to the jack. West won and returned a club, so that was +660, but 12 IMPs to Israel.

 Intermediate
♠7
♥ 974
♦ K Q 10 9 3 2
♣ QJ4
♠9 N ♠ A K 10 6 4
♥ A K 10 5 ♥ J8632
♦ 864 W E ♦A
♣ A9 7 3 2 S ♣ K8
♠ QJ8532
♥Q
♦ J75
♣ 10 6 5
Open Room
– – 1♠ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♥* Pass
6♥ All Pass
1NT 6-11(12)
3♦ 5♠+5♥, limited
4♣ Cue-bid
4♦ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards
Declarer won the diamond lead perforce, played a heart to the queen and ace, spade to the ace,
ruffed a spade with the ten of hearts, came to hand with a club, ruffed a spade with the king of
hearts, ruffed a diamond and ruffed a spade. North could overruff, but declarer had the rest, +1430.
Closed Room
– – 1♠ Pass
2♣* Pass 2♠ Pass
4♥ All Pass
The auction looks strange, but according to the convention card 2♣ was an artificial game force.
Their convention card does not elaborate on the meaning of the 2♠ rebid – presumably it showed
hearts.
Having forced to game with a 11 point hand West decided to be cautious.
Declarer won the spade lead, played a heart to the ace, crossed to the king of clubs, ruffed a
spade with the ten of hearts and played two more rounds of clubs, claiming all the tricks when
the suit divided, 12 IMPs to Denmark.

 Intermediate
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ 10 4 2
♥ KQ75
♦ 752
♣ Q32
♠8 N ♠ 73
♥ 10 4 ♥ AJ 6 2
♦ K94 W E ♦ AQ 8 3
♣ AK J 9 7 5 4 S ♣ 10 8 6
♠ AKQJ965
♥ 983
♦ J 10 6
♣—
Open Room
1♣ Pass 1♦ 3♠
Pass Pass Double Pass
5♣ All Pass
North led the two of spades and South won with the ace and returned the jack, declarer ruffing,
cashing the ace of clubs and ducking a club to North’s queen. Back came the king of hearts and
declarer took dummy’s ace and ran his clubs. A diamond to the queen and diamond to the king
saw South drop the ten, but declarer was not tempted to finesse on the next round, as North was
just about marked with the queen of hearts, +400.
Closed Room
1♣ Pass 1♦ 3♠
4♣ 4♠ 6♣ All Pass
The trouble with bidding 4♣ was that East assumed that his partner held more in the way of high
cards.
The play followed a similar pattern to the other table, with the same result of 11 tricks, one
down and 10 IMPs to Denmark who won 29-25.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zucnthz
France had taken over at the top of the table, while England, who had lost to Serbia 5.20-14.80,
defeated Portugal 14.39-5.61 and Russia 18.33-1.67 had moved up to fifth.

 Intermediate
Sunday 19 June
With the Women and Seniors entering the lists the tournament was now fully under way.
Open Teams
Jan van Cleeff reported this deal:
No Happy Ending for the Bale of Bridge
Gareth Bale is known as the world’s most expensive soccer player. Two years ago Real Madrid
bought the Welsh player for a mere 104 million Euros. Patrick Jourdain, another mainstay of
Welsh sports, has the reputation of being the most expensive bridge player of his country since
for decades most of his decisions at the table do pay out handsomely. No wonder that his team
mates nicknamed him “Gareth’.
On Board 31 of Round 12 in the Open series, Gareth was on his way to another great result
in the match against Israel. In the end however, this tale of the Bale of Bridge had no happy end-
ing; for Wales that is.
♠ AKQ9
♥ 62
♦ AJ32
♣ AK2
♠ 10 N ♠ 743
♥ AQ J 4 ♥ 9875
♦ Q9876 W E ♦4
♣ J65 S ♣ 10 9 8 4 3
♠ J8652
♥ K 10 3
♦ K 10 5
♣ Q7
Jourdain Barel Jones Zack
– – – Pass
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥*
Pass(!) 4♣* Pass 4♦*
All Pass
3♥ Transfer
4♣ Control, max
4♦ Control
5♦ Control
Excellent bidding by everybody. West wisely didn’t reveal his heart holding when he refrained
from doubling the transfer and N/S smartly right-sided the slam. Still there was a lot of work to
do for Yaniff Zack.
When West led ♠10 declarer immediately realized that ♥A was off-side. Zack played three top
spades from dummy – West pitching a heart and a diamond – followed by a diamond to the
king and the ♦10, covered by West and North. Declarer cashed three rounds of clubs and a fourth

 Intermediate
round of spades. At this point Gareth already felt the heat when he pitched the ♥J:
♠—
♥ 62
♦ J3
♣—
♠— N ♠—
♥ AQ ♥ 97
♦ 98 W E ♦—
♣— S ♣ 10 9
♠8
♥ K 10
♦5
♣—
When declarer advanced the final spade, West had to give in: he bared his♥A. Zack played a heart,
pitched a diamond from dummy and claimed 12 tricks. No happy ending for Jourdain this time
due to great declarer play.
Houdini
Harry Houdini was an American illusionist and stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape
acts. He was born in Budapest and in the most famous film about his life he was played by Tony
Curtis, whose father was born in Hungary.
It is a little-known fact that Houdini focused initially on traditional card tricks, at one point,
billing himself as the ‘King of Cards’.
As the Round 12 match between Italy and Belgium unfolded, a knowledge of escapology would
have served one of the teams extremely well.
♠ K 10 9 8 7 2
♥ K62
♦ A6
♣ Q4
♠ J543 N ♠Q
♥ J753 ♥ 10 9 4
♦ 10 2 W E ♦ Q95
♣ 10 9 3 S ♣ KJ8762
♠ A6
♥ AQ8
♦ KJ8743
♣ A5
Open Room
Versace De Donder Lauria De Roos
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 1♠ 3♣ Double*
4♣ 4♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
Having passed as dealer East was quick to get involved ♠ K 10 9 8 7 2
on the next round. ♥ K62
East led the six of clubs and declarer ran that to his ♦ A6
♣ Q4
queen and played trumps, +680. ♠ J543 ♠ Q
N
Closed Room ♥ J753 ♥ 10 9 4
♦ 10 2 W E ♦ Q95
West North East South ♣ 10 9 3 S ♣ KJ8762
Engel Gandoglia Coenraets Donati ♠ A6
– – Pass 1♦ ♥ AQ8
Pass 1♠ 2♣ Double ♦ KJ8743
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦ ♣ A5
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣*
Pass 4♦* Pass 4♥*
Pass 5♦ Pass 5♥
Pass 5♠ Pass 6♠
All Pass
East led the ten of hearts and declarer won in hand, played three rounds of trumps, finessing and
then set up the diamonds, +1430 and 13 IMPs for Italy.
♠ AKQ94
♥ 10 9 8
♦ K6
♣ 10 5 3
♠ 10 7 6 3 N ♠ J852
♥ A7 5 ♥ K6
♦ QJ W E ♦ A 10 9 7 5 3 2
♣ AK J 7 S ♣—
♠—
♥ QJ432
♦ 84
♣ Q98642
Open Room
– – – Pass
1NT Pass 2♣* Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥* Pass
2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass
Pass Double 5♦ Double
All Pass
2♣ Asking
2♦ Minimum without majors or 4♠
2♥ Asking
E/W had no trouble locating their spade fit, and looking at a sitting duck, North pulled the
trigger. East’s decision to escape to 5♦ would have been brilliant – except for the fact that West
was declarer. North started with four rounds of spades and South ruffed and exited with a heart.
Declarer won with the ace and played the queen of diamonds, putting up the ace when North
followed impassively with the six. That was three down, -800.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ AKQ94
♥ 10 9 8
West North East South ♦ K6
Engel Gandoglia Coenraets Donati ♣ 10 5 3
– – – Pass ♠ 10 7 6 3 N ♠ J852
♥ A7 5 ♥ K6
1♣* 1♠ 2♦ Pass W E
♦ QJ ♦ A1097532
3NT All Pass ♣ AK J 7 S ♣ —
1♣ 2+♣, 11-21 ♠ —
♥ QJ432
North led the four of spades and declarer won with the ♦ 84
seven and played the queen of diamonds for the king ♣ Q98642
and ace. He returned to hand with the jack of diamonds,
crossed to dummy with a heart and ran the diamonds. When North parted with a heart South
was squeezed in hearts and clubs, +720 and 17 IMPs for Belgium.
If declarer cashes the ♣AK before crossing to dummy to run the diamonds the double squeeze
delivers all the tricks.
Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ K65
♥K
♦ QJ74
♣ QJ642
♠ 32 N ♠ 10
♥ AJ1097642 ♥Q
♦9 W E ♦ AK 8 6 5 3 2
♣ 93 S ♣ A8 7 5
♠ AQJ9874
♥ 853
♦ 10
♣ K 10
Open Room
4♥ Pass Pass 4♠
West led the ace of hearts and switched to the nine of diamonds (on a second heart declarer ruffs
high, comes to hand with a trump and can then ruff another heart). East won with the ace and
returned the two, but declarer ruffed high, drew trumps and played on clubs, +790.
Closed Room
Engel Gandoglia Coenraets Donati
4♥ Pass Pass 4♠
Pass Pass 5♦ Pass
Pass Double 5♥ Pass

 Intermediate
North led the five of spades and South won with the ace and returned the three of hearts. Reject-
ing the Rabbi’s rule, declarer played low and North won and could cash the king of spades and
switch to a club for two down, +500. However, after taking the spade king North did not find
the club switch, and +200 gave Belgium 11 IMPs.
♠ 83
♥ A J 10
♦ KQ93
♣ K Q 10 6
♠ KJ754 N ♠ 10 9 2
♥ 65 ♥ Q72
♦ J652 W E ♦ A 10 8 7 4
♣ 83 S ♣ 92
♠ AQ6
♥ K9843
♦—
♣ AJ754
Open Room
– – – 1♥
Pass 2♣* Pass 3♣
Pass 3♥ Pass 5♦*
Pass 6♣ Pass 7♣
All Pass
2♣ Game-forcing
5♦ Exclusion Blackwood
6♣ 2 key cards +♣Q
East led the four of diamonds and declarer ruffed in dummy, played a club to the king, ruffed a
diamond, played a club to the queen, cashed the ace of hearts and ran the ten, +2140. The swash-
buckling Finns were the only other team to record that score.
Closed Room
– – – 1♥
Pass 2♣* Pass 3NT*
Pass 4♥ All Pass
2♣ Game forcing
3NT 5♥+5♣, 11-13
That cost Italy 16 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ AKJ
♥ K4
♦ Q7643
♣ KQ4
♠— N ♠ Q98642
♥ 10 9 7 3 2 ♥ AJ 8 6
♦ A5 W E ♦ J 10 9
♣ A J 10 9 7 5 S ♣—
♠ 10 7 5 3
♥ Q5
♦ K82
♣ 8632
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♦ 1♠ Pass
2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass
4♦* Pass 4♥ All Pass
South led the king of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s ace, pitched a spade on the ace
of clubs, ruffed a club and played the ten of diamonds. North won and returned a diamond and
declarer won and claimed +420.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
1♣ Double 1♠ Pass
2♣ 2NT All Pass
East led the six of spades and declarer won with the jack and played a diamond for the nine, king
and ace. The return of the three of hearts was taken by East with the ace and went back to spades,
the nine losing to North’s king. Two rounds of diamonds put East back on play and when he
made the mistake of returning a third spade declarer could win, cash the diamonds and play a
top club. West had thrown too many clubs away so declarer emerged with an overtrick, +150 and
11 IMPs to Italy.

 Intermediate
♠ AKQ9
♥ 62
♦ AJ32
♣ AK2
♠ 10 N ♠ 743
♥ AQ J 4 ♥ 9875
♦ Q9876 W E ♦4
♣ J65 S ♣ 10 9 8 4 3
♠ J8652
♥ K 10 3
♦ K 10 5
♣ Q7
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥*
Pass 3♠* Pass 4♠
All Pass
3♥ Transfer
3♠ At least three spades
East led his diamond and declarer won with the jack, drew trumps and played a diamond to the
king. With nothing at stake, he came to hand with a club and played a heart to the king, +650.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♥*
Pass 2♠ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♠ Pass 4♦
Pass 4♥ Pass 4♠
Pass 6♠ All Pass
2♣ Forcing to game except after 2♣-2♦-2NT
2♥ Positive, 5+♠
I’m not sure about the precise meaning of the later bids – perhaps 4♥ was Last Train.
Would East find the heart lead?
No, out came the four of diamonds and declarer won with the jack. He drew trumps and played
a diamond to the king, East pitching the four of clubs. When declarer crossed to hand with a club
and played a heart to the king he was one down, 13 IMPs to Belgium.
Should declarer have read anything into the absence of a double of 4♥ by East? If he had been
confident the ace of hearts was off-side he could have cashed three rounds of clubs followed by
two trumps. The last of these would see West, down to ♥AQ ♦Q8 caught in a red suit squeeze.
Whatever, Belgium had another 13 IMPs and had won 79-25, 19.52-0.48.
This was easily the most exciting set of deals so far and despite the one-sided result, it reflected
great credit on both teams – I could easily have reported two deals where both teams bid and
made slams as well as three of four other boards. It was just one of those matches where one team
could not escape their fate. You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/jm58p5v

 Intermediate
England -Turkey
Turkey has a huge number of BBO users and there was an impressive audience of 1500+ for this
R13 match.
♠ QJ
♥ A K 10 7 5 2
♦Q
♣ AK72
♠ 963 N ♠ A 10 8
♥ 96 ♥ Q843
♦ 10 9 5 3 W E ♦ KJ76
♣ 8543 S ♣ 10 6
♠ K7542
♥J
♦ A842
♣ QJ9
Open Room
Zorlu Gold Ucar Bakhshi
– – Pass 1♠
Pass 2♦* Pass 2♥
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT
Pass 5NT* Pass 6♣
All Pass
2♦ Game-forcing transfer
5NT Pick a slam
North has a very good hand, but as the bidding unfolded it became apparent that there was no good fit.
East gave declarer a small chance by leading a low diamond. If he runs this to his queen, he
can make twelve tricks on a cross-ruff, benefiting from the 3-3 spade break.
Gold chose to rise with the ♦A. He led a spade to the queen and ace, ruffing the ♦K return. After
cashing the ♠J, he played ace, king and another heart, ruffing in dummy. West took the oppor-
tunity to ditch his last remaining spade and was able to ruff when the ♠K was played. Declarer
overruffed but was one trick short, -100.
Closed Room:
Jason H. Koksoy Justin H. Cengiz
– – Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT
Pass 4♥ All Pass
That was +650 and 13 IMPs to Turkey.

 Intermediate
♠ 8643
♥ A7
♦ A Q 10 2
♣ J76
♠ J7 N ♠ K9
♥ Q 10 9 2 ♥ 863
♦ 75 W E ♦ KJ83
♣ AK 8 5 3 S ♣ Q 10 4 2
♠ A Q 10 5 2
♥ KJ54
♦ 964
♣9
Open Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♠
Pass 2NT* Pass 3♥
All Pass
2NT Sound four-card spade raise
3♥ Game try
4♦ Cue-bid
Beginners are taught that you should use the ‘Rule of 15’ to decide whether to open light in 4th
seat. “Add your points to the number of spades and open if it comes to 15 or more.”
Two diamonds had to be lost but the perfect trump lie allowed Bakhshi to ruff his two heart
losers in dummy for +620.
Closed Room
Pass Pass Pass 1♠
Pass 2♣* Pass 2♠
Pass 3♠ All Pass
2♣ Drury
When partner raises your five-card suit, the fifth card acquires a value roughly equivalent to that
of an extra king. However, facing a passed hand that was not enough to persuade South to go on,
10 IMPs to England.

 Intermediate
♠ J43
♥ Q3
♦ 10 7 5
♣ Q6432
♠ Q762 N ♠—
♥ K 10 4 2 ♥ J876
♦ KJ W E ♦ A9 8 4 3
♣ AK 7 S ♣ J 10 8 5
♠ A K 10 9 8 5
♥ A95
♦ Q62
♣9
Open Room
– Pass Pass 1♠
1NT 2♠ Double* Pass
4♥ All Pass
West could place his partner with spade shortage and liked the look of his honours in the other suits.
Declarer ruffed the spade lead in dummy and continued with the ♦A and ♦K, aiming for a
cross-ruff. After ruffing a spade, ruffing a diamond and a third spade ruff, he returned to hand
with the ♣A. He placed the ♠Q on the table and the key moment had been reached.
If North discards a club, the contract will go down. Declarer will ruff and play a club, but South
can ruff and lead a spade to ensure that the defenders score two further trump tricks. When Gold
chose to ruff with the ♥Q, he had to find an exit from ♥3 ♣Q643.
A trump would have worked because South could win and force declarer with a spade. The
defenders would then score another trump and a club. However, Gold returned a club, ruffed by
South, and declarer now had trump control. He discarded the ♣K on the spade exit and ruffed
with dummy’s bare ♥J. He then ruffed a club with the ♥2 and claimed a tenth trick from his
♥K10. +620.
Closed Room
– Pass Pass 1♠
Double Pass 2♥ 2♠
3♥ Pass 4♥ All Pass
Declarer ruffed the ♠A lead and led a trump. That esteemed card-player, Mr GIB, tells me that
he would now make the contract by rising with the ♥K! When he finessed the ♥10 North won
and the defenders took two further rounds of trumps for two down.
That was 13 IMPs to Turkey, who won the match by 40 IMPs to 25 (13.97 VPs to 6.03).
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/z48hhf4
England beat Austria 10.31-9.69, lost to Turkey 6.03-13.97, defeated the Faroe Islands 13.97-
6.03 and lost to Sweden, 6.72-13.28 to drop to seventh place – still good enough for a trip to
Lyon, as France were already looking sure to qualify.

 Intermediate
Women’s Teams
England v Italy
After two rounds England had started well and were in fourth place, whilst Italy had stuttered
and were just two places off the bottom of the table.
♠ A52
♥ AKQJ6
♦ J98
♣ 92
♠ J83 N ♠ Q764
♥ 10 2 ♥ 95
♦ Q53 W E ♦ 10
♣ AK 8 7 6 S ♣ Q J 10 5 4 3
♠ K 10 9
♥ 8743
♦ AK7642
♣—
Open Room
Draper Piscitelli Brown Chavarria
– 1♥ 3♣ 4♣*
5♣ 5♥ Pass 6♥
All Pass
4♣ Cue-bid with heart support.
When North suggested a good suit with 5♥ South went on to the excellent slam, +980.
Closed Room
Rosetta Brock Vanuzzi Smith
– 1♥ Pass 4♣*
Pass 4♥ All Pass
In the closed room East did not value her hand worthy of an intervention. The N/S convention
card defines the 4♣ bid as heart support with a club void. In that case then you are probably play-
ing with a thirty-point pack and it is difficult to construct a hand where South does not have at
least a solid second-round control of the diamond suit, which suggests North’s should have done
more than sign off in 4♥. It was 11 IMPs to Italy.

 Intermediate
♠ A6
♥ K432
♦ A J 10 5 4 2
♣8
♠ 9854 N ♠ Q2
♥ A7 5 ♥ QJ98
♦ KQ73 W E ♦ 986
♣ 10 6 S ♣ A9 7 4
♠ K J 10 7 3
♥ 10 6
♦—
♣ KQJ532
Open Room
Pass 1♦ Pass 2♣*
Pass 2♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
2♣ Artificial game force
West commenced hostilities with a small trump lead. Declarer rose with the ace and immedi-
ately made the understandable error of cashing the ace of diamonds to discard a heart from hand.
Declarer could have put East to the test by leading dummy’s club but preferred to draw trumps
and play clubs from hand and now the 4-2 break meant down one, -100.
Closed Room
Pass 1♦ Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2♠
Pass 2NT Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
Declarer received a more benign lead of the ace and another heart won by dummy’s king. When
declarer led dummy’s club East leapt in with her ace making life easy, +620 giving England 12 IMPs.
If East withholds the ace of clubs declarer wins and will probably play another top club. East
wins and forces declarer with a heart, after which one way for declarer to prevail is to play the
queen of clubs. If West ruffs high declarer overruffs with dummy’s ace, draws trumps via the
finesse and gives up a club.

 Intermediate
♠ AQJ
♥ A K Q 10 9 8
♦6
♣ Q32
♠ 10 9 7 6 4 3 2 N ♠5
♥ J5 ♥ 763
♦9 W E ♦ KJ853
♣ 964 S ♣ K 10 8 5
♠ K8
♥ 42
♦ A Q 10 7 4 2
♣ AJ7
Open Room
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♦
Pass 2NT* Pass 3NT
Pass 6♥ All Pass
2NT Game-forcing
Declarer won the spade lead in hand, drew trumps, crossed to the ace of diamonds, ruffed a dia-
mond, played a club to the jack and cashed her major-suit winners, squeezing East in the minors
for +1010.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 2♥ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠*
Pass 4♥ All Pass
3♠ Cue-bid
The English pair had another slam bidding accident.
With almost solid hearts North is surely worth some sort of move. A ‘serious’ 3NT slam try is
one possibility, and otherwise North might bid 4♦ (not always ideal when based on a shortage)
when South will know her club control is vital.
That gave Italy 11 IMPs and the match, 28-16.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/go3h45e

 Intermediate
Never on Sunday
In times gone by Sunday was, in many western countries, observed as a day of rest. That ceased
to be the case some time ago, but historically sporting contests did not take place on Sundays. In
1640, Puritan clerics at both Maidstone and Harbledown, near Canterbury, denounced cricket as
‘profane’, especially if played on Sunday. It was only in 1969 that the limited over Sunday League
started in England & Wales.
Sunday January 6th 1974 was the historic day which saw four FA Cup Third Round ties played,
the first match on a Sunday being the game between Cambridge United & Oldham Athletic
which kicked off in the morning.
Round 14 of the Open Series (Round 3 for the Women & Seniors) delivered this deal:
♠ AQJ
♥ A K Q 10 9 8
♦6
♣ Q32
♠ 10 9 7 6 4 3 2 N ♠5
♥ J5 ♥ 763
♦9 W E ♦ KJ853
♣ 964 S ♣ K 10 8 5
♠ K8
♥ 42
♦ A Q 10 7 4 2
♣ AJ7
In the Open Series 7 pairs bid a Grand Slam in hearts or no-trumps.
Playing in no-trumps declarer takes the diamond finesse at some point, cashes the ace and plays
all his winners, which executes a show-up squeeze against East.
In the Women’s Championship only two pairs played in game, the rest settling in 6♥ or 6NT,
while in the Senior teams, four pairs bid a Grand Slam.
In 7♥ the obvious line is to take the diamond finesse and then attempt to ruff out the suit.
If declarer draws trumps and then tries to ruff out the king of diamonds, playing a diamond
to the ace and ruffing a diamond West discards, so declarer crosses to the king of spades, ruffs a
diamond and then cashes a fifth heart, forcing East to come down to ♣K1085 ♦KJ. two rounds
of spades reduce everyone to four cards, and dummy keeps ♣AJ ♦Q10. East has been forced to
come down to ♣K10 ♦KJ so declarer can take the club finesse, cash the ace and return to hand
with a diamond ruff to cash the ♣Q.
Alternatively, declarer can simply cash six hearts and three spades, the last of these squeezing
East in the minors.
So, it seems that it is impossible to go down in a grand slam, but as I’m sure you are aware
impossible is a word that should not be used lightly.
One way for declarer to go down is to pitch a club from dummy on the third round of hearts
and then cash two more trumps and three rounds of spades, reducing dummy to ♣AJ ♦AQ10,
when declarer must take the diamond finesse rather than play a diamond to the ace and ruff a
diamond.
If declarer keeps ♣AJ7 ♦AQ10 in dummy then East will have to come down to ♣K108 ♦KJ8,
but has no good move when declarer plays a third spade. The best chance is to pitch a club, hop-
ing declarer does the same and then goes wrong by playing a diamond to the ace.

 Intermediate
As far as I am aware, bridge has always been played on Sundays, but there are doubtless times
when players wish they had the day off – especially the two unfortunate declarers who found a
way to go down in 7♥.
In the Women’s event England beat Hungary 13.28-6.72, San Marino 19.16-0.84, lost to Italy
6.72-13.28 and ‘bageled’ Finland, 20-0 (63-0!) which left them in third place.
England’s Seniors made a sluggish start, beating Finland 14.80-5.20, losing to Hungary 5.20-
14.80, going down to Turkey 5.40-14.60 before dispatching Serbia 19.34-0.66, which left them
in eleventh place.
Monday 20 June
Open Teams
The Future-of-Bridge-Quiz
Jan van Cleef reported this deal from the Round 16 encounter between Italy & Austria:
D for Donati
With All Vulnerable, the auction is simple: North Passes, East 4♦ (natural, pre-emptive), You 4♥, All Pass.
West leads ♦J and dummy comes down:
♠ 10 9 8 7 6 4 3
♥ K5
♦ Q 10 9
♣2
♠ AQ
♥ A 10 9 8 7 4
♦8
♣ AKQ9
You cover, East wins the king. Next comes ♦A. You ruff with the 10, West pitching a club. Plan
the play.
If you, like declarer in real life, smell a rat, you may conclude that trumps are divided 5 (West)
– 0 (East). You go on with a sneaky ♥7, which holds the trick. Yes, East pitches a diamond indeed.
Now you cash your three top clubs and ruff the fourth club with the king of trumps. West throws
a spade. Then you play ♦10, which you ruff with the ♥8. At this point, whatever West does, he
is (repeatedly) endplayed. So declarer brilliantly ended up with ten tricks. This was the full board:
♠ 10 9 8 7 6 4 3
♥ K5
♦ Q 10 9
♣2
♠ KJ2 N ♠5
♥ QJ632 ♥—
♦J W E ♦ AK 7 6 5 4 3 2
♣ 8643 S ♣ J 10 7 5
♠ AQ
♥ A 10 9 8 7 4
♦8
♣ AKQ9

 Intermediate
Quiz
Who was declarer?
A. Geir Helgemo
B. Alfredo Versace
C. Bauke Muller
D. Somebody else
The answer is D., because declarer was Giovanni Donati, the new kid on the block. With 17
years of age, Donati is by far the youngest player at the EC in Budapest. Looking at the hand and
also the fact that he plays a lot with the great Alfredo Versace, one may conclude that the future
of bridge is secured by Giovanni, who makes his debut in the Italian Open team. And yes, the
hand was published in an earlier Budapest Bulletin, but in that article declarer went down in the
same contract. Moreover, 4♥ was played 11 times at the EC, but Giovanni Donati was the only
player who made it.
Well played by declarer, but all West had to do was overruff the ten of hearts. He can then exit with
a club or a trump and must come to two more tricks.
And the Winners are......

On Sunday, the thousands of spectators following the Championship online were treated to a
series of tremendous deals that generated hundreds of IMPs.
Things were a little calmer on Monday, but there were still plenty of opportunities for excellence.
Here are a couple of deals from Round 17 of the Open Series where the East-West Pairs deserve
to be nominated for their achievements in the bidding:
The first is from Italy v Turkey.
♠ J 10 8 2
♥ 874
♦ 762
♣ Q76
♠ 73 N ♠ 54
♥ J 10 5 ♥ AQ 3 2
♦ A Q 10 9 4 W E ♦ K85
♣ K94 S ♣ A 10 5 2
♠ AKQ96
♥ K96
♦ J3
♣ J83
Open Room
Versace Koksoy Lauria Cengiz
– – – 1♠
Pass 1NT Double Pass
Pass 2♠ Pass Pass
2NT* Pass 3♣* Pass
3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass
4♥ All Pass

 Intermediate
With so many high-card points West was happy to convert his partner’s take out double and
North naturally ran to 2♠. West’s 2NT asked East to bid 3♣ and he then bid 3♦, showing his
main suit. When East bid 3♥ West was able to raise to game and with trumps 3-3 declarer was
soon in a position to claim, +620 and a game swing against the 3♦ reached at the other table
after 1♠-2♠-(Double).
The second is from the match between England and Estonia:
♠ J 10 8 5
♥ Q8743
♦ A9
♣ 93
♠ AQ 7 4 N ♠ K3
♥ 10 ♥ AJ 9 5 2
♦ KQ62 W E ♦ 10 7
♣ A J 10 4 S ♣ KQ85
♠ 962
♥ K6
♦ J8543
♣ 762
Open Room
Robson Karpov Forrester Laanemae
2♦* Pass 2♠* Pass
3♦* Pass 4♣* Pass
4♥* Pass 4♠* Pass
5♣ Pass 6♣ All Pass
2♦ Weak 2M (4-8 vul/ 3-9 NV) Or 16+ 4441
2♠ Pass or correct
3♦ 4-1-4-4 16+
4♣ Sets clubs as trumps with slam interest
4♥ Agrees slam is a possibility
4♠ Cue-bid
Tony Forrester was hoping that Andrew Robson would be able to ask for key cards over his 4♠,
as he had a very informative response.
South led the two of clubs and declarer won in hand with the five and played a diamond for
the king and ace. When North returned a heart declarer went up with the ace, cashed the king
of spades, played a club to the ten, took two spades and a diamond and could claim on the high
cross ruff.
If North returns a trump, declarer wins, cashes the ace of hearts, ruffs a heart, returns to hand
with a spade, ruffs a heart, cashes the queen of diamonds, ruffs a diamond and draws the out-
standing trump, squeezing North in the majors.
It was a well deserved swing against the game reached at the other table.
England lost to Greece 8.24-11.76, beat Estonia 15.19-4.81, hammered Scotland 20-0 and
lost to Poland 6.03-13.97, finishing the day in eighth place.

 Intermediate
Women’s Teams
The Plays the Thing
As I am sure you are all aware this year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William
Shakespeare. References to cards and card play a significant role in the Bard’s writings and I can
unreservedly state that he would have revelled in the outstanding play that took place on this deal
from the match between Poland and France in Round 7of the Women’s Championship.
♠ 952
♥ KJ93
♦ Q87
♣ AJ9
♠7 N ♠ KQ8
♥ Q 10 6 5 4 ♥ 87
♦ AK 6 5 3 W E ♦ 10 9 4
♣ 10 5 S ♣ Q7642
♠ A J 10 6 4 3
♥ A2
♦ J2
♣ K83
France led 16-14, and in the Open Room Croatia had played in 4♠, recording ten tricks for +620.
Closed Room
Sarniak Cronier Baldysz Willard
2♥* Pass Pass 2♠
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥*
Pass 3NT All Pass
2♥ Hearts and a minor
With a flat hand North’s decision to bid 3NT was totally understandable, but theoretically it was
the wrong action and gave Poland a chance to secure a last-gasp victory.
East led the nine of diamonds and when West made the understandable error of winning with
the king before returning a diamond declarer was handed the thinnest of lifelines.
Even so, it was apparent that only a seemingly miraculous series of plays could deliver nine
tricks and it was hard to imagine that they might be found.
Declarer won the diamond return with dummy’s jack, cashed the ace of hearts and played a heart
to the nine. When that passed off peacefully, she played the jack of clubs from her hand, running
it when East followed impassively with the two. A club to the king was followed by the ace of
spades and declarer returned to hand with the ace of clubs and exited with the queen of diamonds.
West could win and cash two more diamonds but then had to lead into declarer’s heart tenace.
We were following the play as it happened and each winning view was accompanied by an ever
increasing sense of incredulity and delight.
France lost an IMP, but had won the match 16-15.
To quote the Bard it was ‘A dish fit for the gods’. (Julius Caesar)
England lost to Russia 2.55-17.45, defeated Ireland 20-0 and Sweden 16.42-3.58 to remain
in third place.

 Intermediate
Senior Teams
Poland v France
Poland met France in Round 5 of the Seniors. Although they’d both been among the pre-tourna-
ment favourites, for the time being they were languishing in the middle of the pack.
♠ KQJ96
♥9
♦ 983
♣ A 10 7 2
♠ 10 8 5 N ♠ A7 4 3 2
♥K ♥ 8754
♦ K Q 10 2 W E ♦ J6
♣ K8653 S ♣ Q4
♠—
♥ A Q J 10 6 3 2
♦ A754
♣ J9
Open Room
Guillaumin Lasocki Palau Russyan
– – Pass 4♥
All Pass
Russyan provided the defence with no more information than was necessary.
The king of diamonds was led, and an unwary East unblocked the jack. That was good news
for declarer, who won with the ace and played another. West won with his ten, cashed the queen
and led a fourth round for East to ruff. Unfortunately, East could not overruff dummy’s nine of
hearts. When that won the trick, declarer led the king of spades from dummy and, when East
played low, discarded a club on it. Declarer took the ace of clubs, ruffed a club, cashed the ace of
hearts, seeing the drop of the king as nothing more than his due, drew trumps and claimed an
overtrick, +450.
It would have been more prudent, after the jack-of-diamonds unblock, for West to win the ten
of diamonds and let East ruff the third round of the suit. That would have allowed East to shift
to a trump, denying a fourth-round ruff and ensuring one off and a flat board unless declarer
divines the singleton king in West’s hand and the defence gets careless.
Closed Room
Kowalski Schmidt Romanski Toffier
– – Pass 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦
Pass 2NT Pass 4♥
All Pass
Against this informative auction West nevertheless led the king of diamonds. When that held

 Intermediate
he switched to the king of clubs for the two, four and jack. West continued with a low club, but
declarer was not taken in, winning with dummy’s ace, dropping the queen from East. To make his
contract from here, he thought, declarer needed the singleton or doubleton king of hearts onside
and diamonds 3-3. If that were the case, he’d lose just one more trick, a diamond. So, declarer
ran the nine of hearts to West’s king. With the entry to dummy gone, it was safe for West to play
spades, and declarer ruffed out East’s ace. He drew trumps, blanching when West showed out,
and led a diamond. No matter whether West won the queen or East the jack, that player would
be endplayed for down one, minus 50. Seemed a normal enough result, but it meant 11 IMPs
to Poland.
♠ 84
♥ K5
♦ Q9653
♣ 9652
♠2 N ♠ K 10 9 7 6 5 3
♥ Q 10 9 7 3 ♥ AJ 8
♦ J72 W E ♦—
♣ K 10 8 7 S ♣ AQ J
♠ AQJ
♥ 642
♦ A K 10 8 4
♣ 43
Open Room
2♥* Pass 2♠ Pass
Pass Pass
2♥ 5+ hearts and 4+ either minor, 5-10 HCP
Palau could have bid an invitational Three Spades but he chose the low road, losing only three
trump tricks, +170.
Closed Room
Pass Pass 1♠ Pass
1NT Pass 4♠ Double
Pass Pass Pass
Toffier made a decent speculative Double. He was very disappointed to find himself with the
expected three trump tricks and no more. Plus 590 to Poland and 9 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 9 8 7 6 4 3
♥ K5
♦ Q 10 9
♣2
♠ KJ2 N ♠5
♥ QJ632 ♥—
♦J W E ♦ AK 7 6 5 4 3 2
♣ 8643 S ♣ J 10 7 5
♠ AQ
♥ A 10 9 8 7 4
♦8
♣ AKQ9
Open Room
– Pass 5♦ 5♥
All Pass
Guillaumin was ‘content’ with Five Hearts. He led a diamond and made one spade trick, two
heart tricks and a diamond trick. That was two off, +200.
Closed Room
– Pass 5♦ 5♥
Double All Pass
West led the diamond jack to the queen and king and East switched to his spade, declarer winning
with his ace. he ran the ten of hearts through West, then started on the clubs. He had to ruff the
fourth with the king of hearts and could not quite trump-endplay Kowalski. Thus he was two off
for minus 500 and 7 IMPs to Poland.
It did not go all Poland’s way. They missed two games reached by France, one of which could
have been beaten. The final score was 31-25 to Poland.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/gpnak4h

 Intermediate
Italy – England
At the start of this Round 6 match England were in the last qualifying spot whilst Italy were in
the bottom half of the rankings.
♠ 94
♥ AQ
♦ 10 7
♣ K 10 9 8 7 6 3
♠ 10 7 5 2 N ♠ AK Q J 3
♥ K86 ♥ 10 2
♦ AJ 6 3 2 W E ♦ KQ9
♣2 S ♣ AQ 5
♠ 86
♥ J97543
♦ 854
♣ J4
Open Room
Mina Collins Pulga Kendrick
– Pass 2NT Pass
3♣* Double Pass Pass
Redouble Pass 3♠ Pass
4♠ All Pass
3♣ Puppet Stayman
When North doubled West’s Puppet Stayman East’s Pass showed a stop in the suit. West redou-
bled to repose the original question, whereupon he learnt of a five-card spade suit opposite. With
East having bid both no-trumps and spades the only making slam was 6♦ by West and that was
no longer a possibility, so subsiding in 4♠ was the winning option.
Closed Room
Holland Failla Senior Buratti
– Pass 1♠ Pass
3♠ 4♣ 4♦* Pass
4♥* Pass 5♣* Pass
5♦ Pass 6♠ Pass
Pass Double Redouble All Pass
4♦ Cue-bid
4♥ Cue-bid
5♣ Cue-bid
When North doubled, ostensibly for a heart lead, East redoubled on the basis that if the contract
was making that would net an extra 410 points with the downside being only an extra -100 if it
was failing. In addition the redouble might confuse the opponents, but no such luck, the heart
lead took the doomed contract one down and an early 12 IMPs to Italy.
Could West have found the winning retreat to 6NT?

 Intermediate
♠ A98
♥ 85432
♦ J9
♣ 10 6 2
♠ 75 N ♠ 10 6 4 2
♥ A7 ♥ K J 10 9 6
♦ AK 10 6 5 4 3 W E ♦7
♣ 73 S ♣ AK J
♠ KQJ3
♥Q
♦ Q82
♣ Q9854
Open Room
– – 1♥ Double
Redouble Pass Pass 2♣
3♦ Pass 3NT All Pass
With the fortunate heart position and friendly spade split 3NT was untouchable.
Closed Room
– – 1♥ 1♠
2♦ 2♠ Pass Pass
3♦ All Pass
South’s intervention with a four-card suit proved to be inspired, though had someone found a
way of doubling the 2♠ bid for penalties then the inspiration would have been on the other foot.
3♦ did not overly tax declarer but another 7 IMPs went to Italy.

 Intermediate
♠ Q974
♥ QJ54
♦K
♣ A 10 9 7
♠ 10 8 5 N ♠ KJ3
♥A ♥ 10 9 6 2
♦ QJ8732 W E ♦ 964
♣ Q84 S ♣ J62
♠ A62
♥ K873
♦ A 10 5
♣ K53
Open Room
Pass 1♥ Pass 3NT
Pass 4♥ All Pass
South’s response was forcing to game with heart support and North duly converted. East elected
to lead a small trump which solved declarer’s problems in that suit and he came home with an
overtrick, +650.
Closed Room
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♥
Pass 2♥ Pass 2NT
Pass 3♥ Pass 4♥
All Pass
West led the queen of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s king and played the queen of
hearts, West winning with the ace and returning the seven of diamonds to declarer’s ten, as declarer
threw a spade from dummy. A heart to the jack revealed the break and declarer played a club to
the king and a spade to the queen and king. With no way to avoid the loss of two more tricks, he
was one down, giving England 13 IMPs.
The winning line is to leave the spade suit alone and play a club to the ten, keeping West off
lead. East wins and returns a trump, but declarer wins, pitches a spade on the ace of diamonds,
plays a club to the ace and a club. East can refuse to ruff, but is then thrown in with a trump to
lead into the split spade tenace.

 Intermediate
♠ J 10 2
♥ A98542
♦ J9
♣ 42
♠ A8 7 4 N ♠ K95
♥ K6 ♥ 10
♦ K 10 6 2 W E ♦ Q843
♣ 953 S ♣ A J 10 8 7
♠ Q63
♥ QJ73
♦ A75
♣ KQ6
Open Room
– – – 1♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
A triumph for four-card majors as North’s jump to game 4♥ left E/W with no recourse. When
West led a club declarer had a way to discard one of dummy’s diamonds, +420.
Closed Room
– – – 1♣
Pass Pass Double Pass
2♠ All Pass
Senior was unwilling to sell out at the two-level and Holland was allowed to play unmolested in
2♠. Although that drifted three off England pocketed 7 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠J
♥ 10 9 4
♦ Q9543
♣ A 10 9 2
♠— N ♠ A 10 8 6 4 3 2
♥ AQ 8 7 3 2 ♥ K5
♦ K J 10 7 W E ♦ 82
♣ 765 S ♣ KQ
♠ KQ975
♥ J6
♦ A6
♣ J843
Open Room
– – 1♠ Pass
3♥* Pass 4♥ All Pass
3♥ Invitational with hearts
Pulga accepted his partner’s invitation. On the lead of the jack of spades declarer pitched a dia-
mond on the ace and continued with the king of clubs. North took his ace and switched to a
trump, which was one of the many ways to ensure the demise of the contract, -50.
To make 4♥ declarer has to discard a club at trick one, draw trumps, cross to dummy with a
club and play a diamond to the ten and queen, subsequently playing South for a doubleton ace.
Not at all easy.
Closed Room
– – 1♠ Pass
3♥ All Pass
Declarer received the same lead and discarded his losing club as South followed with the king of
spades. To my way of thinking if trumps behave then the contract is cast-iron and I would have
heeded my grandmother’s advice, drawn trumps and taken nine tricks gracefully.
However, declarer was a trifle more ‘gourmand’ and immediately played a diamond from dummy
to the jack and queen. North exited with a trump, taken in a dummy and another diamond was
taken by South’s ace. He promptly put North in with a club, received a diamond ruff and played a
spade, promoting one of North’s trumps to take the contract one off for a push instead of a gain 5
IMPs which would have meant England won the match by three IMPs rather than losing by two.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/grwnyks
England beat Bulgaria 14.39-5.61, lost to Italy 9.39-10.61 and defeated the Netherlands 18.09-
1.03 to leap up the table into third place.

 Intermediate
Tuesday 21 June
The Epic that Never Was
I, Claudius is an unfinished 1937 film adaptation of the novels I, Claudius and Claudius the God
by Robert Graves. Starring Charles Laughton in the title role, the production was dogged by
adverse circumstances, culminating in a car accident involving co-star Merle Oberon that caused
filming to be ended before completion. Footage from the production was incorporated into a
1965 documentary on the making of the film, The Epic That Never Was.
It was produced by Sir Alexander Korda, the legendary Hungarian born British film producer
and director, the first to receive the honour of a knighthood.
The Round 21 match between England and Norway was not an epic, but it did contain a num-
ber of newsworthy deals.
♠ QJ
♥ A642
♦ Q8542
♣ Q6
♠ A3 N ♠ K9872
♥ J75 ♥ K9
♦ K 10 9 W E ♦ 73
♣ A 10 7 3 2 S ♣ J984
♠ 10 6 5 4
♥ Q 10 8 3
♦ AJ6
♣ K5
Open Room
Brogeland Forrester Lindqvist Robson
– Pass Pass Pass
1♣ Pass 1♥* Pass
1NT Pass Pass Double
Pass 2♥ All Pass
1♥ Spades
East led the eight of clubs and West took dummy’s king with the ace and returned the three,
declarer winning with the queen and playing the jack of spades which gave the defenders the
opportunity for a brilliant defence.
West won with the ace and returned the suit, East taking the ace and returning the nine. If West
ruffs this with the seven or jack of hearts then declarer can overuff and play a heart, but East goes
up with the queen and plays a fourth spade, allowing West to score a ruff with whichever remains
of the seven/jack and in due course the king of diamonds will be the setting trick.
However, West did not ruff and when he pitched a club declarer ruffed and played a heart to
the ten and jack. East returned a diamond and declarer won with dummy’s jack, cashed the ace
of diamonds, played the queen of hearts to his ace and drew the outstanding trump, conceding
a diamond at the end for +110.
To be sure of defeating 2♥ the defenders need to find the winning sequence of plays from trick

 Intermediate
two onwards, as after the club return declarer can always get home by guessing to play a heart to
the queen at trick three.
Closed Room
Bakhshi Simonsen Gold Berg
– 1♦ 1♠ Double*
Redouble 2♥ Pass Pass
Double Pass 2♠ 3♥
All Pass
When East led a club West took the ace and played two rounds of spades, but his partner went
back to clubs and declarer won and played a diamond to the jack and king. West returned the
ten of clubs and declarer ruffed and played ace of hearts and a heart. East won and now played
a third spade, securing a trick for the jack of hearts, two down, -100 and 5 IMPs for England.
♠ A753
♥ 10 9 2
♦ 43
♣ 10 9 7 2
♠ QJ42 N ♠ K 10 9
♥ Q8 ♥ AK 7 6 4
♦ AK J 8 7 2 W E ♦ Q 10
♣8 S ♣ KQJ
♠ 86
♥ J53
♦ 965
♣ A6543
Open Room
1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦* Pass
3♦ Pass 4♣* Pass
4♦ Pass 4NT* Pass
5♥* Pass 5♠* Pass
5NT All Pass
2♦ Forcing
4♣ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards, no ♦Q
5♠ Forces 5NT
Not an everyday sequence, but E/W were able to apply the brakes in time. South led the eight of
spades and North won and switched to the ten of clubs, +660.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ A753
♥ 10 9 2
West North East South ♦ 43
Bakhshi Simonsen Gold Berg ♣ 10 9 7 2
1♦* Pass 1♥ Pass ♠ QJ42 N ♠ K 10 9
♥ Q8 ♥ AK 7 6 4
1♠ Pass 2♦* Pass W E
♦ AK J 8 7 2 ♦ Q 10
3♦ Pass 4♦ Pass ♣ 8 S ♣ KQJ
5♣ Pass 6NT All Pass ♠ 86
♥ J53
South led the eight of spades and North won with the ♦ 965
ace and returned the three, so declarer had twelve tricks. ♣ A6543
North’s spade return can only be right if East has bid
6NT without the ♠K – and I doubt South would lead a spade if he was looking at the king.
North can see dummy’s diamonds and it is hard to imagine the defenders have a trick in that
suit. If they have a heart trick coming it is unlikely to run away, but a club trick might.
To be fair, if East had started with ♠K109 ♥KJ76 ♦Q10 ♣AKQJ then a heart switch would
be required.
Whatever you make of that, it cost Norway 13 IMPs.
♠8
♥ K 10
♦ J965
♣ Q97652
♠ AQ J 5 3 2 N ♠ 10 9 6
♥ 94 ♥ J765
♦ K 10 7 3 2 W E ♦Q
♣— S ♣ A J 10 8 3
♠ K74
♥ AQ832
♦ A84
♣ K4
Open Room
– – – 1NT
2♦* 2NT* 3♣* 3♥
4♠ All Pass
2♦ One major
2NT Lebensohl
North led the king of hearts and continued with the ten. North won with the ace and returned
the eight and declarer ruffed with the queen and played a diamond for the queen and ace. Back
came the queen of hearts and declarer ruffed with the jack, ruffed a diamond, pitched a diamond
on the ace of clubs and played the ten of spades, covered by the king and ace. A spade to the nine
confirmed the 3-1 split and the contract was two down, -200.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 8
♥ K 10
West North East South ♦ J965
Bakhshi Simonsen Gold Berg ♣ Q97652
– – – 1NT ♠ AQ J 5 3 2 N ♠ 10 9 6
♥ 94 ♥ J765
2♦* 2NT* 3♠ Pass W E
♦ K 10 7 3 2 ♦ Q
4♠ All Pass ♣ — S ♣ A J 10 8 3
2♦ 5+ ♠ and four plus in a minor ♠ K74
2NT Lebensohl ♥ AQ832
♦ A84
With East as declarer South had a very awkward hand to ♣ K4
lead from. The four of spades saw declarer win in hand,
pitch a heart on the ace of clubs and continue with the queen of diamonds. South won and played
a second spade, declarer winning with dummy’s queen, ruffing a diamond, ruffing a club, cash-
ing the ace of spades and claiming, +620 and 13 IMPs.
♠ 8765
♥ J542
♦ 10 9 8 3
♣ 10
♠ KJ432 N ♠ AQ 9
♥ AQ ♥ 96
♦ AQ 6 5 2 W E ♦ K4
♣2 S ♣ AK Q 9 6 4
♠ 10
♥ K 10 8 7 3
♦ J7
♣ J8753
Open Room
– Pass 2♣* 2NT*
3♠ 4♦* 4♠ 4NT*
Pass 5♦ Double Redouble
Pass 5♥ Double Pass
7NT All Pass
2♣ Strong, 22+ or tricks (8.5+)
Although the N/S Convention card is silent as to the meaning of 2NT, it looks as if it is an exten-
sion of the methods they use over a strong 1♣, where they play 1NT promises a major and a
minor. When North jumped to 4♦ he clearly implies good support for both majors, so South
attempted to muddy the waters still further by bidding 4NT, which prevented West from asking
for key cards. However, with a wealth of high cards West was not be denied.
North led the ten of clubs which removed some of declarer’s options. He won in dummy, cashed
the ace of spades and a second club and took the heart finesse, +2220.

 Intermediate
Closed Room
Bakhshi Simonsen Gold Berg
– Pass 1♣* 1♥
1♠ 3♥ 4♥* 5♥
5NT Pass 6♣ Pass
6♠ All Pass
1♣ 5+♣ or 4414 short ♦ 11-14 balanced or 18-19 balanced
4♥ Good hand, spade support
When England failed to cope with the intervention, it cost them 13 IMPs.
♠ 94
♥ K852
♦ J 10 6 4
♣ Q52
♠ AJ 8 7 N ♠K
♥4 ♥ AQ J 9 7 6
♦ A9 7 5 2 W E ♦ K3
♣ 984 S ♣ A J 10 7
♠ Q 10 6 5 3 2
♥ 10 3
♦ Q8
♣ K63
Open Room
– – 1♥ 1♠
West led the four of hearts and East won with the jack, declarer dropping the ten. To simplify the
reporting of this complex deal, which illustrates how difficult it can be to defend low-level con-
tracts I will append the expected number of undertricks in brackets as I go along.
East switched to the king of spades (4) and continued with the ace of hearts (4) West discard-
ing the nine of clubs (3). West ruffed the six of hearts (3) cashed the ace of diamonds (3) and
played a second diamond (2). Declarer ruffed and played a club to the queen and ace (2) won the
club return with the king (2) and exited with a club (3). West’s trumps meant three down, -800.
To have a shot at +1100 West must pitch a diamond at trick three. Then East must switch to
the king of diamonds after which West wins the second diamond and switches to a club for the
ten and king. West wins the trump exit with the jack, and the defenders then play three rounds
of clubs, ensuring two more trump tricks for West.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 94
♥ K852
West North East South ♦ J 10 6 4
Bakhshi Simonsen Gold Berg ♣ Q52
– – 1♥ 1♠ ♠ AJ 8 7 N ♠ K
♥ 4 ♥ AQ J 9 7 6
1NT Pass 2♠* Pass W E
♦ A9 7 5 2 ♦ K3
3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass ♣ 984 S ♣ A J 10 7
3NT All Pass ♠ Q 10 6 5 3 2
♥ 10 3
North led the nine of spades and declarer won with dum- ♦ Q8
my’s king and played the ace of hearts followed by the ♣ K63
queen. He took ten tricks, +630 but that was 5 more
IMPs for Norway.
♠ 10
♥ K J 10 4
♦ 43
♣ A K 10 9 8 3
♠ K652 N ♠ J843
♥ 95 ♥ AQ 8 7 6
♦ KQ108765 W E ♦9
♣— S ♣ QJ6
♠ AQ97
♥ 32
♦ AJ2
♣ 7542
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♦ 2♣ Double* 2♦*
Pass 3♣ 3♥ Double
3♠ Pass Pass Double
All Pass
2♦ Good raise in clubs
North led the king of clubs and declarer ruffed, played a heart to the queen and diamond. South
took the ace and returned a club, declarer ruffing and discarding dummy’s last club on a diamond.
Best now is to cross to dummy with a heart and play a heart. If South pitches a diamond declarer
ruffs, with a spade and must score two more trump tricks, escaping for one down.
When declarer played a diamond North ruffed with the ten of spades and declarer overruffed
with dummy’s jack, cashed the ace of hearts and played a heart to North’s jack. At this point South
still held the ♠AQ97 and they were good for three tricks, two down, -500.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 10
♥ K J 10 4
West North East South ♦ 43
Bakhshi Simonsen Gold Berg ♣ A K 10 9 8 3
– – – Pass ♠ K652 N ♠ J843
♥ 95 ♥ AQ 8 7 6
Pass 1♣ 1♥ Double*
♦ K Q 10 8 7 6 5 W E ♦ 9
2♣* Pass* 2♦ 3♣ ♣ — S ♣ QJ6
3♦ 4♣ Pass 5♣ ♠ AQ97
Pass Pass Double All Pass ♥ 32
2♣ Diamonds ♦ AJ2
♣ 7542
I’m not sure what information North conveyed with his
Pass over 2♣, but 5♣ was a trick too far.
Declarer won the diamond lead with dummy’s ace, cashed the top clubs and played a spade to
the ace. A heart to the jack saw East win with the queen and cash the queen of clubs. A low heart
at this point will lead to two down, but the situation was unclear to East, who exited with a spade.
Declarer put in dummy’s nine, ruffed West’s king and exited with the king of hearts. He could
ruff the heart return in dummy and pitch his losing diamond on the queen of spades, one down,
-200 and 11 IMPs to England, who won 53-32 – and important victory over a dangerous rival.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/z4jks3n
England beat Ukraine 14.18-5.82, Norway 15.19-4.81 and Croatia 12.55-7.45, which moved
them into fifth.
England’s Women defeated Greece 17.17-2.83 and after their bye they lost to Denmark, 7.71-
12.29, remaining in third place.
England’s Seniors beat Norway 18.77-1.23, lost to Austria 2.15-17.85 and edged Scotland
11.76-8.24, which dropped them down to fourth.
Wednesday 22 June
Open Teams
Norway v Poland
When this Round 24 match got under way Norway were in sixth place, 18.06 ahead of the reign-
ing world champions, who would need a series of good results if they were to have a chance of
defending their title next year.
♠ 10 7
♥ 83
♦ J 10 8 6
♣ QJ963
♠ AK 5 4 N ♠ J92
♥A ♥ K J 10 6 5 4
♦ K43 W E ♦ A9 2
♣ K 10 7 4 2 S ♣5
♠ Q863
♥ Q972
♦ Q75
♣ A8

 Intermediate
Open Room ♠ 10 7
♥ 83
West North East South ♦ J 10 8 6
Klukowski Hoftaniska Gawrys Charlsen ♣ QJ963
– Pass 2♦* Pass ♠ AK 5 4 N ♠ J92
♥ A ♥ K J 10 6 5 4
2NT* Pass 3♦* Pass W E
♦ K43 ♦ A9 2
4♥ All Pass ♣ K 10 7 4 2 S ♣ 5
2♦ Multi ♠ Q863
2NT Forcing relay ♥ Q972
3♦ Maximum with hearts ♦ Q75
♣ A8
Declarer covered the ♠10 lead with dummy’s ♠J and
when that was allowed to win he played dummy’s club. South rose with the ♣A and returned a
spade. Declarer won with the ♠A, cashed the ♥A and crossed to the ♦A. Four aces on consecutive
tricks, not an everyday occurrence. After the king of hearts and the jack to South’s queen, declarer
won the diamond return and ditched dummy’s diamond loser on the ♣K. He crossed to dummy
with a diamond ruff, drew the last trump and claimed +450.
Brogeland Nowosadzki Lindqvist Kalita
– Pass 2♥* Pass
4♥ All Pass
2♥ Weak
2NT Forcing
3♦ Feature
South led ace and another club, declarer winning with the ♣K and pitching a diamond. After ♥A,
a diamond to the ace and the ♥J to the queen, South exited with a diamond and declarer and
attempted to reach his hand with a club ruff. South overruffed and exited with a diamond, leav-
ing declarer to negotiate the spade suit. When he failed to do so that was 11 IMPs away. Eight
declarers went down in 4♥ and nineteen made it.

 Intermediate
♠ J 10
♥ A K 10 8 7 6 4 3
♦Q
♣ 73
♠ 9642 N ♠ AQ 8 7 3
♥ QJ5 ♥9
♦6 W E ♦ J83
♣ A 10 8 6 2 S ♣ Q954
♠ K5
♥2
♦ A K 10 9 7 5 4 2
♣ KJ
Open Room
Klukowski Hoftaniska Gawrys Charlsen
– – Pass 1♦*
Pass 1♥ 1♠ 2NT*
4♠ 5♥ Pass 6♦
All Pass
1♦ (9)11-21, either 5 + ♦ or a four-card Major
2NT Game-forcing with diamonds
West cashed the ♣A and switched to a spade for one down.
After a spade lead and a club switch declarer would need to guess right to make 5♦, whereas
5♥ has no chance.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♦
Pass 1♥ 1♠ 3♦
3♠ 4♥ All Pass
That was ten tricks and another 12 IMPs to Poland.

 Intermediate
♠4
♥ 10 7 6 4 2
♦ J865
♣ KQ2
♠ Q 10 9 8 N ♠ AK J 6 3
♥J ♥ A9
♦ AK Q 9 4 W E ♦ 732
♣ 763 S ♣ AJ 4
♠ 752
♥ KQ853
♦ 10
♣ 10 9 8 5
Open Room
Klukowski Hoftaniska Gawrys Charlsen
1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT* Pass
4♥* Pass 4NT* Pass
5♣* Double Pass Pass
5♥ Pass 6♠ All Pass
2NT Game-forcing
4♥ Splinter
4NT RKCB
5♣ 1 key card
South led the ten of clubs and declarer took North’s queen with the ace, drew trumps and played
diamonds, no doubt delighted to see the suit break 4-1 which meant 12 tricks were the limit.
Closed Room
1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass
East’s very conservative jump to game saw Norway surrender 13 IMPs. Poland won 51-3 IMPs,
18.97-1.03 VP to take a significant step in the right direction.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zzposoa

 Intermediate
All Quiet on the Western Front
When Germany met Belgium in Round 23 the deals were uninspiring – there were nine flat boards
and not a single double digit swing.
A couple of deals are worth mentioning:
♠ 752
♥ A 10 2
♦ 542
♣ AQ52
♠ AJ 6 4 N ♠ 10 8 3
♥ 864 ♥ KQ95
♦ K 10 7 W E ♦ J8
♣ K83 S ♣ J 10 9 7
♠ KQ9
♥ J73
♦ AQ963
♣ 64
Open Room
Schwerdt De Donder Linde De Roos
Pass Pass Pass 1♦
Pass 1NT All Pass
East led the jack of clubs and when West put up the king declarer ducked. He took the club con-
tinuation with the ace and played a diamond for the eight, nine and ten. West switched to the six
of hearts and East won with the queen and returned the eight of spades. When declarer put up the
king West decided to duck, which gave declarer a chance. If he exits with the queen of diamonds,
he sets up the suit, at the same time keeping East off lead and cannot be denied seven tricks.
However, declarer played the jack of hearts, going up with the ace when West showed no reac-
tion, cashed the queen of clubs and played a diamond to the queen. When that lost to the king
the defenders quickly took the rest, -300.
Closed Room
Engel Auken Coenraets Welland
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass Pass 1NT
Pass 2NT All Pass
West led the four of hearts and East won with the queen and switched to the eight of spades for
the queen and ace. A heart to the king saw East continue with the ten of spades and declarer won
with the queen and ducked a diamond to West’s ten. After cashing two spades West exited with
a heart to dummy’s ace. At this point a diamond to the queen should give declarer six tricks, but
he played one to the ace and was three down, -300, no swing.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 9 3
♥ J9873
♦ 73
♣ A86
♠ Q85 N ♠ KJ64
♥ A K Q 10 5 ♥ 42
♦ J85 W E ♦ 10 9
♣ Q9 S ♣ J 10 7 5 3
♠ A72
♥6
♦ AKQ642
♣ K42
Open Room
Schwerdt De Donder Linde De Roos
– – – 1♦
1♥ Pass Pass Double
Pass 1NT Pass 2♦
All Pass
Declarer scored +110.

Closed Room
Engel Auken Coenraets Welland
– – – 1♦
Pass 1NT Pass 3♦
All Pass
The South hand is worth 19.50 on the K & R Hand Evaluator and according to the BBO Opera-
tor declarer had the 3NT card in his hand but then put it back.
Had he stuck to his guns he would have picked up a game swing.
17 Pairs in the Open reached 3NT, 7 in the Women’s and 13 in the Seniors.
England defeated Cyprus 16.88-3.12, then lost to Romania 8.24-11.76 and Hungary 8.80-
11.20, before beating Germany 14.18-5.82. That saw them drop to sixth but they were almost
10 VPs clear of eighth place.
England’s Women beat Portugal 14.18-5.82, Scotland 15.74-4.26, Germany 12.80-7.20 and
Spain 13.75-6.25, conceding only 45 IMPs over the day’s 64 deals. It saw them move up to third
place.
England’s Seniors lost to Ireland 6.03-13.97, France 0.66-19.34 then beat Spain 16.09-3.91
and Estonia 15.74-4.26. That dropped them down to ninth.

 Intermediate
Thursday 23 June
Open Teams
Wales v Monaco
After making a poor start Monaco had risen through the field and were fourth. By contrast, Wales,
who had started well, had fallen away, having lost ten of their last eleven matches.
How would two of our regular contributors fare?
♠ 86
♥ 432
♦ K764
♣ K J 10 2
♠ K 10 9 7 3 N ♠ AQ J 4
♥ AK 6 ♥ QJ985
♦ A9 5 W E ♦ QJ
♣ A6 S ♣ Q5
♠ 52
♥ 10 7
♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ 98743
Open Room
Helgemo Ratcliff Helness Pottage
– – 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
2NT* Pass 4♠ Pass
5♥* Pass 6♠* All Pass
2NT Game-forcing
4NT RKCB
5♦ 1 key card
5♥ Asking for the ♠Q and side-suit kings
6♠ No side kings
Bridge players learn at an early stage to support responder’s major to the two-level with 12-14
HCP and to the three-level with 15-17, but high-level bridge is not an exercise in counting points.
With four queens and three jacks, several of them unprotected, East was happy to make a sin-
gle raise in spades.
Closed Room
Jourdain Martens Jones Zimmermann
– – 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass
4NT* Pass 5♣* Pass
5♦* Pass 6♠* Pass
7♠ All Pass

 Intermediate
4NT RKCB
5♣ 1 key card
5♦ Asking for the ♠Q and side-suit kings
6♠ No side kings
Patrick Jourdain also knew his partner had no side king, but East had bid 3♥, and if he had six
hearts, or a singleton in either minor 7♠ rated to be cold. In the worst case scenario it would be
on a finesse.
The contract proved to be on a finesse and Monaco gained 14 IMPs. Had the ♦K been onside,
it would have been 10 IMP to Wales.
♠ Q J 10 6
♥ K2
♦ AQ95
♣ AJ2
♠ AK 9 5 2 N ♠ 84
♥ 98 ♥ Q 10 4 3
♦ K 10 6 W E ♦ 7432
♣ 10 9 4 S ♣ Q65
♠ 73
♥ AJ765
♦ J8
♣ K873
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass
East led the four of diamonds for the eight, ten and queen and declarer continued with the king
of hearts, a heart to the jack and the jack of diamonds, covered by the king and ace. The queen
of spades was taken by West’s king and he returned a diamond, declarer winning with the nine
and playing the jack of spades. West won and switched to the ten of clubs, for the jack, queen
and king. Declarer cashed the ace of hearts, came to hand with the ace of clubs and cashed the
ten of spades for +400.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
Pass 1♦ Pass 1♥
All Pass
West’s innocent overcall proved to be very expensive.

 Intermediate
The most lethal lead is the ♥K, but North selected the ♠Q and West won with the ace and
played the nine of hearts (as the cards lie cashing a second spade should save a trick). North went
up with the king and returned a heart, South winning with the jack and switching to the jack
of diamonds. Declarer covered with the king and North played three rounds of the suit, South
ruffing and continuing with the ace of hearts. North overruffed declarer’s ♠9 with the ♠10 and
continued with the ♠J, promoting his ♠6 into a trick. Declarer won the ♠K and continued with
the ten of clubs. North went up with the ace, cashed the ♠6 and forced declarer with the ♦9. If
South had kept a heart that would also have squeezed dummy, but even though that was not the
case (South was down to ♣K83) declarer could not score a fourth trick, -1100 and another 12
IMPs to Monaco.
♠ 10
♥ Q983
♦ Q J 10
♣ K 10 6 5 4
♠ KJ86432 N ♠ A9 7
♥6 ♥ J 10 7
♦ 984 W E ♦ AK 7 2
♣ 82 S ♣ QJ9
♠ Q5
♥ AK542
♦ 653
♣ A73
– – – 1♥
3♠ 4♥ 4♠ Pass
Pass 5♥ All Pass
The partnership agreement was that South’s Pass was not forcing. With 4♠ almost certain to fail,
North’s decision to bid on proved to be mistaken.
There were three fast tricks to lose and one slow one in clubs, -500.
Closed Room
– – – 1♥
Pass 3♥ All Pass
That gave Monaco +140 and another 12 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ 84
♥ A K J 10 3
♦J
♣ QJ982
♠ 763 N ♠ J952
♥2 ♥ 95
♦ A 10 9 7 6 4 W E ♦ Q82
♣ K53 S ♣ 10 7 6 4
♠ A K Q 10
♥ Q8764
♦ K53
♣A
Open Room
2♦ 2♥ 3♦ 4NT*
Pass 5♥* Pass 6♥
All Pass
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards
South rejected the possibility of playing in 6NT as North would need as lot of high cards to cover
the potential losers. East’s raise made it very likely that North would hold a singleton in the suit
but that was by no means the only scenario in which the slam would be good – for example, one
of North’s key cards might be the ♦A. The singleton diamond meant there was nothing to the
play, +980.
Closed Room
2♦ 2♥ Pass 3♦*
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦*
Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♥* Pass 6NT*
All Pass
3♦ Game-forcing
4♦ Cue-bid
4NT RKCB
5♥ 2 key cards
Concerned about a possible lead through his ♦K South took the 6NT option, but there was not
enough ammunition to get up to twelve tricks, even after a helpful spade lead. -50 and 14 IMPs
to Wales, which proved to to be their only score of the match.
Should South consider jumping to 4♣ over 2♥. Although the splinter with a singleton ace is
unusual when North bids 4♦ South can ask for keycards and then bid 6♥ (or 7♥ if partner has
♥AK ♦A).

 Intermediate
♠ K9
♥ AQ53
♦ A K Q 10 7 6
♣4
♠ AQ J 10 7 6 3 N ♠ 84
♥ K6 ♥ J 10 7 4
♦2 W E ♦ 853
♣ AJ 3 S ♣ K 10 9 7
♠ 52
♥ 982
♦ J94
♣ Q8652
Open Room
1♠ Double Pass 2♣
2♠ 3♦ Pass Pass
3♠ All Pass
West and North both held powerful hands and despite the favourable vulnerability Helgemo
“walked the dog”, bidding his way gradually to the three-level (after his partner’s initial Pass, game
chances were slim).
Ratcliff gave up, even though it didn’t require much imagination to see at least eight tricks in
NT after a spade lead (while South should stop clubs).
In the play Helgemo ruffed the second diamond, drew trumps and established a trick with
dummy’s ♥J so he didn’t need to guess clubs, +140.
Closed Room
3♠ 3NT All Pass
Jourdain accelerated matters with a normal jump to 3♠ which left Martens no room to consider
anything else but 3NT.
Luck favoured the brave. Martens found the ♦J in dummy, enabling him to take the heart
finesse for his 9th trick, and the club distribution was such that even a club lead could do him no
damage. +600 for Monaco, contributing 12 more IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 3
♥ K976
♦ 875
♣ J843
♠ J7542 N ♠ AK 6
♥ Q432 ♥ 10 5
♦K W E ♦ AQ 6 4 3
♣ 752 S ♣ AK Q
♠ Q98
♥ AJ8
♦ J 10 9 2
♣ 10 9 6
Open Room
– – 2♣* Pass
2♠ Pass 3♠ Pass
4♠ All Pass
Some pairs would require more for a positive response to a 2♣ opening, but Helgemo bid 2♠
anyway and then showed an absolute minimum by failing to cue-bid over the encouraging 3♠.
Helness got the message and they stopped in 4♠ – good for them as 10 tricks were the limit.
Closed Room
– – 2NT Pass
3♣* Pass 3NT* All Pass
3♣ Five-card Stayman
3NT No five- or four-card major
A diamond lead (or for that matter a club) would have left declarer with little chance, but South
went for the eight of spades.
Had declarer tried the ♠J, he would have made 11 tricks. However he decided to take the ♠AK
and then played a third spade. South won (North pitched the eight of diamonds) and eventually
found the winning play of the ♥A followed by the ♥J. Yet another 10 IMPs for Monaco, which
meant the final score was 72-14 IMPs.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zgkjxuc

 Intermediate
Bulgaria v England
At the start of this match Bulgaria were in the crucial 7th spot, just about 10 VP behind England
who were lying 5th at the time.
Board18. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ 8632
♥ AJ
♦ Q842
♣ 643
♠ Q974 N ♠ J 10 5
♥ K8 ♥ 75432
♦ AK J 9 W E ♦ 653
♣ K82 S ♣ QJ
♠ AK
♥ Q 10 9 6
♦ 10 7
♣ A 10 9 7 5
Open Room
Robson Marashev Forrester Tsonchev
– – Pass 1NT
All Pass
When Tsonchev opened a 14-16 NT, West was (by agreement) too strong to act. West led the
♦A and continued with the jack. Dummy’s queen won and declarer ducked a club to East, who
returned a spade. Another club was taken by West who next took his diamond tricks, East discard-
ing his ♠J on the last diamond. A spade then went to declarer’s king and the clubs were cashed,
declarer finishing up with an easy enough eight tricks, +120.
Closed Room
Stamatov Gold Danailov Bakhshi
– – Pass 1♣
1NT All Pass
North led a spade to South’s king and a club came back, dummy’s jack winning. Another spade
went to South’s ace and South cleared the clubs. West won the ♣K, cashed a top diamond and
crossed to dummy’s ♠J to continue a diamond. When South followed with the ten, declarer went
up with his king, cashed his last spade and exited with the ♦J. North won and when he returned
a heart rather than a diamond, declarer even had an overtrick for another +120 and 6 IMPs to
Bulgaria.

 Intermediate
♠ K7
♥ K Q 10 5
♦ Q52
♣ 9843
♠ AQ 6 4 N ♠ 983
♥ A7 ♥ 96432
♦J W E ♦ K876
♣ K Q J 10 7 2 S ♣A
♠ J 10 5 2
♥ J8
♦ A 10 9 4 3
♣ 65
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♣ Pass 1♦* Pass
1♠ All Pass
1♦ Hearts
Forrester no doubt felt happy when he could pass 1♠, only to find out that game would have
been a reasonable shot. On a heart lead, declarer would have had to take a spade finesse which
would have led to his downfall but with South on lead, a natural diamond lead from him would
bring in the 9th trick in 3NT. Declarer made 11 tricks in his 1♠ for a score of +200 but would
Bulgaria find a way to game?
Closed Room
– – – Pass
2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass
2♠ Pass 3NT All Pass
1♣ Precision
1♦ 0-7
Yes, they would.
On the normal diamond lead, East could claim his nine tricks. Bulgaria +600 and 9 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ J874
♥ J5
♦ 87
♣ AKQ98
♠ AK Q 2 N ♠ 96
♥6 ♥ K 10 9 8 7 3 2
♦ KQ92 W E ♦ A5 3
♣ 7632 S ♣5
♠ 10 5 3
♥ AQ4
♦ J 10 6 4
♣ J 10 4
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♦ 2♣ 4♥ All Pass
On the obvious club lead, the only problem for declarer is to avoid losing three trump tricks. In
view of the overcall, it seems reasonable enough to play for the ♥A to be onside, not to speak
of the possibility of defenders scoring trump winners separately. So Forrester quickly went one
down when he crossed to dummy and made the normal play of a heart to the king (which offers
a 48.6% chance of 5 tricks). Bulgaria +50.
Closed Room
– – – Pass
1♦* 2♣ 2♦ 3♣
Pass Pass 3♥ Pass
All Pass
As the double revealed the location of the ♥A, Danailov played for his alternative chance of scoop-
ing a doubleton picture card in North. A heart ducked lost to South’s queen but when his later
lead of the ♥K from hand brought down the jack, he was home for +590 and another 12 IMPs
to Bulgaria.

 Intermediate
♠ 10 7 3
♥ K 10 8
♦ AQ
♣ K 10 9 7 6
♠ QJ954 N ♠ AK 8 6 2
♥ Q763 ♥J
♦ 97 W E ♦ K863
♣ Q5 S ♣ 843
♠—
♥ A9542
♦ J 10 5 4 2
♣ AJ2
Open Room
– 1♦* 1♠ 2♥
Pass 5♣ All Pass
1♦ 0+♦, 10-15
4♠ would have gone down but North decided to bid 5♣ as it suggested a heart fit as well.
Declarer ruffed the spade lead in dummy and took a losing diamond finesse. East returned a
diamond and another spade was ruffed in dummy. Then came the ♣A and a high diamond. West
ruffed with the queen but declarer overruffed, drew trumps and cashed out, the spade and heart
losers going on the last two diamonds, +620.
Closed Room
– 1♣ 1♠ 2♦*
4♠ Pass Pass 4NT
Pass 5♣ All Pass
2♦ Hearts
Declarer ruffed the spade lead and took the diamond finesse but here East returned the ♥J won by
declarer’s king. When his next move was a low club to dummy’s jack, West could win the queen
and give partner a heart ruff, -100 and 12 more IMPs to Bulgaria.
With the score at 51-3 to Bulgaria, the English had to try to find a way back, and they were
helped by their opponents on the next board.

 Intermediate
♠ K732
♥ A 10 4
♦ AQ3
♣ 764
♠ AQ 8 6 5 4 N ♠ J9
♥ J9 ♥ K63
♦ K954 W E ♦ 762
♣3 S ♣ KQ852
♠ 10
♥ Q8752
♦ J 10 8
♣ A J 10 9
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 3NT All Pass
Had Marashev passed the Double, he would probably have scored +300 or +500 but he preferred
to try 3NT.
Declarer ducked the jack of spades lead, won the next spade with the king, cashed the ace of
hearts and then ran the ten. West won and cashed his spades and declarer lost his way to finish
five down, -250.
Had he got the heart right he would almost certainly have recorded +400.
Closed Room
– – Pass 2♥*
2♠ 3♥ All Pass
2♥ 5♥ and four of a minor, weak
West started with the ace and queen of spades and declarer ruffed and played a heart to the ten,
after which it was plain sailing, +170 and a gain of 9 IMPs.
The final result was Bulgaria – England 51-18 or 17.17 -2.83 in V.P.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/hwykt3d

 Intermediate
Monaco v Sweden
At the start of the thirtieth round, Monaco and Sweden were lying second and third with only 7
VPs separating them.
♠ Q8652
♥ A95
♦2
♣ A754
♠4 N ♠ K J 10 9 7 3
♥ 76 ♥ KQ4
♦ K Q J 10 6 5 4 W E ♦A
♣ Q82 S ♣ J93
♠A
♥ J 10 8 3 2
♦ 9873
♣ K 10 6
Open Room
Helgemo Nystrom Helness Upmark
– 1♠ Pass 1NT
3♦ All Pass
North’s decision to open 1♠ prevented East from doing the same and when his partner pre-empted
in diamonds he was content to leave that as the final contract and after the lead of a small spade
to the jack and ace declarer had no problem in fulfilling his contract, +110.
Closed Room
Sylvan Multon Wrang Martens
– Pass 1♠ Pass
3♦ Pass 3♠ Pass
4♦ Pass 4♠ All Pass
On the lead of the jack of hearts North has to withhold his ace to take the contract three off and
this was not to be and so declarer was two off; 5 IMPs went to Monaco.

 Intermediate
♠ Q 10 5
♥ Q96
♦ K8
♣ K J 10 4 3
♠ KJ9 N ♠ A7 6 3
♥ J742 ♥ 10 8
♦4 W E ♦ AQ 6 5 3
♣ 98765 S ♣ A2
♠ 842
♥ AK53
♦ J 10 9 7 2
♣Q
Open Room
Pass 1♦* 1NT Double
2♣ Pass Pass Double
Pass Pass 2♦ Double
All Pass
North’s nebulous diamond caused the Monegasque pair trouble and they duly arrived in a dou-
bled contract that broke Burn’s Law. South started with the ace and king of hearts and continued
with a third round, not the best defence (a switch to either black suit is better). Declarer trumped
this and played a small spade to the jack and North’s queen who returned a club to declarer’s ace,
who now made the play of a small spade to dummy’s nine losing to the ten. The downside was
that the contract now suffered a three trick defeat for 800 instead merely failing by just one.
Closed Room
Pass 1♣ 1♦ All Pass
When North did not re-enter the auction the contract rested at the one-level, not a frequent occur-
rence in these modern times of aggressive bidding. At this table, the defence was on the money
and when South won the first trick with the ace of hearts he switched to his singleton club and
now declarer had scant resource and eventually failed by one trick, for a loss of 12 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ A75
♥ J75
♦ J32
♣ Q852
♠ KJ8432 N ♠ Q96
♥ KQ6 ♥ 98
♦7 W E ♦ Q 10 9 8 5
♣ 973 S ♣ J 10 4
♠ 10
♥ A 10 4 3 2
♦ AK64
♣ AK6
Open Room
– – Pass 1♣*
1♠ Double* 2♠ Pass
3♠ 3NT Pass 4♥
All Pass
1♣ Strong club
Double Forcing to game
Monaco supporters may well have had their hearts in their mouths after West’s 3♠ bid as this was
slated to fail by at least two tricks.
Against 4♥ West led his singleton diamond to the jack, queen and ace. Declarer played a small
trump towards dummy and West rose with the queen to lead the king of spades taken by dummy’s
ace. A small diamond off dummy to the king was ruffed by West who continued spades. Declarer
ruffed in hand and played a low diamond. A delighted East won and played another diamond
promoting West’s king of hearts into the setting trick.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♥
1♠ 2♥ 2♠ 4♥
All Pass
Declarer received the more benign lead of the eight of spades won in dummy with the ace. A small
trump from dummy collected the eight, ten and queen and West continued with the spade king
ruffed by declarer. The four of diamonds went to jack and queen and East returned the ten. West
refused to ruff declarer’s ace, but after cashing the ace of hearts declarer could claim his contract
as he could ruff his small diamond in dummy. 10 IMPs to Monaco.

 Intermediate
♠ J9
♥ Q 10 5 2
♦Q
♣ A Q J 10 9 8
♠ 632 N ♠ A8 7 4
♥ 963 ♥ AJ 8 7 4
♦ 9532 W E ♦ K J 10 7
♣ K62 S ♣—
♠ K Q 10 5
♥K
♦ A864
♣ 7543
Open Room
Pass 1♦* 1♥ Double*
Pass 2♣ 2♦ 2♥
3♦ 3NT All Pass
1♦ 0+♦, balanced vul:(11+)12-14, non-vul11-13 or (10)11-15 4M and 5+m or 12-16
any 4441
Double 4+♠
All eyes on East: (drum roll please) and yes, he unerringly produced the king of diamonds and
the contract had no chance, -50.
Closed Room
Pass 1♣ 1♥ Double*
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥*
Pass 3♣ Pass 5♣
All Pass
East led the ace of hearts and switched to the jack of diamonds won in dummy. Declarer took
a club finesse and played the jack of spades. East took the ace and declarer claimed, +400 and
another 10 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ AQ987
♥ J63
♦ 9642
♣A
♠ K62 N ♠ 10
♥ A9 8 4 2 ♥ K 10 7 5
♦ Q7 W E ♦ A 10 5 3
♣ Q83 S ♣ KJ96
♠ J543
♥Q
♦ KJ8
♣ 10 7 5 4 2
Open Room
1♥ 1♠ 2NT* 3♠
Pass 4♠ Pass Pass
5♥ Double All Pass
2NT Heart raise
North led his singleton ace of clubs and continued with a small diamond taken in dummy with
the ace. A small trump to the ace garnered the queen from South. Declarer now took some time
before playing another trump and playing the king from dummy.
Aficionados of restricted choice would be shouting from the rooftops at this point that declarer
should have finessed against the jack. However, to make the contract you need to be able to ruff
two spades in dummy and you can’t do that unless trumps are 2-2.
Undoubtedly declarer was trying to decide if it was reasonable to risk the extra undertrick by
playing for trumps to be 2-2 – here it made the penalty -500.
Closed Room
1♥ 1♠ 2NT* 3♠
Pass Pass 4♣ Pass
4♥ All Pass
In 4♥ West had the luxury of taking heed of restricted choice and after similar start to the defence
he picked up the trumps giving 12 IMPs to Sweden.

 Intermediate
♠ AK643
♥ 843
♦ AJ
♣ J65
♠Q N ♠ 10 5 2
♥ Q976 ♥ KJ
♦ Q 10 5 2 W E ♦ 9743
♣ A K 10 2 S ♣ Q984
♠ J987
♥ A 10 5 2
♦ K86
♣ 73
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
1♣ 1♠ 2♣ 3♣
Pass 3♦ Pass 4♠
All Pass
Another very thin game bid by the Swedes and as you can see it makes as the diamond finesse
works and the trump suit has no losers.
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
1♣ 1♠ Pass 2♠
All Pass
Here N/S did not think their combined 21 count worthy of a game try and so 6 IMPs to Sweden.

 Intermediate
♠ Q 10 7 5 3
♥ J2
♦ KQJ98
♣Q
♠ AJ 4 N ♠ 986
♥ K 10 8 6 ♥Q
♦ A6 5 W E ♦ 7432
♣ AK 9 S ♣ 87632
♠ K2
♥ A97543
♦ 10
♣ J 10 5 4
Open Room
– – – 2♥
All Pass
West was waiting for his partner to enter the auction and is still waiting as East did not deem his
two-count worthy of intervention and South drifted one off.
Closed Room
– – – 2♦*
Double Redouble* Pass 2♥
2NT All Pass
2♦ Multi
Redouble Please bid your suit
North led the king of diamonds and continued the suit, declarer winning the second round and
playing a heart to the queen and ace. South switched to the four of clubs and declarer won with
the ace, cashed the king and exited with a diamond. North won and returned the five of spades
to South’s king. When declarer ducked South cashed his clubs and exited with a spade. Declarer
won with the ace and exited with the ten of hearts, which meant North could claim the rest, four
down, -200 and 7 IMPs for Monaco which saw them run out winners 38-36 IMPs.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/jhom5gc
England hammered Georgia 19.93-0.07, then promptly lost to Bulgaria 2.83-17.17,went down
to Finland 6.96-13.04 and then bounced back to defeat Switzerland 15.56-4.44. They were now
in eighth place.
At the top of the table France still led, but Monaco were only 0.05 behind with Sweden a fur-
ther 8.27 adrift.

 Intermediate
Women’s Teams
England beat Bulgaria 17.45-2.55 and Serbia 18.97-1.03 before drawing with Israel, 10-10 and
moved into second place, just 0.89 behind Poland.
Senior Teams
Hungary vs. Poland
At the start of this Round 15 encounter, Poland, as always one of the pre-tournament favourites,
was in third place, while Hungary needed to light the afterburners, being just below average.
♠ 86
♥ 432
♦ K764
♣ K J 10 2
♠ K 10 9 7 3 N ♠ AQ J 4
♥ AK 6 ♥ QJ985
♦ A9 5 W E ♦ QJ
♣ A6 S ♣ Q5
♠ 52
♥ 10 7
♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ 98743
Open Room
Koltai Lasocki Kovacs Russyan
– – 1♥ Pass
2♦* Pass 2♠ Pass
3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass
6♠ All Pass
2♦ Natural, GF
4NT RKCB
5♦ 1 or 4 key cards
Koltai wanted to set up a game force, which One Spade would not have done. He was intend-
ing to play in hearts until Kovacs rebid in spades. Koltai could have asked for kings over the Five
Diamond response, since he could ‘see’ 13 tricks (five spades, five hearts, two aces and one king)
if Kovacs had held just one minor-suit king and good major suits. However, West felt, quite rea-
sonably, that it was inconceivable that East could hold good majors and refuse to make a control
bid over Three Spades, signing off in Four Spades. He was right.
There was nothing to the play as declarer won the club lead, drew trumps, discarded a club on
the hearts and took the diamond finesse for plus 980.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ 86
♥ 432
West North East South ♦ K764
Kowalski Szappanos Romanski Magyar ♣ K J 10 2
– – 1♥ Pass ♠ K 10 9 7 3 N ♠ AQ J 4
♥ AK 6 ♥ QJ985
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass W E
♦ A9 5 ♦ QJ
4NT* Pass 5♣* Pass ♣ A6 S ♣ Q5
5♦* Pass 5♠* Pass ♠ 52
6♣* Pass 6♥* Pass ♥ 10 7
7♠ All Pass ♦ 10 8 3 2
4NT RKCB ♣ 98743
5♣ 1 or 4 key cards
5♦ Trump queen ask
5♠ Shows queen of spades
6♣ Grand slam try – anything else? (5NT would have asked for kings.)
6♥ Something in hearts
Kowalski and Romanski, usually pretty simpatico in the bidding, were not on the same page
here. Kowalski thought that Romanski should have had a sixth heart, which would have made
the grand slam very good. For his part, Romanski had not yet promised the queen of hearts, so
he took the opportunity to do so.
The play followed the same pattern as in the Open Room, so Hungary gained 14 IMPs.
♠ K9
♥ AQ53
♦ A K Q 10 7 6
♣4
♠ AQJ10763 N ♠ 84
♥ K6 ♥ J 10 7 4
♦2 W E ♦ 853
♣ AJ 3 S ♣ K 10 9 7
♠ 52
♥ 982
♦ J94
♣ Q8652
Open Room
Koltai Lasocki Kovacs Russyan
3♠ 4♦ Pass 5♦
All Pass
Russyan made a very aggressive raise to game.

The spade lead was won by West’s ace and he continued with the jack of spades, declarer win-
ning with the king, playing a diamond to the nine and a heart for the king and ace. Taking his
eye off the ball, declarer cashed a second diamond so when he then played the queen of hearts
and another, East was able to win and remove dummy’s last trump. That meant declarer was two
down, minus 200.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ K9
♥ AQ53
West North East South ♦ A K Q 10 7 6
Kowalski Szappanos Romanski Magyar ♣ 4
1♠ Double Pass 2♣ ♠ A Q J 10 7 6 3 N ♠ 84
♥ K6 ♥ J 10 7 4
3♠ 4♦ All Pass W E
♦ 2 ♦ 853
♣ AJ 3 S ♣ K 10 9 7
East led a spade and West won . Kowalski won with his ♠ 52
ace and returned the queen to declarer’s king. Declarer ♥ 982
ducked a club to West, won the trump return with dum- ♦ J94
my’s nine, and played a heart for the king and ace. Two ♣ Q8652
more rounds of hearts ensured declarer could ruff his
reaming heart, +130 and 8 IMPs to Hungary.
In the match between Bulgaria and Israel, the championship leaders missed an opportunity:
Open Room
Hristov Schwarz Rusev Zeligman
1♣* 1♦ Pass Pass
1♠ 2♥ Pass 3♦
3♠ 3NT Pass 4♦
All Pass
1♣ Precision
1♦ 0-4
At his third turn Schwarz bid 3NT, hoping that dummy’s diamonds would include an entry to
take the heart finesse for nine tricks on a spade lead. South had promised nothing with his correc-
tion from 2♥ to 3♦, so why he decided to remove it to 4♦ must remain a mystery. Against 3NT,
the defenders can take only three club tricks and a spade.
Schwartz made 4♦ by ruffing the fourth round of hearts. At the other table 4♠ went two down,
giving Israel 1 IMP.
Although this was a dull match, it was extraordinary in one aspect: Poland did not score a single
IMP on the 16 deals! The score was Hungary 43 – Poland 0. In the 180 matches played through
the conclusion of Round 15, only one other match had resulted in a shutout.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zwufcpf
England defeated Belgium 15.19-4.81, Wales 13.28-6.72 and Poland 11.76-8.24, which moved
them into sixth.

 Intermediate
Friday 24 June
The news of the day was the decision of the United Kingdom (is that now an oxymoron?) to leave
the European Union. Last month’s video page allowed you to see how a few of the players reacted.
Some of them wore badges saying ‘It wasn’t me.’
Open Teams
France v Norway
♠8
♥ K J 10 4 2
♦ AJ873
♣ 84
♠ AQ 9 3 N ♠ K765
♥7 ♥ Q9863
♦ 10 9 6 W E ♦ K4
♣ A 10 9 6 5 S ♣ J3
♠ J 10 4 2
♥ A5
♦ Q52
♣ KQ72
Open Room
Charlsen T.Bessis Hoftaniska Volcker
– – – 1♣
Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠
Pass 2♥ Pass Pass
Double All Pass
East led the ♣J to the king and ace and West returned the♥7. Declarer played the ♥J and East
made the natural looking play of covering with the queen.
Declarer won, ran the ♦Q to East’s king and won the club continuation. When a diamond
to the ace confirmed a 3-2 break, he cashed the ♥K and led the ♦J. East ruffed with the ♥6 and
played a spade. West took the ace and switched to a club, ruffed and overruffed by East. Declarer
was then able to ruff the return, draw the last trump and claim +670.
Let’s go back to trick 2 and suppose that East withholds his ♥Q. Declarer can lead a diamond
towards dummy but East takes the ♦K and switch to spades, triggering a forcing defence that will
take the contract one down.
At the other table Lindqvist (North) preferred to rebid 1NT and made +120 on the ♥6 lead.
This was the most explosive board of the match:

 Intermediate
♠A
♥ 53
♦ A 10
♣ A K J 10 9 6 5 4
♠ J9752 N ♠ K Q 10 8 3
♥ A7 6 4 ♥ 982
♦ 7432 W E ♦ 865
♣— S ♣ 32
♠ 64
♥ K Q J 10
♦ KQJ9
♣ Q87
Open Room
– 2♣* 3♠ Double
5♠ 6♣ Pass Pass
6♠ Pass* Pass 7♣
Double Pass Pass Redouble
All Pass
The 6♠ sacrifice would have cost 1100, a useful saving against 1370. Bessis made a forcing Pass
over this, showing 1st-round spade support. With many more honours than he might have held,
Volcker bravely placed partner with four first-round controls and bid the grand slam. When West
ventured a Double, Volcker went so far as to redouble.
What were Charlsen’s thoughts as his partner considered at length which red suit to lead. Was
he thinking: ‘I hope he leads a heart’? Perhaps he was thinking instead: ‘Why on earth didn’t I
bid 6♥ instead of 6♠?’ With nothing to guide him, Hoftaniska chose an unlucky diamond lead
and France collected +2660.
Meanwhile in the Closed Room:
Lorenzini Lindqvist Quantin Brogeland
– 2♣* Pass 2♦*
Pass 3♣ Pass 4♣
Pass 4♦* Pass 4NT*
Pass 5♦* Pass 6♣
All Pass
France missed their sacrifice and +1390 was scored after a ♠K lead. Thanks to the fireworks in the
other room that was 15 IMPs to France.

 Intermediate
♠ KQJ986
♥ AJ
♦ Q9
♣ Q64
♠ A2 N ♠ 10 5 4 3
♥ 10 4 3 ♥ 762
♦ J852 W E ♦ K76
♣ A 10 8 5 S ♣ KJ7
♠7
♥ KQ985
♦ A 10 4 3
♣ 932
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♥
Pass 3NT All Pass
At the other table North had rebid 2♠ and scored +110. How do you fancy declarer’s prospects
in 3NT? East had only two cards in his hand that would give declarer a chance to make the con-
tract ‒ the club honours. He promptly led the ♣J.
West won with the ♣A and returned the ♣5. Declarer can make the contract by running this
to dummy’s ♣9 but was it not obvious to play East for ♣J10x? He rose with the ♣Q and the
defenders scored the first five tricks. Sometimes it is just not your day.
There was not long to wait for the next slam action:
♠7
♥ Q J 10 6 5 3
♦ A Q 10 4
♣ K5
♠4 N ♠ QJ9832
♥ A9 4 ♥ K87
♦ 93 W E ♦—
♣ AQ109874 S ♣ J632
♠ A K 10 6 5
♥2
♦ KJ87652
♣—
Open Room
– 1♥ 1♠ 2♦
3♣ 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♦ Pass 6♦
All Pass

 Intermediate
Bessis delayed showing his diamond support but 6♦ was ♠ 7
safely reached. Declarer ruffed the helpful ♣A lead, drew ♥ Q J 10 6 5 3
♦ A Q 10 4
trumps and discarded his heart loser on the ♣K When ♣ K5
the spades could not be established with two ruffs, he ♠ 4 ♠ QJ9832
claimed +1370. N
♥ A9 4 ♥ K87
If West leads a less generous trump, declarer can (for ♦ 93 W E ♦ —
example) play ♠A, ruff a spade, ruff the ♣5 and lead a ♣ A Q 10 9 8 7 4 S ♣ J632
♠ A K 10 6 5
heart. If West rises with the ♥A to lead a trump, declarer ♥ 2
can take a ruffing finesse in hearts. If instead East wins ♦ KJ87652
the heart, he has no trump to return and two further ♣ —
spade ruffs will be possible.
Closed Room
– 1♥ 2♠ Pass
Pass Double Pass Pass
3♣ Pass Pass 7♦
Double All Pass
Yes, that is what happened! Brogeland is famed for his bravery, but was such a deep venture into
the bidding box with the odds? West led a trump and with the ♥A not on view, that was 14 IMPs
away.
♠ A8
♥ J5
♦ AQ8542
♣ K94
♠ 94 N ♠ Q763
♥ Q 10 9 8 ♥ AK 6 3
♦ K 10 9 6 W E ♦J
♣ 732 S ♣ AQ J 8
♠ K J 10 5 2
♥ 742
♦ 73
♣ 10 6 5
Open Room
– 1NT Double* 2♥ *
Pass 2♠ All Pass
East’s Double showed the majors and 2♥ was a transfer. The defence played three rounds of hearts,
declarer ruffing with the ♠A. He finessed the ♠J, cashed the ♠K and finessed the ♦Q successfully.
East ruffed the ♦A, played the ♠Q and led another heart, ruffed in dummy. A club to the 9 then
endplayed East to give declarer a trick with the ♣K. That was only one down for -100.

 Intermediate
Closed Room ♠ A8
♥ J5
West North East South ♦ AQ8542
Lorenzini Lindqvist Quantin Brogeland ♣ K94
– 1NT 2♣* Pass ♠ 94 N ♠ Q763
2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass ♥ Q 10 9 8 ♥ AK 6 3
♦ K 10 9 6 W E ♦ J
4♥ Pass Pass Double ♣ 732 S ♣ AQ J 8
All Pass ♠ K J 10 5 2
♥ 742
Quantin’s 2♣ showed the majors and he indicated a club ♦ 73
suit at his next turn. Lorenzini was sufficiently embold- ♣ 10 6 5
ened to bid game in hearts, a somewhat forward view
when his ♦K was likely to be unimportant. Brogeland held the spades strongly and ventured a
Double.
North led the ♥J won in the dummy and the ♦J was run to the queen. After ace and another
spade to the jack, South returned the ♠5 ruffed with the ♥10, North throwing a diamond. When
the ♦K was not covered, declarer discarded dummy’s ♠Q. He then finessed the ♣Q successfully,
drew a second round of trumps and ruffed the ♦10 with the king. After drawing South’s remain-
ing trumps, he finessed the ♣J and scored the last two tricks with the ♣A8.
That was +790 and a further 12 IMPs to France, who won by the remarkable score of 65 IMPs
to 4 (20 VPs to 0).
It had been a dazzling display by the tournament leaders.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/gq3mn5k
England lost to the Czech Republic 7.97-12.03, Israel by the same score, 7.97-12.03, then
beat Belgium 13.28-6.72 before losing to the Netherlands 2.69-17.31. It was a bad day which
dropped the team down to ninth.
Jean-Christophe
Quantin

 Intermediate
Women’s Teams
Turkey v England
With just six matches remaining in the competition, the battle for the top three spots could hardly
have been closer: Poland led England by less than one Victory Point, whilst France was a bit more
than 1 VP behind England.
♠ J 10
♥ A Q 10 8 4
♦ K65
♣ 765
♠ 98532 N ♠ K764
♥ 72 ♥ 965
♦ Q73 W E ♦ J42
♣ KQ2 S ♣ A 10 3
♠ AQ
♥ KJ3
♦ A 10 9 8
♣ J984
Open Room
Adut Smith Yavas Brock
– Pass Pass 1NT
Pass 3NT Pass 4♥
All Pass
2♦ Transfer to hearts
West led a spade to the king and ace. Declarer took the other high spade, drew two rounds of
trumps ending in dummy and led a club to the nine and queen. If West had no more trumps,
that play would give declarer a chance to either set up a club for a diamond discard, or force the
defence to open up the diamond suit. As it happened, West did have no more hearts, so that care-
ful play netted its reward when West shifted to a diamond to East’s jack and declarer’s ace. She
ran the eight of diamonds, then drew the last trump, making ten tricks and plus 420.
Closed Room
Draper Özbey Brown Öymen
– Pass Pass 1NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
3NT was rather less hair-raising than Four Hearts and Öymen took nine tricks to lose an IMP –
playing on clubs or diamonds would have risked the contract.

 Intermediate
♠A
♥ 53
♦ A 10
♣ A K J 10 9 6 5 4
♠ J9752 N ♠ K Q 10 8 3
♥ A7 6 4 ♥ 982
♦ 7432 W E ♦ 865
♣— S ♣ 32
♠ 64
♥ K Q J 10
♦ KQJ9
♣ Q87
Open Room
– 1♣* Pass 1♦*
Pass 1NT* Pass 2♦
Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦
Pass 6♣ All Pass
1♣ Natural, or; a balanced 12-14 / 18-19
1NT GF, usually a balanced 18-19; but, as here, clubs with fewer than 4 spades and
fewer than 3 hearts
3♣ Clarifies that the club hand is held
East led the king of spades; plus 1390 to England.
Closed Room
– 1♣ 1♠ Double*
4♠ 5♣ Pass 6♣
Pass 7♣! Pass Pass
Double All Pass
Öymen/Özbey ended their string of well-bid boards, stretching to a grand slam off a cashing ace.
The problem was, after West doubled (calling off the spade lead) East had to guess which red suit
to lead; 31 IMPs swung in the balance: 17 to England on a heart lead; 14 to Turkey on a dia-
mond lead.
Brown led a diamond; plus 2330 to Turkey.
A call for the Tournament Director due to a slow Six Clubs by South, allegedly giving North
Unauthorized Information and prompting her to venture Seven Clubs saw the TD rule that the
table result, plus 2330 to North/South, stood.

 Intermediate
♠ KQ83
♥ KQ986
♦8
♣ 10 6 5
♠ AJ 10 7 6 5 2 N ♠ 94
♥ J53 ♥ A 10
♦— W E ♦ AK J 9 3 2
♣ A8 4 S ♣ QJ3
♠—
♥ 742
♦ Q 10 7 6 5 4
♣ K972
Open Room
– – – Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
Four Spades is a pretty good contract on the king-of-hearts lead, as happened here. Declarer won
with dummy’s ace and tried to cash two diamonds, discarding clubs. She was shocked to see North
ruff the second of these, then make two more trump tricks to go with the queen of hearts for one
off. Very unlucky and minus 100.
That Adut could have made her contract by taking a club finesse instead of playing the second
high diamond rubbed salt into the wound.
Closed Room
– – – 2♦
2♠ Pass 3NT All Pass
When Öymen committed a weak two and Draper bid, what could Brown do but bid 3NT? South
avoided the losing diamond lead, finding instead a killing heart. Declarer took North’s queen
with her ace and ran the nine of spades to North, South discarding a diamond. North cleared
the cleared the hearts and declarer led a club to her jack and South’s king. the club exit went to
declarer’s ace and she took the ace of spades, the queen of clubs, one high diamond and exited
with the jack of diamonds. South’s queen of diamonds won that trick and she had a long club to
take for one off and a push.

 Intermediate
♠7
♥ Q J 10 6 5 3
♦ A Q 10 4
♣ K5
♠4 N ♠ QJ9832
♥ A9 4 ♥ K87
♦ 93 W E ♦—
♣ AQ109874 S ♣ J632
♠ A K 10 6 5
♥2
♦ KJ87652
♣—
Open Room
– 1♥ 2♠ Pass
Pass 3♥ Pass 5♦
Pass 5♥ All Pass
Brock’s initial Pass introduced an element of confusion into the auction when she later jumped to
Five Diamonds. Smith had a hard time believing this to be natural after the initial Pass (why not
Three Diamonds initially, she wondered), so she took the ‘unsafety play’ of bidding Five Hearts.
This undignified contract went three off on a club lead, ruffed in the dummy. Declarer led a dia-
mond to hand, ruffed by East. A club to the ace and another diamond ruff, with the ace and king
of hearts still to come, minus 150.
Closed Room
Draper Öymen Brown Özbey
– 1♥ 1♠ 2♦
Pass 3♦ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦
Pass 5♦ Pass 6♦
All Pass
Draper tried the ace of hearts on opening lead. When that won, she plunked down the ace of
clubs and was surprised to see it ruffed. Plus 920 gave Turkey another 14 IMP gain.
On Board 10, Brock held:
♠ 42
♥—
♦ AJ 9 7 5 3 2
♣ A8 6 3
At game all, her RHO opened One Heart, she bid Four Diamonds and it went Four Hearts-Pass-
Pass back to her. Your choice?
Brock made a state-of-the-match Double (as Four Diamonds had been), indicating unexpected
defence and the willingness to bid on.

 Intermediate
Her partner was looking at:
♠ Q 10 9 7 3
♥ 987
♦ 86
♣ Q92
When West redoubled she bid Four Spades (against Four Hearts, North/South would have been
unlikely to have taken more than their two aces for minus 990). East doubled and South bid
4NT which left North with little option other than to retreat to Five Diamonds, which cost 1100,
declarer losing two tricks in each of spades, diamonds and clubs. Brown/Draper scored +790 in
Four Hearts doubled at the other table, South overcalling the 1NT opening with Three Diamonds
and then doubling 4♥ after West had doubled and East’s Three Hearts on ♠K6 ♥KQ1032 ♦K104
♣K54 had been raised to game, so the loss was held to 7 IMPs.
The cards had been wild, some of the bidding wilder still, and even the boards not reported
were interesting. Turkey won, 47-16. A heart lead against Seven Clubs doubled on Board 5 would
have meant a 33-33 draw.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zpa84zw
Having lost to Turkey, England bounced back against Norway, winning 18.09-1.91 but then
lost to France 6.25-13.75. That left them in third place. They were virtually certain to qualify
(35.32 VP ahead of eighth) but could they finish on the podium?
Senior Teams
England beat Romania 16.58-3.42, Denmark 16.37-3.27 but then lost to Germany 1.79-18.21.
They were fifth, but would need a solid performance on the last day.
Meanwhile in Round 18 Wales, who had lost their first seventeen matches, finally broke their
duck by defeating Serbia. Wales had a good team, which demonstrates how tough the European
Championships are.
Saturday 25 June
Open Teams
In Round 35 England defeated Denmark 13.04-6.96 which moved them up a place, but they
were still 9.08 behind seventh placed Hungary and Norway, Israel, Poland, Italy and Ireland were
right behind them.
In their penultimate match they faced Italy and found their opponents in an irresistible mood.
After nine deals Italy led 60-0. Here is an illustration of how things were going:
The impossible we do at once, miracles take a little longer

The rationale behind my choice of title rests with the inscription on the memorial to the Seabees
(U.S. Naval Construction Battalions), between Memorial Bridge and Arlington Cemetery:
With willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a bit longer.
In the penultimate round of the Open Championship England and Italy met in a situation
where they both need a big win.

 Intermediate
The deals were explosive, none more so than this one:
♠ Q432
♥ KQ5
♦ Q754
♣ 54
♠ A 10 7 N ♠8
♥ A7 6 ♥ J 10 4 3
♦ AK 8 3 W E ♦ J2
♣ 10 6 2 S ♣ AK Q J 8 3
♠ KJ 9 6 5
♥ 982
♦ 10 9 6
♣ 97
In the Closed Room, Forrester & Robson had reached 6♣, but South led a heart, which left
declarer without resource, one down, -100.
Open Room
Versace Gold Lauria Bakhshi
– Pass 1♣ 1♠
2♠* 3♠ Double Pass
4♠ Pass 5♣ Pass
5NT Pass 6♣ All Pass
Here South led the five of spades and declarer won with dummy’s ace, ruffed a spade, played two
rounds of clubs ending in dummy and ruffed a spade. Having eliminated that suit he ran the jack
of hearts, North winning with the king. This was the position:
♠Q
♥ Q5
♦ Q754
♣—
♠— N ♠—
♥ A7 ♥ 10 4 3
♦ AK 8 3 W E ♦ J2
♣6 S ♣ J8
♠ KJ
♥ 98
♦ 10 9 6
♣—
I was commentating on BBO and many spectators were waxing lyrical about declarer’s play. For
sure he had given himself the best chance and when North exited with a diamond he could win
with the jack, cross to dummy with a heart (Vienna Coup) and cash the remaining trumps, the
last of which was more than North could stand.
Beautifully played, but as I had to point out, North could have spoiled the party by exiting
with the queen of spades rather than a diamond. The ruff and discard gives declarer one extra

 Intermediate
trick, but he cannot find another.
This is not easy to see, especially in the heart of battle after nine days play, but North knew
South had started with five spades and two clubs and he had shown an odd number of hearts and
ergo, three diamonds.
How much this should detract from declarer’s wonderful play is difficult to say; what is certain
is that it gave Italy 16 IMPs on the way to an emphatic win that kept their hopes alive and left
England’s hanging by a thread.
You can replay the deals at: http://tinyurl.com/♥9hqzs
This was how the table looked with one round to go:
1 FRANCE 484.37
2 SWEDEN 456.26
3 NETHERLANDS 455.69
4 MONACO 450.32
5 GERMANY 440.34
6 BULGARIA 426.24
7 POLAND 424.06
8 NORWAY 419.72
9 HUNGARY 418.99
10 ITALY 418.52
11 ISRAEL 416.89
12 IRELAND 414.63
13 ENGLAND 410.29
The bad news for England was that in their last match they faced France. The good news was that
France were already assured of the title and might easily let their guard down. There was also a
rumour that the team finishing eighth might yet qualify for the Bermuda Bowl because South
America might not be able to send its full quota to Lyon. All England could do was score as many
as possible and keep their fingers crossed.
They won, 14.60-5.40, but that left them in tenth place, just 3.89 adrift of eighth-placed Poland
– the team who had stood in their way in Chennai.
Women’s Teams
England started the last day in third place and they made a statement by defeating Estonia 19.34-
0.66. Although Poland and France both won the gap had narrowed.
England’s next match was against the Netherlands. These two sides have exchanged wins over
the years but this time it was England who prevailed, their 17.17-2.83 victory catapulting them
to the top of the table, as France won to keep up the pressure while Poland lost 15.00-5.00 to
the dangerous Swedish team.

 Intermediate
In the last round England faced Poland, while France took on the Netherlands.
♠ A K J 10 4 3
♥ 74
♦ 832
♣ 85
♠ 9752 N ♠Q
♥ 92 ♥ AQ J 8
♦ KQ4 W E ♦ A9 6
♣ A J 10 7 S ♣ K6432
♠ 86
♥ K 10 6 5 3
♦ J 10 7 5
♣ Q9
Open Room
Kazmucha Senior Brewiak Dhondy
– – 2♣* Pass
2♦* 2♠ Double* Pass
3♣ All Pass
2♣ (10)11-15 5+♣4M or 6+♣
2♦ Asking, invitational plus
Double Takeout
Given that West’s 2♦ promised at least invitational values East’s decision to make no move over
3♣ is surprising, but no doubt she felt she had shown her maximum with her Double.
South led a spade and declarer ruffed the second round and played a club to the jack, soon
claiming eleven tricks, +150.
Closed Room
Smith Sarniak Brock Baldysz
– – 1♣* Pass
1♥* Pass 2♦* Pass
5♣ All Pass
1♣ All weak NTs open 1♣ unless 5M, may be 4-4-4-1 11-14
1♦ Hearts
2♦ 15+ unbalanced
4♦ Cue-bid
South led the jack of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s king and played a heart to the
seven, queen and king. South switched to a spade and North won with the ace and continued
with the ten. Declarer ruffed and played a club to the jack, +400 and 6 IMPs for England.

 Intermediate
♠ AK7
♥ A K 10 5 3
♦ AKJ7
♣8
♠ J53 N ♠ Q84
♥ J862 ♥ Q9
♦Q W E ♦ 654
♣ Q 10 7 6 4 S ♣ AK 9 3 2
♠ 10 9 6 2
♥ 74
♦ 10 9 8 3 2
♣ J5
Open Room
Pass 1♥ All Pass
If you open the North hand 1♥ rather than 2♣ you run a risk. Although the modern trend is to
respond with almost nothing South could hardly be blamed for passing with less than nothing.
With a mildly helpful defence declarer collected ten tricks, +170.
Closed Room
Pass 2♦* Pass 2♥*
Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠
Pass 4♠ All Pass
1♣ Polish Club, 11-14 balanced or 17+
1♦ 0-6 or minors (7-9) or one minor (7-11) or 16+ balanced
2♦ Game force
2♥ Negative
Diamonds were never in the picture, but 4♠ was a reasonable game.
West led the queen of diamonds and declarer won in dummy and played a club. East took the
king and returned the five of diamonds, West ruffing and switching to the five of spades. Declarer
took dummy’s top spades and then played on diamonds. East’s queen of spades was the last trick
for the defence, +620 and 10 IMPs for Poland.

 Intermediate
♠ A86
♥ A982
♦ KJ3
♣ Q82
♠ K 10 7 5 N ♠ J432
♥ K 10 7 6 ♥ 543
♦ 87 W E ♦ A 10 5
♣ A7 6 S ♣ 10 5 4
♠ Q9
♥ QJ
♦ Q9642
♣ KJ93
Open Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1♣ Pass 1♦
Pass 1NT Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
East led the two of spades and when West covered the queen of spades with the king declarer took
the ace and played the jack of diamonds, continuing with the king when it held. East took her
ace and the defenders cashed three spades and still had the ace of clubs to come, +50.
Closed Room
– – Pass Pass
Pass 1♣* Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
To defeat 3NT by South West must lead a diamond so that East can win and switch to a spade.
West led the five of spades and declarer could win with the queen and knock out the ace of dia-
monds and the ace of clubs for +400 and 10 IMPs.

 Intermediate
♠ A852
♥ Q 10 8
♦ J74
♣ Q86
♠ K743 N ♠6
♥ K3 ♥ AJ 4 2
♦ 8653 W E ♦ A Q 10 9
♣ K J 10 S ♣ A9 5 4
♠ Q J 10 9
♥ 9765
♦ K2
♣ 732
Open Room
– – – Pass
Pass Pass 1♦* Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
2♣* Pass 2♦* All Pass
1♦ (10)11-21(22)PC, 5+♦ or 1444♦ or 4♦5♣ (11-14)
2♣ Check back
2♦ minimum, 1444
South led the queen of spades and continued the suit. Declarer ruffed, played a club to the jack
and queen, won the club return with dummy’s ten and played a diamond to the queen and king.
She ruffed the spade return, cashed the ace of diamonds, played a club to the king, cashed the
king of hearts, played a heart to the ace and pitched a spade on the ace of clubs,+110.
Closed Room
Pass Pass 1♦ Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT* Pass
2♦* Pass 2♥ Pass
3♦ Pass 3NT All Pass
1NT 15+ artificial
2♦ Game-forcing relay
South led the queen of spades and the defenders took four tricks in the suit, declarer parting with
a two diamonds and a heart. North switched to the four of diamonds and South took declar-
er’s queen with the king and returned the suit . When declarer continued with a club to the ten
North won and cashed the jack of diamonds for three down,-300 and another 9 IMPs to Poland.

 Intermediate

♠ A8432
♥A
♦ Q982
♣ J 10 4
♠ K 10 9 N ♠ Q76
♥ 532 ♥ J86
♦ AK W E ♦ J76543
♣ Q7532 S ♣8
♠ J5
♥ K Q 10 9 7 4
♦ 10
♣ AK96
Open Room
– – Pass 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
West led the king of diamonds and switched to the two of hearts. After winning with dummy’s
ace declarer ruffed a diamond, drew trumps, cashed the ace of clubs, crossed to dummy with a
spade, pitched a spade on the queen of diamonds and took the losing club finesse, +650.
Closed Room
– – Pass 1♥
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣
Pass 2NT Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass
Here too West led the king of diamonds and switched to a heart. Declarer elected to run the jack
of clubs and West won with the queen and returned the seven, East ruffing. Declarer had followed
with dummy’s four but fell from grace by failing to unblock a club honour from her hand, which
would have given her a vital second entry to dummy. She won the spade return in dummy and
ruffed a diamond, but there was no way back to dummy to cash the queen so she was one down,
-100 and England had been gifted 13 badly needed IMPs.
The teams traded a few IMPs and when the last deal hit the table England trailed 24-37. That
would see them finish on 308.35, with Poland on 308.09. Meanwhile France were headed for
defeat, trailing the Netherlands 31-43.

 Intermediate
♠ AK532
♥—
♦ 10 9 5
♣ KJ842
♠— N ♠ J 10 9
♥ A J 10 5 2 ♥ Q874
♦ AK J 7 6 4 2 W E ♦ Q8
♣A S ♣ Q 10 9 3
♠ Q8764
♥ K963
♦3
♣ 765
Open Room
1♣* 1♠ Double 4♠
5♠* 6♣ Double 6♠
7♥ All Pass
1♣ Balanced 2+♣ (11/13;17/19 or18-20;23+);5+♣ 15+
5♠ First-round control
North led the ace of spades and declarer ruffed, crossed to dummy with a diamond and advanced
the queen of hearts. The elation on seeing South’s king was immediately dispelled when North dis-
carded. There was one slim chance remaining – if South had started with three diamonds declarer
could get to dummy and pick up the trumps. That hope vanished when North followed to the
ace of diamonds and South’s ruff meant one down, +100.
Full credit to Nevena Senior for her decision to bid 6♣.
Closed Room
1♦ 1♠ Double* 4♠
4NT* 5♠ Double Pass
6♥ All Pass
Declarer ruffed the spade lead and played the ace of hearts followed by the jack, soon claiming,
+1430 and 17 IMPs.
That meant England had won, 11.48-8.52 and finished with 313.35 VP. Just as well, as France
had gained 15 IMPs on this deal, saving in 6♠ for -300 at one table while making 6♥ at the other
and their final total of 308.78 would have been enough to win there had been no swing in Eng-
land’s match.
You can replay these deals at: http://tinyurl.com/zdr4wto

 Intermediate
Senior Teams
England lost their opening match of the day to Portugal 3.74-16.26 which pushed them down
to seventh. They faced the leaders, Israel next and lost a close match 7.97-12.03 which cost them
another place. In the last round they need nothing less than a maximum but they were up against
third placed Sweden and went down 4.44-15.56 to finish tenth.
The main story surrounded France, who, four rounds before the end had been languishing in
twelfth place. They won their last four matches to finish sixth - great news for Austria, as by fin-
ishing seventh they would now get a spot in next year’s world championships.
The Open Champions - France
The Womens Champions - England
The Senior Champions - Israel

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in Chennai, India. With 382 pages you get an amazing yourself as declarer when dummy appears. In each of the 52
amount of terrific bridge for a relatively modest outlay. example hands, the author goes through the same six
Includes detailed high-level analysis of hands played in questions, and shows you how to arrive at answers that will
each competition (Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup, d'Orsi help you develop the best plan for the hand. The examples
Trophy, Open Teams) along with the scores from each range from relatively simple to fairly complex, but gradually
match and the final rankings table, along with round-by- you will learn to answer the questions for yourself and then
round reports and an abundance of colour photographs. use the information to play the hand to best effect.
Category: Bidding & Play. Suitable for advanced players only. Category: Declarer Play. Suitable for intermediate players.
Should I or Shouldn’t I? Drawing trumps at bridge The Abbot, The Parrot and the Bermuda Bowl
Marc Smith, 240 pages, paperback David Bird, 144 pages, paperback
BM Online Price £11.95 BM Online Price £12.99
In this book, Marc Smith looks at those less For more than 35 years, David Bird's tales of the bridge-
straightforward deals where you can’t just ‘draw trumps crazy monks of St. Titus have appeared in magazines
and claim’. Perhaps you need ruffs in the short hand, around the world. In this twelfth collection in book form,
perhaps a crossruff is the way home, perhaps you have the pompous and self-important Abbot spots a chance to
entry problems, or (shudder) a less than robust trump take part in that Holy Grail of bridge - the Bermuda Bowl
suit. Maybe you need to guard against a bad break, either world championships. Casting all ethics aside, he
in trumps or in a side suit. Or perhaps you need to play pursues this dream. Partnered by the Parrot,with the
the early part of the hand with an eye to the endgame, Witchdoctor, Mbozi, Mrs. Okoku and Miss Mabooba as
planning a throw-in or squeeze. teammates, he travels to India's Chennai and faces many
of the world's best real-life players.
All these eventualities and more are discussed, as the
reader is shown step by step not only how to handle these Regular follows of David Bird's work will know what to
issues in the play, but how to recognize them at the table expect--a first-rate mixture of amazing bridge, entertaining
and become a significantly better declarer as a result. characters and sparkling dialog.
Category: Declarer Play. Suitable for intermediate players. Category: Bridge fiction. Suitable for all standards of players.

 Intermediate
The 2016 World Bridge Games have a new format!
The first events, starting on 3rd September, will be the National Open,
Women’s, Seniors and Mixed Teams, with each WBF Member Bridge
Organisation being entitled and invited to send a team in each category
to compete in these exciting and challenging Championships.
The second week is for the new National Open, Women’s, Seniors and
Mixed Pairs Championships, and for these there is no limit to the
number of pairs each NBO may nominate to participate. The pairs
events will start on Tuesday 13th September.
More information can be found on the WBF Website :

www.worldbridge.org
and on the special website set up for the event at :
www.worldbridgegames2016.com
where details of the hotels can be found.
Registration can be done through the website at www.worldbridge.org

after 1st April 2016
The World Bridge Federation and the Polish Bridge Union look forward
to welcoming participants from all over the world to enjoy the 2016
World Bridge Games in the magnificent
Hala Stulecia in Wroclaw, Poland.

 Intermediate
Bridge Over the Rainbow
Alex Adamson and Harry Smith with more stories from The Over The Rainbow Club
If I Only Had the Nerve

T he Lion stomped unhappily into the other room to play the last set of six boards in the final
of the club’s Handicap Cup. They had started the match with a handicap of 4 IMPs against
the witches, but after the first set the deficit had been increased to 20 IMPs. Wins by eight
in each of the next two sets, brought them back to where they had started with just the final set
of six boards to go.
Comparing scores with the Tin Man wasn’t the Lion’s, or for that matter anyone else’s idea
of fun. Indeed, he sometimes felt that dental treatment without anesthetic might be less of an
ordeal. The scoring up of the third set had been a particularly unpleasant experience. The Tin
Man seemed to think that he and Dorothy had a good card, and was far from satisfied with the
actual win by 8 IMPs.
The Wicked Witch of the West had made a 3NT with six top losers, but how had he been sup-
posed to find a lead from A2 of spades, when he had another suit of QJ109? The Scarecrow had
one of his spades looking very club-like during the auction, and hadn’t opened the routine weak
two in spades as the Irritable Witch of the South had done at the other table.
Then, admittedly, there was the pushy Four Spades their opposition had made despite the seri-
ous handicap of having Glinda at the helm. Dorothy at the other table had had to rely on a double
squeeze to make her Three Spades part-score. The Scarecrow had just read an article where the
lead of small from a doubleton honour had worked wonders. He had been concentrating and lis-
tening carefully to the auction. It sounded just like the one in the book, and he had a doubleton
king. He had felt it was unlucky that this wasn’t the moment for it. Even Glinda, despite appar-
ently trying hard to fail, couldn’t quite manage it after that lead.
But they had still won by eight IMPs, and that was due in no small measure to them defeating
Glinda’s vulnerable 1NT by two tricks. She had seven top tricks, but having been chastised for
turning down risk-free finesses earlier in the match showed the merit of her earlier caution, tak-
ing two finesses which were wrong in more ways than one. The Tin Man had insisted on focusing
on these other hands and hadn’t wanted to hear how this defence had gone.
He certainly had made it abundantly clear that in his opinion the match should have been
wrapped up by now, and the blame for the fact that it wasn’t certainly lay with his teammates.
‘I’ll show him,’ the Lion muttered. ‘I’ll show that rusty tin can. The cheek of him...so easy after
the hand, anyone can do that. Just one chance, that’s all I need.’
Dorothy was only too well aware of the effect her partner was having on teammates, but it was
too late to do anything. She took the North seat, and extracted her hand from the first board. She
found herself looking at a 1-5-6-1 eight-count, and decided to open it. In order to get both her
suits into the auction, she started proceedings with a bid of One Heart.

 Intermediate
This was the full hand:
Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠8
♥ KJ862
♦ AJ9654
♣ 10
♠ 10 7 5 N ♠ AJ 6 3 2
♥ Q 10 7 4 ♥ 93
♦ K32 W E ♦ 10 8 7
♣ J62 S ♣ A9 5
♠ KQ94
♥ A5
♦Q
♣ KQ8743
Wicked W Dorothy Glinda Tin Man
– 1♥ 1♠ 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 3NT
All Pass
Her partner’s 3NT was the last thing she wanted to hear. Her hand was clearly worth an opening
bid if it found a fit with partner. It looked distinctly less attractive when partner didn’t like either
suit. She knew that the Tin Man was going to be disappointed with dummy, but from experience
she also knew that it would do no good to insist on one of her suits. She would just have to take
her medicine in the post mortem if the contract failed.
The Wicked Witch of the West pulled out the ♠5, leading her partner’s suit. Glinda won the
trick with the ace, and returned the ♠3 to declarer’s king, dummy discarding a diamond.
The Tin Man stared disconsolately at the dummy in front of him. He had limited communi-
cation between the hands, and a choice of three suits to tackle, each with only a seven-card fit.
None of them looked appetising. The only consolation was that there was no obvious suit for the
defence to tackle.
He started with the ♦Q, which held the trick, and then the ♣K, which Glinda won with the
ace. She now played her ♠2. The Tin Man put in the nine, leaving West to win the trick, as he
discarded a heart from dummy. The Wicked Witch switched to a heart, which the Tin Man won
in hand with the ace, leaving this position, having both won and lost three tricks:
♠—
♥ KJ8
♦ AJ96
♣—
♠— N ♠ J6
♥ Q 10 7 ♥3
♦ K3 W E ♦ 10 8
♣ J6 S ♣ 95
♠Q
♥5
♦—
♣ Q8743
 Intermediate
The Tin Man laid the ♣Q on the table, discarding a diamond from dummy. He now played the
♠Q. This left the Wicked Witch feeling distinctly uncomfortable. She couldn’t afford any red
card, so discarded her ♣J, relying on her partner holding the ♣9 to stop declarer, the Tin Man,
running the rest of this suit.
The Tin Man had seen the Wicked Witch squirm. He now took the heart finesse by playing the
five to the jack, and when this held, faced his hand with a flourish. ‘I shall be cashing the king of
hearts, and if the queen falls, I have nine tricks conceding a diamond at the end. If it doesn’t, then
I shall exit with the eight of hearts, and you,’ he turned and looked with disdain at the Wicked
Witch, ‘will then have the pleasure of allowing me to take a second diamond finesse.’
Glinda looked on uncomprehendingly. ‘Well done,’ she said. The Wicked Witch sniffed, and
put her cards back in the board. ‘Nothing to it,’ she said, sneering at the Tin Man, ‘Even that cre-
tin, the Irritable Witch of the South should be capable of a baby play like that.’
‘Well played’, said Dorothy, ignoring her ‘I was aware dummy wasn’t ideal’.
The auction was identical in the other room, and the Lion, sitting West, took the safe course of
leading his partner’s suit. In at trick two with her ♠K, the Irritable Witch of the South followed
almost the same line of play as the Tin Man. The ♦Q held and she followed it up with the ♣Q.
With the match so close, the Scarecrow was trying to give every card played his full attention,
not that in his case that amounted to much. Seeing the ♣Q, suddenly he saw how to defeat this
contract. Clearly partner had the king of clubs, and if the Lion took it on the next round, the
spades could be cleared and he would still have his ♣A as an entry.
When her ♣Q held the trick, the Irritable Witch thought for a moment. She still had spades
guarded – the suit the defence was sure to play, and she had the ♥A in hand. As long as clubs
were three-three, she would have time to set up the clubs and be able to enjoy them. A doubleton
ace would also help – making her ♣K a winner. She led the ♣8. The Lion was suspicious. Could
declarer have the 9-8? He rose with the jack, and returned the ten of spades, declarer winning
with the queen. The players were now down to:
♠—
♥ KJ862
♦ AJ
♣—
♠— N ♠ J6
♥ Q 10 7 4 ♥ 93
♦ K3 W E ♦ 10 8
♣6 S ♣A
♠9
♥ A5
♦—
♣ K743
The Irritable Witch surveyed the hand for a few minutes. She had taken two spade tricks, the ♣Q,
and the ♦Q, four tricks in total. She still had the ♦A and the two top hearts bringing the total to
seven. Continuing clubs did not seem like a good plan as the Scarecrow would have the ace for
his overcall and his last remaining spades were now good. She turned her mind to piecing together
the Lion’s West hand. He seemed to have started with three spades, and from his hesitation on
the previous trick it looked like he had three clubs. It seemed entirely possible that he had three
hearts to the queen, in which case dummy’s heart suit would provide her eighth and ninth tricks.
She played the ♥A, and then overcame the first hurdle when the finesse of the ♥J won. How-
ever, the heart suit failed to break, and she then drifted one down.

 Intermediate
Not waiting for the play to finish, the Unpleasant Witch of the North leaned across the table. ‘I’m
glad you took so long to think about the end-game, partner’, she said in a clearly menacing tone, ‘but
wouldn’t it have been a better idea to do so one trick earlier? After giving West a trick with his jack of
clubs, all you have to do is give him another one with his ten of spades! Nothing he can lead can do
you any harm and you still have the spades stopped. What is he supposed to lead next?’ she cackled.
‘You might even have given some thought a trick earlier, after your queen of clubs had won,’
she continued, lapping up her partner’s obvious discomfort. ‘Your right hand opponent hesitated
long enough on the first club trick to tell the world and his uncle that he had the ace. Why not
play the king of clubs next to ensure the danger hand wins that trick rather than a later one?’
As she sat back in her seat smugly, she finished with ‘And YOU can explain that hand to Wicked’.
For someone who has just seen a probable loss of 12 IMPs, the Unpleasant Witch of the North
looked surprisingly happy. The thought of the confrontation later between her partner and the
Wicked Witch of the West, assisted by some appropriate stirring from her good self, looked like
providing amusement for the whole evening.
The Irritable Witch of the South remained tight-lipped. She knew she was on weak ground, but
consoled herself with the thought that the next time her partner made a mistake, she wouldn’t
hold back. It might almost be worth letting her play a few hands just to get some ammunition!
When the last board was placed on the table, the Lion knew the match was very close. Every
IMP was likely to count. With both sides vulnerable, he picked up:
♠ KJ
♥ AJ 9
♦ K Q J 10 7
♣ 10 9 4
After two passes the Irritable Witch of the South opened One Heart. Summoning up all his courage,
the Lion overcalled 1NT, and tried, with only limited success, to remain calm when the Unpleas-
ant Witch of the North doubled. The Scarecrow and South both passed and he removed himself
to Two Diamonds, with the best attempt at nonchalance that he could muster. North now bid
Three Clubs, much to the Lion’s relief, and South now paused for thought. She tried Three Dia-
monds and after her partner’s Three Spades she bid 3NT, which brought the auction to an end.
Lion Unpleasant W Scarecrow Irritable W
— Pass Pass 1♥
1NT Double Pass Pass
2♦ 3♣ Pass 3♦
Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT
All Pass
The Lion felt on solid, unimpeachable, ground in leading the king of diamonds, after which he could see:
♠ A985
♥ K7
♦ 64
♣ KJ763
♠ KJ N
♥ AJ 9
♦ K Q J 10 7 W E
♣ 10 9 4 S

 Intermediate
Declarer took some time to duck trick one, giving the Lion time to consider the defence. He
could see that declarer had at most five club tricks, one diamond and a spade on top. Once the
ace of diamonds was dislodged then he would have five tricks in his hand so the contract would
be one down. If declarer wasn’t careful then in trying to set up an eighth or ninth trick a sixth
trick might appear for the defenders. That would be a score to show the Tin Man, and an extra
vulnerable undertrick might be critical.
With the Scarecrow showing a even number, South won the second diamond and led a heart
towards the dummy. The Lion ducked smoothly, setting up a tenace over declarer’s queen when
the king scored. However instead of continuing hearts declarer switched to clubs. She won the
ace and queen in hand and returned to dummy with a third one. Declarer and the Lion discarded
hearts on the fourth club leaving this position:
♠ A985
♥7
♦—
♣J
♠ KJ N
♥A
♦ J 10 7 W E
♣— S
On the fifth club declarer threw a spade and the Lion found himself with an impossible problem.
His head was pounding. Why had he not followed his instincts and simply taken his five tricks
when he had the chance? A spade was out of the question, as was the ♥A, so he had to discard
one of his diamond winners. Declarer’s next move was to put him in with the ♥A. He cashed his
two diamonds, but then he had to broach the spade suit, giving declarer her ninth trick with the
queen. This was the full hand.
♠ A985
♥ K7
♦ 64
♣ KJ763
♠ KJ N ♠ 10 6 4 2
♥ AJ 9 ♥ 842
♦ K Q J 10 7 W E ♦ 9852
♣ 10 9 4 S ♣ 82
♠ Q73
♥ Q 10 6 5 3
♦ A3
♣ AQ5
The other table was still in play. The Lion pretended to turn on his mobile phone. ‘I’ve just got
an urgent text message,’ he told the Scarecrow, putting his coat on. ‘You can let me know the
result later.’
‘But they are just finishing,’ called the Scarecrow to his partner’s hastily retreating back.
‘Sorry, must hurry!’ called the Lion as the door shut.

 Intermediate
LYON - the place to be in August 2017

World Youth Championships
from 15th – 25th August 2017
LYON - FRANCE
Lyon is a place of warmth and

cultural exchange, and cultivates
a tradition of hospitality and
openness.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site

and a leading European tourist
destination, Lyon is also known
for the hosting and organisation
of major events.
In Lyon, the past and the future

meet. Ancient, modern and urban
combine with each other, every
discovery and every encounter
that you experience will be full of
wonder.
Welcome to Lyon where the 5th

World Youth Open Bridge
Championships, which are
organised by the World Bridge
Federation in cooperation with
the French Bridge Federation, will
be held at the Cité Internationale
of Lyon Schedule of play for the 2017
Youth Open Championships
The French Bridge Federation is
Pairs Registration Tues 15th Aug (at 10.00 hrs)
pleased to invite you to come and
participate in the events for Opening Ceremony Tues 15th Aug at 19.30
Juniors, Girls, Youngster
Pairs Championship From Wed 16th to Sat 19th Aug
and kids. (Prize-giving at 19.00)
Teams Championship From Sun 20th to Thurs 24th Aug

(Prize-Giving at 19.30)
Teams BAM From Tues 22nd to Fri 25th Aug
Championship
Prize-giving & Fri 25th Aug at 19.30 hrs.
Closing Ceremony

 Intermediate
Test Your
Defence
with Julian Pottage Solutions on page 145
♠ ♠
1 ♥
K J 10 3
Q J 10 2 ♥
AQJ3
J
♦ A Q 10 2 ♦ AQJ2
♣ 85 ♣ A Q 10 4
N ♠Q765 N ♠ K 10 8 5 4
♥8764 ♥ 96
W E ♦6 W E ♦ K 10 6 5
S ♣AK 4 2 S ♣ K2
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
– – – 1♥ 4♥ Double Pass 5♣
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 6♣ All Pass
Pass 4♥ All Pass Partner leads the king of hearts. Declarer wins with
Partner leads the queen of clubs. What is your plan? the ace, ruffs a heart, cashes the ace of clubs (seven of
hearts from partner) and puts you in with the king of
clubs. What do you return?



 Intermediate
The Parrot’s Grand Finale

David Bird
T he Abbot’s team was in the lead by 6 VPs as they took their seats for the seventh and final
round of the Winchester Green-point Swiss. ‘I recognise these guys we’re playing against,’ the
Abbot informed his team mates. ‘Two of them are junior internationals. Heaven knows why
they’ve come so far, just to play in a local event.’
‘The same reason that we have, probably,’ retorted Brother Paulo. ‘To collect a few green points.’
The Abbot grimaced. ‘Don’t be so absurd,’ he replied. ‘What value can green points have, once
you’ve played in the Bermuda Bowl?’
‘Some people can’t get enough of them,’ said Brother Lucius. ‘It’s the same with women and
chocolate mousse, apparently.’
‘Ah, so now we face the famous Parrot,’ exclaimed Luke Minton, offering his hand ‘Please to
meet you! I’m afraid it took us rather a long time to reach Table 1.’
The Parrot raised his right claw for a brief shake, balancing on the other claw.
Simon Purkis smiled to himself. ‘You know why we’ve come here, don’t you?’ he said. ‘We’re
hoping to knock you off your perch. Not literally, of course!’
The Parrot was unamused. He sorted through his cards for the first board, finding that he had
a 1NT opener:
Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠Q
♥ A Q J 10 9 2
♦ A7
♣ A762
♠ 10 9 7 4 N ♠ 86532
♥3 ♥ K85
♦ J 10 9 6 3 W E ♦ 8542
♣ K 10 8 S ♣4
♠ AKJ
♥ 764
♦ KQ
♣ QJ953
Luke The Simon The
Minton Abbot Purkis Parrot
— — — 1NT
Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥
Pass 4NT Pass 5♦
Pass 6♥ All Pass
The Abbot employed a high-level transfer, followed by RKCB. The Parrot arrived in Six Hearts
and the jack of diamonds was led. He won in his hand with the queen and led a trump to the
queen. Simon Purkis followed smoothly with the ♥8.

 Intermediate
‘Queen of spades,’ said the Parrot, overtaking with the ace in his hand. If the king of trumps
was onside, the slam would be an easy make. What if he led another trump at this stage and the
tiresome East, who fancied himself as a comedian, had held up from ♥K-8-5?
The Parrot decided to take precautions to deal with this situation. He cashed a second high
spade, discarding the ace of diamonds from dummy. Only then did he lead a second round of
trumps. When West discarded a diamond, the Parrot gave a satisfied click of the beak. Thank
goodness he had taken the trouble to play the hand properly! He won with the ace of hearts and
threw East on lead with a third round of the suit. If the ace of diamonds had not been discarded,
Simon Purkis could have locked declarer in the dummy with a diamond return. He returned a
diamond anyway and the Parrot won with the king, throwing a club from dummy. The jack of
spades provided another club discard and a successful club finesse then landed the slam.
The young opponents nodded respectfully in the Parrot’s direction. Wow! He was every bit as
good as the article in Bridge Magazine had claimed. A couple of boards later, this was the lay-out:
Dealer North. Both Vul.
♠ AKJ4
♥ A74
♦ AJ4
♣ AQ2
♠Q N ♠ 10 8 6 3
♥ J9862 ♥ K 10 5 3
♦ 8753 W E ♦ K96
♣ 987 S ♣ 53
♠ 9752
♥Q
♦ Q 10 2
♣ K J 10 6 4
Luke The Simon The
— 2♣ Pass 2♦
Pass 2NT Pass 3♣
Pass 3♠ Pass 5♠
Pass 6♠ All Pass
Turning a blind eye to his weak trumps, the Parrot made a general slam try of 5♠.
The Abbot nodded learnedly. Well, if holding all five key cards wasn’t enough to bid the slam,
he didn’t know what was! In any case, the present youthful opponents would probably assist him
with a poorly chosen opening lead.
Simon Purkis led a low trump and down went the dummy. The Abbot nodded his approval
of the cards on display. Just as he had thought, East had helped him with a lead into the trump
tenace. Who in their right minds would lead a trump against a small slam?
The Abbot won West’s queen of trumps with the ace and saw that there would be no need to
take a diamond finesse. He could ruff two hearts in the dummy and discard two diamonds on the
good clubs. If he could manage two heart ruffs as well, there would be an easy overtrick.
The Abbot cashed the ace of hearts and ruffed a heart. A club to the ace allowed him to ruff his
remaining heart and he then led dummy’s last trump, West showing out. So much for the over-
trick, thought the Abbot as he won with the trump king. In fact, wait a minute, was the contract

 Intermediate
in trouble now?
The Abbot drew one more round of trumps with the jack. In the unlikely case that East held
four clubs, he would be able to ditch both his diamond losers before East could ruff in. It was
surely a better idea to cross to dummy on the second round of clubs and take the 50% chance of
the diamond finesse.
The Abbot crossed to the jack of clubs and ran the queen of diamonds. When the finesse lost,
East drew the Abbot’s last trump and returned a heart, West cashing two tricks to put the slam
three down.
The Parrot was hopping up and down in disbelief. ‘Duck, duck, DUCK!’ he screeched.
The Abbot winced as several players at the adjacent tables turned their heads. What on earth
was the Parrot ranting about? Duck what?
‘He’s right,’ said Luke Minton. ‘If you let my queen of trumps hold, you can win the return,
ruff two hearts, draw trumps and score all the clubs.’
The Abbot struggled to recall the layout. Duck the queen of trumps? It had never occurred to
him. It would never occur to anyone, surely.
At the other table, Lucius and Paulo faced two junior international players:
Dealer East. Neither Vul.
♠ Q 10 7 6 4
♥ K6
♦ Q543
♣ 97
♠ 93 N ♠—
♥ QJ109875 ♥ 42
♦ A9 8 W E ♦ J 10 6
♣A S ♣ K Q J 10 8 4 3 2
♠ AKJ852
♥ A3
♦ K72
♣ 65
Brother Karen Brother Simon
Paulo Busch Lucius Roberts
— — 4♣ 4♠
All Pass
Brother Paulo led the ace of clubs and surveyed the useful-looking dummy. Not the worst cards
that might have been laid down! Brother Lucius, with no particular preference between the red
suits, followed with a middling ♣4. Declarer won the queen of hearts switch and played the ace of
trumps. Brother Paulo had no wish to be end-played with the ♠9 and quickly disposed of this card.
When East discarded a club on this trick, the youthful declarer looked respectfully at his left-hand
opponent. Hmm... unblocking the nine. Monks or not, these guys had played the game before.
Declarer drew the remaining trumps and led a diamond to the queen, winning the trick. He
played dummy’s king of hearts, leaving these cards to be played:

 Intermediate
♠ Q 10 7
♥—
♦ 543
♣9
♠— N ♠—
♥ J 10 9 8 7 ♥—
♦ A9 W E ♦ J 10
♣— S ♣ K Q J 10 4
♠ J852
♥—
♦ K8
♣6
Simon Roberts paused to consider his next play. If East had failed to unblock the honour from
♦J-6, an exit in either minor would succeed. If East had begun with a singleton diamond, a club
exit would be required. If West had ♦A-J doubleton remaining, a diamond exit would yield the
contract. West could score two diamond tricks but would then have to concede a ruff-and-discard.
With no great certainty that he was doing the right thing. Simon Roberts decided to call for a
diamond. When the jack of diamonds appeared from East, he played low from his hand. Brother
Lucius cashed a club and led a third round of diamonds for one down.
‘Could I have made it?’ asked the declarer.
‘Not once my partner ditches his nine of trumps,’ Brother Lucius replied.
Simon Roberts nodded his appreciation of the position. If West had not unblocked in trumps,
an eventual throw-in to the ♠9 would have been successful. A diamond exit would allow declarer
to score three diamond tricks, discarding his club loser. If instead West chose to exit with a heart,
declarer would ruff in dummy and discard a diamond from his hand. He could then establish
dummy’s thirteenth diamond for a club discard.
The last board of the event was placed on the table and the Abbot found that he held a 2NT
opener. Excellent! With any luck he would become declarer and be able to display his expertise
just before lifting the silver trophy.
The Abbot opened 2NT and the next player passed. The Parrot stretched out a claw and with
some difficulty lifted a number of bidding cards from his box. The Abbot leaned forward to see
what he had bid. Goodness me, what a selfish response! The Parrot had bid Five Clubs. This was
the deal:
Dealer North. Both Vul.
♠ 8752
♥ AQ43
♦ AK7
♣ AK
♠ Q J 10 4 N ♠ K63
♥ J965 ♥ K 10 8 2
♦ J983 W E ♦ Q 10 4
♣5 S ♣ Q72
♠ A9
♥7
♦ 652
♣ J 10 9 8 6 4 3

 Intermediate
Luke The Simon The
— 2NT Pass 5♣
All Pass
The Parrot won the queen of spades lead with the ace and saw that all would be well if the trump
queen fell in two rounds. Indeed, an overtrick might be possible if the heart finesse succeeded.
Mind you, the East player was looking pleased with himself, almost as pleased as after his fatuous
‘knock you off your perch joke’. It certainly seemed that he had some hope of beating the contract.
The Parrot crossed to the ace of hearts and ruffed a heart in his hand. His next move was to
surrender a spade trick, won by West’s ♠10. When West switched to a trump, the Parrot won in
dummy and ruffed another heart in his hand. A diamond to the ace was followed by a heart ruff
with a high trump, all following.
Playing at a good speed, the Parrot returned to dummy with the diamond king and ruffed a
spade in his hand. These cards were still in play:
♠8
♥—
♦7
♣A
♠J N ♠—
♥— ♥—
♦ J9 W E ♦Q
♣— S ♣ Q7
♠—
♥—
♦6
♣ J 10
West showed out when a trump was played to the ace but the Parrot showed no concern at all.
Indeed, this meant that his exotic line of play had been the only one to land the contract. ‘Spade!’
he squawked.
Whichever minor-suit queen East chose to play, declarer’s jack of trumps would be promoted
into an eleventh trick. The club game had been made.
Turning towards the East player, the Parrot stretch out his wings in a magnificent display of
blue and yellow. ‘Notice anything?’ he enquired.
‘Sorry?’ mumbled Simon Purkis. ‘What do you mean?’
The Parrot restored his wings to their position of rest. ‘I’m still on my perch,’ he said.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH 3
Champions All in Budapest

There is nothing quite like the atmosphere that surrounds a major championship, particularly as
the event moves towards its climax.
In recent years, the European Bridge League

and the World Bridge Federation have taken
enormous strides in connection with the
promotion of bridge and at every important
event a dedicated team is at hand to ensure
that a regular stream of information is made
available via websites, Facebook and
YouTube. At the European Championships in
Budapest, there were regular postings on their
Facebook page:
Perhaps the two most important innovations have been the creation of a series of bridge videos
that encapsulate the best of every tournament and the decision to employ professional
commentators on BBO, ensuring the best possible coverage for those who wish to follow the
championships, but are unable to attend in person.
Vive la France! We are the Champions

running time: 3 minutes running time: 1 minute
Seniors on Parade Test your Defence with Julian Pottage

running time: 7 minutes running time: 5 minutes
By kind permission of the European Bridge League
 Intermediate

 Intermediate
BRIDGE PACKAGE INCLUDES: (1) (2)

 Intermediate
Solution to Non-Prize Problem

♠4 N ♠ AK 5
♥ A 10 8 6 5 ♥ K97
♦ A8 5 2 W E ♦ 10 6 4 3
♣ A8 3 S ♣ K42
As West you are playing in Four Hearts. You receive the lead of the seven of diamonds.
Plan your play.
Outside of trumps you have five winners so if you can make five trump tricks you will bring
home your contract. Thus take the ace of diamonds and cash your two high spades discard-
ing a club from hand. Now ruff the remaining spade, cash ace and king of clubs and ruff
dummy’s third club. Now exit with a diamond, the defence is now helpless if the trump hon-
ours are split. Even if they cash three diamonds you will have ♥A108 in hand and ♥K97 in
dummy and whoever is on lead and whatever they lead you will make three trump tricks by
playing for split honours. If the original lead was not a singleton but a doubleton it will be
even easier as in the four-card ending the defender on lead must a black card on which you
discard a diamond and let it run up to your trump tenace. The other defender has to be able
to ruff with an honour otherwise you make a small trump and still have the ace and king to
cash. You overruff and now make two more trump tricks by force.
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 Intermediate
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 Intermediate
Solutions to “Test Your Defence”
with Julian Pottage See page 133
♠ ♠
1 ♥
K J 10 3
Q J 10 2 ♥
AQJ3
J
♦ A Q 10 2 ♦ AQJ2
♣ 85 ♣ A Q 10 4
♠ A8 4 2 N ♠ Q765 ♠ 76 N ♠ K 10 8 5 4
♥ 5 ♥ 8764 ♥ K Q 10 8 7 5 4 3 ♥ 96
♦ 8753 W E ♦ 6 ♦ 973 W E ♦ K 10 6 5
♣ QJ96 S ♣ AK 4 2 ♣ — S ♣ K2
♠ 9 ♠ 92
♥ AK932 ♥ A2
♦ KJ94 ♦ 84
♣ 10 7 3 ♣ J987653
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

– – – 1♥ 4♥ Double Pass 5♣
Pass 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 6♣ All Pass
Pass 4♥ All Pass Partner leads the king of hearts. Declarer wins with
Partner leads the queen of clubs. What is your plan? the ace, ruffs a heart, cashes the ace of clubs (seven of
It looks like your side can make two club tricks. Where hearts from partner) and puts you in with the king of
can you find two more tricks? One slight chance is clubs. What do you return?
with two spade tricks. Scoring two tricks in each black You are in a pickle here and cannot avoid making a
suit requires declarer to have a 2-5-4-2 and to guess lead that helps your opponent. You just want to make
the spade suit wrongly. Given your strong club hold- sure that you do not lose two tricks. To avoid losing
ing, your opponent would surely play your partner two tricks you have two traps to navigate around. You
for the ace. want neither to leave a ruffing finesse position nor set
A diamond ruff seems the best possibility for an extra up a squeeze.
trick. You can get in with a club and switch to your You hope to avoid a ruffing finesse in your non-exit suit
diamond. If your partner has a fast trump entry, you if declarer has a doubleton; to avoid one in your exit
score a ruff. So long as you win the first club, you will suit you will lead the ten of the suit: you do not want
also score a ruff on the actual layout. Declarer cannot declarer to hop up with the nine from a doubleton.
draw trumps because doing so would leave three club A squeeze will come about if declarer has a doubleton
losers and a spade. Nor is it possible to ruff a club or or tripleton nine in the suit in which you do not exit.
set up a spade trick without losing the lead. Your opponent can cash the ace as a Vienna Coup to
Note that ducking the first club and relying on part- leave the nine as a threat against you. So you want to
ner to switch to a diamond is a poor idea. The layout lead the suit in which declarer is more likely and part-
may be rather less clear from the other side of the table. ner less likely to hold the nine. Since there are more
diamonds missing than there are spades, you play part-
ner for the nine of diamonds and so exit with the ten
of spades. Well done if you solved this tough problem.

 Intermediate
Fredrikstad 5.-7. aug ´16
The Norwegian Bridge Federation will host the 1st edition of the
Marit Sveaas International Bridge Tournament
in August this year in Fredrikstad
- you’re welcome to participate!
TOURNAMENT: PRIZES:
When: Fri 5th - Sun 7th August 1st 300.000*
Entry fee: 2.000 NOK 2nd 150.000*
Entries: www.msibt.org 3rd 100.000*
Boards: 126 4th - 13th 20.000*
Scoring: Matchpoint
Movement: Swiss Special prizes in these categories (top 3):
WHERE: Juniors - Mixed - Seniors - Women
The 2016 edition will be held in the city Norwegian beginners - Last session
of Fredrikstad, situated 1 hour by train
* Prizes are paid in NOK and are subject to taxation -
from Oslo.
all prizes are per pair.
TRAVEL:
Oslo Airport Gardermoen has direct con- HOTELS:
nections to cities all over the world and There are several hotels in Fredrikstad
there is easy to travel by train to Fredriks- which can be booked online.
tad.
All hotels will be listed on www.msibt.org
Oslo Airport Rygge also has some connec-
tions to major European cities with RyanAir Most hotels have breakfast included.
and is situated only 20 min from Fredriks-
tad.
www.msibt.org

 Intermediate
PARTNERSHIP PROFILE
In this issue, the Editor takes a look at deals from the 2016 Schapiro Spring Fours.
In Round 6 of the 2016 Schapiro Spring Fours, the undefeated Sinclair (Anita Sinclair, Nafiz
Zorlu, Zia Mahmood, Dennis Bilde, Simon Cope & Peter Crouch) faced Kent (Diyan Dan-
ailov, Ben Green, Alistair Kent, Sarah O’Connor & Jerry Stamatov) while de Botton (Janet de
Botton,Thomas Charlesen, Thor Erik Hoftaniska, Dror Padon, Nick Sandqvist, Tom Townsend)
took on Gillis (Simon Gillis, Boye Brogeland, Terge Lie, Espen Lindqvist & Erik Saelensminde).
After looking at 2 deals from those matches we’ll move on to Round 7, where we will follow
Gillis v Gidman (Alistair Gidman, Erik Berg, Espen Erichsen, Glyn Liggins & Stefan Simonsen)
and Moran (Mark Moran, Rory Boland, John Carroll, Tommy Garvey, Tom Hanlon & Hugh
McGann) v Kent.
The Hands
(This month all the deals were played at IMPs.)
Hand 1. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
♠ A Q 10 5 N ♠ J62
♥ AQ 8 ♥ K95
♦ AK Q 7 5 W E ♦ 82
♣K S ♣ AQ J 7 2
West East
Zorlu Sinclair
2♣* 2♦*
3♠* 4♣
4♦ 4♥
4♠ 4NT*
5♦* 5♥*
6♣* 6♠
6NT Pass
2♣ Game forcing
2♦ Any positive response
3♠ 4 spades and 5+ diamonds
4NT RKCB for diamonds
5♦ 4 key cards
5♥ Any kings?
6♣ ♣K
I can’t be certain that this is a correct interpretation of the auction, but E/W reached a sound
contract.

 Intermediate
West East
Danailov Stamatov
1♣* 1NT
2♦ 3♣
4♣* 4♥*
4NT* 5♣*
5♦* 5NT*
7NT All Pass
1♣ Precision
1NT 12+ balanced
I can’t be sure about the meaning of 4♣ (or anything that followed it) but it looks as if 5NT was
‘pick a slam’.
Assuming you have five club tricks, then a 3-3 break in diamonds is enough to get you home,
and if they don’t break you will need the spade finesse.
North held ♠K94 ♥10 ♦J93 ♣1096543, so although the spade king was offside and the clubs
were only good for four tricks, the 3-3 diamond break saw declarer home – one out of three ain’t bad.
Recommended auction: I can’t imagine any pair failing to bid a slam with these cards. However,
unless you happen to be playing a relay system I don’t see how you determine if 7NT is cold. For
example, give West ♠AJ105 ♥AQ8 ♦AKQJ7 ♣K and 7NT is excellent. After 2♣-3♣-3♦ East
might try 3♥. If West then bids 3NT East could bid 5NT and with my example hand West goes
on to the grand slam.
In the match between Gillis and de Botton both pairs stopped safely in 6NT.
Marks: 6NT 10, 7NT 6, 6♠, 6♦, 6♣ 5.
Running scores: Sinclair 10 (0) Kent 0 (11) Gillis 10 (0) de Botton 10 (0)
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ A Q 10 7 N ♠ KJ64
♥ AK J 2 ♥—
♦ 9632 W E ♦ 874
♣7 S ♣ AK Q 5 4 2
North overcalls 2♦
West East
Gillis Saelensminde
– 1♣
1♥ (2♦) 2♠
4♣* 5♣*
5♥* 5♠
6♠ Pass
1♥ Spades
4♣ Splinter
5♣ Cue-bid
5♥ Cue-bid
North’s overcall was on ♠- ♥10754 ♦AQJ105 ♣J1098 so when South led the king of diamonds
North overtook it and played three more rounds of the suit. Declarer ruffed with the jack of
spades, cashed the king and then tried the ace of clubs. South, having pitched two clubs, ruffed
and could have ensured four down by continuing with a trump. When she exited with a heart,

 Intermediate
declarer could claim nine tricks, -300.
At the other table E/W stopped in 4♠ – but that failed by two tricks, so 3 IMPs for de Botton.
Recommended auction: 1♣-1♥-(2♦)-2♠-4♠.
Marks: 4♠10, 3NT/5♦ 6.
Running scores: Sinclair 10 (0) Kent 0 (11) Gillis 10 (0) de Botton 20 (3)
Hand 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
♠ AK Q 6 N ♠ 10 7
♥ K 10 ♥ AQ J
♦ KJ62 W E ♦ A Q 10 8 7
♣ K87 S ♣ A 10 2
West East
Gillis Saelensminde
1♦ 2♦*
3♣ 4♣
4♥ 5♣
5♠ 5NT
6♦ Pass
2♦ Inverted raise
Whatever the interpretation of this auction it failed to divine that all the tricks were available.
As an aside, it is unfortunate that in such a prestigious event the player’s convention cards are
not available on the Internet. (Writing this contemporaneously with a report on the Senior Cam-
rose I discovered that in the latter every card was online – kudos to the Scottish Bridge Union.)
West East
Berg Simonsen
1♦ (1♠) 2♠*
3NT 4♣* (Double)
Pass Redouble*
4NT* 5♦*
5♥* 5NT
6♣* 6♦
Pass
2♠ Game forcing
4♣ Cue-bid
Rdbl First round control
4NT RKCB
5♦ 3 key cards
5♥ Do you have the ♦Q?
5NT Yes
6♣ Grand slam try
Opposite a passed partner Brogeland’s overcall was founded on ♠J8432 ♥9653 ♦4 ♣653. One
possible advantage of this type of action is that it may cause a declarer to misplace any missing
high cards. Another is that bidding is generally harder in a contested auction.
Even so, you would not expect it to cause E/W to miss the target.
South’s double (on ♣QJ94) did not do any damage, and East misjudged the situation when
his partner made a try for a grand slam.

 Intermediate
West East
Carroll Garvey
2NT* 4♣*
4♦* 7NT
Pass
2NT 19/21 balanced 5M, 6m or 5/4 minors possible
4♣ Slam try in a minor
4♦ Accepted
That’s the way to do it!
West East
Green O’Connor
1♦ 2♦*
2NT 3♦
3♠ 3NT
4♣ 4♥
4NT 5♣
5♥ 7♦
Pass
2♦ Inverted
The traditional way of treating the sequence 1♦-2♦-2NT-3♦ is that it is non-forcing (https://www.
larryco.com/bridge-learning-center/detail/546) but clearly that was not the case here.
One possible interpretation is that 3♠ showed concentrated values, 4♣ and 4♥ were cue-bids,
4NT asked for key cards, 5♣ showed 3 and 5♥ was asking about the trump queen, East deciding
that she had enough to go all in.
Recommended auction: 1♦-2♦*-3NT*-4♦*-4NT*-5♣*-5♠*-6♣-6♠-7♦. In this sequence 2♦
is inverted, 3NT shows 16+ with stopper in all three suits outside diamonds, 4♦ is RKCB, 5♣
shows 2 key cards without the ♦Q, 5♥ asks for side kings, 5♠ shows 0-3, 5NT is a grand slam
try and 7♦ accepts.
Those using 2NT to show 19-20(21) can follow Ireland’s lead.
Marks: 7♦/7NT 10, 6NT 5, 5♦/3NT 3.
Running scores: Moran 10 (0) Kent 10 (0) Gillis 5 (0) Gidman 5 (0)
Hand 4. Dealer South. None Vul.
♠ Q63 N ♠ A J 10 9 2
♥ QJ843 ♥ AK
♦ 76 W E ♦—
♣ Q87 S ♣ AK J 5 3 2
North opens 3♦ and South raises to 5♦.
Simonsen Lindqvist Berg Brogeland
– – – Pass
Pass 3♦ Double 5♣*
Pass 5♦ Double All Pass
Brogeland’s 5♣ (♠85 ♥10972 ♦K9532 ♣94) looks like a fit jump (sic.). East cashed the ace of
clubs, the king and ace of hearts and then played the jack of clubs. West’s failure to overtake it

 Intermediate
with the queen and switch to a spade cost the defenders a trick, three down, -500.
Saelensminde Gidman Gillis Erichsen
– – – Pass
Pass 2♣* Double 2♦*
2♥ Pass* 3♣ 3♦
5♣ Pass 6♣ All Pass
2♣ Game-forcing or weak with diamonds
Pass Weak with diamonds
4♦ Cue-bid
The key to this auction was West’s raise to 4♣. Had he been able to cue-bid in spades East would
have been looking for seven.
West East
Garvey Carroll
Pass (3♦) Double (5♦)
Pass 6♣
Pass
You can’t argue with that.

West East
O’Connor Green
Pass (1♦) 2♣ (3♦)
Pass 4♠
Pass
Perhaps East would have made the potential of his hand clearer by bidding 4♦ on the second round.
Recommended auction: Over 3♦ East might bid 4♣ (non leaping Michaels – http://www.
bridgewebs.com/alton/EBU%20-%20Stage%202%20Conventions%20-%20Leaping%20and%20
Non-Leaping%20Michaels.pdf ) to show clubs and a major. If South jumps to 5♦ and West passes
East can continue with 5♠, when West has two very big cards in the guise of the black queens and
can consider raising to 6♣/♠.
I cannot see how to overcome Brogeland’s psychic jump - can you?
Marks: 6♣ 10, 6♠ 7, 4♠ 6 7♣ 5, 7♠ 4.

 Intermediate
Hand 5. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ A2 N ♠ KQJ64
♥ K J 10 5 4 ♥ AQ 3
♦ 10 W E ♦ J4
♣ A 10 9 5 4 S ♣ K86
West East
Stamatov Danailov
– 1♣*
1♥ 1♠
2♣ 4♥
4♠* 5♣*
6♥ Pass
1♣ Precision
4♠ Cue-bid
5♣ Cue-bid
East’s 4♥ followed the principle of fast arrival, suggesting a minimum hand, but with very good
cards in both partner’s suits it might not have been ideal here. However, no damage was done,
and the sound slam was reached.
West East
Boland Moran
– 1♠
2♥ 2NT
3NT 4♥
Pass
Had East opened 1NT it would have showed 14-16, so presumably this sequence promised a lit-
tle more? West might have bid 3♣ rather than 3NT and could also have considered bidding on
over 4♥.
West East
Erichsen Liggins
– 1NT
2♦* 2NT*
3♦* (Dble) 3♥
4♦* 4NT*
5♣* 6♥
Pass
2♦ Transfer
2NT Maximum, fit
3♦ Retransfer
4♦ Shortage
4NT RKCB
5♣ 3 key cards
As seems to be the norm this month I am speculating a little about part of the auction.

 Intermediate
West East
Brogeland Lindqvist
– 1NT*
2♦* (Dble) 2♥ (3♦)
4♣ 4♥
Pass
1NT (14)15-17 HCP (May have 5c M, 6c m, (5-4-2-2) and singleton
2♦ Transfer
West had to decide if it was right bid 4♠ over 4♥. If East had nothing wasted in diamonds then
his side was playing with a 30 point pack, so you would imagine that the five level would be safe.
Recommended auction: Brogeland-Lindqvist is fine – as far as it goes. if West bids 4♠ over 4♥
then a slam should be reached after East bids 5♣ and West 5♦.
Marks: 6♥/6♠ 10, 4♥/4♠ 5.
Hand 6. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ A6 4 N ♠ K Q 10 2
♥ AK 6 ♥ 72
♦ 73 W E ♦ A Q J 10 9 2
♣ KQ854 S ♣9
West East
Saelensminde Lie
1NT 2♣*
2♦* 3♦
3♥ 3NT
4♣* 4♠*
5NT* 6♦
Pass
2♣ Stayman
2♦ No major
4♣ Cue-bid
4♠ Cue-bid
5NT Pick a slam
Unless there are any subtle inferences I am missing, I’m inclined to think West should call it day after 3NT.
North led the four of diamonds from ♠753 ♥Q5 ♦8654 ♣AJ72 and declarer decided that he might
do that from a holding that included the king. He put in dummy’s queen and was one down,-50.
West East
Simonsen Berg
1NT 2♣*
2♦* 3♦*
3♥* 3NT*
Pass
2♣ Stayman
2♦ No major
3♦ Minor-suit slam try
3♥ Heart values
3NT No slam interest

 Intermediate
North led the five of spades and declarer won with the ace and played a diamond to the queen,
finishing with eleven tricks and 11 IMPs.
West East
Hanlon McGann
1NT* 2♣*
2♦* 3♦*
3NT 4♦
4♥* 4♠*
5NT* 6♦
Pass
1NT 14-16
2♣ Stayman, no major guaranteed
2♦ No major
3♦ Diamonds and one major
4♥ Cue-bid
4♠ Cue-bid
5NT Pick a slam
When West bid 5NT, he had crossed the Rubicon (but with a less successful outcome than that
achieved by Caesar).
West East
Kent Green
1NT* 2♣*
2♦* 3♦*
3NT 4♦
4♥* 4♠*
5♣* 5♦
Pass
2♣ Stayman
2♦ No major
4♥ Cue-bid
4♠ Cue-bid
5♣ Cue-bid
That was a well controlled auction, but if West had held the ♣A he would have had no idea about
the singleton club.
Recommended auction: My immediate thought was to respond 2NT to see if there was a dia-
mond fit, bidding 3♠ on the next round. However, having checked the system it says (assuming
1NT-2NT-3♣) ‘After this new suits are splinters.’ So East would have to continue with 4♣, which
might dampen any enthusiasm West might have.
If you start with 2♣ and then bid 3♦, when partner bids 3NT there is a case for passing, but
partner would bid the same way with the ace of clubs instead of the ♣KQ.
I think we have to settle for Kent-Green’s sequence.
Marks: 3NT/5♦10, 6♦ 4.
Running scores: Moran 29 (10) Kent 26 (21) Gillis 24 (10) Gidman 25 (22).

 Intermediate
Hand 7. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
♠ AJ 8 3 N ♠ 92
♥ 964 ♥ AK J 7
♦ 9873 W E ♦ A K Q J 10 5
♣ 97 S ♣6
Stamatov Hanlon Danailov McGann
1♦* Pass 2♦ Double
3♦ 4♣ 4♦ All Pass
1♣ Precision
1♦ 0-7
South followed the standard strategy of passing with a good hand and bidding on the next round.
He held ♠KQ7 ♥Q1083 ♦64 ♣AK32, so ten tricks were the limit, although when declarer played a
spade towards his hand South followed with the seven, so playing the jack gave declarer an overtrick.
Carroll Kent Garvey Green
1♦* Pass 1♥ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
3♦ Pass 5♦ All Pass
1♣ 11-13 balanced or any 17+
1♦ 0-7 or some 22+ balanced
1♥ 11-13, 3+♥ or 17+,4+♥
2♦ 17+ diamonds
I’m not sure if 1♠ was relay, or simply promised four spades.
North led the five of hearts and declarer won with dummy’s ace, drew trumps (North discard-
ing the eight of clubs) and played the nine of spades, ducking when South played the king. Back
came the two of clubs and North won and went back to hearts, declarer conceding one down
when the jack lost to the queen.
Erichsen Saelensminde Liggins Lie
1♠* Pass 2♥ Pass
3♦ Pass 3♠ Pass
4♦ All Pass
The BBO operator thought that East had alerted West’s 1♠ as showing clubs. If that is right then
3♠ would be fourth suit forcing and you would expect West to have bid 3NT. Whatever, it was
a good time to stop short of game.
Brogeland Simonsen Lindqvist Berg
3♦* Pass 5♦ All Pass
3♦ Weak raise

 Intermediate
Recommended auction: After 1♦-1♠-2♥-3♦ East might simply pot 5♦.
Marks: 5♦ 10, 4♦ 9.
Hand 8. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ KJ43 N ♠ A Q 10 8 5
♥ 94 ♥5
♦ A J 10 8 3 W E ♦ K72
♣ J6 S ♣ AK 9 8
North opens 2♦, 4-10, 5+♥/♠
West East
McGann Hanlon
– (2♦) 2♠
4♠ Pass
What should bids of 3♦ or 4♦ by West mean?

You could play the latter as a fit jump, but after the continuation 4♥-4♠, is East worth another
bid?
North’s hand was ♠97 ♥AQJ832 ♦96 ♣Q42.
South led the king of hearts and North overtook it and continued with the queen. Declarer
ruffed, drew trumps and played for South to hold the queen of diamonds, +480.
West East
Green Kent
– (2♥) 2♠
4♠ Pass
West has similar possibilities here.
It’s worth noting that in this auction South did not raise, despite holding ♥K1076.
South led the six of hearts, North winning with the ace and returning the queen, +480.
West East
Lie Saelensminde
– (2♥) 2♠ (3♥)
4♠ Pass
How would you interpret a bid of 4♥ by West? It must show spade support, and a good hand. Is
that enough for East to do more than rebid 4♠?
What would 4♦ mean? Should it be a fit non-jump?
West East
Berg Simonsen
– (2♥) 2♠ (3♥)
4♠ Pass
Recommended auction: After a Multi 2♦ I like 2♠-4♦*-4♥*-4♠-4NT*-5♥*-6♠.
Over (2♥)-2♠ West can still bid 4♦. Where hearts are raised: (2♥)-2♠-(3♥) West can bid 4♥, but
it doesn’t tell partner much. If West bids 4♦ then there is a chance that 6♠ will be reached.
Marks: 6♠ 10, 4♠ 5.

 Intermediate
Here is this month’s bonus deal:
Dealer West. All Vul
♠3
♥ A 10 2
♦ A72
♣ AK9652
♠ QJ654 N ♠ AK 8 7 2
♥ KQ95 ♥ 843
♦ 54 W E ♦ Q63
♣ 73 S ♣ J 10
♠ 10 9
♥ J76
♦ K J 10 9 8
♣ Q84
After a spade lead and a heart switch you can make a slam by getting the diamonds right -but get
them wrong and you go down in game.
Gillis Hoftaniska Saelensminde Charlsen
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♠ Pass
2NT* 3♣ Pass 4♣
All Pass
2NT Spade raise
Declarer ruffed the second spade, drew trumps ending in dummy and ran the eight of diamonds, +150.
In the other room E/W were three down in 4♠.
Open Room
Green Sinclair Kent Zorlu
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣ 1♠ Pass
2NT* 3♣ 3♠ 4♣
All Pass
2NT Spade raise
Here East switched to a diamond at trick two, so declarer took all the tricks.
Zia Stamatov Bilde Danailov
– – – Pass
Pass 1♣* 1♠ Double*
3♠ Double Pass 4♦
1♣ Precision
Dble 5-7
West led the queen of spades and switched to the king of hearts, declarer winning with dummy’s
ace, cashing the top diamonds, ruffing a spade and claiming ten tricks.

 Intermediate
You can play through the deals mentioned in this article.
Just follow the links:
Hand 1 and the Bonus Deal: http://tinyurl.com/gsepm82, http://tinyurl.com/hy48qsv
Hand 2: http://tinyurl.com/hxvvojp
Hands 3 & 4: http://tinyurl.com/zs5o39s, http://tinyurl.com/z9fzo8n
Hand 5: http://tinyurl.com/zgjahr8, http://tinyurl.com/hkqn6xn
Hand 6: http://tinyurl.com/j7gtlda, http://tinyurl.com/zvkbgb8
Hands 7 & 8: http://tinyurl.com/jogfk4h, http://tinyurl.com/zt3tkqm
Summer Showcase from

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Neil Kimelman
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 Intermediate .XUVDDO2RVWHQGH
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WKRI-XQH± WKRI-XQH

 Intermediate
MARKS & COMMENTS

Set 306 conducted by Alan Mould
I start this month with an apology. Last month I THE BIDS & MARKS
reported that on hand 1 no game could be made. This
was clearly a brainstorm since with hearts 3-2 and the Bid Marks No. of Votes
king onside both Four Hearts from anywhere and 3NT 1. Four Hearts 10 10
4NT 9 4
from partner’s hand are cold. My thanks to Norman Five Spades 9 5
Massey who sent in the hand (and others) for point- Five Diamonds 7 1
ing this out and my apologies for the error. Six Spades 7 1
Four Spades 5 1
This month the problems are: problems 1-4 are all Any other bid 1 0
from the ever dependable Marc Smith (thanks Marc), 2. Four Diamonds 10 7
problem 5 was sent to me by John Matheson and comes Three Hearts 9 3
from the US women’s trials, and problems 6-8 all Four Hearts 9 6
Five Clubs 9 6
come from Peter Crouch who circulated a number of Four Clubs 7 0
interesting hands from his last Gold Cup match. We Any other bid 1 0
have the largest panel for some time this month (22) 3. Two Diamonds 10 11
2NT 10 11
so straight on with it without more ado. Two Clubs 7 0
Three Clubs/Diamonds5 0
PROBLEM 1 Two Spades 4 0
4NT 3 0
IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul Four Clubs/Diamonds 1 0
4. Two Spades 10 8
♠ A 10 7 5 4 3 2 Two Clubs
Pass
9
8
7
3
♥5 Two Hearts 7 3
♦ K64 Three Spades 6 1
♣ 54 2NT
Three Hearts/3NT
2
1
0
0
West North East South 5. Three Hearts 10 6
– – 1♥ Pass 5NT 9 4
1♠ Pass 4♦* Pass Four Clubs 8 4
Four Diamonds 8 4
? 4NT 8 4
4♦ Splinter 6NT 6 1
Bid Marks No. of Votes Three Spades 2 0
Five Clubs/Diamonds 1 0
Four Hearts 10 10 Six Clubs/Diamonds 1 0
4NT 9 4 6. Five Clubs 10 14
Five Spades 9 5 Four Clubs 9 5
Five Diamonds 7 1 Pass 7 3
Six Spades 7 1 Four Diamonds 1 0
4NT 1 0
Four Spades 5 1 Six Clubs 1 0
Any other bid 1 0 7. Pass 10 8
We start with a simple enough problem of evaluation, Five Clubs 9 7
Six Clubs 8 4
and having evaluated this as a slam potential hand Four Spades 8 1
deciding how to proceed. And there’s the rub – there is 4NT 7 1
no straightforward continuation. Everything we can 5NT 6 1
bid is flawed in some way. So flawed that the panel Five Hearts 5 0
Any other bid 1 0
has come up with no less than six suggestions, with a 8. 2NT 10 17
remarkable three solo efforts. 10 of the panel go for Two Diamonds 8 2
bidding Four Hearts, hardly wonderful with a single- Two Spades 8 1
Four Spades 8 2
ton in partner’s suit but at least it keeps the bidding Pass 4 0
below the five-level which could be essential (consider Double 3 0
♠KQJx ♥AKQJx ♦x ♣QJx for example to see how Five Diamonds 2 0

 Intermediate
that could be necessary). But on the other hand we space below Four Spades and I would like this to
need so little for slam: be an artificial slam try (last train) if we have that
Robson: Four Hearts. Don’t need much here: ♠Kxxx agreement.
♥Axxxx ♦x ♣AKx so must make a move despite Alon is hedging his bets:
the wasted ♦K. Having only three non spades/dia- Apteker: Four Hearts. Last train or cue, however
monds is fantastic. partner interprets. Too good to merely sign off in
Lawrence: Four Hearts. Hoping East can come up Four Spades given the shape, notwithstanding the
with what I need. Need a hint? The main issue is poor K of diamonds. Opposite ♠xxxx ♥Axxxx ♦x
whether partner will think I am showing heart sup- ♣AKx, slam is favourite to make.
port. If so, our next auction will be better informed. Moving on from Four Hearts, the Koach is clear it
Ben is not intending to pass Four Spades even should is NOT a Last Train position:
partner bid it: Kokish: Five Spades. Nothing to cue-bid (this is not
Green: Four Hearts. I feel I must make a try and I a case where Four Hearts should be Last Train when
do have a heart control. If partner bids Four Spades a heart honour figures to be much more important
I will raise to Five Spades asking for a club control to partner), strong spades, descriptive, not asking.
after all I am making a slam opposite ♠Kxxx ♥Axxxx As ♠Kxxx ♥AKxxx ♦x ♣Axx is a raise to Three
♦x ♣AKx (funny you know I could have sworn I have Spades and not a GF splinter (True Eric but what
seen that hand before) and that’s not really a Four about ♠KQJx ♥AKQJx ♦x ♣QJx. Surely that is?) I
Diamond bid. I could jump to Five Spades now do not expect to go down in five and doing any-
but I am worried that could be misinterpreted as thing less is way too cautious.
something other than do you have a club control? Eric has four supporters but they are divided as to
Do you really want partner to bid a slam with sim- what this bid means, echoing Ben’s concerns. Is it just
ply a club control Ben? ♠KQJx ♥AKQxx ♦x ♣KQx general values:
would be rather embarrassing! Bird: Five Spades. The ♦K is useless, yes, but that
Brock: Four Hearts. Too much to sign off. is no worry when playing in a 7-4 fit. I will advise
Our system notes now say that we play Last Train partner of the good trumps with no cue-bid avail-
(a bid of the suit below the trump suit is simply a posi- able and leave the rest to him.
tive try, not necessarily with a control in that suit). Is Wolff: Five Spades. An overbid, but I have three
this a Last Train position? Yes say: more spade tricks that I may not have.
Cannell: Four Hearts. As the Four Diamond bid Or a request specifically for a club control:
sets spades as trumps we can cue-bid as a “last train” Rigal: Five Spades. Bid slam with a club control
type move here. If partner is control-rich we expect (implicitly denying ♥A or I’d cue-bid here so part-
4NT = RKCB next. If not, we will be passing Four ner will know to pass with eg ♠KQxx ♥KQxxx ♦A
Spades if that is all partner can dredge up. ♣Kxx) (Really? Might not Five Spades be a perfectly
Sime: Four Hearts. Last train slam try. If accepting, sensible bid on say ♠Axxxx ♥Ax ♦xxxx ♣xx since if
partner should be prepared for a club lead. partner has a ♣ control we are making slam). Worth
Carruthers: Four Hearts. While I normally dislike a slam try for sure and Four Hearts might be OK
bidding a shortness in partner’s suit, this is more despite my preference not to cue-bid shortness in
profitably employed as ‘Last Train’. Even with the partner’s suit.
king of diamonds, my seven-card suit makes slam Alder: Five Spades. I hope partner reads that as
a possiblity: ♠KQxx ♥Axxxx ♦x ♣AKx (it’s déjà interested in a slam, but without key side-suit
vu all over again – well nearly). On the other hand, controls to advertise. To be honest, I would pre-
it could also be a no-hoper: ♠KQJx ♥KQJxx ♦x fer to bid Four Hearts Last Train, if that is per-
♣KQJ. Or anything in between. I shall pass Four mitted in BM Standard (It is certainly permitted
Spades and leave everything else up to him. to bid it Phillip, but as for what it means see the
Greco: Four Hearts. ♠KQJx ♥AKQxxx ♦x ♣xx is above discussion!). I am tempted to gamble with
a splinter especially with a Four Hearts retry avail- RKCB, but partner might not have a club con-
able, so I see no reason to go beyond game here trol: ♠KQJx ♥AKQxx ♦ x ♣QJx (and you are
unless partner cooperates. Partner knows I may off in five on that hand) and the auction has tel-
well be heart short if they have ace only of hearts. egraphed a club lead.
Teramoto: Four Hearts. We may have a slam but Which brings us neatly to those who solve the prob-
the five-level is dangerous. If he continues with lem by hoping the clubs will sort themselves out and
Four Spades I will Pass. Four Hearts is the only let our favourite blunt instrument do the walking:

 Intermediate
Leufkens: 4NT. Partner is stronger than ♠Jxxx reason for starting with a cue-bid (is Four Hearts
♥AKQJx ♦x ♣KQJ; so five level is probably OK. some sort of ‘last train’ or does it show a control?)
Also because spades are probably 1-1 as oppo’s didn’t or perhaps Blackwood is that you are still interested
bid. If I bid Four Hearts, can partner guess to go in a grand. BTW Are you sure you will know how
on with ♠Kxxx ♥AKJxx ♦x ♣AJx but not with many key-cards partner is showing if he jumps in
♠Qxxx ♥AKQxx ♦x ♣KQJ? Tough, so I take ini- response to Blackwood in order to show a void?
tiative and hope for three aces. If you are determined to bid a slam anyway Marc
Cope: 4NT. Prepared to be in slam opposite three how can Blackwood be wrong just in case?....
keys cards despite the wasted ♦K. If partner has the On the opposite end of the spectrum from Marc
relevant cards we may be laydown if they have an and the rest of the panel Neil signs off:
additional king, or we may have to set up the fifth Rosen: Four Spades. I know I might bid Four
heart or take a finesse for the 12th trick. Hearts as some sort of last train but ♦K really is
Silver: 4NT. It would help if we had a precise under- not the right stuff here.
standing of what made it a splinter like the KOACH Well it is very, very wrong to do that this time as
(when I played with him) used to suggest (ie first- partner has ALL the controls: ♠Kxxx ♥AKxxx ♦A
or second-round control in the side suits). But alas ♣Axx (yes I know stiff aces are not great for splinters
that is not the case, so with no intelligent way to but what else do you suggest on that hand?) so Seven
explore for slam I’ll just blast away, and hope for Spades is quite cold. The easiest way to get there? The
a happy ending. Blackwooders of course!
Now that is a very precise understanding and cer- Given that the panel’s view (and mine and that it
tainly helps with this hand! What does Eric then bid was right) is to at least make some sort of slam try I
with ♠KQJx ♥AKQJx ♦x ♣QJx? have downgraded the Four Spade bid.
Matheson: 4NT. RKCB - with so many trumps
plus ruffs in the short trump hand I need very lit- PROBLEM 2
tle eg ♠Kxxx ♥AKxxx ♦x ♣Axx. If partner is void
in diamonds RKC will discover that. On a bad IMPs. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
day we are off two clubs and a diamond eg ♠KQxx ♠ J4
♥AKQxxx ♦x ♣Qx. ♥ KQ74
Finally, we have our three solo choices – two of ♦—
which I frankly do not understand at all! ♣ K Q J 10 9 6 4
Bowyer: Five Diamonds. Interesting hand. Can’t
Blackwood with two low clubs and I don’t ever
1♣ 3♦ Double Pass
believe it’s right to cue-bid a singleton in partner’s
?
suit. There are many hands where a slam would
make, so I choose to make an effort attempting to Bid Marks No. of Votes
highlight the lack of Club control. Four Diamonds 10 7
Yes, OK Paul but SURELY partner will assume the Three Hearts 9 3
♦ace here opposite a singleton? Won’t partner simply Four Hearts 9 6
bid a slam on ♠KQJx ♥AKQxx ♦x ♣KQx (I know Five Clubs 9 6
I would!)? If you are going to lie about a control isn’t Four Clubs 7 0
it better to lie about the heart control? Apart from Any other bid 1 0
anything else it will avoid the five-level when there Another fine problem with less than a third of the
are three tricks off it. So I don’t understand Five Dia- panel voting for any given action. Firstly, partner can-
monds and I don’t understand this either: not guarantee four hearts in this auction (what is the
Smith: Six Spades. How weak can partner be for poor fella/lass supposed to do on say a 4-3-3-3 shape?)
his jump to Four Diamonds facing what might be so does Four Hearts from us actually show (or strongly
only Jxxx spades? Surely something like ♠Kxxx imply) five? Only Eric K addresses that issue. Secondly
♥AKxxx ♦x ♣Axx would be worth only a raise to even if partner does have four hearts it is easy to con-
Three Spades, and even that provides 12 top tricks, struct hands where Four Hearts is basically no play
so bidding anything less than a small slam seems (or at least very poor) and Five Clubs cold. Try Four
woefully inadequate. Sure, he may have some useless Hearts on a diamond lead opposite ♠AKQx ♥xxxx
junk (♠QJ or ♥Q) that elevates what is effectively ♦Jxx ♣xx for example whereas Five Clubs is more or
the same hand into a Four Diamond bid. The only less cold unless there is a heart ruff. But on the other

 Intermediate
hand opposite ♠KQxx ♥J10xx ♦Axx ♣xx then Four and why they reject it. The other Four Heart bidders
Hearts is where you have to be. All very tricky and also do so.
therefore perhaps not surprising that the voting is so Green: Five Clubs. I could bid Four Diamonds as
close. Six each of the panel just bid the game that seems a choice of games (and then pass Four Hearts) but
best to them, either Four Hearts or Five Clubs, and I’m not sure I want to play in Four Hearts on a top
hope that is right. Let’s interleave them: diamond lead, I may find that I run out of trumps
Alder: Five Clubs. Four Hearts does not have to be and can’t make use of the clubs. Jumping to Five
a 4-4 fit, and even if it is, Five Clubs should play Clubs here shows a serious hand so if partner has
as well – assuming we don’t have three top losers. some goodies he can always raise. Although I think
This would be tougher at matchpoints. Five Clubs will be the best game, the best (or only
Rigal: Four Hearts. Seems too obvious but to my making) slam could be in hearts using the clubs as
mind this is a Goldilocks bid – not too much not discards but I’ll stick with my solid suit.
too little, just right. Yes, clubs may play better but Bird: Four Hearts. It would look ugly to cue-bid
could Four Hearts be the limit? Easily, facing dia- in diamonds when I have support for only one
mond wastage. (unknown to partner) major. If he cue-bids Four
Smith: Five Clubs. Even if partner does hold four Spades, I can show my diamond control then. If
hearts, a diamond lead, forcing us, may make set- instead he bid RKCB, I feel sure that I will even-
ting up and enjoying my ace-less clubs problematic. tually remember the right response to show the
If he does not have four-card support, even game void diamond.
in hearts may prove well beyond us. Whether this Sime: Five Clubs. Looks like the straightforward
jump to Five Clubs will get us to slam opposite as option to me. I am not considering Four Hearts, as
little as ♠Axxx ♥Axxx ♦xxx ♣Ax, is another mat- so many things can go wrong (force, club ruff, clubs
ter, but messing around with something like Four unreachable, trump stack). Four Clubs is what we
Diamonds seems incredibly dangerous – is Four would bid with a 3-3-2-5 12 count, which is why
Diamonds-4M-Five Clubs natural or a cue-bid for it should be non-forcing.
partner’s major, for example? No panellist actually bid Four Clubs Iain but
Natural in my book Marc. thanks for addressing that point.
Lawrence: Four Hearts. Too many losers to con- Cannell: Four Hearts. I expect partner is at least
sider playing in clubs. 4-4 plus in the majors, but I imagine a slight chance
Matheson: Five Clubs. Too good for Four Clubs, only 4-3 either way. If I try Four Diamonds instead
but not worth Four Diamonds followed by Five partner may bid Four Spades with five spades and
Clubs. four hearts. So, that is a tad dangerous. Of course,
That rather depends on whether you think it is a Five Clubs may prove the safer strain, but there also
slam try or a simple choice of games doesn’t it John? may be three losers in either rounded suit contract.
Wolff: Four Hearts. Why not since I may have three So Enri and Drew believe partner will bid Four
losers in Five Clubs. Spades over Four Diamonds with 5-4 majors. Not so
Some of the Five Club bidders point out a poten- for example:
tial extra upside – the potential slam: Greco: Four Diamonds. Very difficult hand without
Cope: Five Clubs. Partner does not promise four discussion. Partner’s double should be a GF (Should
hearts for the double, so it would seem tortuous it? Are we then supposed to pass on say a 4-4-1-4 10
to try to go down that route of investigation. I count?) but I won’t risk Three Hearts without know-
am making a simple value bid needing partner to ing that so I will bid Four Diamonds knowing that
cover two of my four losers. At least if we have a with both majors and a min partner should always
slam on partner will know the relative solidity of bid hearts first.
my club suit. Eric G has six supporters for Four Diamonds, just
Leufkens: Four Hearts. Partner will go on if he enough for the 10 marks.
hasn’t four hearts I suppose (will he?). After Four Apteker: Four Diamonds. Two places to play
Diamonds partner will bid Four Spades with 5-4 intending to pass Four Hearts and bid Five Clubs
(will he?). I don’t know why Five Clubs will be bet- over Four Spades.
ter if partner has four hearts (because it might make John gives us a full analysis:
with Four Hearts going off ). Carruthers: Four Diamonds. I have a pretty good
Enri is the first panellist to address Four Diamonds hand in context. While One Club-(One Diamond)-
Double might promise four cards in each major, this

 Intermediate
auction affords no such assurance (quite!). Partner sensibly. True confession: I think Five Clubs has a
might have 4-4, 4-3, 3-4, 5-4, 4-5, or even 5-5 in better chance to get us to the right strain and level
the majors. It would be embarrassing to play Four than jumping to Four Hearts or a playing-strength
Hearts if he had ♥AJx and have my hand tapped Four Diamonds cue-bid that can misrepresent our
at trick one. Even a 4-4 fit might not fetch game honour strength.
in hearts. At least by bidding Four Diamonds, I’ll Eric is supported by his countryman and erstwhile
ensure that if we do play Four Hearts, we’ll have at partner:
least eight, and possibly nine, trumps. If I were not Silver: Three Hearts. This may seem like an under-
aceless, I’d consider bidding Five Clubs, but there’s bid, but this can be a very awkward hand to han-
a real danger we’ll be off three top tricks with Four dle unless partner has the high cards to bid again,
Hearts cold. which is most likely the case in view of his three
Like John, Andrew and others are concerned that level negative double. In addition, it may well stop
Four Hearts may not be right even if there is a 4-4 fit: us getting to slam on insufficient values.
Robson: Four Diamonds. We’ll play game. I’ll pass This time the jump to Five Clubs was right as it
Four Hearts (with misgivings, may play better in allowed partner to raise, something that nothing else
clubs) and pull Four Spades to Five Clubs. will do: ♠AKxx ♥Axxx ♦Qxx ♣xx. Clubs were 4-0
Teramoto: Four Diamonds. I want to play Four which put paid to Six Hearts but with hearts 3-2 Six
Hearts if we have a fit. If he bids Four Spades I will Clubs was cold. This all seems very close to me (as the
bid Five Clubs. panel bids show) so everyone gets plenty of marks with
Rosen: Four Diamonds. Diamond control could me upgrading the minority choice of Three Hearts.
be key here.
But surely Neil this doesn’t show a diamond con- PROBLEM 3
trol! Isn’t this how would bid with say ♠Ax ♥KQxx
♦xx ♣AKQxx? IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul
Bowyer: Four Diamonds. If partner bids Four ♠ K5
Hearts I’ll Pass, if he bids Four Spades I’ll clarify ♥6
by bidding Five Clubs. Very surprising that South ♦ J8653
has not raised diamonds; that suggests partner has ♣ A 10 7 5 3
wasted values there.
Indeed, and a point only you make Paul. Where is
– 1♠ Double 1NT
the diamond raise? The lack of it suggests that partner
?
has a number of diamonds or a good hand or both.
For these reasons and also it is highly unlikely to be Bid Marks No. of Votes
passed out (and even if it is it may be right) I like this Two Diamonds 10 11
minority choice: 2NT 10 11
Brock: Three Hearts. Partner surely can’t prom- Two Clubs 7 0
ise both majors? If he passes Three Hearts so be it. Three Clubs 5 0
Sure this is what we would bid on a 3-4-3-3 weak Three Diamonds 5 0
NT and we have a LOT more than that, but does it Two Spades 4 0
4NT 3 0
matter? Listen to Eric: Four Clubs 1 0
Kokish: Three Hearts. In a weak no-trump base Four Diamonds 1 0
I would treat a simple new-suit rebid as forcing if OK not so much of a problem this time but an inter-
it hits a fit and doubler would not be planning to esting result with the panel split perfectly (11 each)
pass with only three-card support. It’s different in between Two Diamonds and 2NT. Whilst few of us
a strong no-trump method as opener could have have discussed such auctions it seems intuitively clear
a minimum balanced hand and be handcuffed in here that Double should be basically penalties (cards),
situations like this. Nonetheless I’d rather reserve a Two Spades some sort of force with probably four hearts
jump to 4M here for moderate 6-5 hands and take and the unneeded 2NT clearly for the minors. Half the
my chances that Three Hearts won’t end the auction panel bid that, the other half bid Two Diamonds for
when it shouldn’t. It’s too easy to envision layouts reasons of protecting their spade king from the opening
where clubs handle infinitely better even when we lead and sure that the bidding with continue and they
have a four-four heart fit, and if North has enough will then get their club suit in. Again let’s interleave
to try for slam we may be able to use the extra room

 Intermediate
them and see if we can learn anything: end up wrong-siding the play. There is a reason to
Kokish: Two Diamonds. It would be easy to bid bid 2NT, which is that they may be able to jack
2NT and pretend we’ll be OK after that but with the bidding up to Four Spades, making it harder
East declaring we may be at least one trick worse for me to show clubs. I am willing to bid to Four
off than if West declares. I expect there will be more Clubs but not higher by myself.
bidding even though East seems to have a somewhat Wolff: 2NT. Classic, but plan on raising unless
balanced hand (N/S have at least an eight-card fit opponents do something unusual.
in one or both majors) and I will have the chance Greco: Two Diamonds. I will start here and hope
to bid or jump in clubs later. Obviously this hand the bidding doesn’t end as I am expecting a fur-
is worth more than a gentle Two Diamonds but the ther spade bid on my left, although even if it does
big picture suggests it will be perfectly adequate. I might be fine.
Alder: 2NT. Perfect! I have never even thought Rigal: 2NT. This must be minors…mustn’t it? If it
about this before, but it must be the Unusual isn’t, what can it be? Not natural else double, not a
No-trump. constructive heart raise, I think, else Three Hearts/
Me neither and yes it must be! Double…
Silver: Two Diamonds. In order to protect my spade John introduces one potential suggestion:
king I will underbid now, and hopefully one of my Carruthers: Two Diamonds. While my hand is
two friends on my left or right will keep the bidding strong enough to jump, if I did so, which suit would
open enabling me to catch up, and finally describe I choose to jump in? With just a singleton heart,
the true nature of my hand. someone will take another bid and I hope the auc-
Brock: 2NT. Can’t see what else it can mean. tion is low enough for me to bid clubs next time. I
Me neither also have no objection to bidding Two Clubs this
Cope: Two Diamonds. A really nasty problem. I time and notrumps to show diamonds next time.
would like to bid 2NT (which I assume would show Green: 2NT. Choice of minors the only issue is
the minors) but then my ♠K becomes a potentially that I may wrong-side the contract but at least I
wasted card. I could also start with a double to show will get to our best fit.
a decent hand (and it is quite decent) but then will And Alon is alone I think in what double means:
we ever get to show the two suits if the opponents Apteker: Two Diamonds. I prefer to double which
compete in the majors. We would have the same should be takeout with emphasis on the minors in
problem if we started with Three Diamonds of get- this auction but I am not sure partner will take it
ting both suits in. So I am in favour of a tactical that way and may take it as merely showing values.
underbid leaving me room to express the hand type I will bid Three Clubs over either opponent’s two
provided there is more bidding. of a major bid.
Robson: 2NT. Minors – what else can it be in this Bird: 2NT. There may be some confusion as to the
auction? strength that this bid shows. I will risk it neverthe-
Search me. less. Partner may judge that I cannot hold the earth
Sime: Two Diamonds. I choose to protect the spade when both the defenders are bidding.
king from the opening lead. This could gain at least Surely 2NT cannot be more than both minors and
a tempo. If diamonds are raised, I will have a sur- the three-level a priori?
prise hand, which may make defending Five Dia- Bowyer: Two Diamonds. Enough for the moment
monds difficult. If not, I will hopefully be able to and I feel someone is going to bid hearts. When
reveal my other string. they do I can bid clubs comfortably.
Cannell: 2NT. Great problem. There are many pos- Marc answers David’s concerns about strength:
sibilities on this collection. Double would be puni- Smith: 2NT. Presumably showing minors rather
tive I believe. Two or three of either minor leaves than some sort of game-forcing two-suiter...? Add,
the other one without a soapbox - not to men- say, an ace to this hand and surely we would have
tion strength, or lack thereof without that soap- a clear penalty double of South’s 1NT. Thus, any
box. Sheesh. Two Spades is too much with the K5 action (perhaps other than a Two Spade cue-bid) is
of spades under the gun. I choose 2NT as both limited by our failure to double. This leaves the ques-
minors and a willingness to go to at least the three- tion of where the minimum requirements for this
level. It looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck! 2NT lie, and I think this hand is just good enough
Lawrence: Two Diamonds. I’m willing to compete (even though the ♠K is of dubious value). Make it
further in clubs and don’t want to bid 2NT and a bit weaker and you would pass now, intending to

 Intermediate
back in with 2NT if, say, North rebids Two Spades the other hand one opponent has most of the defensive
and that is passed back to you. strength which makes it more difficult to defend. Plus
Leufkens: Two Diamonds. After Two Spades, Three we are non-vulnerable. All these considerations lead
Clubs. I don’t think of game our way, I don’t want three of the panel to fold their tent right here:
to risk difficult defence against 1NT. Cope: Pass. Partner’s sequence would show 18-19
Teramoto: 2NT. I hope that 2NT shows both and a balanced hand type.There are small possibili-
minors. ties of game in a major, but the opposition silence
Matheson: Two Diamonds. I will likely be com- tends to suggest partner’s length is in diamonds –
peting with Three Clubs, or even Four Clubs, on perhaps they have a 3-2-5-3 shape in which case
the next round. 1NT will be just fine.
Rosen: 2NT. Looks easy here. Rosen: Pass. Partner is about 19-20 here so why
As you can see from the comments there would have push for a dubious non–vul game?
been a lot more support for 2NT without the ♠Kx but Matheson: Pass. Partner has about 18-20. We have
another value somewhere else. Both sides made valid no guarantee of an eight-card major fit. At love all
arguments so I have declined to use my casting vote. the odds suggest not chasing a tight game. Vulner-
Partner held ♠xxx ♥Kxx ♦AQ9 ♣KQJx (note Eric’s able I bid 2NT.
perspicacity in saying partner would be balanced) and Well I genuinely don’t understand 2NT John. If you
the opening bidder is ♠AJ109xx ♥Q109x ♦K10 ♣x. are moving surely you should investigate a major suit
All that means that you are cold for 10 tricks in either contract? Everyone else does and in a variety of ways.
minor but they are cold for 10 tricks in either major! Eight panellists, just enough for the 10 marks, bid a
2NT may keep North out of the auction but Two Dia- simple natural Two Spades. Is it forcing? Not many
monds won’t. If you then continue to compete and they know. Is it ever likely to get passed? Naw – with four-
bid game you had better bid to the five level – which card support partner will raise and without partner
you might as a two way shot. will bid I would have thought.
Bowyer: Two Spades. I can resist anything but
PROBLEM 4 temptation. Game may still make our way, and
this is the most likely way to find it.
IMPs. Dealer North. None Vul. Carruthers: Two Spades. The auction has worked
♠ J 10 6 4 out rather well for me, yes?
♥ Q9652 Glad you are happy!
♦6 Alder: Two Spades. (Or Three Spades). If Two
♣ J93 Spades shows extra values and is at least game-invi-
tational, that is my choice. (But if it would be sug-
gesting a final contract, then I prefer Three Spades.)
– 1♣ Double Pass
Well the panel are divided Phillip. Plus, first choice
1♥ Pass 1NT Pass
is always taken in this feature .
?
Cannell: Two Spades. Partner’s sequence announces
Bid Marks No. of Votes around 19-21 HCP with clubs stopped. My hand
Two Spades 10 8 has improved. I think Two Spades should be this
Two Clubs 9 7 major-suit length oriented in both. Hope partner
Pass 8 3 sees it that way as well.
Two Hearts 7 3 Drew is not the only one who believes he is show-
Three Spades 6 1 ing 5-4 in the majors:
2NT 2 0 Brock: Two Spades. I would bid Two Clubs with a
Three Hearts 1 0
3NT 1 0 better hand so think this should not be forcing but
about these values. Must be 4-5 or I would have
Another fine problem. Partner has shown about 18-20 responded One Spade.
balanced and so there are no inferences about him hav- Why would Sally have responded One Spade with
ing any four-card majors (well I think we can assume 4-4? Because clearly we have a few values so if we were
he won’t have four hearts unless there are serious con- prepared to bid twice we respond One Spade first so
cerns about our dummy play). We have a four-count that we can then compete with Two Hearts later eco-
with a distinct lack of entries which suggests that unless nomically. Tadashi agrees:
there is a major-suit fit game will be a long way off. On Teramoto: Two Spades. This shows 4-5 in majors

 Intermediate
with some points, but is NF. If I had 4-4 in majors had opened One Club. So play the same methods as
I would bid One Spade first because I can bid Two after One Club – One Heart – 1NT with Two Clubs/
Hearts later. A game-forcing hand will bid Two Two Diamonds NF/FG checkback etc. That seems to
Clubs which is like Stayman. work. An entirely different scheme is suggested by Eric
Sally and Tadashi believe Two Spades is NF, not K who comes up with a solo answer:
so Joey and Marc: Kokish: Three Spades. One could argue that Two
Silver: Two Spades. I intend to bid game should Spades is enough as with four-four West would
one of my majors be supported, but of course pass normally bid spades first to leave a rebid in hearts
2NT if that is my OX’s choice. without raising the level if there is more bidding
Smith: Two Spades. For me, this is a choice between and that going past Two Hearts must show a lit-
a natural Two Spades and a Two Clubs cue-bid. Part- tle something with this shape. However, this hand
ner has shown something like 18-20 HCP and so has improved with East’s notrump bid that suggests
I think I am worth a game try. I think Two Spades West’s club holding may be very useful, and West
is forcing for one round, showing invitational-or- has enough to force to game facing most 19-21 bal-
better values. Although perhaps a sequence such as anced or quasi-balanced hands. If this problem was
Two Clubs-Two Hearts-Two Spades sounds stronger, meant to test the new system’s uncharted methods
I am not sure that it is. I think the difference is that I’d like to propose that Two Clubs be natural, non-
bidding Two Spades immediately shows at least 4-5 forcing rather than an artificial checkback, Two Dia-
in the majors whereas you might start with Two monds a weak canape, Two Hearts a retreat, Two
Clubs if only 4-4. Spades invitational, 2NT a raise.
And that brings us neatly to the seven panellists who
do bid Two Clubs. What do they say about the differ-
ences between Two Clubs and Two Spades?
Sime: Two Clubs. Then Two Hearts if partner bids
Two Diamonds, which should convey 4/5 in the ACBL Encyclopedia of
majors. I think game will be an outsider if we don’t
have a fit. Bridge
OK so a cue-bid shows 5-4 rather than 4-4.
Greco: Two Clubs. Not clear on the strength here Official ACBL Encyclopedia of Bridge –
but I feel like it should be weaker than Two Spades. 7th Edition
I will pass Two Hearts. Edited by Brent Manley, 600+ pages
OK so a cue-bid is weaker – interesting treatment. (Hardback)
Bird: Two Clubs. I dithered between this and Two
Spades, eventually opting for the bid that clearly OUT NOW
shows some ambition. Another benefit is that Two RRP £49.95 SUBSCRIBERS’ £45 + post free
Clubs consumes so little space. to UK customers (£10 for overseas customers)
OK so a cue-bid is stronger. The most complete volume of bridge informa-
Robson: Two Clubs. Then Two Hearts over Two tion and instruction ever compiled.
Diamonds, to show interest in other strains/levels.
So a cue-bid shows doubt. Over 600 easy-to read and easy-to-search
pages
Green: Two Clubs. Asking partner to describe his
hand, we may well have game on in spades or hearts. • Thousands of entries covering bridge
So a cue-bid asks partner to describe his hand. terms, conventions, sys-
Lawrence: Two Clubs. Delayed Stayman. Just in tems, rules, and top
case he has 3-3-4-3 shape or the ilk. personalities.
Ditto. • Contains a CD-ROM
Rigal: Two Clubs. Forcing not natural, probing containing hundreds of
for a major-suit fit. I’d hope partner will be able to extra biographies that
jump to Three Hearts with real extras – in context. didn't make the printed
So no one knows what a cue-bid shows or what edition
strength it is!
It occurs to me that one possible scheme is to treat
this sequence as if the opponents had passed and partner

 Intermediate
As you can see Eric is entirely alone in thinking this I find it very difficult to set long constructive auctions
hand is a game force. (which is why so many auctions are contested) as too
Our final three panellists are at the other end of rapidly we get into individual partnership understand-
the spectrum and simply sign off in their longest suit: ings and there are just too many bids for the panel to
Wolff: Two Hearts. With Two Spades an overbid complain about . Also in many constructive auc-
and do not expect less than three hearts. tions there are at most two sensible choices, occasion-
I don’t see how that can fly Bobby. What is the poor ally three and very rarely more. This one however has
fella supposed to do with a 4-2-4-3 20 count? More fitted the bill perfectly. The panel have again come up
worryingly still isn’t this sequence consistent with say with six separate bids with none of them garnering
a 4-1-4-4 20 count? Then we have done something more than six votes, showing what a tough position
really silly! we are now in. We have no idea what strain to play in
Apteker: Two Hearts. I would ideally like to show (clubs, diamonds and NTs are still in the picture) and
a mild invitational hand with 4-5 in the majors but no idea of the level (game small slam or even, if part-
have no space or system to do so….not sure if Two ner has the right stuff, a grand. Try ♠AQJx ♥- ♦xxx
Clubs is some form of checkback or not. Game ♣KQxxxx for example). You will hear a lot from the
prospects are not great, so will take the low road panel about the jack of diamonds on this hand which
and simply rebid my five-card suit. is a real key card. Six panellists (amazingly enough
Leufkens: Two Hearts. Without any agreement for the 10 marks) waffle on with what Iain described
Two Clubs is stronger I suppose. last month as “the cheapest sensible bid” hoping that
Clearly an area where partnership discussion and something will clarify itself soon:
some agreements are needed. Partner held ♠KQxx Robson: Three Hearts. It all depends on ♦J. If
♥K10 ♦KQx ♣AQ10x so game is OK without being partner has it Six Diamonds must be laydown. If
great (particularly non-vul). Given that that the pan- not, we may be better in Six Clubs. Three Hearts
el’s view was not to force to game on this hand (and is cheap wandering.
indeed not to even try for game from six panellists) I Yes, but will it get you anywhere Andrew?
have slightly marked down the game force. Sime: Three Hearts. By bidding Three Hearts, I
should find the heart ace (3NT) which would
PROBLEM 5 improve my hand. I think the natural 4NT bid,
which won IMPs at the US Ladies Trials (more on
IMPs. Dealer East. N/S Vul. that later), was lucky. Partner will pass 4NT with
♠ K 10 8 an even better hand than the one she had. Six Dia-
♥ K752 monds will be good if partner’s diamonds are Jxx,
♦ AK Q 2 but probably not if they are a slightly more likely
♣ AJ xxx. Whilst bidding has expanded to new horizons
over the years, that trump jack-ask remains undis-
covered (unfortunately unlike the Trump jackass).
– – 1♣ Pass
Last month was a great month for comments, this
1♦ Pass 1♠* Pass
one less so – but this fine pun wins Iain the comment
2♥* Pass 3♦ Pass
of the month hands down (assuming it survives the
?
1♠ Shows 5♣ & 4♠
editor’s blue pencil).
2♥ Fourth-suit forcing, forcing to game
Rigal: Three Hearts. Initially a probe for NT – fifth
Bid Marks No. of Votes suit is only natural if partner has bid 2NT at his
previous turn. A jump to 4NT over Three Dia-
Three Hearts 10 6 monds feels like a quantitative action so is clearly
5NT 9 4
Four Clubs 8 4 a possibility.
Four Diamonds 8 4 Bowyer: Three Hearts. Something of a question of
4NT 8 4 system, methinks. I’d bid Three Hearts here, but
6NT 6 1 need to be reassured that partner won’t take it as
Three Spades 2 0 1-5-6-1 (hopefully the above has reassured you then
Five Clubs 1 0 Paul). This is probably a very silly hand where you
Five Diamonds 1 0 have to play Six Diamonds on a 4-3 fit, partner
Six Clubs 1 0 having ♠Axxx ♥J ♦J10x ♣KQxxx.
Six Diamonds 1 0 Green: Three Hearts. 5th suit forcing, Partner

 Intermediate
appears to be 4-1-3-5 shape (could partner be 4-2- but Six Clubs and Six Diamonds are acceptable.
2-5 with say ♠AQxx ♥xx ♦Jx ♣KQxxx or is that a ♠AQxx ♥- ♦Jxxx ♣KQxxx, when Seven Diamonds
Three Heart bid?), I don’t mind bidding Four Dia- is right. ♠AQJx ♥x ♦xxx ♣KQ10xx, when again
monds but that commits us to the 4-3 fit (which 6NT by me is good. If partner cannot control-bid
may well be the best slam) and suggest long dia- Four Hearts next, I will jump to 6NT.
monds. If partner bids Three Spades or 3NT then Apteker: Four Clubs. Sets suit and allows a good
I can continue with Four Clubs to suggest a dou- platform for slam strain and level investigation.
bleton or Four Diamonds to suggest a decent four- Heading for at least Six Diamonds opposite ♠AQxx
card suit. ♥J ♦Jxx ♣Kxxxx or 6NT opposite ♠AQxx ♥x ♦xxx
Rosen: Three Hearts. Maybe I should just set dia- ♣KQxxx. I need to find out about the KQ of clubs
monds with Four Diamonds–quite happy for a 4-3 and two Aces.
fit, but Three Hearts seems to save a lot of space... And apparently the ♦J and how are you going to
Well let’s move on to Four Diamonds then: do that? Tim has a plan for that:
Bird: Four Diamonds. Not an easy problem. A 4-3 Cope: Four Clubs. I would like to key-card in clubs
diamond fit could be best. Partner is less likely to over partner’s likely Four Spade cue-bid. If they
hold only a doubleton diamond when he makes the have the ♣Q, we can play 6NT, If they deny the
most expensive bid at his third turn. I might have ♣Q they must have good spades and probably the
bid a pick-a-slam 5NT instead, since a slam is play- ♦J (say ♠AQxx ♥x ♦Jxx ♣Kxxxx at worst) and will
able opposite as little as ♠Axxx ♥x ♦Jxx ♣KQxxx. then take my chances in Six diamonds.
Brock: Four Diamonds. Need to agree something Fair enough!
for the moment, just to get cooperation. Six Dia- Onwards and upwards four panellists bid 4NT,
monds could easily be the best slam but may be two think it is RKCB for diamonds and two quanti-
difficult to be sure he has the ♦J (that accursed ♦J tative. A lesson to agree with your partner what 4NT
rears its head again!). after FSF is!
But will you necessarily get co-operation? Surely Wolff: 4NT. And headed to Six or Seven Diamonds
David’s hand will just sign off? Joey tells us fully how expecting the jack of diamonds from dummy + a
he will continue: trick by trumping a heart. Yes, very risky, but after
Silver: Four Diamonds. Could have bid a natural all Three Diamonds could have four and a grand
4NT, but with such a chunky four-card diamond slam is in the wind, but not so much in NT.
suit this could be our best route to our safest slam, Lawrence: 4NT. Quantitative and conservative. I
or even a possible grand slam. I intend to bid Four don’t know how to estimate where the tricks will
Spades over Four Hearts giving partner the chance come from. Partner is most likely 4-3-1-5 as with
to take control with 4NT, and maybe from that 4-2-2-5 he might find something else to bid. I will
point get to Seven Diamonds. If instead West bids accept Six Clubs if partner bids it. If he bids Six
Four Spades I will bid 5NT and let him choose Diamonds I have another problem. Interesting hand.
what slam to play in. Greco: 4NT. Intended as RKC but if interpreted
Carruthers: Four Diamonds. If I bid Four Clubs as quantitative it should be OK (well glad if that
now, it means that that was my intent after works for you – partner mis-interpreting my bids never
fourth-suit. It would NOT be a cue-bid in sup- works for me!). I will bid 5NT pick a slam over the
port of diamonds. Partner could have (i) ♠AQxx expected 1KC response since five of a major should
♥— ♦Jxxx ♣KQxxx, but could he also have (ii) be king ask (Should it? Absolutely everyone I know
♠AQxx ♥xx ♦Jx ♣KQxxx? With (i), we have plays it as asking in spades).
a good grand slam, but with (ii) I’d hope he’d As ever t’other Eric gives us a very full answer with
bid Three Hearts (needed for this hand-type, not subtle system (or lack of ) inferences:
length in hearts). Kokish: 4NT. Even if we agree that One Spade
I agree with John entirely that Four Clubs shows implies 4♠ & 5+♣ (not in the summary) (corrected
support not a cue-bid. Indeed, it could even be pri- in a subsequent email to panellists – AM), when East
mary support since we have been unable to support is not 4-1-3-5 the system does not suggest that he
clubs in a forcing fashion earlier. However, three pan- should rebid Two Spades (he’d bid Three Spades
ellists bid it. Can they convince us? with 6-5) or a heart-stopperless 2NT with 4-2-2-5.
Alder: Four Clubs. I really am not sure what to Here West has no easy way to develop the auction
do (join the club). Which hand does partner have? confidently to keep East apprised of the direction
♠AQxx ♥x ♦Jxx ♣KQxxx, when 6NT by me is best, West has in mind. With any of four strains (spades

 Intermediate
can’t be ruled out yet) possible for slam and no cer- minimum Six Diamonds may be reasonable eg
tainty that any slam will be playable, West would ♠AJxx ♥x ♦Jxx ♣KQxxx. If I bid Four Clubs part-
like to extend the dialogue without overstating a ner will expect three- or four-card support making
strain but he can’t really do that. I’m going to set- it difficult to play in the Moysian when that is best.
tle for a natural non-forcing 4NT rather than a Opposite some minimums there might be no decent
pick-a-slam 5NT, hopeful that when East decides slam, but I am too strong to worry about that.
to move forward he will make a natural bid that Teramoto: 5NT. Pick a slam. I cannot decide
can only help our cause. between Six Clubs, Six Diamonds and 6NT.
Which brings us to 5NT. If you (a) are determined I think Marc must have a train to catch – he seems
to bid a slam and (b) decide that bidding a grand even determined to finish the auction with this bid on every
if there is just too hard, then surely this will guarantee hand:
to get you to the best slam, won’t it? Though maybe Smith: 6NT. There really is no guaranteed solu-
the elusive ♦J will still be hard to pinpoint. Drew tion to this problem, since you can never discover
puts the case well: what you really need to know – does he have the
Cannell: 5NT. Pick-a-slam. Partner is most likely jack of diamonds? Partner either has ♠AQxx ♥x
4-1-3-5 distribution. The quality of the black suits is ♦xxx ♣KQ10xx, when 6NT is good (or cold if you
the crux of the matter on this deal. I would venture add the ♠J), or ♠Axxx ♥x ♦Jxx ♣KQ10xx, when
to say that my 5NT should contain three spades you want to be in Six Diamonds needing just a
and two clubs as I did not support either suit after 4-2 trump break as the heart ruff is your twelfth
Three Diamonds. In fact, partner may infer my dis- trick. Anyone have a system that asks for the jack
tribution within a card for sure and my point count of trumps?
within a point or so as well. The ball is in partner’s “No” is the straightforward answer to that, but you
court – volley well partner. might try 5NT, which at least gives you options. You
Leufkens: 5NT. Pick a slam. 4NT is not enough. can always bid 6NT if you want to after it. Partner
Problem is that partner won’t like to bid Six Dia- held a dead minimum ♠Axxx ♥A ♦Jxx ♣Qxxxx but
monds with Jxx. But alternative is to set diamonds with the magical ♦J Six Diamonds was still a worth-
as trumps, and then Six Clubs is not in the picture while contract.
anymore.
Yes, I agree Enri. PROBLEM 6
Matheson: 5NT. Pick a slam. Even opposite a
IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ 9873
♥ 75
♦-
♣ K Q J 10 6 4 3
CARD TABLES West North East South
– 3♦ 3NT Pass
FOR SALE ?
Refurbished old tables standard size Bid Marks No. of Votes
with new green baize top Five Clubs 10 14
Four Clubs 9 5
£29 each Pass 7 3
Will deliver within reasonable distance Four Diamonds 1 0
4NT 1 0
DANNY ROTH Six Clubs 1 0
47 Bearing Way, CHIGWELL,
“Well, do you feel lucky punk?” Passing 3NT requires
ESSEX IG7 4NB
partner to have ♣Ax(x) or ♣xxx and them not being
020 8501 1643 tel/fax dannyroth@btinternet.com
able to hold up the ace plus sufficient stops in the oth-
ers suits to make the hand (hearts could be just as big
a problem here as diamonds). Three panellists are
prepared to take their chances, all North Americans:
Lawrence: Pass. Won’t know what’s right until I see

 Intermediate
partner’s face as I put this dummy down. 4-4 fit spade fit (no one suggested playing in spades or
Wolff: Pass. Big chance either way, but hoping part- any way of getting there) where I might lose control.
ner has either the ace of clubs or three of them. Whilst no one suggested spades a number of pan-
♣A stiff would be unfortunate Bobby . ellists point out that Four Clubs is rarely played as
Rigal: Pass. Yes, anything could be right – a jump to natural by partnerships here and so nobly don’t bid it:
Five Clubs might allow partner to bid on with a real Bowyer: Five Clubs. As I don’t think Four Clubs
super-max, and could easily be sensible if we have a should be natural (it should be a range enquiry
red-suit weakness. But a spade lead through…not IMO) I can’t bid that. So it’s a choice between a
sure about my choice but I hope I’ll have company. fairly bizarre Pass and Five Clubs. I opt for the latter,
Mike and Bobby only Barry. The rest head for clubs giving partner an easy raise to slam if he has plenty
equally aware that it could be the wrong thing to do. It of Aces and Kings. If he has stretched to bid 3NT
will certainly go less off than 3NT though when that is I may have three top losers. The Americans have
the wrong thing to do. Marc puts the arguments well: an expression, I believe, about cookies crumbling.
Smith: Five Clubs. It may not be right, but this Tim gives us his preferred methods:
is surely the practical bid. Of course, partner may Cope: Five Clubs. 3NT will make overtricks if
have five spades and Six Spades is cold. His dia- partner has the ace of clubs but will be under pres-
mond stopper may be J109x and with all of his sure otherwise. With me this bid carries some con-
values working we are cold for Six Clubs. Perhaps structive tones as I could bid Four Diamonds as a
he has ♠QJxx ♥Axx ♦AJ10x ♣Ax and they take a weak take-out into any suit (partner bidding Four
spade ruff to beat Five Clubs with 3NT cold. It’s a Hearts which I then pass or correct). With the 3NT
percentage game, though, and surely the odds are bid being wide-ranging the limit of the hand is
higher that we belong in Five Clubs than anywhere unknown. Tougher problem at pairs where it might
else I may guess. be right to gamble 3NT as if it makes, it will make
Bird: Five Clubs. When you have to start bidding with overtricks.
at this rarefied level, it’s unlikely that you can find Phillip makes the same point about pairs:
the perfect bid. I will aim to protect my reputation Alder: Five Clubs. At matchpoints, I would pass and
for being ‘sensible but uninspired’. hope partner could run the clubs, but at IMPs I will
Brock: Five Clubs. Wish I knew a way to get part- go with my suit, ready to apologise if I am wrong.
ner to play it. The two Erics give other potential methods:
My partners think that about all the hands I am Kokish: Five Clubs. So this proves that the sys-
about to play. tem has not been developed to cover this situation
Matheson: Five Clubs. 3NT may be best if part- (nope!). There are lots of fairly popular treatments on
ner has Ax(xx) of clubs, but Five Clubs may still the market but most of them include a Four Clubs
be reasonable. Opposite xx or stiff ace of clubs my inquiry for hand type: range and BAL vs long-suit-
hand will be worthless in notrumps. based. One such simple method would treat (spe-
Robson: Five Clubs. Not sure if this is a slam try cifically here) other advances as: Four Diamonds =
in any way. Not sure whether I want it to be. ♥; Four Hearts = ♠; Four Spades = ♣; 4NT = bid
Just as on problem 2 several mention another upside suits up the line; Five Club/Heart/Spades = specific
of Five Clubs – some days partner might raise: one-suited slam tries; Five Diamonds = at least 5-5
Silver: Five Clubs. If partner doesn’t have the club majors, slam try. Although passing 3NT could be
ace surely our best game, and maybe even so even the winner here it’s a deep position and I would
if doesn’t have that card, not to mention it keeps bid Four Spades or Five Clubs according to agree-
open the possibility of getting to slam. ment to invite slam without going past Five Clubs.
Teramoto: Five Clubs. 3NT needs him to have the If you want us to provide a one-bid solution with
ace of clubs. Five Clubs may make without the ace no systemic context it would be Five Clubs for me.
of clubs and he may raise to slam with a good hand. Greco: Five Clubs. I don’t know what are our agree-
Rosen: Five Clubs. Surely partner might be able to ments are here but I would assume Four Clubs is
raise when appropriate. for majors and we play transfers so I will bid Five
A rare thing – a panellist who accurately recog- Clubs which could win in two ways. One if partner
nizes a hand: has a big hand and bids slam, and two Five Clubs
Green: Five Clubs. This hand looks familiar (was makes and 3NT goes down.
it via Peter Crouch?) As in problem 2 I prefer to BM standard has no methods here (as in many
play in my seven bagger than potentially play my situations) so the assumption is that Four Clubs will

 Intermediate
be natural. Five panellists take advantage of this ser- PROBLEM 7
endipity, though I am unconvinced that Four Clubs
followed by Five Clubs shows this hand. IMPs. Dealer South. None Vul.
Apteker: Four Clubs. This is a difficult area without
agreement given the range of partner’s hand types ♠ K873
and point count for the under pressure 3NT bid. ♥6
Four Clubs could be Staymanic and forward going ♦ AJ 5
but in the absence of specific agreement, I assume ♣ AK Q J 8
partner will take it as natural. Over Four Diamonds, West North East South
Four Spades or 4NT, I will bid Five Clubs and over – – – 1♥
Four Hearts, Five Diamonds. Double 4♥ Double Pass
Wow that seems a lot of bidding on this hand. ?
Carruthers: Four Clubs. Just to give him an oppor- Bid Marks No. of Votes
tunity with a club fit and aces. With no interest in Pass 10 8
slam, I’d just bid Five Clubs. Five Clubs 9 7
Cannell: Four Clubs. A natural force for now. My Six Clubs 8 4
first thought was Five Clubs, but that is too termi- Four Spades 8 1
nal. Slam may be there if partner has the right hand 4NT 7 1
for us. Let’s see what happens next. Not sure I will 5NT 6 1
be able to do much more than Five Clubs unless Five Hearts 5 0
partner takes charge. Any other bid 1 0
Partner cannot take charge apart from leaping to This hand slightly surprises me. I was expecting a fairly
a slam since 4NT is surely regressive. sizable majority at this vulnerability for simply tak-
Sime: Four Clubs. I am assuming that we don’t play ing whatever money was available. Whilst Pass gets
transfers here. Therefore Four Clubs is a natural the top mark only 8 out of 22 panellists voted for it:
slam try (and a good hand for not playing transfers). Bowyer: Pass. Why do I get the feeling I have seen
Leufkens: Four Clubs. If natural; otherwise Five this hand before? (no idea) Anyway, it’s a choice
Clubs. Obviously Four Clubs and then Five Clubs between Pass (likely to pick up 300) and Five Clubs.
is best. But if not natural then simple bid by a sim- I don’t think partner is favourite to have four spades.
ple man: Five Clubs. Can partner still bid Six Clubs I pass at this score.
if right? Probably not. Leufkens: Pass. Yes, it can easily be Six Clubs. But
This problem produced the first majority of the set partner has about 9 HCP, so it should be something
and bidding was very right opposite ♠AKJ ♥K109xx like ♠AQx ♥xx ♦Kxxx ♣xxxx or ♠Axx ♥xx ♦KQxxx
♦Axxx ♣A. Hardly a classic 3NT bid but what’s a ♣xxx to have a good chance. I think there are way
man supposed to do? many more hands that don’t fit well enough, and I
can’t ask partner to evaluate strength, only trump suit.
Bird: Pass. Partner would often prefer to bid Four
Spades if he held four spades. I expect to score 500
and even 300 will not be so bad at ‘None Vul.’
YOUNG CHELSEA There is lots of talk about partner bidding Four
Spades with four of them. Is this so clear with some
BRIDGE CLUB random 9 or 10 count and say ♠QJxx?
Smith: Pass. Partner probably does not have four
One of the World’s Great Bridge Clubs decent spades, since our style of shape-suitable take-
out doubles means that I am very likely to hold
four (err do we have that style still?), so he can bid
Duplicate every weekday evening Four Spades with confidence when that’s right. That
leaves me with a guess to bid Five Clubs (which may
allow him to raise to a good slam) (and exactly when
Tel: 020 7373 1665 is partner going to be able to bid slam when we have
www.ycbc.co.uk this lot?) and taking the sure plus score from Four
Hearts Doubled. That I also have more defensive
tricks than partner may be expecting suggests that

 Intermediate
some of the time we’ll get 500/800 against our non- spades otherwise he should bid Four Spades.
vulnerable game anyway. Rosen: Five Clubs. Applying the maxim of pulling
The number of defensive tricks depends on how to a hopefully making spot. Second choice is pass
many clubs are standing up but I do agree you have of course. Slam? Do me a favour....
lots of high cards and lots of aces and kings. Not so say:
I would have bet my mortgage we would have at Brock: Six Clubs. I don’t think there’s any point
least two mentions of the LAW and I was right: pulling the double but not bidding slam, as surely
Matheson: Pass. I guess 9-10 hearts for them and on a trump lead Four Hearts must go two or three
8-9 clubs for us. I think partner would bid Four down. But in my view partner should have at least
Spades holding a fair four-card spade suit and values 10 useful points or so I like the idea of going for slam.
eg ♠A109x ♥xx ♦KQxx ♣xxx, so likely shapes for Well, I have seen hands like this make Four Hearts
partner include 3-2-4-4, 3-2-5-3 etc. If my guess is Doubled before (one hand void in clubs, the other with
right the law suggests passing, but it is close. a stiff spade and 11 hearts between them)
Silver: Pass. At this juncture I am at an inflexion Alder: Six Clubs. In for a penny ...
point with no way of inviting slam, never mind the Lawrence: Guessing between Pass, Five Clubs and
small matter of first finding our best fit. So as an Six Clubs. I expect a ten count, most likely without
officer of the court (trust me I AM A LAWYER) four spades. ♠Axx ♥xx ♦KQxxx ♣xxx is a logical
I’ll just try to obey the Law (or my version of it). hand. Facing this hand, I should guess Six Clubs.
I would also have bet my mortgage Andrew was But if he has one more club and one less diamond,
a passer: I best guess Five Clubs or Pass. And, of course, if
Robson: Pass. +300 v +400 is likely worst case. The he has the queen of spades and not the queen of
thing is if I bid, what do I bid. diamonds, I better rethink again. I think I will go
Well Bobby has a potential answer to that: on to Problem 8 and then come back to this one
Wolff: Pass. Close second choice Five Clubs later. I’m back. Six Clubs. If Six Clubs depends
And just second (and no surprise) is simply to bid on a diamond finesse, that rates to win. Further, I
our chunky five-card suit. can hope for, (count on) the opponents to save me
Rigal: Five Clubs. Duck soup? I’m being asked to often enough to make this worthwhile.
bid with extra shape and or values. This hand is it. A very fine answer from Mike and a great idea at
Teramoto: Five Clubs. Five Clubs shows a good the table. I did do this once in the play – I got to a two-
hand and a good suit. Double by partner just shows card end position and had to decide whether to take
cards, not penalties. the finesse or play for the hand to have been squeezed.
Cannell: Five Clubs. I assume partner’s double has I told the opponents I would let them know my deci-
responsive overtones. I would not think it is pen- sion at the end of the next hand. They let me do it….
alty oriented for this sequence. The uncertainty of a Greco: Six Clubs. Another partnership question
fourth spade across the way leads me to the security here. Am I expected to bid Four Spades here with
of my club suit. Some trust must be given to E/W four? I can’t imagine partner not having an ace and
as they opened and bid at the four level (though at least this may make them guess whether to save.
Four Hearts is weak). How do we ascertain if twelve Any diamond finesses rate to win.
tricks are present? I don’t know. Indeed – can we assume that if we bid Four Spades
Impossible I would have thought! here we are only showing four of them as these days all
Sime: Five Clubs. I reckon that South is favourite hands with five spades that are not hugely powerful
to hold the spade ace, so I am not tempted by the will overcall One Spade rather than double and there-
solid clubs to bid Six Clubs. Of course if partner fore this must show only four. To answer that question
has the spade ace, slam probably becomes quite we turn again to the other Eric:
good with South under pressure. And somebody Kokish: Four Spades. I’m not from the school that
submits the hand for this article. advocates East bid Four Spades whenever he has
Yes Iain, but maybe it was because someone punted four of those and some reason to think it’s worth
a ZP slam. bidding, so here I believe West is expected to take
Apteker: Five Clubs. Partner should be showing out the responsive double with a decent hand for
values typically in a semi-balanced type of hand i.e. offence. Four Spades here does not suggest five or
3-2-4-4 or 3-2-5-3. Can’t be sure of slam making preclude other strains. Sure, we could be cold for
although I suspect it may, so I bid the best look- slam but sometimes when there’s lots of bidding
ing game. I expect partner to usually not have four with no cards there are nasty surprises.

 Intermediate
So for Eric yes Four Spades does show four and that On this hand the panel have all seen “2NT = ms or
is what we are expected to bid. We have another two FG two-suiter” and galloped into the sunset on that
solo efforts on this problem. These are the other two: horse without further ado. Indeed several predicted a
Cope: 4NT. Pick a minor. I could not come up with unanimous panel:
a hand where partner has made a convertible value Alder: 2NT. Gnarled panellists know better than
showing double without the ♠A and diamond val- to suggest this, but surely this will be a unanimous
ues. If partner picks Five Clubs I will chicken out choice?
as we may have a third round spade loser which 17 out of 22 so 77% – enough to avoid any-
we can do nothing about. If they choose Five Dia- thing other than mild laughter I suppose (he says
monds I will raise to Six Diamonds as we can throw begrudgingly).
partner’s spade loser on the long clubs (and pray for Cope: 2NT. Seems easy with the helpful footnote
the diamond finesse to be right if needed). to the system. Unanimity?
4NT I sort of understand, this I don’t: Others resort to sarcasm – that’s my job!
Carruthers: 5NT. Pick a slam. I have quite a bit more Bird: 2NT. This resembles a dumbed-down ques-
than I promised and if we need the ace of spades or tion in a GCSE maths paper. ‘2NT shows a FG
king of diamonds to be onside, it rates to be. two-suiter and you hold a FG two-suiter. Think
Surely partner with say ♦KQxx and ♣xxxx will carefully, children. What will you bid?’
choose Six Diamonds and that might be embarrassing. It wouldn’t be maths then would it – it would be
Last word to the man who again accurately iden- English.
tifies the problem: Rosen: 2NT. Certainly looks like a FG two-suiter
Green: Five Clubs. Another familiar hand from from here.
Peter. I think this one depends on how you play the Greco: 2NT. If this could be a forcing game two-
double. If it shows two places then one could bid suiter than this fits the bill. I just need the spade
Four Spades (unless double denies four spades) or jack to have a chance.
Five Clubs (or indeed something more adventurous). Silver: 2NT. Albeit only 12 HCP, surely a three
Since I have to guess I would bid Five Clubs and loser is strong enough to force to game?
be prepared to miss a slam (which I know I have). Leufkens: 2NT. If I understand well this is
The opponents really were bidding on tram tickets minors or FG two-suiter. This looks like FG
since partner held ♠AJx ♥Ax ♦Kxx ♣109xxx so Six two-suiter. Bidding Four Spades to prevent the
Clubs was both good and cold on the lie. enemy finding a fit is too much for me with these
spades. Probably with suits other way around I
PROBLEM 8 would bid it
Lawrence: 2NT. The other choices don’t let me
IMPs. Dealer South. E/W Vul. develop this hand. If all I need is Jx of spades for
♠ Q 10 9 8 3 2 game, this is not an overbid. I like the fact that 2NT
♥— adds to the opponents’ difficulties. Close second
♦ A K Q J 10 2 choice, Four Spades.
♣5 Wolff: 2NT. With a grudging admiration for a sim-
ple Four Spades in order to make it difficult for the
opponents if LHO has a decent hand.
– – – 1NT*
Rigal: 2NT. I can see that this could easily backfire
?*
1NT 13 -15
by letting opponents in early by contrast to a jump
Reminder that now in BM standard the defence to 1NT to Four Spades – but why can’t partner be short in
♣ ♦ ♠
is: Dble = penalties, 2 = Ms, 2 = ♥ or , 2♥/ =♠ spades – no reason that I can see,
♠
5♥/ & 4+m, 2NT = ms or FG two-suiter Some at least are aware that this is shaded:
Bid Marks No. of Votes Cannell: 2NT. What the heck – this looks like a
2NT 10 17 game force to me! LOL It’s those rose coloured
Two Diamonds 8 2 spectacles again.
Two Spades 8 1 Sime: 2NT. Our convener has been in Buda-
Four Spades 8 2 pest, where no trip is complete without a ghou-
Pass 4 0 lash. Alan has also helpfully said that 2NT is
Double 3 0 the minors or a game-forcing two-suiter. Game-
Five Diamonds 2 0 forcing does not mean the same as game-making.

 Intermediate
Bidding spades first suggests the wrong lead if I’m pretty sure I would bid Two Diamonds at the
we end up defending, whilst bidding diamonds table as something of a tactical shot, it might tell
first could result in a Five Diamond preference me who has the hearts. It also prevents the bidding
I don’t want. dying in Two Spades if I were to overcall that. This
Smith: 2NT. Whose idea was this truly horrible might not be the best action but the alternatives
defence to 1NT? Two Diamonds showing either are all fairly repulsive.
major? Yuk!!! Fortunately, though, you did tell us One panellist is prepared to risk Two Spades being
that one of the options for 2NT is a FG two-suiter passed out (which seems pretty unlikely to me)
and when I looked at my hand, lo and behold, what Matheson: Two Spades. The auction is unlikely
do I have... to stop here. I may have to compete to Five Dia-
Well Marc, Iain has just told you that I have been monds. With 6-5 “I come alive”, but what do I do
in Budapest as coach of the English open team and holding 6-6?
whilst there are obviously plenty of different defences Get in the mix?
to 1NT I can tell you that of the 111 systems I ana- Finally, two just blast the most likely game and hope
lysed (and what a truly fun job that was!) this defence to transfer the problem to the opponents:
was far and away the most common. Apteker: Four Spades. At these colours, it is
Teramoto: 2NT. I want to go to game on this hand imperative to not allow opponents bidding space
vulnerable at teams. to easily find a profitable sacrifice so I take the
Green: 2NT. I have a GF two-suiter so I’m sure opportunity to bid immediately what I think we
I would show this. My alternative is to start with can make.
Two Diamonds and then bid Four Diamonds. The Robson: Four Spades. They may misdefend.
reason I prefer 2NT is that if Four Hearts comes Well, with such a heavy majority for it I suppose I
back to me firstly a Four Spade bid now shows have to accept that 2NT is the right bid, but I remain
a two-suiter so partner can pull with a singleton sceptical. Apart from the lack of high cards which
spade and minor-suit length, secondly 2NT cre- may well mean we end up doubling a laydown Five
ates a forcing pass which can be helpful in judging Hearts for example, none of the panel have addressed
high level auctions. the issue of the lack of clarity about the 2NT bid.
Carruthers: 2NT. I can hardly bid Two Spades and Say the auction goes (as is quite likely) (1NT), 2NT,
have us cold for game when he passes with a 4X3 (4♥), partner will now be delighted to bid Five Clubs
with the jack of spades. Of course, if he did hold on for example ♠Jxxx ♥xxx ♦x ♣KQxxx and won’t
that hand, the opponents might bid a little more. that be embarrassing…. This time partner held ♠Ax
I would like to be playing Four Diamonds as dia- ♥KJxx ♦xxxx ♣xxx so if Two Spades is your choice
monds and a major, forcing, wouldn’t you? Just on it might just get passed out. Everything else leads to
this hand. And I shudder to think what might hap- Four Spades.
pen if I double. This was a great set of problems with only two
Brock: 2NT. Looks like a FG two-suiter to me. The producing an overall majority. Every problem apart
alternatives are not great because to show spades and from Problem 2 had at least four bids from the panel,
a minor I have to bid Two Spades and that might and three of them had six different bids. All told the
easily be passed out with slam cold. panel choose 36 bids, an average of exactly 4.5 per
Well, John and Sally you don’t have to bid Two problem. Not surprisingly the marks were low this
Spades. There were three minority choices starting month with congratulations going to Tadashi Tera-
with: moto on 78, with Ben Green and Andrew Robson
Kokish: Two Diamonds. This will buy some just behind on 77 – a real chance for the readers to
time and pinpoint a six-card major, something beat the entire panel.
that Two Spades or a 2NT (overbid on high
cards) will not immediately do. While I intend
to bid diamonds at any level later I am aware that
East might not know exactly what I am doing.
It’s a complex hand because we can’t ignore our
six-two spade-fit potential while also keeping
diamonds in the picture without misrepresent-
ing our length.
Bowyer: Two Diamonds. Lovely problem! (Not).

 Intermediate
SET 306 – THE PANEL’S BIDS & MARKS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Tadashi Teramoto Japan 4♥ 4♦ 2NT 2♠ 5NT 5♣ 5♣ 2NT 78
Ben Green England 4♥ 5♣ 2NT 2♣ 3♥ 5♣ 5♣ 2NT 77
Andrew Robson England 4♥ 4♦ 2NT 2♣ 3♥ 5♣ Pass 4♠ 77
David Bird England 5♠ 4♥ 2NT 2♣ 4♦ 5♣ Pass 2NT 76
Drew Cannell Canada 4♥ 4♥ 2NT 2♠ 5NT 4♣ 5♣ 2NT 76
Joey Silver Canada 4NT 3♥ 2♦ 2♠ 4♦ 5♣ Pass 2NT 76
Iain Sime Scotland 4♥ 5♣ 2♦ 2♣ 3♥ 4♣ 5♣ 2NT 76
Paul Bowyer England 5♦ 4♦ 2♦ 2♠ 3♥ 5♣ Pass 2♦ 75
Sally Brock England 4♥ 3♥ 2NT 2♠ 4♦ 5♣ 6♣ 2NT 75
Eric Greco USA 4♥ 4♥ 2♦ 2♣ 4NT 5♣ 6♣ 2NT 75
Phillip Alder USA 5♠ 5♣ 2NT 2♠ 4♣ 5♣ 6♣ 2NT 74
John Carruthers Canada 4♥ 4♦ 2♦ 2♠ 4♦ 4♣ 5NT 2NT 73
Enri Leufkens Netherlands 4NT 4♥ 2♦ 2♥ 5NT 4♣ Pass 2NT 73
John Matheson Scotland 4NT 5♣ 2♦ Pass 5NT 5♣ Pass 2♠ 73
Barry Rigal USA 5♠ 4♥ 2NT 2♣ 3♥ Pass 5♣ 2NT 73
Neil Rosen England 4♠ 2♦ 2NT Pass 3♥ 5♣ 5♣ 2NT 72
Marc Smith England 6♠ 5♣ 2NT 2♠ 6NT 5♣ Pass 2NT 72
Alon Apteker South Africa 4♥ 4♦ 2♦ 2♥ 4♣ 4♣ 5♣ 4♠ 71
Tim Cope South Africa 4NT 5♣ 2♦ Pass 4♣ 5♣ 4NT 2NT 71
Mike Lawrence USA 4♥ 4♥ 2♦ 2♣ 4NT Pass 6♣ 2NT 71
Bobby Wolff USA 5♠ 4♥ 2NT 2♥ 4NT Pass Pass 2NT 70
Eric Kokish Canada 5♠ 3♥ 2♦ 3♠ 4NT 5♣ 4♠ 2♦ 68
Mike Lawrence Bridge Tips from

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
Bidding Competition – Set 307
Open to all – Free Entry
See following pages for system and method of entry
PROBLEM 1 PROBLEM 5
IMPs. Dealer East. N/S Vul. IMPs. Dealer West. All Vul.
♠ 9542 ♠ QJ652
♥ 98 ♥ KQ
♦ 10 9 3 2 ♦ 9852
♣ J 10 8 ♣ A6
West North East South West North East South
– – 3NT* 4♥ 1♠ 2♦ 2♥* Pass
? ?
3NT Solid minor with at most a queen outside 2♥ In BM Standard now 2♥ is F1 but not FG
PROBLEM 2 PROBLEM 6
IMPs. Dealer South. E/W Vul. IMPs. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
♠ A Q 10 7 4 2 ♠ 10 8 5 4 2
♥ 74 ♥ AK
♦J ♦ Q 10 7 4 3
♣ AK J 4 ♣6
– – – 1♠ – – 1♥ Pass
Pass 1NT 2♥ 3♦ 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
? ?
PROBLEM 3 PROBLEM 7
IMPs. Dealer East. N/S Vul. IMPs. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
♠ 75 ♠A
♥ AK ♥ AQ 9 8 7 5 2
♦ 6432 ♦ 43
♣ J9853 ♣ Q 10 5
– – 1♠ 2♥ – 2♠* Double 4♠
Pass Pass 3♣ Pass ?
? 2♠ Natural and weak
PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 8
IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul. IMPs. Dealer East. All Vul.
♠ KJ852 ♠ AQ
♥— ♥ KJ976
♦ A7 6 5 3 ♦ 10 6
♣ 10 9 3 ♣ KQJ6
— – 1♥ Pass – – Pass Pass
1♠ Pass 3♥ Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥* 2♠
? ?
♣
2♥ 2 would have been three-card Drury and 2 ♦
four-card Drury

1ST
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ONLINE
BRIDGE
WORLD CUP
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will take place
31 October - 2 November 2016
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Starting Monday 31 October 2016
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More information will be available shortly

How to enter
Send your chosen bid in each of the eight sequences opposite, preferably by email, to John Car-
ruthers at: marksandcomments@sympatico.ca. Alternatively, you can enter by post, to: John
Carruthers, 1322 Patricia Blvd., Kingsville ON N9Y 2R4, Canada. Entries must be received by
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1st £50 Master Point Press books Master Point Press prizes of £100, £50 and £35.
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3rd £15 Master Point Press books maximum score is 400. Each contestant’s Grand
4th £10 Master Point Press books Prix total is their five best scores over the year
(January – December).
Bridge Magazine Bidding System

Basic Method Weak 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠ (5 – 9, six-card suit). In
response 2NT is a relay asking for a high-card
Natural feature if not minimum with 3NT showing a
Five-card majors good suit, non-minimum. 3♣ asks for a sin-
gleton with 3NT showing a singleton ♣. 4♣
Minors are three cards in length minimum. is RKCB
Always open 1♣ with 3-3 or 4-4, so 1♦ is 3
cards only if precisely 4-4-3-2 shape Three-level openings are natural and pre-emp-
tive. Over 3♦/♥/♠, 4♣ is RKCB and over 3♣,
15-17 no-trump in all positions and 4♦ is RKCB.
vulnerabilities
3NT opening is Acol gambling – solid suit and
Two over one is game forcing in all uncontested at most a queen outside.
auctions
Four-level openings are natural.
A 1NT is up to a non-game force but it is not-
forcing. However the only hands that Pass are No-trump bidding:
weak no-trump types. After 1NT 15 – 17, 2♣ = Stayman, 2♦/2♥ =
Jumps at the two-level are weak (eg, 1♦ – 2♠) transfers, 2♠ = ♣s with 2NT/3♣ denying/show-
and at the three-level are invitational (eg 1♥ ing a fit, 2NT = ♦s with 3♣/♦ denying/showing
– 3♣) a fit. After this new suits are splinters. 3♣ is 5
card Stayman, 3♦ is 5-5 ms FG, 3♥/♠ 1-3-(4-
1M – 3M is a limit raise 5) / 3-1-(4-5) and FG. 4♣ is 5-5 majors, game
Inverted minors are played. 1m – 2m is F2NT only, 4♦/♥ = ♥/♠s (then 4NT = RKCB and
and 1m – 3m is pre-emptive. Over 1m – 2m, new suits are Exclusion).
2NT is a WNT and is non-forcing, 3m is unbal- 1NT rebid = 12–14 with 2♣ a puppet to 2♦ to
anced and non-forcing. All other bids are at least play in 2♦ or make an invitational bid, 2♦ is
quasi-natural and FG game forcing checkback, new suits at the 3 level
are 5-5 FG and higher bids are auto-splinters.

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

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

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


WEST Bid these hands with those on the following
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
August 2016 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer South. N/S Vul. Hand 5. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ A Q 10 5 ♠ A2
♥ AQ8 ♥ K J 10 5 4
♦ AKQ75 ♦ 10
♣ K ♣ A 10 9 5 4
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Hand 6. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ A Q 10 7 ♠ A64
♥ AKJ2 ♥ AK6
♦ 9632 ♦ 73
♣ 7 ♣ KQ854
Hand 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul. ♠ AJ83
♠ AKQ6 ♥ 964
♥ K 10 ♦ 9873
♦ KJ62 ♣ 97
♣ K87 Hand 8. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
Hand 4. Dealer South. None Vul. ♠ KJ43
♠ Q63 ♥ 94
♥ QJ843 ♦ A J 10 8 3
♦ 76 ♣ J6
♣ Q87 North opens 2♦, 4-10, 5+♥/♠
BIDDING COMPETITION Why not enter a bridge hand or bidding problem of your
own for use in BRIDGE Magazine?
SET 307
♠
(for the August Competition) ♥
My answers are (the Adjudicator)
♦
1. ♣
♠ ♠
2. ♥ ♥
3. ♦ ♦
♣ ♣
4. ♠
5.
♥
♦
6. ♣
7. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
8.
Total marks: Name: (please print)

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

31st August 2016.


EAST Bid these hands with those on the previous
Hands for the page with your favourite partner; then turn to
August 2016 Partnership Profile Partnership Bidding inside to see how your score
compares to that of the experts
Hand 1. Dealer South. N/S Vul. Hand 5. Dealer East. None Vul.
♠ J62 ♠ KQJ64
♥ K95 ♥ AQ3
♦ 82 ♦ J4
♣ AQJ72 ♣ K86
Hand 2. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Hand 6. Dealer West. None Vul.
♠ KJ64 ♠ K Q 10 2
♥ — ♥ 72
♦ 874 ♦ A Q J 10 9 2
♣ AKQ542 ♣ 9
Hand 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul. ♠ 92
♠ 10 7 ♥ AKJ7
♥ AQJ ♦ A K Q J 10 5
♦ A Q 10 8 7 ♣ 6
♣ A 10 2 Hand 8. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
♠ A Q 10 8 5
Hand 4. Dealer South. None Vul. ♥ 5
♠ A J 10 9 2 ♦ K72
♥ AK ♣ AK98
♦ — North opens 2♦, 4-10, 5+♥/♠
♣ AKJ532
BIDDING COMPETITION
Set 305 Top Scores Grand Prix Standings 1 Nick Simms 375
Well done Derek Markham on 78 - after Set 305 2 Stuart Nelson 373
Derek receives ₤50 worth of Master Nick Simms remains the leader but 3 Nigel Guthrie 372
Point Press books from Chess and Bridge. others are creeping up behind him now! 4 Mike Perkins 367
Olga Shadyro on 77 receives ₤25 worth, Remember that only the best FIVE scores 5 Olga Shadyro 363
and Mike Perkins on 76 receives ₤15 of the year will count at the end, so lots of 6= Graham Johnson 362
worth. David Barnes, Phil Callow, Nigel time to catch up!
Guthrie and Alan Sant tied on 74 - the 6= Kresten Kristensen 362
If your own records do not agree with 8= Peter Barker 361
random draw awarded the ₤10 worth to these standings, please email so we can
Phil. check 8= Peter Hawkes 361
Other good scores: 10 Bill Gordon 358
73 James Carpenter, Axel Johannsson, 11 Bob Brown 357
Tugrul Kaban, Stuart Nelson 12 Axel Johannsson 356
72 Bob Brown, Graham Johnson 13= Harald Bletz 355
71 Janet Barnes, Peter Hawkes, Andrew 13= Edwin Lau 355
King, Norman Massey, Kayoko Sagane, 13= Norman Massey 355
Nick Simms 13= Mike Ralph 355
70 Tony Poole 17 Martin Turner 354
69 Tony Burt, Bill Gordon, Andy Poole 18 Andrew King 351
68 Peter Barker, Pyers Pennant 19 Tugrul Kaban 350
67 Michael Kaye, Mike Ralph 20 Simon Hill 348
66 Frank Turton

BOOKS FROM MASTER POINT PRESS
Master Point Press are the world’s leading bridge book publisher and winner of many bridge publishing awards. A list of Masterpoint titles
can be found below - for full details on each of these titles please visit www.bridgeshop.com. Recent releases are highlighted in bold.
Please note, winners of the Bidding Competition do not get the 10% Subscriber discount when redeeming their prize
VOUCHERS and a deduction will also be made to cover the cost of postage. For further details please call 020 7288 1305
Deadly Endplay (fiction) Allen, Ken £12.95 Falsecards (New Edition) Lawrence, Mike £14.95
Shades of Grey (fiction) Allen, Ken £11.95 Tips on Bidding Lawrence, Mike £12.95
Six Steps to Winning Declarer Play Apfelbaum, Jay £11.95 Tips on Cardplay Lawrence, Mike £13.95
I Love This Game Auken, Sabine £12.50 Tips on Competitive Bidding Lawrence, Mike £12.95
25 Bridge Myths Exposed Bird, David £10.50 Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques Levé, Guy £21.95
Arrow Through the Heart (fiction) Bird, David £11.95 Bridge Squeezes Complete Love, Clyde. E £14.95
Bridge Endplays for Everyone Bird, David £12.95 Bridge, Probability and Information MacKinnon, Robert F. £12.95
Bridge Squeezes for Everyone Bird, David £11.95 Win the Bermuda Bowl with Me Meckstroth & Smith £11.50
Clever Plays in the Trump Suit Bird, David £12.95 Competitive Bidding in the 21st Century Miles, Marshal £11.50
Defensive Signaling at Bridge Bird, David £11.95 Inferences at Bridge Miles, Marshall £11.50
Off-Road Declarer Play Bird, David £11.95 It's Your Call Miles, Marshall £12.95
Somehow We Landed in 6NT Bird, David £12.95 Modern Constructive Bidding Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Duplicate Tactics Bird, David £12.95 My System: The Unbalanced Diamond Miles, Marshall £11.95
Winning Notrump Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Bridge in the Menagerie (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Winning Suit Contract Leads Bird & Anthias £10.95 Card Play Technique Mollo & Gardener £14.95
Leading Questions in Bridge Brock, Sally £11.95 Diamonds are the Hog’s Best Friend (fiction)
Mollo, Victor £13.95
Bridge at the Edge Brogeland & Bird £13.95 Last Call in the Menagerie (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Following the Law Cohen, Larry £9.95 Swings and Arrows (fiction) Mollo, Victor £13.95
Larry Cohen's Bidding Challenge Cohen, Larry £9.95 The Hog Takes to Precision (fiction) Mollo, Victor £11.95
To Bid or Not To Bid Cohen, Larry £11.50 Kickback: Slam Bidding at Bridge Munger, Robert £7.95
Death in Duplicate (fiction) Coplea, Carole £13.95 First Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
Standard Bidding with SAYC Downey & Pomer £11.95 Second Book of Play Problems O’Connor, Patrick £10.95
A Modern Approach to Two-Over-One Eichenbaum, Ken £8.95 Bridge Behind Bars (fiction) Pottage & Smith £12.95
I Shot My Bridge Partner (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Clues from the Bidding Pottage, Julian £10.95
Murder at the Bridge Table (fiction) Granovetter, Matthew £9.50 Defend These Hands with Me Pottage, Julian £11.50
Bridge Conventions in Depth Granovetter & Granovetter £13.95 Play or Defend? Pottage, Julian £8.95
Bridge Master Vs Bridge Amateur Horton, Mark £11.95 Defend or Declare? Pottage, Julian £11.95
Misplay These Hands with Me Horton, Mark £11.95 Deadly Hold-Up Priebe, Jim £11.95
The Hands of Time Horton, Mark £10.50 Double Elimination: A Bridge Mystery (fiction)
Priebe, Jim £11.95
The Mysterious Multi Horton, Mark £12.95 Takeout Double: A Bridge Mystery (fiction) Priebe, Jim £11.50
Duplicate Bridge at Home Horton & Gittelman £12.95 Positive Declarer Play in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
The Bridge Magicians Horton & Kielbasinski £11.50 Positive Defense in Bridge Reese & Pottage £10.50
For Love or Money Horton & Senior £12.95 The Extra Edge in Play Reese & Pottage £10.95
The Rabbi’s Rules Horton, Mark £12.95 Accurate Cardplay Reese & Trezel £12.95
Building a Bidding System Hughes, Roy £11.50 Imaginative Cardplay Reese & Trezel £12.95
Canada’s Bridge Warriors Hughes, Roy £15.95 Modified Italian Canapé System Rexford, Ken £8.95
Card by Card Hughes, Roy £11.50 New Frontiers for Strong Forcing Openings Rexford, Ken £8.95
Fantunes Revealed Jacobs, Bill £9.95 Overcalling Opponent's 1NT Rexford, Ken £6.95
Polish Club International Jassem,Krzysztof £10.95 Really Unusual Notrump (R.U.N.T.) Rexford, Ken £7.95
Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner Jourdain, Patrick £12.95 Variable Key Card Blackwood Rexford, Ken £8.95
Advanced Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Breaking the Bridge Rules Rigal, Barry £12.95
Classic Kantar Kantar, Eddie £9.50 Rodwell Files: Secrets of a champion Rodwell, Eric £17.95
Defensive Tips for Bad Card Holders Kantar, Eddie £14.95 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Smith £10.50
Kantar on Kontract Kantar, Eddie £10.50 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know: Seagram & Bird £9.99
Modern Bridge Defense Kantar, Eddie £13.95 Practice Makes Perfect
Roman Keycard Blackwood - 5th ed. Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 More Conventions You Should Know Seagram & Bird £10.50
Topics in Declarer Play Kantar, Eddie £13.95 25 Ways to Be a Better Defender Seagram & Bird £10.50
Improve Your Bidding Judgment Kimelman, Neil £12.95 25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding Seagram & Smith £10.50
The Right Bid at the Right Time Kimelman, Neil £12.95 25 Ways to Take More Tricks as Declarer Seagram & Bird £10.50
The Thin Line Kimelman, Neil £12.95 Bidding at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
365 Winning Bridge Tips Kleinman, Danny £13.95 Declarer Play at Bridge: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
Human Bridge Errors Kleinman & Straguzzi £10.50 Defensive Play Quizbook: A Quizbook Seagram & Bird £9.95
A Bridge to Inspired Declarer Play Laderman, Julian £12.95 Planning the Play of a Bridge Hand Seagram & Bird £12.95
A Bridge to Simple Squeezes Laderman, Julian £11.95 Pocket Guide to Defensive Play Seagram & Bird £6.95
Bumblepuppy Days Laderman, Julian £14.95 The Canterbury Bridge Tales - Silver & Bourke £9.95
Still Not Finding Squeezes? Laderman, Julian £7.95 Should I or Shouldn’t I? Drawing trumps Smith, Marc £12.95
25 Conventions for ACOL Players Landry & Horton £11.95 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 Thurston, Paul £10.50
Complete Book on Overcalls (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £13.95 North of the Master Solvers’ Club Vine, Frank £11.95
Complete Book on Passed Hand Bidding Lawrence, Mike £13.95 Bridge at the Enigma Club (fiction) Winkler, Peter £11.95
Complete Book Takeout Doubles (2nd ed.) Lawrence, Mike £15.95 The Lone Wolff Wollf, Bobby £15.95
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August 2016 Cover_Layout 1 29/07/2016 15:17 Page 1

NEW HONORS BOOKS FROM

Arrow Through the Heart

David Bird’s third book of Robin Hood bridge stories

Illustrator Marguerite Lihou is well known for her humorous

A Complete System for the

This book is designed as a ready-made complete system for

The book comes with ready-made convention cards

AVAILABLE FROM CHESS & BRIDGE

2 August 2016 BRIDGE Magazine

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Look for Patrick Jourdain’s Problem Corner,

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That was +650 and 13 IMPs to Turkey.

53 August 2016 BRIDGE Magazine

54 August 2016 BRIDGE Magazine