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Bul 01

The article summarizes the 2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games bridge tournament in Huai'an, China. It discusses the tournament format and schedule, providing team lineups and results for both the Open and Women's events. A total of 176 competitors from 43 countries participated in the five championship mind sports events.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
31 views61 pages

Bul 01

The article summarizes the 2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games bridge tournament in Huai'an, China. It discusses the tournament format and schedule, providing team lineups and results for both the Open and Women's events. A total of 176 competitors from 43 countries participated in the five championship mind sports events.

Uploaded by

Deddy PhysVierr
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 61

BRIDGE BULLETIN

FRI
26 WBF
World

FEB Editors: Mark Horton & Brian Senior t Layout Editor & Photos: Francesca Canali
Bridge Federation

ISSUE No 1

PLAYING MIND GAMES

The 1st IMSA Elite Mind Games Championship began on Thursday at the
CONTENTS New Century Grand Hotel Huai’an, in Jiangsu Province, China.
(CLICKABLE) The opening ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the People in the
centre of Huai’an. It saw the usual speeches from a number of distinguished
Participants guests followed by a sports and cultural show. The show featured martial arts,
p. 2 ballet, acrobatics, and assorted dancing and Chinese musicians, to provide an
excellent mix of styles.
All according to plan The Mind Games featuring in Huai’an are bridge, of course, chess, draughts,
Mark Horton, p. 3 go, and xiangqi, while there is also a card game called Guandan with which I
am not familiar, though this does not have the same championship status as
European Champ. Cup 2015
Brian Senior, p. 55 the other five, being here as an exhibition event. In all, the five championship
events feature 176 competitors from 43 countries.
Full schedule Four teams in the Open and four in the Women were invited for the bridge
p. 61 part of the tournament. The four are China, Bulgaria, Poland and Sweden in
the Open, China, England, France and Netherlands in the Women – in each
case the host nation plus the three most successful countries at last year’s
SCHEDULE world championships whose team was able to make the trip.
TEAMS The bridge programme begins with the Teams which is played over three
days, in each category, as a double round robin of 16-board matches followed
10.30-12.50 RR 1 16 BOARDS
by a 48-board final and third-place play-off. Monday and Tuesday will see
14.20-16.50 RR 2 16 BOARDS
the two Pairs competitions, each with 12 pairs playing four sessions of 22
17.10-19.30 RR 3 16 BOARDS
boards, and the programme will be completed on Wednesday and Thursday
by the Individual, in which 24 players will play 23 x 3-board rounds.
PARTICIPANTS - OPEN PARTICIPANTS - WOMEN

CHINA CHINA
CHEN GANG LI YITING
HOU XU SHEN QI
HU LINLIN WANG HONGLI
KANG MENG WANG WENFEI
LI XIAOYI WANG XIAOJING
YAN RU
LIU JING
ZHANG YU
SUN SHAOLIN HUANG YAN
HU WEN

SWEDEN ENGLAND
TOMMY BERGDAHL SALLY BROCK
FREDRIK NYSTRÖM FIONA BROWN
JOHAN SYLVAN CATHERINE DRAPER
JOHAN UPMARK NEVENA SENIOR
NIKLAS WARNE NICOLA SMITH
FREDERIC WRANG

POLAND FRANCE
PIOTR GAWRYS BÉNÉDICTE CRONIER
STANISLAW GOLEBIOWSKI CATHERINE D’OVIDIO
KRZYSZTOF JASSEM NATHALIE FREY
MICHAL KLUKOWSKI ANNE-LAURE HUBERSCHWILLER
MARCIN MAZURKIEWICZ JENNIFER MOURGUES
WLODZIMIERZ STARKOWSKI SYLVIE WILLARD

BULGARIA NETHERLANDS
DIYAN DANAILOV CARLA ARNOLDS
VLADI ISPORSKI LAURA DEKKERS
VLADIMIR MIHOV HANS KELDER
IVAN NANEV JET PASMAN
JERRY STAMATOV ANNEKE SIMONS
JULIAN STEFANOV DORIS VAN DELFT
WIETSKE VAN ZWOL

Photo: from the opening ceremony


2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

ALL ACCORDING TO PLAN


by Ma
Mark
rk H
Horton
orto
orton
n

This article is reproduced by permission of


Bridge Magazine Online Teams

The Editor was in Beijing in December alongside The tournament always begins with the team
Brian Senior to both report and commentate on the competitions - a double round robin being followed
SportAccord World Mind Games. by a 48 board match between the top two while the
other two play off for a place on the podium. Apart
The 2014 SAWMG returned to Beijing for the fourth from the matter of prestige, there was a prize fund of
year in a row. A huge advantage of being in the same US$126,000 with first prizes of US$30,000 for the
venue every time is that the organisers know exactly Open and US$24,000 for the Women.
how to deliver a first class event - they only have to
indulge in a little fine tuning in order to improve on the Lost in Space
previous editions.
With three events to complete in just seven days Israel v Monaco RR1
the playing schedule is demanding, but never finished
later than 19.30, allowing the teams to enjoy some The Great Wall of China is no doubt the longest
of the culinary delights on offer in the increasingly manmade project on earth.
cosmopolitan Chinese capital. It was constructed over thousands of years from the
If you happen to be planning a trip to China make era of the Warring States (476 BC - 221 BC) to that of
sure you visit the Xihe Ya Yuan Peking Duck Restaurant the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
(even the locals describe it as the best in town) and Lost The Great Wall was listed as a World Heritage site by
Heaven, the perfect way to end a day down town. UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, it winds
By now I expect you are becoming impatient for up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains
some bridge, so, sidestepping my subtle hint to the and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8
Michelin group let’s see how things developed. kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China (the
length of all the wall built is estimated at 21,196.18
In the Open events the competing countries were kilometers (13,170 miles). With a history of more than
China, USA, Israel & Monaco, while the Women’s 2000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or
series involved China, USA, England & Netherlands. have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most
To see how the teams lined up go to: appealing attractions all around the world owing to its
http://worldbridge.org/the-2014-sawmg-teams.aspx architectural grandeur and historical significance.
It was widely believed that it can be seen from space.
The media reported, “The biggest building the astronauts
could see from space is the Great Wall, which looks very
much like a black worm.” Consequently, this statement
has gone deep into people’s minds and become an
honour that Chinese people enjoyed for years.
Is the Great Wall truly visible from the moon? Yang
Liwei, China’s first astronaut who was lifted into the
outer space by the spacecraft Shenzhou V on Oct.15,
2003, gave a definite answer “No” to a reporter after

opening ceremony 3
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

he reached the ground. Yang’s negative response in Open Room


a practical way may probably put out a fair number West North East South
of people’s passion. But it powerfully corrected the Herbst Multon Herbst Zimmermann
misconception. The wall is indeed majestic, but you — — Pass Pass
won’t see it from space! 5} Pass Pass Dble
In fact, besides Yang Liwei, there are a lot of Pass 5] 6} Pass
astronauts said the Wall could not be seen from space. Pass Dble All Pass
Neil Armstrong, who first set foot on the moon in
1969, was asked a thousand times whether or not he The expert player with a wealth of experience , is
had seen the Great Wall from the moon. Recently from not a magician or a fortune-teller, but he or she has
a sound recording that announced by NASA Johnson learned to pay attention to the pluses and minuses of a
Space Center, Armstrong said that he had seen the hand and come up with an educated guess about which
continent, lakes and blue spots touched with red. But action will be right more often than wrong.
he could not make out any manmade object on the Even so, it is not possible to get every decision right,
earth from the moon. especially when the information at your disposal is
limited in nature.
Theoretically speaking, the Great Wall is absolutely
Here North might have overcalled 5], but it would
invisible from space. It is narrow and irregular. In space,
be a significant gamble.
something irregular is hard to be observed. Measuring
East could consider raising to 6} but it will need
about 10 meters (11 yards) wide on average, it blends
partner to have perfect cards - and as Bob Hamman
easily into the surrounding environment. With unaided
would tell you - partner almost never does.
eyes it is hardly distinguished at an altitude of 65,617 feet.
South’s double saw his side reach a contract that was
It is totally invisible at 196,850 feet. To see the wall from
unbeatable - but unfortunately matters did not come to
the moon is equivalent to seeking for a single hair from
rest there as East knew that 6} must be a cheap save -
2,688 meters (2,940 yards) away. For an astronaut to see
indeed, they don’t come any cheaper than this one, as
it from space is obviously impossible.
the contract was unbeatable.
It has been suggested that if bright spotlights are installed
on the wall, astronauts would be able to see the lights at Declarer ruffed the lead of the ace of hearts and
night. But this suggestion has not yet been the subject of played a spade to the ace and a spade. He ruffed the
a scientific experiment. So, for the moment it is generally heart continuation and claimed, +1090.
accepted that the Great Wall cannot be seen from space.
Closed Room
By contrast, thanks to the efforts of BBO and Our
West North East South
Game bridge events are almost certainly visible from
Helgemo Schwartz Helness Fisher
space (and will doubtless be a key feature of the in
— — Pass Pass
flight entertainment when the Virgin Galatic spacecraft
1} 1] 2[* 3}*
embarks on its first commercial trip).
5} 5] Dble Pass
5[ Dble 6} Dble
By now I expect the reader is wondering what
All Pass
happened in my featured match, so, turning reluctantly
to the bridge here are the key moments from what
Here West was unwilling to rule out the possibility
proved to be a low scoring affair.
of playing in spades and the auction had of time to
unwind. 2[ must have shown club support and South’s
Board 2. Dealer East. NS Vul.
3} showed a good raise in hearts. When East doubled
[ K82
5] West’s judgement was that it was wrong to defend
] AQ87653
and how right he was.
{ Q52
I guess you would call it a dull push.
} —
[ J 10 5 4 3 [ A7
] — ] 10 9 2
{ 6 { A943
} A K 10 8 6 5 3 } Q742
[ Q96
] KJ4
{ K J 10 8 7
} J9
4
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
[ KJ9 [ 4
] K865 ] J83
{ 74 { Q J 10 9 6 4 2
} J982 } 72
[ 762 [ A Q 10 4 [ AJ96 [ 10 2
] 9432 ] 10 ] K96 ] 10 7 5 2
{ J 10 9 { AK8652 { 53 { K87
} 10 4 3 } 75 } Q943 } AK85
[ 853 [ KQ8753
] AQJ7 ] AQ4
{ Q3 { A
} AKQ6 } J 10 6

Open Room Open Room


West North East South West North East South
Herbst Multon Herbst Zimmermann Herbst Multon Herbst Zimmermann
Pass Pass 1{ Dble — — — 1[
Pass 1] 1[ 2{* Pass Pass Dble 2[
Pass 2[* Pass 3{ Dble 3{ Pass Pass
Pass 4} Pass 4] 3NT All Pass
All Pass
North led the queen of diamonds and when declarer
I think North’s 2[ was designed to show a stopper in played low from dummy South was forced to win with
that suit along with some scattered values. the ace. He switched to the jack of clubs and declarer
East cashed the ace and king of diamonds and exited won with dummy’s ace and played the two of spades
with the five of clubs. Declarer won with dummy’s king to the nine. When that held he went back to dummy
and played a spade to the nine and ten. He lost two with a club and played a heart to the king and a heart.
more spades to finish two down, -200. North won with the jack, but the contract was secure,
+400.
Closed Room
West North East South Closed Room
Helgemo Schwartz Helness Fisher West North East South
Pass Pass 1{ 1NT Helgemo Schwartz Helness Fisher
Pass 2}* 2[ Pass — — — 1[
3{ Dble* Pass 3] Pass 1NT Pass 3[
All Pass All Pass
Here North judged it right to reply (far be it for me to
2} Stayman
point out that he was simply adopting the world’s most
Dble Takeout
quoted Bol’s Bridge Tip - ‘Don’t be afraid to Respond’)
West led the jack of diamonds and East cashed two and that kept EW quiet.
tricks in the suit and exited with the seven of clubs.
Declarer won with the ace, cashed the ace and queen West led the five of diamonds and when declarer
of hearts and when East discarded the six of diamonds tried dummy’s queen East withheld the king, declarer
on the second round he took the king of clubs and then winning with the ace and playing the queen of spades.
played a spade to the nine and ten. When West ducked declarer continued with the three
of spades and East won with the ten and switched to
The partial elimination meant East was endplayed, the seven of hearts. Declarer took the ace and played
forced to give declarer a spade trick or offer up a ruff the five of spades to West’s jack. West cashed the ace
and discard, so that was +140 and 8 IMPs to Israel. of spades and the king of hearts before exiting with
a heart to leave declarer with two losing clubs, three
down, -150, but 6 IMPs to Israel.
[]{}

5
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.


[ J87652
] 83
{ 3
} A532
[ Q 10 [ AK4
] 652 ] K Q 10 9 4
{ AJ872 { Q 10 9
} 10 8 6 } J7
[ 93
] AJ7
{ K654
} KQ94 Franck Multon
MONACO

Open Room South led the nine of spades for the ten, jack and
West North East South king and declarer ran the ten of diamonds, followed by
Herbst Multon Herbst Zimmermann the queen. After cashing five diamonds declarer took
— Pass 1NT Pass dummy’s queen of spades and played a heart to the
Pass 2{* Pass 2]* king and ace. The defenders could cash four clubs, but
3{ All Pass it was North who won the last one with the five of clubs,
and declarer pitched a heart and took his eighth trick
2{ Multilandy with the ace of spades, +380 and 7 IMPs to Monaco.
2] Pass or correct
Two small swings gave Israel a narrow 20-15 IMP,
North led the eight of hearts for the king and ace 11.48-8.52 VP win.
and South returned the king of clubs. When it held he
continued with the queen and then the four, declarer USA v Monaco RR2
ruffing in dummy and then running the queen of
diamonds. When North discarded on the next diamond The convention centre in which play takes place is
there was a trump to lose, +110. connected to the hotel by a covered walkway and as I
crossed it for the umpteenth time, I counted the steps
Closed Room one had to climb to reach it.
West North East South I was hoping the total would be 39, as I could then
Helgemo Schwartz Helness Fisher start this report with a reference to The 39 Steps a
— Pass 1NT Pass 1935 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Pass Dble* All Pass starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. Loosely
based on the 1915 adventure novel The Thirty-Nine
Dble DONT - an unspecified one suiter Steps by John Buchan, the film is about a man in
London who tries to help a counter-espionage agent
prevent an organisation of spies called The 39 Steps
from stealing top secret information. When the agent is
killed and he stands accused of the murder, he goes on
the run with an attractive woman to save himself and
stop the spy ring.
Of the four major film versions of the novel,
Hitchcock’s film has been the most acclaimed. In 1999,
the British Film Institute ranked it the fourth best British
film of the 20th century.
A key element of the film surrounds Mr Memory - a
man with a photographic memory - and just think how
useful that would be for a bridge partnership who would
have no trouble remembering all their agreements.
Pierre Zimmermann Unfortunately there proved to be 41 steps, so I will
MONACO have to save the story for another occasion.
6
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

While I check how many steps there are to the top of the could only bid 5{ on the next round he called it a day,
Leaning Tower of Pisa here is how the match unfolded: +420, but 11 IMPs to the USA.

The match started with a superlative effort by the Board 19. Dealer South. EW Vul.
Americans in the Open Room, an early contender for [ AQ942
auction of the year: ] Q 10 7 3
{ A
Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul. } Q92
[ J9654 [ 10 6 5 [ KJ7
] A ] A6 ] 982
{ K9874 { J 10 9 6 5 { Q8732
} 98 } K75 } 63
[ Q 10 8 [ AK732 [ 83
] J8632 ] K 10 9 7 ] KJ54
{ QJ2 { 10 { K4
} J 10 } K76 } A J 10 8 4
[ —
] Q54 Open Room
{ A653 West North East South
} AQ5432 Helgemo Kranyak Helness Demuy
— — — 1{*
Open Room Pass 1[ Pass 1NT
West North East South Pass 2]* Pass 2[
Helgemo Kranyak Helness Demuy Pass 3}* Pass 3]
— Pass 1[ 2} Pass 4] All Pass
2[ Pass Pass Dble
Pass 2NT* Pass 3{ 1{ Precision Style
Pass 4[* Pass 4NT* 2] Transfer
Pass 6{ All Pass 3} Forcing

When South reopened with a double North placed NS found their heart fit, but North was declarer and
him with shape suitable hand that almost certainly East unerringly put his hand on the six of clubs. Declarer
included a spade void. When his partner bid 3{ he bid finessed and West won with the king and returned
4[ to show a good hand with all his values outside the seven. Declarer won in hand with the queen and
spades. 4NT promised a good hand and North backed played the ten of hearts but West won and played his
his judgement by jumping to the slam. remaining club. East ruffed and exited with the queen
of diamonds, eventually securing the setting trick with
West led the two of hearts and declarer won with the king of spades, +50.
dummy’s ace perforce and played a club to the queen.
When that held he played two rounds of diamonds Closed Room
ending in dummy and another club, quickly claiming, West North East South
+920. Lee Fantoni Lall Nunes
— — — 1NT*
Closed Room Pass 2}* Pass 2]*
West North East South Pass 2[* Pass 2NT*
Lee Fantoni Lall Nunes Pass 4] All Pass
— Pass 1[ 2}
2[ Pass Pass 2NT* 1NT 12-14 any balanced hand, 5332, 5422, not
Pass 3[* Pass 4}* 54 in the majors, 4441, 6m332
Pass 4{ Pass 5{ 2} Asking
All Pass
Played by South 4] was unbeatable, declarer winning
When South reopened with 2NT suggesting diamonds the diamond lead in dummy and playing trumps, +420
North showed a good hand with 3[, but when South and 10 IMPs to Monaco.

7
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Vul.


[ J 10 9 7 5
] 2
{ 83
} AQJ94
[ 832 [ 64
] A Q 10 9 7 ] KJ543
{ 765 { A Q J 10 9 4
} 72 } — John Kranyak
[ AKQ USA
] 86
{ K2 Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul.
} K 10 8 6 5 3 [ J82
] A8643
Open Room { K2
West North East South } 985
Helgemo Kranyak Helness Demuy [ Q 10 9 7 4 [ —
— — 1{ 2} ] QJ7 ] 10 9
Dble* 5} All Pass { 10 8 5 { AQ63
} J2 } A K Q 10 7 4 3
West led the five of diamonds and East won with the [ AK653
ace. When he did not switch to a heart declarer claimed ] K52
the rest, +420. { J974
} 6
Closed Room
West North East South Open Room
Lee Fantoni Lall Nunes West North East South
1{ 2} Helgemo Kranyak Helness Demuy
Dble 5} 5] All Pass — — 1} 1[
Pass 2[ 3{ Pass
Unlike his counterpart East was willing to hazard 5] 3NT All Pass
and it proved to be a winning decision. Declarer lost
two spades and a diamond for one down, but that gave When East reversed West did not hesitate to bid game.
the USA 8 IMPs. North led the four of hearts and South won with the
king and laid down the king of spades before returning
the five of hearts, at which point declarer claimed nine
tricks, +600.
Had South tabled a low spade at trick two I am
confident West would have played the queen before
you could say Jack Robinson.

Closed Room
West North East South
Lee Fantoni Lall Nunes
— — 1} 1[
Pass 2[ 3[* Pass
3NT All Pass

North led the two of spades and South won with the
ace and switched to the two of hearts, North winning
with the ace and returning the three. South took the
king and went back to spades, the three putting declarer
Vincent Demuy to a guess he got wrong, one down, -100 and 12 IMPs
USA to Monaco.

8
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul. I meant to ask Fulvio at breakfast about the significance
[ 10 7 6 5 of his second round pass - probably it denied a five card
] A73 suit.
{ 10 7 5 4 In 2] declarer lost two spades, two trumps and three
} 65 diamonds, -500 and 9 IMPs for the USA.
[ AKJ [ 8432
] K 10 9 5 ] 6 Board 30. Dealer East. None Vul.
{ KQ9 { A82 [ K5
} 10 8 4 } Q9732 ] A42
[ Q9 { Q J 10 8 6
] QJ842 } KJ9
{ J63 [ A Q 10 9 6 3 2 [ 87
} AKJ ] 3 ] QJ9865
{ 73 { A9
Open Room } 743 } 10 8 5
West North East South [ J4
Helgemo Kranyak Helness Demuy ] K 10 7
— Pass Pass 1] { K542
1NT All Pass } AQ62

North led the three of hearts for the jack and king Open Room
and when declarer ran the ten of clubs South won with West North East South
the king, a no cost deceptive play that might have paid Helgemo Kranyak Helness Demuy
a dividend on another day, and switched to the jack of — — Pass 1{*
diamonds. Declarer won with the king, played a club to 3[ 3NT All Pass
South’s jack, won the diamond exit with the queen and
cleared the clubs. The defenders cashed two hearts, but East led the eight of spades for the jack, queen and
declarer had the rest, +120. king and declarer played three rounds of clubs ending
in hand followed by a heart to the jack and king. When
Closed Room he cashed the ace of clubs West matched it with the
West North East South ace of spades.
Lee Fantoni Lall Nunes
— Pass Pass 1NT* Declarer crossed to the ace of hearts and gave up,
Dble Pass* Pass 2] two down, -100.
Pass Pass Dble* All Pass
Closed Room
1NT 12-14 any balanced hand, 5332, 5422, not West North East South
54 in the majors, 4441, 6m332 Lee Fantoni Lall Nunes
Dble Take out — — 3] Pass
Pass 3NT All Pass

As the proverb says, he who sows the wind shall


reap the whirlwind and when East opened 3] West’s
spades were out of the picture.
Declarer won East’s lead of the jack of hearts with
the ace and forced out the ace of diamonds. When
East switched to a spade declarer claimed eleven tricks,
+460 and 11IMPs to Monaco who emerged with a 45-
35 IMP, 12.80-7.20 win.

[]{}
Tor Helness
MONACO

9
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Big Trouble in Little China Closed Room


West North East South
China v Monaco RR3 Multon Dong Zimmermann Wu
— — 1{ 1[
Big Trouble in Little China is a 1986 American Pass 2{* Pass 2[
martial arts comedy film directed by John Carpenter. It Pass 3NT Pass 4[
stars Kurt Russell as truck driver Jack Burton, who helps All Pass
his friend Wang Chi rescue Wang’s green-eyed fiancée
from bandits in San Francisco’s Chinatown. They go When South removed his partner’s 3NT he ensured
into the mysterious underworld beneath Chinatown, that China was off to a fast start, +650 giving them 14
where they face an ancient sorcerer named Lo Pan. IMPs.
The movie was a commercial failure, and received
critically mixed reviews that left Carpenter disillusioned Board 5. Dealer North. NS Vul.
with Hollywood and influenced his decision to return to [ J4
independent film-making. It has become a cult film due ] 84
to its success on home video. { AKQ74
} KQ87
When China met Monaco in the last match of day the [ 873 [ A K Q 10 6
hosts were badly in need of a victory. ] J93 ] 10 7 6 5
{ J98 { 63
Board 2. Dealer East. NS Vul. } A932 } 10 4
[ AQ98 [ 952
] AKQ5 ] AKQ2
{ K84 { 10 5 2
} 10 3 } J65
[ 74 [ 5
] 10 9 8 ] J73 Open Room
{ 63 { A 10 7 5 2 West North East South
} QJ8765 } AK94 Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes
[ K J 10 6 3 2 — 1{* 1[ Dble*
] 642 2[ Pass Pass Dble
{ QJ9 Pass 3} Pass 3{
} 2 All Pass

Open Room 1{ 14+ (good 12/13) 4+ diamonds


West North East South
Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes East started with three rounds of spades and declarer
— — 1{ 1[ ruffed and tested the trumps before claiming ten tricks,
Pass 2{* Pass 2[ +130.
Pass 3NT All Pass
Closed Room
When I spotted Fulvio Fantoni I asked him if his 3NT West North East South
bid had any special significance. In his typically jovial Multon Dong Zimmermann Wu
and disarming way he described it as an idiotic bid (of — 1NT 2}* Dble
course he had envisaged a situation where his side Rdbl* 3{ Pass 3NT
might lose the first four tricks, two diamonds and two All Pass
clubs) considering 3{ to be more accurate.
When East attacked with the second string to his bow 2} Majors
by leading the ace of clubs the defenders soon had the Rdbl No preference
first seven tricks in the bag, three down, -300.
NS had the values for game, but they lost the first six
[]{} tricks when East cashed his spades and then switched
to a club, -200 and 8 IMPs to Monaco.

10
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 9. Dealer North. EW Vul. Declarer won with dummy’s jack, ran the nine of
[ Q732 hearts, came to hand with a club, cashed the top hearts
] Q863 and exited with a heart to North’s queen. South won
{ 97 the spade return with the ace, +140 and a well earned
} 984 1 IMP for China.
[ KJ65 [ 84
] 9 ] A K J 10 7 2 Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
{ J643 { 10 5 [ J2
} A J 10 3 } K52 ] A J 10 9 6 3 2
[ A 10 9 { 7
] 54 } 984
{ AKQ82 [ Q875 [ A943
} Q76 ] Q ] K875
{ KJ4 { A65
Open Room } 76532 } AJ
West North East South [ K 10 6
Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes ] 4
— Pass 1] 2{ { Q 10 9 8 3 2
Dble Pass 2] All Pass } K Q 10

South cashed the ace of diamonds and then switched Open Room
to the ten of spades. Declarer went up with dummy’s West North East South
king, ran the nine of hearts and exited with a diamond. Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes
South won, cashed the ace of spades and played a — — 1NT Pass
third spade. Declarer ruffed, cashed the ace of hearts, Pass 2{* Pass 2]*
played a club to the ten, ruffed a spade, cashed two Dble* Pass 2[ All Pass
clubs ending in dummy and played the six of diamonds,
catching North’s trumps for ten tricks, +170. 2{ 6+]/[ or any 5+5+ strong
To hold declarer to nine tricks South must cash a 2] Pass or correct
second diamond and then switch to a club, which is hardly Dble Take out
obvious. If Declarer puts in dummy’s ten, runs the nine of
hearts and then plays a diamond North can pitch a club, Facing a 14-17 1NT West was content to let matters
when declarer cannot bring about the desired ending. rest, but he had an easy route into the auction at his
You might like to consider how declarer might play if next turn.
South starts with three top diamonds, enabling North
to pitch a club. South led his heart and North won with the ace and
After ruffing declarer plays a club to the ten, plays returned the seven of diamonds to the queen and king.
the nine of hearts to the ten, cashes the ace of hearts A spade to the ace was followed by a spade to the ten
and then plays a club to the jack, followed by the jack and queen and when North’s jack appeared declarer
of diamonds. If North discards declarer gets rid of the claimed ten tricks - he could ruff both his losing hearts
king of clubs and then plays the ace of clubs, pitching a in dummy, +170.
spade is North does not ruff, followed by another club,
threatening to get rid of the last spade. Closed Room
Don’t you just love these unheard melodies? West North East South
Multon Dong Zimmermann Wu
Closed Room — — 1NT Pass
West North East South 2}* 2] 2[ Pass
Multon Dong Zimmermann Wu 4[ All Pass
— Pass 1] 2{
Dble* Pass 2] Pass The play was identical, and +620 gave Monaco 10
2NT Pass 3] All Pass IMPs.

South cashed two diamonds and switched to the six []{}


of clubs - outstanding, don’t you agree?

11
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 12. Dealer West. NS Vul. Board 15. Dealer South. NS Vul.
[ Q 10 [ K8753
] AK8532 ] J 10 9 4
{ 65 { 96
} K83 } K6
[ 7532 [ A8 [ — [ AQ4
] 10 7 6 ] Q94 ] 862 ] KQ753
{ A 10 2 { K9843 { AK54 { 72
} J95 } 10 6 4 } J 10 9 7 3 2 } A54
[ KJ964 [ J 10 9 6 2
] J ] A
{ QJ7 { Q J 10 8 3
} AQ72 } Q8

Open Room Open Room


West North East South West North East South
Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes
Pass 2]* Pass 2NT* — — — 2[*
Pass 3] Pass 3NT Pass 4[ All Pass
All Pass
2[ 10-13 (good 9) 5+[ unbalanced hand;
2] 10-13 (good 9) 5+] unbalanced hand; in 3rd seat could be weaker and maximum 12 (13)
in 3rd seat could be weaker and maximum 12 (13)
2NT 5+[ invitational plus West cashed two diamonds and switched to the jack
of clubs. East took the ace and waited for his trump
Commentating on live TV I speculated that West tricks, two down, -200.
might lead the ten of diamonds, but it was a difficult
lead to find. Closed Room
West North East South
Difficult? Multon Dong Zimmermann Wu
— — — 1[
Not for Shi - he started with the ace of diamonds and 2} 4[ 5} Pass
when East played the nine he continued with the ten, Pass Dble All Pass
East winning and clearing the suit. Declarer won and
tried a spade to the queen and ace and East won and When West overcalled and North jumped to game
cashed his diamonds, one down, -100. East did not have a losing option.
North led the king of spades and declarer won with
Closed Room dummy’s ace, pitching a diamond, played ace of clubs
West North East South and a club and claimed when the suit divided, +550.
Multon Dong Zimmermann Wu
Pass 1] Pass 1[ Declarer would have had to work harder on a heart
Pass 2] Pass 2[* lead. Say he covers the jack with the queen and South
Pass 3{* Pass 3NT wins with the ace and plays a diamond. Declarer wins
All Pass and must now play the jack of clubs, running it if North
does not cover. South wins and plays a second diamond
2[ Forcing and declarer wins, ruffs a diamond, cashes the ace of
3{ Asking for a stopper clubs, pitches a diamond on the ace of spades, ruffs
a spade and runs the trumps, squeezing North in the
When West led the five of clubs declarer won with the majors.
queen and forced out the ace of spades. East switched
to a diamond, but it was too late, +630 and 12 IMPs Anyhow it was 8 IMPs to Monaco, handing them a
to China. last gasp 35-29 IMP, 11.76-8.24 win.

12
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3
Monaco v USA RR4 Closed Room
West North East South
Day 2 started with an important match for both Demuy Fantoni Kranyak Nunes
teams; a win for the USA would consolidate their — — — Pass
position whereas victory for Monaco would put them 1}* Dble* 1{* Pass
back in the race for a place in the final. 4}* Pass 4{* Pass
4[ Pass 5} Pass
Board 19. Dealer South. EW Vul. 6} All Pass
[ 6
] AJ864 1} Strong
{ 10 7 6 4 3 2 Dble Two suits of the same colour, at least 4-4
} 7 1{ 5 (6-7)
[ AKQ [ J98432 4} RKCB for clubs
] 7 ] K93 4{ 0 key cards
{ AQ { J9
} AKQ9632 } J5 Once South passed on the first round (could he
[ 10 7 5 have bid 2} to say he preferred clubs to spades, but
] Q 10 5 2 promised a better fit in one of the red suits?) there was
{ K85 no hope of NS finding a save. North cashed his ace,
} 10 8 4 but declarer could claim the rest, +1370 and 7 IMPs
to the USA.
Open Room
West North East South Board 25. Dealer North. EW Vul.
Helgemo Lall Helness Lee [ AQ6
— — — Pass ] K9872
2}* 2] 2[ 4] { K63
4NT* 6{ Dble* 6] } 54
6[ Pass Pass 7] [ J732 [ K 10 9 8 4
Dble All Pass ] 643 ] AJ5
{ AQ { 97
Dble No key cards } 9863 } AQJ
[ 5
On the first round of the auction North was content ] Q 10
to show his strongest suit but as soon as his partner { J 10 8 5 4 2
showed significant support he did not hesitate to show } K 10 7 2
the two suited nature of his hand with a majestic jump
on the next round. That put the American pair on Open Room
the way to the excellent save, the only issue for South West North East South
being to decide that he was not risking driving EW into Helgemo Lall Helness Lee
a making 7[, which was unlikely given that East had — 1] 1[ Dble*
denied any key cards. 2]* Pass 3NT All Pass
The defenders collected a spade, a heart, two
diamonds and a club for five down, +1100. 2] Spade raise

With a relatively modest hand when East suggested


the nine trick game might be playable West was happy
to go along with the idea.
South led the ten of diamonds and North took the
queen with the ace and returned the suit. Declarer
tried a spade, but North won with the ace and played
a diamond. It looks as if declarer can emerge with five
tricks, but according to the record he finished six down,
-600.

13
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Closed Room Closed Room


West North East South West North East South
Demuy Fantoni Kranyak Nunes Demuy Fantoni Kranyak Nunes
— 1NT* Dble 2}* 2[* Pass 2NT* Pass
Pass 2{* Dble 3} 3{* Pass 6{ All Pass
3[ Pass 4[ All Pass
2[ Spades and a minor
1NT 12-14 any balanced, 5332, 5422 2NT Relay
not 54 majors, 4441, 6m332
2} Transfer to 2{ North led the seven of hearts and declarer won with
dummy’s ace, cashed the ace of diamonds, played a
4[ was hopeless, but it had the virtue of being less diamond to the king (South discarding a discouraging
expensive than 3NT. nine of clubs) and a spade.
It was clear that declarer held the ace of clubs, so if
North led the five of clubs and South won with the NS were to get two tricks they could only come from
king and switched to the ten of diamonds for the spades. On this layout North needs to play the queen,
queen and king. North returned his remaining club and catering for partner holding both the king and ten of
declarer won in dummy, played a diamond to the ace spades, but what if West had started with [107542?
and a spade. North went in with the ace and switched Now the fate of the contract would turn on how
to the two of hearts. South won with the ten and gave declarer tackles the spades. Low to the jack would be
his partner a club ruff, so that was three down, -300, a winner on this layout and so would playing the ace
still 7 IMPs to the USA. (which works as long as spades are 3-2 with the honours
split) but low to the eight would give the defenders two
Board 28. Dealer West. NS Vul. tricks in the suit.
[ Q6 When North followed with the six of spades declarer
] 10 7 6 5 2 went up with dummy’s ace, cashed three rounds of
{ J8 clubs, ruffed a heart and exited with a spade to endplay
} J 10 5 4 North.
[ 75432 [ AJ8 A spectacular +920 and 10 IMPs to the USA.
] J ] AQ
{ Q9652 { A K 10 7 3
} A7 } KQ6
[ K 10 9
] K9843
{ 4
} 9832

Open Room
West North East South
Helgemo Lall Helness Lee
2[* Pass 2NT* Pass
3{* Pass 4[ All Pass

2[ 5[+5}/{, 2-10
2NT Relay

Facing a black two suiter East would no doubt have


made a try, but opposite diamonds he was unwilling to
look beyond game.

North led the jack of clubs and declarer won with the
ace and played a spade to the ace (in isolation putting
in the jack will give you three tricks 96% of the time) Vincent Demuy
and a spade for eleven tricks, +450. USA

14
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 32. Dealer West. EW Vul. El Classico 2014


[ AK2
] A2 Monaco v Israel RR5
{ 9864
} AJ75 In sport there is no greater rivalry than that between
[ 9754 [ Q 10 8 6 3 teams that are based in the same city. In baseball
] J 10 ] KQ865 think the Yankees and the Mets, in Cricket England
{ A K 10 7 2 { J v Australia but in football the one to go for is surely
} K2 } 10 4 the matches between the two supreme Spanish clubs,
[ J Barcelona and Real Madrid. So far they have faced
] 9743 each other 227 times, with Madrid winning 91 times
{ Q53 to Barcelona’s 88 with 48 draws.
} Q9863 In Round 5 the teams that finished first and second in
this year’s European Championships met in what was
Open Room a must win match for the men from Monaco.
West North East South Join me now to see if the deals could match the
Helgemo Lall Helness Lee excitement usually generated by the giants of Spanish
1{ Pass 1[ Pass football.
2[ Pass 2NT* Pass
Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul.
3[ All Pass
[ AQ532
] Q J 10 4 3
South found the best lead of a club and North took
{ J4
dummy’s king with the ace and returned the five, South
} 2
winning with the queen and switching to the five of
[ 10 9 [ KJ6
diamonds. Declarer won with the ace and played a
] 9 ] A765
spade to the eight. That was two down, -200.
{ K96 { 10 7 5 2
} J 10 9 8 7 6 5 } A4
Closed Room
[ 874
West North East South
] K82
Demuy Fantoni Kranyak Nunes
{ AQ83
1{* 1NT 2}* Dble
} KQ3
2[ 2NT 3[ All Pass
Open Room
2} Majors West North East South
Padon Helness Birman Helgemo
North led the ace of hearts and switched to the ace — — — 1{
of clubs followed by the jack. Declarer won with the Pass 1[ Pass 1NT
king and played a spade to the queen, claiming when Pass 2}* Pass 2{*
South’s jack appeared, +140 and 8 IMPs to the USA Pass 2] Pass 4[
giving them an important victory, 34-10 IMPs, 15.74- All Pass
4.26 VP.
2} Checkback

15
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

East led the ace of clubs followed by the ace of Closed Room
hearts and a heart. West ruffed and in due course East West North East South
collected two trump tricks, two down -100. Nunes Herbst Fantoni Herbst
3} Pass 4} Dble
Closed Room Pass 4[ Pass 4NT*
West North East South Pass 5}* Pass 6[
Nunes Herbst Fantoni Herbst All Pass
— — — 1}
Pass 1]* Dble 1[* The defensive barrage meant South could draw no
Pass 2}* Pass 2{* inference from his partner’s 4[ bid and the result was
Pass 2] Pass 2NT a 13 IMP swing to Monaco.
Pass 3] Pass 3NT
All Pass Board 5. Dealer North NS Vul.
[ AK76
West led the jack of clubs and when East withheld the ] K532
ace declarer won with the queen and played a heart to { 6
the queen, a heart to the king (West pitching the five } 10 8 6 5
of clubs) and a heart to the jack and ace. East exited [ Q 10 9 [ J432
with a heart and declarer won in dummy, pitching a ] 9764 ] Q
diamond (West threw the six and ten of clubs on the { A872 { KQ943
third and fourth hearts). A low spade from dummy saw } K2 } 943
East go in with the jack and he switched to the seven [ 85
of diamonds. When West ducked his king declarer won ] A J 10 8
with dummy’s jack and ducked a spade to East’s king. { J 10 5
The ace of clubs was the last trick for the defence, } AQJ7
+400 and 11 IMPs to Israel - not the start Monaco was
hoping for. Open Room
West North East South
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. Padon Helness Birman Helgemo
[ J 10 9 5 3 2 — Pass Pass 1}
] AJ74 Pass 1] Dble 2]
{ J3 3{ 4] All Pass
} 2
[ 8 [ Q7 East led the king of diamonds and continued with the
] 865 ] KQ932 three, forcing declarer to ruff.
{ Q6 { 952 He played a heart to the queen and ace, followed by
} Q 10 8 7 6 5 4 } KJ3 the queen of clubs. West took the king and returned
[ AK64 the two, so declarer won with dummy’s jack, ruffed a
] 10 diamond, cashed the king of hearts and played a club to
{ A K 10 8 7 4 the ace. West could ruff, but that was the last trick for
} A9 the defence, +620.

Open Room Closed Room


West North East South West North East South
Padon Helness Birman Helgemo Nunes Herbst Fantoni Herbst
Pass Pass 1] Dble — Pass Pass 1}*
2] 4[ Pass 4NT* Pass 1{* 1]* 2]
Pass 5{* Pass 7[ 3{ 3] All Pass
All Pass
1{ Hearts
When North jumped to 4[ South asked for key cards 1] Take out
and then bid waht he hoped his partner could make.
Declarer won the heart lead, drew trumps and set up Missing the game cost Israel 9 IMPs.
the diamonds, +2210.

16
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

On Board 8 Fantoni-Nunes bid 5} with Tell it not in Gath.


[Q92 ]K1085 {A2 }A1098 opposite
[10 ]A43 {K10753 }KQ74. The diamonds were Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
3-3, but the trumps were 5-0 and ten tricks proved to [ Q43
be the limit. Israel stopped in 4} for 5 IMPs. ] Q74
{ AQ9
Board 9. Dealer North. EW Vul. } K 10 9 4
[ 9653 [ 10 [ K982
] J5 ] AKJ9653 ] 82
{ 9543 { K J 10 6 3 { 82
} Q52 } — } A8752
[ J87 [ KQ42 [ AJ765
] Q643 ] A98 ] 10
{ KQ76 { A82 { 754
} 84 } K76 } QJ63
[ A 10
] K 10 7 2 Open Room
{ J 10 West North East South
} A J 10 9 3 Padon Helness Birman Helgemo
— — — Pass
Open Room 1] Pass 1NT* Pass
West North East South 2NT* Pass 3} Pass
Padon Helness Birman Helgemo 3NT Pass 4] All Pass
— Pass 1NT 2]*
3NT All Pass 1NT Semi forcing
2NT 6+], plus a minor
2] Hearts and a minor
North led the ten of clubs and declarer’s losing spade
South led the jack of clubs for the four two and king went away on the ace of clubs. There was a trump and
and when declarer played the two of spades South went two diamonds to lose, but that meant +420.
up with the ace and laid down the ace of clubs. When
North unblocked the queen South cashed out, +100. Closed Room
In case you are wondering NS were playing Smith West North East South
Peters against no trumps and North played the nine on Nunes Herbst Fantoni Herbst
the first round of spades. — — — Pass
1] Pass 1[* Pass
Closed Room 2NT* Pass 3}* Pass
West North East South 3[* Pass 3NT Pass
Nunes Herbst Fantoni Herbst 4] All Pass
— Pass 1}* Pass
1{* Pass 1NT Pass 1] 14+ (good 12/13) 5+] or
2NT Pass 3NT All Pass 11-13 with 5+] and 4[
1[ 0-9,4+[
South led the jack of clubs and as before declarer won
with the king. A diamond to the king (I cannot tell you I think 2NT was an artificial game force, usually a two
if NS were playing Smith, but the convention card says suited hand.
they play low with an even number and here North
followed with the five and played the three on the next When North led the three of spades declarer lost a
round) was followed by a diamond to the ace and the trick in that suit along with a heart and two diamonds
two of spades . When South ducked declarer won with so one down and 10 IMPs to Israel.
dummy’s jack and ducked a spade to South’s ace.
When South switched to the seven of hearts declarer I can think of two reasons why North might lead a
put up dummy’s queen and was home when it held. spade rather than a club - do you consider either of
That handed Monaco 12 IMPs on a plate. them valid?

17
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

1. South did not Dble 3}. Board 32. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
2. Leading away from a king is never without risk. [ J 10 3 2
(Bridge is such a great game, especially when you can ] J 10 8 7 4
see all four hands.) { —
} KJ95
Monaco added nine IMPs in bits and pieces over the [ – [ KQ954
reaming deals to win 44-28 IMPs, 14.18-5.82 VP to ] A ] 96532
stay in the hunt for a spot in the final. { A 10 9 5 3 2 { Q
} AQ8742 } 10 6
This deal, played in the last qualifying round made [ A876
sure that the USA would reach the final: ] KQ
{ KJ8764
Dealer East. EW Vul } 3
[ Q J 10 7 4
] K 10 8 6 2 West North East South
{ — H. Shi Helness Zhuang Helgemo
} KQ2 1{ 1] Dble Rdbl
[ 8 [ A532 5} Dble All Pass
] Q ] A94
{ 97652 { AK43 Tor Helness could only make a simple overcall so Geir
} A J 10 8 73 } 54 Helgemo had no possibility to make a pre-emptive call.
[ K96 However, imagining that his opponents were about to
] J753 find a big fit in a major, Haojun Shi jumped to 5}
{ Q J 10 8 anyway. Zejun Zhuang could not have been thrilled by
} 96 this development, particularly when Helness made a
prompt double, but he left in 5} doubled on the basis
West North East South that he had better club support than diamonds. Helness
Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens led the jack of hearts and, after leading a low diamond
— — 1NT Pass to the queen and king, declarer was allowed to scramble
2[* Dble 3}* Pass nine tricks for down two and –500.
Pass 3] Pass 4]
Dble All Pass West North East South
Nunes Dong Fantoni Wu
2[ Transfer to clubs 1{ 2{* Pass 4[
3} No fit 5} Pass 5{ Dble
All Pass
East led the king of diamonds and declarer ruffed as
West followed with the nine. Attempting to cross to Claudio Nunes was put under pressure and had little
dummy with a spade would have seen East take the ace option but to bid 5} over Yuwei Wu’s jump to 4[.
and give his partner a spade ruff, but declarer found a Here, Lidang Dong’s ability to make the two-suited
brilliant counterpoint when he played the king of hearts majors overcall on only five-four in the suits meant
at trick two. When West’s queen put in an appearance that Wu could make the pressure bid. Fulvio Fantoni
declarer could play on spades for a comfortable +590. thought that there was a significant possibility that
At the other table, John Krayak was one down in Nunes would have longer diamonds than clubs so
4}, so the USA picked up 10 IMPs. gave preference to his partner’s first suit and Yuwei
Wu must have thought that Christmas had come a
With one board to play in the last match of the round couple of weeks early this year. Try as he might,
robin, Monaco held second place over Israel by the Nunes could manage only eight tricks in the face of
narrowest of margins – just 0.01 VP. This was the final the six-nil trump break; –800.
deal.
The 7 IMP swing was more than sufficient to move
[]{}
Israel up to second and push Monaco out of the final.

18
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

USA v Israel F1 Closed Room


West North East South
The USA started with a carryover of 10 IMPs. Bertens Schwartz Cheek Fisher
— — — 1[
Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul. Pass 1NT* Pass 2]
[ 943 Pass 2[ All Pass
] QJ82
{ KJ6 1NT Semi forcing
} J74 Here too West led the four of diamonds and when
[ 10 2 [ QJ8 declarer put in dummy’s jack East took the ace, cashed
] 10 7 3 ] 96 the king and ace of clubs and eventually scored a trump
{ Q942 { A 10 8 5 3 for -140, a 7 IMP pick up for the USA.
} 9652 } AK3
[ AK765 Board 5. Dealer North. NS Vul.
] AK54 [ J 10 3
{ 7 ] 10 3 2
} Q 10 8 { 10 8 5 4
} K98
Open Room [ AK84 [ Q9652
West North East South ] AK8 ] 54
Padon Lall Birman Lee { KQJ { A6
— — — 1[ } A52 } Q 10 6 4
Pass 2[ Pass 4[ [ 7
All Pass ] QJ976
{ 9732
West led the four of diamonds and when declarer } J73
played low from dummy East eventually won with the
ace and cashed the king of clubs on which declarer Open Room
dropped the ten and West the two. EW’s signals (in West North East South
order of priority) are low encouraging, low showing an Padon Lall Birman Lee
even number and suit preference, so it was something — Pass Pass Pass
of a surprise when East switched back to diamonds. A 2}* Pass 2{* Pass
grateful declarer discarded both his remaining clubs for 2]* Pass 2[* Pass
+420. 2NT* Pass 3]* Dble
4}* Pass 4{* Pass
4]* Pass 4NT* Pass
5}* Dble Rdbl Pass
5{* Pass 6[ All Pass

South led the three of clubs and declarer won with the
ace, drew trumps and played a club to the queen, +980.

Closed Room
West North East South
Bertens Schwartz Cheek Fisher
— Pass Pass Pass
2}* Pass 2{ Pass
2NT Pass 3]* Dble
4}* Pass 4{* Pass
4NT* Pass 5{* Pass
5]* Pass 6[* All Pass

Curtis Cheek South led the queen of hearts and declarer won with
USA dummy’s ace, drew trumps, eliminated hearts and

19
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

diamonds and played a club to the ten. South won with Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
the jack and returned a club, one down, -100 and Israel [ 6
was off the schneider to the tune of 14 IMPs. ] Q9432
{ Q 10 5
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul. } KQ85
[ 10 8 7 4 2 [ Q32 [ 10 8 7 5 4
] 10 7 3 ] KJ876 ] A 10
{ A43 { 83 { AJ4
} Q2 } AJ3 } 10 7 2
[ K3 [ QJ65 [ AKJ9
] J82 ] 96 ] 5
{ K752 { Q J 10 { K9762
} A975 } 10 8 6 3 } 964
[ A9
] AKQ54 Open Room
{ 986 West North East South
} KJ4 Padon Lall Birman Lee
— — Pass 1{
Open Room 1] Pass 1[ Pass
West North East South Pass 1NT Pass Pass
Padon Lall Birman Lee 2[ All Pass
— — — 1]
Pass 1[ Pass 2NT South led his heart and declarer won with the ten
Pass 4] All Pass and played the jack of diamonds, South putting up
the king and returning a club to North’s king. A heart
West led the five of diamonds and when declarer to declarer’s ace saw South ruff and play the nine
ducked East won with the jack and continued with the of diamonds and declarer took the ace and played a
ten of diamonds. Declarer took dummy’s ace and played spade. South won with the king and played a diamond,
the queen of clubs, but West won, cashed a diamond but declarer ruffed with the queen of spades and played
and waited for a spade trick, one down, +100. a spade, claiming seven tricks, -100.

Closed Room Closed Room


West North East South West North East South
Bertens Schwartz Cheek Fisher Bertens Schwartz Cheek Fisher
— — — 1NT — — Pass 1{
Pass 2]* Pass 2[ 1] 1NT Dble Pass
All Pass 2} Dble 2] Pass
Pass Dble Pass Pass
2] Transfer 2[ Pass Pass Dble
All Pass
West led the five of diamonds and when declarer
ducked, East won with the ten and switched to the five North led the six of spades and South won with the
of spades, handing declarer a vital tempo. He won king and switched to the four of clubs, North winning
with the ace of spades and forced out the ace of clubs, with the queen and returning the ten of diamonds. When
setting up a discard for dummy’s losing diamond, +110 that held he played another diamond and declarer took
and 5 IMPs for the USA. the ace, ruffed a diamond, played a heart to the ten,
and continued with the ace of hearts. South could ruff
and play a club, but declarer put up the ace and played
the king of hearts throwing a club., thereby escaping
for one down, -200. That was 3 IMPs for the USA.

There is a way to collect 500, but it is very difficult


and also counter intuitive. North must return the five of
diamonds rather than the ten and if declarer plays low

20
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

must put in the nine and play a second club, after which Three Clubs was a miserable spot for EW. North led
the defenders should come to seven tricks. the king of clubs and continued with the queen when
declarer ducked. Winning with the ace declarer played
Board 12. Dealer West. EW Vul. a third club and South won with the jack and played the
[ 73 five of hearts for the queen and ace. North returned the
] A J 10 8 2 five of diamonds to the king and ace and declarer drew
{ J85 the outstanding trump and played the ten of spades.
} KQ3 When it held he cashed the ace of spades and the king
[ A J 10 [ Q9642 of hearts and conceded the rest, three down, -150, and
] KQ643 ] 9 2 IMPs to Israel.
{ A { 10 9 7 4 3
} A 10 8 5 } 94 Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
[ K85 [ 96
] 75 ] AK54
{ KQ62 { 643
} J762 } AQ62
[ A 10 8 7 5 4 [ KJ2
Open Room ] Q93 ] 72
West North East South { Q { J 10 9 8 7 2
Padon Lall Birman Lee } J84 } K9
1] Pass 1[ Pass [ Q3
2} Pass 2[ Pass ] J 10 8 6
4[ All Pass { AK5
} 10 7 5 3
A theoretical question for you.
What would a bid of 3[ by West at his third turn show? Open Room
West North East South
South led the king of diamonds and declarer won Padon Lall Birman Lee
with dummy’s ace and played the king of hearts. North Pass Pass
took the ace and now found the only card in his hand to 2[* Dble 3[ Dble*
ensure the defeat of 4[ when he switched to the three All Pass
of spades. Declarer won with dummy’s ten, cashed
2[ 5-10 with spades
the queen of hearts pitching a club and ruffed a heart.
Dble Responsive
South overruffed and exited with the king of spades,
leaving declarer well short of his target. He finished two North led the ace of hearts and switched to the two of
down, -100. clubs. Declarer played low from dummy and after winning
with the jack continued with the queen of diamonds.
If North returns the seven of spades declarer must South won with the ace and returned the jack of hearts
put up the queen. If South withholds the king declarer for the queen and king. North cashed the ace of clubs and
continues with the ten of diamonds, pitching a loser from continued with the queen, forcing dummy to ruff. after
dummy. North wins and plays a trump, but now declarer cashing the king of spades declarer ruffed a diamond,
can draw the outstanding trump and subsequently pin ruffed a heart, ruffed a diamond and laid down the ace of
the eight of diamonds for ten tricks. spades, scoring +530 when the trumps behaved.
If South covers the queen of spades declarer wins with
dummy’s ace, cashes the queen of hearts pitching a club Closed Room
and then cross ruffs his way to ten tricks. This line fails if West North East South
North still has the [7 as he can ruff the fourth round of Bertens Schwartz Cheek Fisher
clubs with it, promoting a trump trick for South. 2}* Pass
2[ Dble 4[ All Pass
Closed Room
West North East South 2} Strong or weak in diamonds
Bertens Schwartz Cheek Fisher
1] Pass 1[ Pass 4[ had to go one down, -50, but Israel added another
3} All Pass 11 IMPs.

21
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

They had had much the better of the exchanges to Board 19. Dealer South. EW Vul.
lead 45-18. [ Q J 10 6 3
] A954
USA v Israel F2 { K76
} 5
After 16 boards Israel held a useful 27 IMP lead. [ 982 [ AK4
] J73 ] Q 10 8 6
Board 18. Dealer East. NS Vul. { AQ3 { 10 8
[ KQJ62 } KQ94 } A 10 8 7
] A9842 [ 75
{ KQ ] K2
} A { J9542
[ 10 5 4 3 [ 87 } J632
] Q 10 6 5 ] 73
{ 7 { AJ842 Open Room
} 7543 } QJ96 West North East South
[ A9 Herbst Lall Herbst Lee
] KJ — — — Pass
{ 10 9 6 5 3 1} Dble Rdbl 2{
} K 10 8 2 Pass Pass 3{* Pass
3NT All Pass
Open Room
West North East South On a diamond lead declarer would win with the queen
Herbst Lall Herbst Lee and probably play a heart. Then North would need to
— — Pass 1{* rise with the ace and play the king of diamonds - not
Pass 1[ Pass 1NT too difficult.
Pass 3]* Pass 3[ However, North decided to lead a spade - fine it had
Pass 4NT* Pass 5}* been an honour, but he went with the six. Had declarer
Pass 6[ All Pass played low he would have been in clover, but he won
with dummy’s ace and played a heart.
3] 5-5, forcing That gave South the chance to make the textbook
4NT RKCB play of going up with the king of hearts to protect his
5} 1 key card partner’s entry, but when he played low North won
with the ace (ducking gives declarer some chances
East led the queen of clubs and declarer won with to go wrong) and played the queen of spades. When
the ace and played the king of diamonds. East took that held he continued with the jack and declarer won,
that and after a few moments reflection played another played a club to the queen and heart to the queen
diamond for West to ruff. The trump return meant and king. He took the diamond return with the ace,
declarer was two down, -200. crossed to dummy with the ace of clubs and took two
more tricks in the suit via the marked finesse. With
Closed Room a complete count he played a heart to the eight and
West North East South claimed, +600.
Demuy Birman Kranyak Padon
— — Pass Pass Closed Room
1] Dble Pass 3{ West North East South
Pass 3[ Pass 3NT Demuy Birman Kranyak Padon
All Pass — — — Pass
1{ 1[ Dble* Pass
3NT was straightforward and on a club lead declarer 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass
won with dummy’s ace and played on diamonds for ten
tricks, +630 and 13 IMPs to Israel. North led the queen of spades and when declarer
ducked he continued with the six (no, I wouldn’t have
[]{} found a diamond switch either). Declarer won with
dummy’s king and played a club to the queen and a

22
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

heart to the four, queen and king. Would it have made any difference if West had bid
When South returned the five of diamonds declarer 2] at his second turn?
made the essential play of going up with the ace, but It was a flat board.
then played a heart to the ten, after which there was no
way to recover. If declarer had played the jack of hearts Board 29. Dealer North. All Vul.
North would win and exit with a spade, when declarer [ A972
would need to get the hearts right in the ending. ] 2
As it was one down gave Israel another 12 IMPs. { 10 8 7
} AQ982
Board 27. Dealer South. None Vul. [ 10 8 6 [ KQJ3
[ A 10 ] AK974 ] Q863
] Q 10 9 8 6 3 { AKQ64 { 52
{ 943 } — } 543
} Q8 [ 54
[ K732 [ QJ6 ] J 10 5
] — ] J742 { J93
{ A Q 10 6 2 { 5 } K J 10 7 6
} A975 } KJ642
[ 9854 Open Room
] AK5 West North East South
{ KJ87 Herbst Lall Herbst Lee
} 10 3 — 1} Pass 3}
Dble Pass 3[ Pass
Open Room 4}* Pass 4] Pass
West North East South 4[ All Pass
Herbst Lall Herbst Lee
— — — 1{* West led the king of clubs and declarer ruffed in
Pass 1] Pass 1NT dummy, cashed the ace of diamonds and then played
Pass 2] Pass Pass ace of hearts and a heart. North ruffed and returned a
Dble Rdbl 3} 3] trump, but declarer won in hand, ruffed a club, cashed
All Pass two more diamonds pitching a club and played a heart,
When North discarded declarer won with the queen
You can make 6} on the EW cards, so selling out to and played the king of spades for eleven tricks, +650.
3] was not a triumph.
Perhaps West might have bid 2] over 1NT to suggest Closed Room
the type of hand he held? If you don’t care for that then West North East South
a double must be showing short hearts at this stage. In Demuy Birman Kranyak Padon
either case there must be some chance that EW will — Pass Pass Pass
reach the club game. 1}* Pass 1]* Pass
3] drifted two down, -100. 1[* Pass 2NT* Pass
3}* Dble Pass Pass
Closed Room Rdbl* Pass 3[* Pass
West North East South 6] All Pass
Demuy Birman Kranyak Padon
— — — 1}* 1} Strong
1{ Dble* Pass 1] 1] 8-11 any shape
Dble* 3] All Pass 1[ One major
2NT Majors, 4-4
1} 2+}, 12-14 or 18-19 balanced, 3} Sets hearts as trumps
no 5 card major Rdbl First round control
Dble Transfer to hearts 3[ Cue bid
Dble Take out
The result of that appliance of science was a magnificent
They got no closer here. +1430 and a well deserved 13 IMPs to the USA.

23
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

It kept them in the match, but trailing 46-86 they Open Room
would need to bring their A game to the table in the West North East South
last set. Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens
— Pass Pass 1[
USA v Israel F3 Pass 1NT Pass 3}*
Pass 3[ Pass 4}*
The Day after Tomorrow Pass 6} Dble 6]
All Pass
The Day After Tomorrow is a 2004 American
climate fiction-disaster film co-written, directed, and No doubt 3} was intended to show a three suited
produced by Roland Emmerich which depicts fictional hand, but clearly the wires were crossed.
catastrophic climatic effects in a series of extreme 6] was hopeless and finished two down, -100.
weather events that usher in global cooling and lead to
a new ice age. Closed Room
When I bumped into an acquaintance in the lobby West North East South
after dinner and mentioned I was going back to work Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst
he asked why and I explained it was to write this article. — Pass Pass 1[
‘Aah’, he said. ‘For tomorrow’s Bulletin’. Pass 1NT Pass 2}*
‘Not quite’, I replied. Pass 2{* Pass 2]*
‘It is for the day after tomorrow’. Pass 2[* Pass 2NT
As you might have guessed by now the last session of Pass 3NT All Pass
the final was not exactly error free.
2} looks like a type of Gazzilli, with 2{ promising
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. 7/8 and asking for more information. 2] promised
[ A3 5+[ with 17+ and another four card suit. 2[ was
] J92 a relay and 2NT showed South’s hearts (in standard
{ 10 8 5 4 Gazzilli, if such a thing exists South would bid 3] to
} QJ98 show the 5-4).
[ 542 [ J96
] 76 ] A853 Whatever, 3NT was a doddle, declarer amassing
{ KQ732 { 6 eleven tricks for +460 and 11 more IMPs for Israel.
} 642 } K 10 7 5 3
[ K Q 10 8 7
] K Q 10 4 []{}
{ AJ9
} A

24
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul. Board 4. Dealer West. Both Vul.


[ KQ974 [ A984
] A943 ] A 10
{ J86 { K Q 10 7
} 6 } J 10 7
[ A653 [ 2 [ KQ [ J6532
] KQ ] J 10 8 ] 872 ] Q654
{ A5 { KQ974 { J54 { A83
} AJ542 } KQ93 } KQ852 } 6
[ J 10 8 [ 10 7
] 7652 ] KJ93
{ 10 3 2 { 962
} 10 8 7 } A943

Open Room Open Room


West North East South West North East South
Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens
— — — Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2}*
1}* 1[ 2{ Pass Pass 2[ Pass 2NT
2[ Pass 3} Pass All Pass
4} Pass 4[* Pass
4NT* Pass 5}* Pass East led the three of spades for the seven, queen
6} All Pass and ace and declarer ran the ten of clubs to West’s
king. After cashing the king of spades West returned
1} 2+}, 12-21 may be longer diamonds. the four of diamonds for the king and ace and back
5} 1 key card came a diamond for the jack and queen. The nine of
spades was taken by the ten and East exited with his
A good natural sequence to the laydown slam, last diamond. Declarer won, cashed a spade and a
+1370. diamond, played a club to the ace and the ace and king
of hearts for eight tricks, +120.
Closed Room With such powerful intermediates you can always
West North East South make a Meckwellian 3NT on this deal.
Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst
— — — Pass Closed Room
1} 1[ 2{ Pass West North East South
2NT Pass 3} Pass Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst
4} Pass 4{ Pass 1{ Pass 2]* Pass
4] Pass 6} All Pass Pass Dble* Pass Pass
2[ Dble All Pass
Another cracking effort for a flat board.
It looks as if 2] promised both majors.
When South converted his partner’s reopening
double West decided to move to spades, a classic case
of out of the frying pan.....
North led the king of diamonds and when it held
switched to the ace of hearts and a heart. South won with
the jack and switched back to diamonds, declarer winning
with dummy’s ace and playing a club. South took the ace,
cashed the king of hearts and played a diamond. North
won and played the last diamond, South ruffing with the
ten of spades. Declarer overuffed, cashed the king of
clubs, ruffed a club with the jack of spades and played a
John Kranyak spade. North won and cashed the nine of spades for three
USA down, -800 and 12 IMPs to Israel, almost out of sight.

25
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 5. Dealer North. NS Vul. king meant his problems were over, +420 and 10 IMPs
[ J94 to the USA.
] 754
{ J84 Board 6. Dealer East. EW Vul.
} Q 106 4 [ J74
[ Q 10 8 5 2 [ A763 ] AJ4
] A 10 ] KQ96 { AK986
{ 5 { 109 6 } 73
} AJ852 } 97 [ AQ6 [ 10 5 2
[ K ] 83 ] Q 10 9 6 5 2
] J832 { QJ543 { 7
{ AKQ732 } 654 } J92
} K3 [ K983
] K7
Open Room { 10 2
West North East South } A K Q 10 8
Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens
— Pass Pass 1{ Open Room
1[ Pass 2NT* 3{ West North East South
4} Pass 4]* Pass Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens
4[ All Pass — — Pass 1NT
Pass 3}* Pass 5}
2NT Spade support Pass 5{ All Pass
4] Cue bid
I’m guessing 3} was a Puppet to 3{, but something
North led the four of diamonds and South won with went wrong.
the king and continued with the ace, declarer ruffing Had North passed 5} would not have been down
and playing three rounds of hearts, pitching a club. He off the top, but 5{ was hopeless when East led the five
ruffed a diamond, cashed the ace of clubs and exited of spades (notice that you can make 5{ if South is the
with a club. declarer).
South won and returned the jack of hearts, ruffed by
the ten and overruffed. Now the ten of clubs enabled Declarer took ten tricks, -50.
South to score the king of spades for one down, -50.
Closed Room
Closed Room West North East South
West North East South Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst
Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst — — Pass 1NT
— Pass Pass 1{ Pass 3}* Pass 3{*
1[ Pass 3{* Dble Pass 3NT All Pass
4[ All Pass
3} Puppet
3{ 4 card spade raise 3{ 4 card major

The first two tricks were identical, but then declarer West led the four of diamonds and declarer played low
played a spade to the ace and the appearance of the from dummy, scoring an effortless +460 for 11 IMPs.

26
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 9. Dealer North EW Vul. and played a club to the jack and king. Here South
[ A3 tried the seven of spades and North won with the ace
] AQ854 and returned the three. Declarer won with the king,
{ 982 unblocking the jack, unblocked the ace of clubs, played
} 984 a diamond to the jack, cashed two clubs and the ace of
[ J54 [ K962 diamonds and exited with a spade to endplay South,
] K J 10 7 ] 932 who was forced to provide a stepping stone to dummy’s
{ AJ { K 10 6 5 diamond tenace.
} Q 10 7 3 } AJ
[ Q 10 8 7 Board 12. Dealer West. NS Vul.
] 6 [ —
{ Q743 ] 876
} K652 { AKQ9632
} 10 5 2
Open Room [ 952 [ K 10 8 7 4 3
West North East South ] AK3 ] 952
Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens { J 10 8 5 4 { —
— Pass Pass Pass } 76 } J943
1}* 1] Dble* Pass [ AQJ6
1NT All Pass ] Q J 10 4
{ 7
North led the five of hearts and declarer won with the } AKQ8
seven and played a club to the jack and king. South’s
return of the four of diamonds was taken by the jack Open Room
and declarer crossed to the ace of clubs, came to hand West North East South
with a diamond, cashed two clubs and played a spade. Fisher Cheek Schwartz Bertens
There was nothing the defenders could do to prevent Pass 1{ 2[ Dble*
nine tricks, +150. 3[ Dble* Pass 5NT*
Pass 6{ Pass 6NT
Closed Room Dble All Pass
West North East South
Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst Having opened 1{ North’s double was perhaps a
— Pass 1{ Pass bid too far?
1] Pass 1[ Pass 5NT looks like ‘pick a slam’ but NS were already past
3NT All Pass the point of no return.

Despite West’s initial response North went with the West cashed his hearts and in due course the
heart lead chosen at the other table and declarer won defenders collected a spade for two down, -500.

Closed Room
West North East South
Demuy Herbst Kranyak Herbst
Pass 3NT* 4[* Dble
All Pass

3NT Solid 7/8 card minor, no outside ace or king

4[ Those who live by the sword.....

4[ doubled was four down, -800 so another 16


IMPs to the Sport Accord champions, Israel.

Israel collected US$30,000, USA 18,000, Monaco


12,000 & China 6,000.

27
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3
Star Quality knew that it promised 16-18 points, but not that it also
needed a balanced hand. I persuaded Philip Morris
I asked some of the brightest stars in the bridge to sponsor us with bridge tuition from a professional
firmament to tell me how they took their first tentative teacher.
steps.
Nicola Smith
Geir Helgemo
My parents were both
I was 11 years old and Internationals so it was almost
playing football. Walking home inevitable that I would follow
after practice one day it started in their footsteps. Once I had
to rain heavily so I went to my acquired the basics I was able
father’s bridge club for shelter. to improve my knowledge at
While watching my father play my parent’s club, the London
I spotted he could have taken School of Bridge. Situated
an extra trick. on the King’s Road in Chelsea it was also handy for
I went to the library, borrowed every book they had shopping and watching Chelsea play at Stamford
and read them all. Bridge.

Sally Brock Irina Levitina

My parents play rubber bridge At one point while living in


and when I was 14 they found the USSR Irina was the second
themselves one short so I was best female chess player on the
drafted in to make up the four. planet, losing a match for the
I played with them a couple of world championship 5-8.
times a week until I went to Despite its unpopularity Irina
University where I joined the took to bridge and became
bridge club and met my first the first Soviet citizen to win a
husband, England International Tony Sowter. bridge award, securing the International Bridge Press
Association’s AlpWater prize for outstanding play in
Nevena Senior 1985.
She emigrated to America in 1987 and in 1993 she
I only started playing abandoned chess to concentrate on bridge, a decision
bridge during my final year at she has never regretted. She puts it succinctly:
University and my first husband In Bridge the whole game is oriented towards
helped me to expand my conversation. Socializing with and having feelings
knowledge of the game. At for your partner is no less important here than other
the time there was little money qualities, and in women this feeling is developed,
available within the Bulgarian perhaps even more so than in men.
Bridge Federation, but they
did manage to send a women’s team to the Venice Marion Michielsen
Olympiad in 1988 where we caused a big surprise by
winning the bronze medals. As a child Marion loved to
play all games and was from
Pierre Zimmermann birth blessed with a competitive
nature out of the ordinary.
I was studying mathematics I always want to win and
at the same University in perform well. If there is
Lausanne that my children now something I am not very good
attend and I founded a bridge at I usually stop doing it.
club there. We knew so little My father plays bridge reasonably well. I wasn’t really
that my partner would open interested at first, but then my younger brother learned
1NT with a void because he to play, and I couldn’t stand that he could do something

28
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

I couldn’t so I wanted to learn. Women’s Teams


Marion read all the bridge books and old magazines
she could find and started to play with her younger Unlike the Open, where one team was virtually out
brother at a club. They were a slight annoyance to their of contention at the end of day one, here all four teams
opponents, partly because they so quickly developed retained an interest almost to the end of the qualifying
their bridge skills, partly because they always ate ice process.
cream the table, making their opponents complain that
the cards got sticky. At the end of the first round robin, England lay
second and USA third. A solid win in their Round Four
Heather Dhondy match could go a long way towards seeing England
into the main final, while an American vicory could see
Heather’s parents, Mike and them leapfrog their rivals into the top two with two
Hazel Dunstan, were both avid rounds still to play. It didn’t take long for the teams to
bridge players and introduced exchange early Christmas gifts.
their teenage children, Heather,
Cathy and Peter to the game. Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
The Dunstan children quickly [ 6
absorbed the finer points of the ] AJ864
game and enjoyed a high standard of Kitchen Bridge. { 10 7 6 4 3 2
Heather soon graduated from the home game to the } 7
international scene. Her team from York University [ AKQ [ J98432
won the Portland Bowl and represented England in the ] 7 ] K93
Entente Cordiale in 1987. { AQ { J9
At the age of 24, Heather began playing for the } AKQ9632 } J5
Women’s team. [ 10 7 5
] Q 10 5 2
Meike Wortel { K85
} 10 8 4
She was taught to play by
her parents when she was ‘very West North East South
small’ but didn’t really start Draper Disa Brown Deas
playing until her student days. — — — Pass
Her interest in the game 2}* 2NT* Pass* 3{
was fuelled by her passion for 4} 5{ 6} 6{
solving puzzles. 7} Dble All Pass
Her advice on how to
improve? ‘Ask better players plenty of questions - you Hjordis Eyhthorsdottir, popularly known as Disa,
earn
earn a lot’.
will learn lot . made a ttwo
made wo-s
-sui
uite
ted
d ov
two-suited over
erca
callll aand
overcall nd ttha
hatt fo
that foun
und
d th
found the
e di
diam
amon
ond
d
diamond

29
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

fit straight away, enabling the Americans to put the introduced her spades, Kerri Sanborn could ask about
English auction under a lot of pressure. Credit Disa key cards and settle for the small slam when one proved
and Lynn Deas for their enterprise, but Fiona Brown’s to be missing; +1460 after an attacking diamond lead
raise to 6} in competition looks wild (the most polite from Heather Dhondy, and 17 IMPs to USA.
of the several adjectives I selected between) with only
a doubleton trump and only a couple of jacks outside Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
the opponents’ suits, particularly as her pass of 2NT [ K85
indicated either 8+ HCP or two controls. Catherine ] A53
Draper might have made a forcing pass over the 6{ { A
call but it was hard to imagine what her partner could } AKQ974
hold if not the ace of hearts given that Brown could not [ A J 10 3 2 [ Q94
have a top honour in either black suit and would know ] QJ2 ] 64
that red-suit values would be of dubious value. Brown { 84 { J9532
will argue that she would have cuebid 5] if holding the } 652 } 10 8 3
ace, but for an unlimited hand to always do this looks [ 76
very dangerous. Disa added insult to injury by adding a ] K 10 9 8 7
double and the contract was one down for –200 when { K Q 10 7 6
she then cashed her heart ace. } J

West North East South West North East South


Sanborn Senior Levitina Dhondy Draper Disa Brown Deas
— — — Pass Pass 2}* Pass 2{*
2} 2] 2[ 3] Pass 2NT Pass 3{*
3[ 4{ Pass 4] Pass 3] Pass 4{
4NT Pass 5} Pass Pass 5] Pass 6{
6[ All Pass Pass 6] All Pass

Nevena Senior’s simple heart overcall had the benefit Disa opened 2} and followed up with a supposedly
of attracting the only lead in which she was interested balanced 2NT rebid. She completed the heart transfer
should East become declarer, but did not suggest the then, when Deas showed her second suit, felt that she
playing strength of Disa’s action, though her subsequent was far too good to settle for simple preference to
4{ surely did so and Dhondy might have been more hearts. Her jump to 5] left Deas guessing and, when
aggressive from that point on. When Irina Levitina she went on with 6{, the partnership was too high. It
still required that Brown find the spade lead, else the
spade loser goes away on the clubs, but she duly did
so, leading the stronger of her black holdings, and that
meant one down and +100 to England.

West North East South


Sanborn Senior Levitina Dhondy
Pass 2{ Pass 2]
Pass 3} Pass 3]
Pass 4] All Pass

Senior opened with a multi 2{. Two Hearts was


pass or correct and 3} showed a strong but not game-
forcing two bid in clubs, around a good eight or nine
playing tricks. Dhondy showed that she really did have
hearts and Senior raised to game; +650 after ace and
another spade lead, 13 IMPs back to close to 13-23.

The deals ran quietly for quite some time, the score
Heather Dhondy moving on only to USA 27 England 17, but finally the
ENGLAND English comeback restarted.

30
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

+510 to USA so 11 IMPs to England and the lead in


the match at 35-27.

It seemed that England had come through to win


the match but, after picking up an overtrick IMP in a
dull game on Board 32, Draper/Brown had a bidding
misunderstanding and played 2} on a two-two fit
vulnerable when they had a partscore elsewhere.
Hjordis “Disa” Eythorsdottir Down five meant –500 and 12 IMPs to USA, who
USA won by 39-36 IMPs, 10.91-9.09 VPs. Meanwhile, the
Netherlands defeated China by 15.92- 4.08 to close
Board 30. Dealer East. None Vul. the rankings right up. England led but the whole field
[ 52 was covered by under 10 VPs with two rounds to play.
] A8652
{ 8 Women’s Final
} A 10 8 5 4
[ J 10 8 7 [ Q943 A tremendous 20-0 victory by the Netherlands (the
] J7 ] 94 only one of the tournament) against the USA in the
{ KJ42 { Q 10 9 7 5 last round saw them leapfrog the Americans to join
} Q62 } 73 England in the final in which
[ AK6 England started with a 16-IMP carry-over advantage.
] K Q 10 3
{ A63 After four boards of the final the score had moved on
} KJ9 only to 17-1.

West North East South Board .5 Dealer North. N/S Vul.


Draper Disa Brown Deas [ J 10 3
— — Pass 2NT ] 10 3 2
Pass 3{* Dble 3] { 10 8 5 4
Pass 4] All Pass } K98
[ AK84 [ Q9652
When Brown doubled the transfer, Deas completed to ] AK8 ] 54
3], showing heart support, but Disa simply raised to { KQJ { A6
game. (You also need to know what a redouble would } A52 } Q 10 6 4
promise in this situation.) [ 7
] QJ976
West North East South { 9732
Sanborn Senior Levitina Dhondy } J73
— — Pass 2NT
Pass 3{* Pass 4] West North East South
Pass 5}* Pass 5{ Simons Senior Pasman Dhondy
Pass 5] Pass 6] — Pass 2[ Pass
All Pass 6[ All Pass

5} Cue bid/values For the Netherlands, Jet Pasman opened 2[ with


the East cards, weak with five spades and a four-card
There was no double at this table but Dhondy made or longer minor, and Anneke Simons just jumped to
the more aggressive transfer break to 4] and now the spade slam.
Senior was worth a try for slam. With all those key South led the queen of hearts. Declarer won, drew
cards, Dhondy was always bidding six now and, when three rounds of trumps and eliminated the red suits then
Senior signed off due to concern about the lack of a had to play the clubs for one loser, neither defender
spade control, she duly raised herself to slam. having discarded from the suit. Pasman led ace and
Both declarers got the clubs right so made all 13 another and, when Nevena Senior played low, put up
tricks, but that was worth +1010 to England and only her queen; +980.

31
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Pasman needed North to hold the king or for South Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
to hold king-doubleton, when she would have to give a [ KJ6
ruff and discard. ] J53
{ Q632
West North East South } K32
Draper Wortel Brown Michielsen [ 432 [ AQ97
— Pass Pass Pass ] AK8 ] Q764
2} Pass 2{* Pass { K75 { 10 9 4
2]* Pass 2[* Pass } J875 } A9
2NT* Pass 3]* Pass [ 10 8 5
4[ Pass 4NT* Pass ] 10 9 2
5}* Pass 6[ All Pass { AJ8
} Q 10 6 4
2{ Waiting, game forcing
2] Kokish West North East South
2[ Relay Simons Senior Pasman Dhondy
2NT 23-24 balanced –– — 1] Pass
3] Transfer 2} Pass 2NT Pass
4NT RKCB 3NT All Pass
5} 1-4 keycards Pasman’s four-card major, strong no trump style,
meant that this had was a 1] opening. Her 2NT rebid
The early play was identical, but after completing showed a weak no trump type, up to 14 HCP and,
the elimination Brown did not cash the ace of clubs, because of the vulnerability, Simons took the aggressive
instead leading low off the dummy, putting in the ten approach of raising to game. With no desperately
when Meike Wortel played low. That lost to the jack attractive lead, Heather Dhondy plumped for her only
and there was a second club to be lost for down one four-card suit, the four of clubs. However, that went
and –50, 14 IMPs to the Netherlands. to the king and ace and Pasman could return the club
Brown would have succeeded had North held the nine. Dhondy went up with the queen and switched to
club jack or neither honour; Essentially, if you believe ace then jack of diamonds and the even heart split plus
the clubs to be three-three then Brown’s play is the winning spade finesse gave Pasman nine tricks for an
better, if you believe them to be four-two with North excellent +600 and 10 IMPs to Netherlands. They led
having the length then Pasman’s is more likely to pay by 25-17.
off. Four-two with South holding the length, increases
the likelihood of South holding both honours, of course. Had Dhondy instead led a spade, declarer could have
won three tricks in that suit and, again, a diamond to
the king would have resulted in nine tricks. And on a
diamond lead, declarer must go up with the king, else
a club switch puts her in serious danger., though she
cannot actually be defeated double dummy. If she does
play the king at trick one, however, she can once again
play spades for three tricks and make her contract.

West North East South


Draper Wortel Brown Michielsen
— — 1} Pass
1[ Pass 1NT All Pass

Brown opened 1}, natural or balanced, potentially


a doubleton with as many as five diamonds. The 1[
response usually denied a major and suggested that
partner bid no trump unless unbalanced. With 11 HCP
facing 11-14, Draper now made the normal decision
Fiona Brown to pass. Michielsen led the ten of hearts and Brown
ENGLAND emerged to with eight fairly painless tricks for +120.

32
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul. Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul.
[ 98 [ Q94
] A 10 8 ] J54
{ Q62 { K 10 9 8 4
} Q J 10 9 2 } AK
[ 74 [ A J 10 6 5 3 2 [ K632 [ AJ8
] QJ643 ] 5 ] 9863 ] K Q 10
{ A4 { 10 9 5 { 5 { J3
} K754 } A3 } 9743 } Q J 10 5 2
[ KQ [ 10 7 5
] K972 ] A72
{ KJ873 { AQ762
} 86 } 86

Both Easts opened 4[ and played there. Michielsen West North East South
led the king of spades, judging it unlikely that declarer Draper Arnolds Brown v Zwol
would be taking two finesses into her doubleton — 1{ Dble 3{
honours, but might need to ruff something in dummy. All Pass
Brown won the ace and led a heart up. Wortel won
and returned a club, which Brown won in hand to play Fiona Brown doubled Carla Arnolds’ 1{ opening
the jack of spades. Michielsen won and returned a club and Wietske van Zwol’s raise was invitational. Arnolds
and, in the fullness of time, Brown had to concede two had nothing to add to that. Brown led the queen of
diamonds for down one; –100. clubs. Arnolds won the ace and played two rounds of
trumps followed by a low heart to the jack and queen.
In the other room Dhondy led the two of hearts to She won the heart return and cashed the club king
the queen and Senior’s ace. Had she been certain that before exiting with a third heart in hope that if the
the lead was from a four-card suit and that dummy’s opposition had to open up spades it might prove to
hearts were therefore no threat, Senior should have be to her advantage. It was not to be. Brown won the
switched to a trump. However, not being sure of the heart and led her low spade and the defence had three
heart position, she instead switched to a low diamond, tricks there for down one and –50.
which would be the winning defence if declarer held say
[AJ106532 ]75 {1095 }A . West North East South
Pasman could win the ace of diamonds and play Simons Brock Pasman Smith
a second round setting up the diamond ruff that — 1} Pass 1[
delivered her contract, +420 and another 10 IMPs to Pass 1NT Pass 2NT
Netherlands, leading by 36-17. Pass 3NT All Pass

At the end of the set the score was 42-28. Sally Brock’s 1} was either natural or two-plus cards
in a balanced hand, and the 1[ response denied a
major, suggesting that partner convert to no trump.
One No Trump showed 11-14 and Nicola Smith made
an aggressive invitational raise, which Brock accepted.
Jet Pasman led the queen of clubs to Brock’s ace. It
seems that there are eight tricks and little prospect of
a ninth, however, it is amazing how often cashing a
suit and putting the opposition to a series of discards
creates something out of nothing. On the run of the
diamonds, Anneke Simons pitched the three of spades,
completed a club peter then a spade peter, before
finally throwing a heart; Pasman threw two clubs and
the eight of spades.
The defence had failed to keep sufficient cards in
Catherine Draper either black suit to offer them the prospect of coming
ENGLAND to three black tricks to go with the two heart tricks – it

33
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

looks as though Pasman was at fault for throwing a Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
spade when her clubs were of no value as she should [ A3
have known the club position. ] AQ854
Anyway, what that all meant was that Brock could { 982
play a spade, Simons winning the king and returning } 984
a heart, win the second heart and play another spade [ J54 [ K962
and had established her ninth trick while the defence ] K J 10 7 ] 932
had only one more heart to cash; +400 and 10 IMPs { AJ { K 10 6 5
to England, who had much the better of a generally dull } Q 10 7 3 } AJ
set of deals. [ Q 10 8 7
They restricted their opponents to just 3 IMPs to lead ] 6
57-45. { Q743
} K652
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
[ KQ974 West North East South
] A943 Dhondy Wortel Senior Michielsen
{ J86 — Pass 1} Pass
} 6 1] Pass 1NT Pass
[ A653 [ 2 3NT All Pass
] KQ ] J 10 8
{ A5 { KQ974 Senior upgraded the East hand for little more reason
} AJ542 } KQ93 than that she thinks she can make any contract she
[ J 10 8 plays in and Dhondy raised the 1NT rebid to game.
] 7652 Michielsen led the seven of spades to the ace and back
{ 10 3 2 came a second spade, ducked to the queen. Michielsen
} 10 8 7 now switched to a diamond, dummy’s jack winning the
trick. Senior cashed the jack of spades and diamond
West North East South ace then led a club to the jack, ducked, and switched
Dhondy Wortel Senior Michielsen her attention to hearts, running the nine. Wortel won
— — — Pass the queen and returned a club so Senior won the ace
1} 1[* 2{ Pass and played a second heart but Wortel won the ace and
2[* Pass 3} Pass returned a club to her partner’s king, the setting trick.
3[* Pass 4] Pass Michielsen had to lead a diamond into the king-ten so
6} All Pass the contract was just one down for –100.

Dhondy’s 1} opening also only promised two cards, West North East South
but her cuebid provided room for Nevena Senior to v Zwol Brock Arnolds Smith
show her clubs and now Dhondy could show her spade — Pass Pass Pass
control and jump to slam over her partner’s Last Train 1} 1] Dble* Pass
style4], +1370. 1NT Pass 2NT All Pass

West North East South Arnolds passed the East hand so, when she
v Zwol Brock Arnolds Smith subsequently invited game, it was not a tough decision
— — — Pass for van Zwol to decline the offer. Brock led a heart
1} 1[ 2]* Pass round to declarer’s seven. A club to the jack was allowed
3NT All Pass to hold and a diamond to the jack also won. Van Zwol
cashed the club ace, came back to the diamond ace,
In the Dutch auction, Carla Arnolds’ 2] showed and exited with the queen of clubs. Smith won and led
diamonds and van Zwol simply leaped to 3NT. As a spade, and when Brock cashed a forlorn hope ace of
the opening had not promised real clubs, Arnolds felt hearts, van Zwol had eight comfortable tricks for +120
unable to continue. After a spade lead, ducked and and 6 IMPs to Netherlands, closing to 59-69.
continued, van Zwol found that she had eleven running
tricks for +660, but 12 IMPs to England, who led by []{}
69-52.

34
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul. Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
[ — [ AQ872
] 876 ] 832
{ AKQ9632 { K62
} 10 5 2 } Q2
[ 952 [ K 10 8 7 4 3 [ KJ5 [ 64
] AK3 ] 952 ] 5 ] A K J 10 9 4
{ J 10 8 5 4 { — { J98 { AQ3
} 76 } J943 } AJ8764 } 93
[ AQJ6 [ 10 9 3
] Q J 10 4 ] Q76
{ 7 { 10 7 5 4
} AKQ8 } K 10 5

West North East South West North East South


Dhondy Wortel Senior Michielsen Dhondy Wortel Senior Michielsen
Pass 3{ 3[ Dble –– — 1] Pass
All Pass 1NT Pass 2] Pass
3} All Pass
Facing a passed partner and looking at a void in the
suit opened on her right, albeit a pre-empt, Senior When Dhondy introduced her long club suit Senior
decided to try to make life more difficult for her had no reason to go on.
opponents – if she could find a spade fit, she might even Wortel led a low diamond round to Dhondy’s jack.
have a paying save against a diamond game or slam. A heart to the ace was followed by the nine of clubs,
Michielsen doubled, ending the auction. Michielsen Michielsen putting in the king in hope of inducing a
cashed a top club then switched to the four of hearts to misguess if the suit was as actually was the case. Sure
dummy’s ace. Senior conceded a club, won the heart enough, Dhondy won the ace and continued with the
return and crossed to hand with a diamond ruff to take jack to Wortel’s queen. Wortel cashed the ace of spades
a club ruff. Next, she ruffed another diamond, low but and there was just the ten of clubs to be lost; ten tricks
Michielsen could over-ruff and cash the heart winner for +130.
and give dummy a second club ruff. She could sit back
now and come to three more trump tricks for down West North East South
three and –500. v Zwol Brock Arnolds Smith
–– — 1] Pass
West North East South 1NT Pass 2] Pass
v Zwol Brock Arnolds Smith 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass
Pass 3{ Pass 5{
All Pass Brock led a spade to the nine and jack and 3NT
essentially depended on the heart position. When
Arnolds did not come in over 3{. Smith saw a heart to the jack lost to the queen, a spade return
potential communication problems in 3NT so raised to meant down one for –50 and 5 IMPs to England. They
5{ instead. This is often a sound approach, but more led by a single IMP, 74-73, with two boards to play.
so when you have a strong hand with only singleton
support for partner’s major-suit pre-empt. I am not
convinced that 5{ was a better shot than 3NT on
the actual deal and on this lay-out 5{ was a disaster.
Arnolds led a spade so Brock could finesse and get rid
of two heart losers, but that still left one heart loser and
the unlucky trump split meant two more losers there
for down one and –100; 12 IMPs to Netherlands. We
had a new leader in the match. With four deals to go,
Netherlands led by 73-69.
Wietske van Zwol
NETHERLANDS

35
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul. 2013 Venice Cup in Bali in a very close encounter.
[ KQ74 Were they to repeat that in Beijing?
] 4
{ J9863 Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
} QJ5 [ Q5
[ A85 [ J 10 9 2 ] AK87
] J75 ] 986 { QJ97
{ AK7 { 42 } J 10 4
} K763 } A 10 9 2 [ J [ 10 7 6 2
[ 63 ] J9532 ] Q 10 4
] A K Q 10 3 2 { A4 { 10 2
{ Q 10 5 } AK732 } 9865
} 84 [ AK9843
] 6
West North East South { K8653
Dhondy Wortel Senior Michielsen } Q
— — — 1]
Dble Rdbl 1[ 2] West North East South
Pass Pass 2[ All Pass Dhondy Wortel Senior Michielsen
1] Pass Pass 1[
Michielsen opened at the one level but her immediate 2} Dble 2] 3{
rebid facing the redouble showed a minimum opening. All Pass
Two Hearts would, of course, have been defeated once
again, but Senior judged to compete with 2[ – surely a English supporters waiting to see the result from the
winner whenever partner held four spades. Michielsen other table, felt that they had little hope – surely the
cashed the ace of hearts and, surprisingly, switched at Dutch would get to one of their making games?
trick two, a club going to the jack and ace. Senior ran Dhondy’s 2} in an auction which is known to
the jack of spades and, when there was no flicker on her belong to the opposition, can occasionally lead to the
left, rose with the ace and played a second round to the concession of a penalty, particularly if partner takes you
queen. Wortel returned a diamond to dummy’s ace and too seriously and over-competes, but it can also lead to
Senior ducked a club, won the diamond continuation a loss of definition in the opposition’s auction. and so
and cashed the king of clubs then took a diamond ruff it proved here. Wortel doubled for take-out and Senior
before exiting with a heart. Wortel ruffed her partner’s gave simple preference to hearts. Now Michielsen
winner and cashed the king of spades and had two bid 3{ freely, thinking that she had shown her extra
diamond winners for down two, –100. playing strength by doing so, and Wortel thought for
quite a while before passing.
West North East South From Wortel’s perspective, her double had implied
v Zwol Brock Arnolds Smith diamonds as that was the only unbid suit, so Michielsen
— — — 2] would compete with 3{ most times that she held four
All Pass cards in the suit, without requiring much in the way of
extra values. I have my own view as to who was the
Smith/Brock play a trash multi, catering to bad more culpable for the missed game but, having learned
weak two openings, and this means that their two of a from past follies, am not going to state here who I think
major openings can be weak but constructive – going dropped the ball and threw away a world championship
up to a minimum opening bid. Here, Smith’s opening event. That might cross me off someone’s Christmas card
silenced everyone. Smith was down in a matter of no list, so all I will say is that 3{ made a comfortable +150.
time. Van Zwol led three rounds of diamonds, giving
her partner a ruff, and Arnolds switched to ace and West North East South
another club. Van Zwol won and wasted no time in v Zwol Brock Arnolds Smith
cashing the ace of spades; down one for –100 and 5 1] Pass Pass 1[
IMPs to Netherlands, back in the lead by 78-74 with Pass 1NT Pass 3[
just one board to go. Pass 4[ All Pass

The Dutch had defeated England in the final of the Though Smith did not guess to pick up spades, she

36
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

had only three losers so quickly chalked up +420 which vulnerable games that your opponents do not bid.
meant 7 IMPs to England who had won by 81-78 IMPs
and were the 2014 Sport Accord World Mind Game Anyhow, here it was an excellent idea to take the
Women’s Bridge Teams champions. save. South led the queen of spades and then collected
a couple of aces, two down, +300. That proved to be
England collected US$24,000, Netherlands 18,000, worth 4/6 for NS.
USA 12,000 & China 6,000.
Board 8. Dealer West. NoneVul.
The Pairs [ 10 8
] Q952
There would be four sessions of 22 deals. { J 10 4 3
} 763
Open Pairs Session 1 [ K753 [ J96
] AJ6 ] K84
A word of explanation. A top on a board was 10 { KQ87 { A965
matchpoints, which will be expressed as 10/0 if it goes } A9 } K 10 5
in the direction of NS, and 0/10 if it is for EW. [ AQ42
Get it? ] 10 7 3
Got it. { 2
Good! } QJ842

Board 2. Dealer East. NS Vul. West North East South


[ A7532 Helgemo Fisher H e l n e s s
] — Schwartz
{ K Q 10 9 8 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass
} 852
[ 9 [ J8 What to lead from the North hand?
] 10 9 6 5 4 2 ] KQ873
{ 5 { 764 Fisher went for the two of hearts and declarer won
} A J 10 9 3 } KQ7 with the jack and played the three of spades for the
[ K Q 10 6 4 eight, nine and queen. He took the heart return with the
] AJ ace and played a spade to the ten, jack and ace. South
{ AJ32 cleared the hearts and declarer cashed his winners for
} 64 +430 and 4/6.

West North East South Winning NT leads (and Winning Trump leads) by
Demuy Lall Kranyak Lee David Bird & Taf Anthias detail a number of outcomes
— — 1] Dble that contradict established theory:
1NT* 4[ 5} 5[ 1. Leading an unsupported ace works much better
6] Pass* Pass Dble than textbooks suggest. These leads very often rank
All Pass as #1.
2. In NT leading an honor from HHxx+ (touching
1NT Transfer honors) works better than the usual 4th best lead.
Pass Forcing, first round control 3. Doubleton and singleton leads also work better
than textbooks suggest. The danger of helping declarer
Sacrificing at pairs is always a thorny problem. setting up a side suit is overrated.
Andrew Robson and Brian Senior penned an excellent 4. Aggressive leads from Kxx or Qxx are very likely
booklet on the best strategy in this phase of the game - to blow a trick.
Matchpointed Pairs - well worth seeking out. 5. Leads from Jxx are almost as safe as leading from
One might observe that going for a huge penalty and xxx and should be preferred to Hxx leads.
scoring a zero might be rectified by making an over trick
on the next board. At IMPs going for -1400 against the There is plenty of debate about this - you can follow
opponents +120 loses you 15 IMPs. In order to get some excellent discussion at:
those back you need to bid and make one and a half www.bridgewinners.com

37
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

What one can say about this deal is that if North had West North East South
led a passive club declarer would have been doing well Shi Wu Zhuang Dong
to take ten tricks (it is still possible but highly unlikely). — — Pass 1NT
Pass 3NT All Pass
Before we leave the deal what should South lead
against 3NT? West led the three of hearts and declarer put up
A spade? dummy’s ten, but won the trick in hand with the jack
A low club? and played a spade to the king and ace. Back came a
A club honour? heart for the nine, queen and ace and declarer played
A heart? a second spade, West winning with the queen and
Answers on a postcard to Sally Brock, who might clearing the hearts. Declarer cashed the ten of spades
use this deal in one of her excellent series of articles on and then played three rounds of clubs, finessing, for
Opening Leads in Bridge Magazine Online. nine tricks, +600.
Three pairs collected +630 so it worth only 4/6.
Board 9. Dealer North. EW Vul.
[ A 10 7 6 Suppose declarer plays on diamonds rather than
] J 10 3 spades?
{ Q97 The 3-3 break ensures nine tricks, and if declarer
} 10 9 6 takes the right view in spades, then as many as eleven
[ 2 [ J984 become possible.
] A9864 ] KQ7
{ J6542 { A K 10 3 Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
} 72 } Q8 [ AKQJ
[ KQ53 ] 7632
] 52 { 10 5
{ 8 } KQ7
} AKJ543 [ 852 [ 94
] AKQ54 ] J 10
West North East South { 32 { AQJ74
Shi Wu Zhuang Dong } A54 } J 10 8 2
— Pass 1NT Pass [ 10 7 6 3
2{* Pass 2]* 3} ] 98
All Pass { K986
} 963
2{ Transfer
West North East South
Would you feel comfortable if your system did not allow Herbst Helness Herbst Helgemo
you to bid on the first round with the South hand? — — — Pass
However, South was happy to come in next time around 1] 1[ Dble 3[
and there were nine easy tricks, +130 being worth 8/2. All Pass

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. Overcalling on the rock solid four card suit proved to
[ K5 be a real winner, as the delightful location of the minor
] A 10 6 suit aces gave declarer an easy route to nine tricks. Two
{ K9742 other pairs managed it, so +140 was worth 8/2.
} A92
[ Q987 [ A4 Board 13 Bertens -Cheek held: [KQ1092 ]J2
] Q7432 ] 85 {K }AK754 opposite [J874 ]A5 {5432 }Q98.
{ Q53 { J 10 8 North opened 1} on [A ]KQ108 {QJ108 }
} 5 } Q 10 8 7 6 4 J1032 and South responded 1{, a transfer to hearts.
[ J 10 6 3 2 West overcalled 1[ and when North raised to 2]
] KJ9 East bid 3[, which ended the auction. Missing the
{ A6 game proved to be dreadful, +170 being worth only
} KJ3 8/2.

38
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul. On Board 19 Lee/Lall held


[ 10 [A982 ]AK754 {965 }A opposite
] 763 [105 ]J98 {AKQJ72 }73.
{ J943 When South (Shi) opend 1{ they bid 1]-2{*-2[-4].
} Q J 10 7 4 South held [KQ4 ]Q1063 {83 }KJ62 so in
[ 64 [ AQ953 theory all the tricks were available. Declarer recorded
] J85 ] Q942 +650, 4/6. One pair bid 6{, which is excellent unless
{ K876 { Q 10 5 South leads a spade, and took all the tricks, as did the
} AK98 } 6 declarer in the Women’s event who reached the giddy
[ KJ872 heights of 7{.
] A K 10
{ A2 Drop the Dead Donkey
} 532
Open Pairs 2
West North East South
Padon Cheek Birman Bertens Drop the Dead Donkey is a situation comedy that first
— — 1[ 1NT aired on Channel 4 in the UK between 1990 and 1998.
Dble Rdbl* 2] Pass It is set in the offices of “GlobeLink News”, a fictional
Pass 2[* Pass 3} TV news company. Recorded close to transmission,
Dble All Pass it made use of contemporary news events to give the
programme a greater sense of realism. The series began
Rdbl A five card suit with the acquisition of GlobeLink by media mogul Sir
2[ Take out Roysten Merchant, an allusion to either Robert Maxwell
or Rupert Murdoch.
Not a triumph for NS. The series is mostly based on the on-going battle
West led the five of hearts, after which declarer between the staff of GlobeLink, led by editor George
managed to scramble seven tricks. +300 was a top for Dent, as they try to maintain the company as a
NS, 10/0. serious news organisation, and Sir Roysten’s right-
hand man Gus Hedges, trying to make the show more
Board 18. Dealer East. NS Vul. sensationalist and suppress stories that might harm Sir
[ AJ95 Roysten’s business empire.
] 10 8 4 In the Bulletin we are sometimes tempted to suppress
{ QJ765 the details of a story in order to preserve the reputations
} 6 of the guilty parties, but we have a duty to our readers
[ 10 3 2 [ Q764 (and in any event our minimum bribe level for silence is
] KJ2 ] 63 a good bottle of wine).
{ — { 10 9 8 3 2 I might also mention that my choice of title was partly
} AQJ8543 } K 10 inspired by the excellent dish of donkey that we enjoyed
[ K8 on Sunday night.
] AQ975
{ AK4 Join me now for the highs and lows of the second
} 972 session.

West North East South


Padon Cheek Birman Bertens
— — Pass 1NT
3} Dble* Pass 4]
Dble All Pass

Dble Takeout

West speculated with a double.


Declarer lost a club and two hearts for +790, 0/10,
averaging out the round.

39
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. clearly impossible for East to go back to spades.
[ A J 10 7 South led the ace of clubs and switched to the nine
] Q94 of spades. Declarer won with dummy’s ace, cashed the
{ A J 10 top diamonds pitching his clubs and went ‘all in’ by
} 10 8 6 playing three rounds of hearts. When south discarded
[ Q642 [ 95 on the third round declarer was four down, -400, a
] A 10 8 5 3 2 ] K76 predictable 10/0.
{ Q53 { 94
} — } AQ5432 Board 6. Dealer East. EW Vul.
[ K83 [ A87
] J ] 10 9 6 3
{ K8762 { K Q 10
} KJ97 } KJ3
[ KQJ3 [ 10 6 4
West North East South ] KQJ7 ] A8542
Shi Herbst Zhuang Herbst { 983 { 542
— 1}* Pass 1[* } 10 8 } 52
Pass 1NT Pass Pass [ 952
2] Pass Pass 3} ] —
Dble* 3{ Dble All Pass { AJ76
} AQ9764
1} 3+} (only if 4333) 11-21
1[ Transfer to diamonds West North East South
Dble Take out Ju Birman Shi Padon
Pass 2}*
East led the six of hearts and West won with the ace Dble Rdbl 2] 3{
and returned the four of spades. Declarer won with the Pass 3]* Pass 3[
jack and ran the ten of diamonds to West’s queen. he Pass 4} Pass 4{
won the spade return with the ten, drew trumps and Pass 4[* Pass 6}
ran the eight of clubs, claiming an overtrick and +570. All Pass
An unsurprising 10/0.
2} Precision
Board 14. Dealer West. All Vul. 4[ Cue bid
[ K 10 6
] Q973 West led the king of hearts and declarer ruffed and
{ J64 played the ace of clubs and a club to the king, claiming
} K97 when the trumps broke, +920 and 9/1.
[ A4 [ J87532 If the trumps had been 3-1 declarer has the entries to
] J842 ] AK5 complete a dummy reversal, ruffing three more hearts
{ A K Q 10 5 2 { 3 in hand.
} 10 } Q63 On a spade lead declarer needs the trumps to 2-2, as
[ Q9 a vital entry has been removed.
] 10 6
{ 987 On Board 8 EW held
} AJ8542 [A9 ]K963 {8742 }AK4 opposite
[K63 ]A4 {AKQ95 }Q109.
West North East South
Herbst Cheek Herbst Bertens Only Demuy/Kranyak managed to reach 7{ for a
1{ Pass 1[ Pass deserved 0/10.
3{ Pass 3] Pass
4] All Pass

When West rebid 3{ East felt obliged to bid 3] []{}


rather than 3[ and when West raised to game it was

40
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 11. Dealer South. NoneVul. Having produced a masterful auction to reach the
[ QJ grand slam on Board 8 the Americans fell from grace
] A54 on this deal. They play a complex system which they
{ 82 know well, but something went wrong here.
} AKJ765 6{ was three down, a predictable 0/10.
[ A K 10 3 [ 9742
] 10 8 7 6 ] QJ2 On Board 16 NS’s combined holding was
{ AKQ { 96543 [Q96 ]A864 {AK64 }A2 facing
} Q8 } 3 [AK104 ]97 {Q9532 }76. 6{ is playable, as
[ 865 unless trumps are 4-0 you only need the spades to
] K93 come in, a 61.6% chance.
{ J 10 7
} 10 9 4 2 Board 21. Dealer North. NS Vul.
[ AK6
West North East South ] 7632
Lee Multon Lall Zimmermann { 10 2
— — — Pass } Q983
1{ 2} 3{* 4} [ QJ972 [ 10 5 4
Dble All Pass ] K 10 8 4 ] AQ5
{ 875 { K6
Declarer lost the obvious tricks to finish two down, } 5 } J 10 7 6 4
-300 and although EW would be forced to make 4[ if [ 83
they bid it was a predictable disaster, 0/10. ] J9
{ AQJ943
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul. } AK2
[ A
] Q8642 West North East South
{ A Q 10 Helgemo Shi Helness Zhuang
} A 10 8 5 — Pass Pass 1{
[ J95 [ K 10 8 6 4 1[ Dble* 2{* 3{
] 10 7 5 3 ] — All Pass
{ 642 { J953
} Q63 } KJ42 Declarer took the eleven tricks that were available,
[ Q732 but three pairs bid 3NT, so +150 was worth only 2/8.
] AKJ9
{ K87
} 97

West North East South


Multon Demuy Zimmermann Kranyak
— 1}* 1[ 1NT*
Pass 2{* Pass 2]
Pass 3NT Pass 4{
Pass 4] Pass 5}
Pass 5{ Pass 5NT
Pass 6{ All Pass

41
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Vul. The Phantom Menace


[ Q 10 8
] J9765 Open Pairs F3
{ Q J 10
} K7 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999
[ A9 [ 632 American epic space opera film written and directed
] A Q 10 4 ] K82 by George Lucas. It is the fourth film in the Star Wars
{ 6 { AK9742 saga to be released, the first of a three-part prequel to
} A J 10 9 8 4 } 6 the original Star Wars trilogy, and the first film in the
[ KJ754 story chronology.
] 3 At the bridge table everyone is aware of the dangers
{ 853 of a phantom sacrifice - let’s see if they played any part
} Q532 in the third session.

West North East South Board 2. Dealer East. NS Vul.


Helgemo Shi Helness Zhuang [ KQ765
— — 1{ Pass ] Q9
2} Pass 2{ Pass { 10 9 4 3
2] Pass 3{ Pass } A3
3NT Pass 4] All Pass [ J984 [ 10
] AJ54 ] K 10 7
North led the seven of hearts and declarer put in { 752 { KJ6
dummy’s eight. When that held he played a club to } 86 } K Q J 10 9 2
the ace, ruffed a club and cashed the top diamonds [ A32
pitching a spade. Its easy to see there are ten tricks ] 8632
now - a spade to the ace, ruff a club, ruff a spade, but { AQ8
declarer wanted more. He played for hearts to break } 754
by cashing the king. Now there were only nine tricks,
-100 and only 6/4. Birman and Padon also reached West North East South
4] and made it for 0/10. Multon Fantoni Zimmermann Nunes
— — 1} Pass
To my untutored eye it seems that there is a good 1{* 1[ Dble* 2]*
case for settling for ten tricks, as you can see you have Pass 2[ 3} Pass
avoided a 3NT contract that would probably attract a Pass 3[ Pass Pass
spade lead, which will either beat the contract or hold Dble Pass 4} Dble
declarer to nine tricks, depending on how the spade All Pass
break.
If EW miss the title by 5 matchpoints should I remind 1{ Transfer to hearts
declarer about this deal? Dble Heart support
2] Spade support

When his partner doubled 3[ East decided to run.


South cashed the ace of spades and continued with
the three, covered by the eight and king and ruffed by
declarer, who played a club to the eight and ace and
then covered North’s switch to the ten of diamonds
with the jack, South winning with the queen.
Now exiting with a trump is sure to lead to at least
one down, but South played another spade, covered by
the nine and queen and ruffed by declarer, who drew
trumps, played a heart to the ace, pitched a diamond
on the jack of spades, played a heart to the king and
Geir Helgemo then cashed his remaining trump to squeeze South in
MONACO the red suits.

42
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

One down would have been a zero for EW, but +510 Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
was, unsurprisingly 0/10. [ 72
] 764
Board 6. Dealer East. EW Vul.
{ KQ3
[ K 10 8 2
} Q 10 9 7 5
] K 10 8 7 5 3
[ 3 [ A96
{ A6
] 952 ] AKJ83
} 9
{ A762 { J98
[ 5 [ Q7
} A8432 } K6
] Q9 ] A62
[ K Q J 10 8 5 4
{ Q 10 9 8 7 { J5432
] Q 10
} QJ743 } 865
{ 10 5 4
[ AJ9643
} J
] J4
{ K
West North East South
} A K 10 2
Dong Fantoni Wu Nunes
West North East South — Pass 1}* 3[
Demuy Fantoni Kranyak Nunes Dble* Pass 4] Pass
— — Pass 1[* Pass 4[ Dble All Pass
Pass 2]* Pass 2[
Pass 3[ Pass 3NT* 1} Strong
Pass 4}* Pass 4{*
Pass 4]* Pass 4NT* Declarer lost the obvious five tricks, two down, -500.
Pass 5{* Pass 6}* EW +620 was recorded at every other table, 10/0.
Pass 6[ All Pass
Board 16. Dealer West. EW Vul.
1[ 14+ (good 12/13) 5+[ or [ KJ643
11-13 with 5+[ and 4]. ] KJ42
2] 5+] game forcing { 52
3NT Serious slam try } 98
4} Cue bid [ 8 [ Q
4{ Cue bid ] 873 ] 96
4] Cue bid { Q93 { A J 10 8 7 6 4
4NT Turbo } Q 10 7 6 5 3 } AKJ
[ A 10 9 7 5 2
If you have only recently joined become a subsciber ] A Q 10 5
Turbo may be new to you. { K
This convention was originally designed to be } 42
employed with Neapolitan cue bids, which show a first
or second round control after a fit has been established. West North East South
It became part of the Blue Club system developed by Dong Fantoni Wu Nunes
Benito Garozzo. Pass Pass 1{ 1[
The fundamental concept of Turbo is that the partner Pass 2NT* 4{ 4[
bids 4NT to show an even number of keycards. This 5{ 5[ All Pass
only happens after a cuebid showing a first or second
round control. A bid higher than 4NT promises an odd 2NT Spade raise
number of keycards and also first-round control in the
suit bid. Three NS pairs made 4[ for +420, another made
it doubled for +590 and one pair collected +500 from
6[ was reached at every table and made easily on 5{ doubled.
the lead of a diamond (3 times) a club and a spade. 5[ was one down, so 0/10.
That left this table where West produced the nine of
hearts. When declarer put up dummy’s king he was []{}
one down - 0/10.

43
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 18. Dealer East. NS Vul. diamonds and playing a second round of the suit,
[ 754 holding declarer to ten tricks, +620. That was 8/2.
] Q 10 9
{ A765 Board 21. Dealer North. NS Vul.
} 875 [ Q 10
[ KQ62 [ A 10 9 ] 10 8 7 4
] K854 ] A732 { 74
{ 10 9 { J8432 } J8762
} KQ3 } 2 [ KJ754 [ A963
[ J83 ] 65 ] 9
] J6 { A982 { K 10 5 3
{ KQ } KQ } 9543
} A J 10 9 6 4 [ 82
] AKQJ32
West North East South { QJ6
Helgemo Fantoni Helness Nunes } A 10
— — Pass 2}*
Dble 3} Dble* All Pass West North East South
Shi Fantoni Zhuang Nunes
2} 10-13 (good 9) 5+} unbalanced — Pass Pass 1]*
in 3rd seat could be weaker and 1[ 3]* 3[ 4]
maximum 12 (13) 4[ Pass Pass Dble
All Pass
West led the ten of diamonds and declarer won with
the king and played the ace of clubs, followed by the North led the eight of hearts and South won, cashed
jack. West took the queen, East discarding the two of the ace of clubs and exited with a club. Declarer won,
hearts. According to the datum, declarer took only five played a spade to the ten and ace and then finessed on
tricks, -1100, for 0/10 (if it was six it would have saved a the next round. That was one down and 10/0.
match point, 1/9, which can sometimes be significant). What a pity - that would have been the perfect
Phantom - a sacrifice that makes.
Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
[ Q653 No Country for Old Men
] K54
{ 5 Open Pairs F4
} J 10 8 4 2
[ K J 10 7 4 [ A8 Sailing to Byzantium is a poem by William Butler
] 10 9 3 ] AQ876 Yeats, first published in the 1928 collection The
{ 974 { K Q J 10 6 Tower. It comprises four stanzas in ottava rima, each
} A5 } Q made up of eight ten-syllable lines. It uses a journey
[ 92 to Constantinople (Byzantium) as a metaphor for a
] J2 spiritual journey. Yeats explores his thoughts and
{ A832 musings on how immortality, art, and the human spirit
} K9763 may converge. Through the use of various poetic
techniques, Yeats describes the metaphorical journey
West North East South of a man pursuing his own vision of eternal life as well
Helgemo Fantoni Helness Nunes as his conception of paradise.
Pass Pass 1] Pass The first line of the poem is ‘That is no country for old
1[ Pass 3{ Pass men’, and the 2007 film set in the vicinity of the United
3] Pass 4] All Pass States-Mexico border, in 1980, concerning an illegal
drug deal gone awry in the Texas desert backcountry
South led the three of clubs and when declarer won derived its title from the poem.
with dummy’s ace North contributed the jack. Declarer I cannot tell you if the life of a bridge player in any
ran the ten of hearts to South’s jack and South now way replicates the concepts outlined in the poem, but
found the devastating play of cashing the ace of the winning of a major championship must surely be

44
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

part of the spiritual journey that every professional Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul.
player undertakes over the years. [ KQ5
My choice of tile was predicated by the fact that one ] KQ6
needs nerves of steel to take the many risks that seem { J 10 6 5
to be associated with a Pairs event. } A 10 6
Perhaps older (and wiser?) players are reluctant to [ 10 6 4 [ AJ7
take as many as they might have done earlier in their ] 94 ] A 10 8 2
careers, making the Pairs game No Country for Old { A7 { Q842
Men. } QJ9875 } K2
[ 9832
When the last session started only a handful of match ] J753
points separated the leading pairs. { K93
} 43
Board 2. Dealer East. NS Vul.
[ J7 West North East South
] AQ9765 Zimmermann Kranyak Multon Demuy
{ Q863 — — — Pass
} 8 Pass 1NT Pass 2}*
[ KQ94 [ A 10 8 6 5 3 Dble 2{* Pass 2]
] 83 ] J Pass Pass Dble Pass
{ AJ7 { 10 9 Pass 2[ Dble All Pass
} A 10 7 4 } Q962
[ 2 2} Stayman
] K 10 4 2 2{ No major
{ K542
} KJ53 East led the king of clubs and when declarer ducked
he continued the suit. Declarer won and ran the jack
West North East South of diamonds. West ducked that, won the next diamond
Zimmermann Kranyak Multon Demuy with the ace and played the queen of clubs. East pitched
— — 2{* Pass the two of hearts and declarer ruffed and played a heart
2]* Pass 2[ Dble to the king and ace. The eight of diamonds return was
Pass 4] Pass Pass ruffed by West and he returned his remaining heart.
4[ 5] All Pass Declarer won with dummy’s jack and played a spade to
the queen, but East took the ace and played back the
2{ Multi ten of hearts for West to ruff.
2] Pass or correct That elegant defence put the contract two down,
-300, 3/7.
West adopted a subtle approach designed to persuade
his opponents that he was sacrificing. However, when
they refused to accept the bait he should perhaps have
taken the slight risk of doubling 5].
East led the ace of spades and switched to the jack of
hearts. Declarer won with dummy’s king, came to hand
with the ace of hearts, ruffed a spade and played the
three of clubs. When West went up with the ace he had
endplayed himself and declarer escaped for one down,
-100 and a maximum 10/0.

Two pairs doubled 5] and collected+500 for 1/9


each.

[]{} Franck Multon


MONACO

45
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 6. Dealer East. EW Vul. of hearts, covered by the jack and ruffed. A spade to
[ Q 32 the ace was followed by the ace of hearts pitching a
] J7 diamond and the seven of hearts for a ruffing finesse
{ K 10 7 3 against South’s eight.
} A876 It was neat way to record ten tricks, but a modest
[ A K 10 6 [ 985 result, 6/4 as two pairs took eleven tricks.
] 10 9 4 ] Q632 Notice the text book situation in the club suit - if
{ 84 { AJ6 declarer plays a club at some point North is supposed
} QJ42 } K 10 9 to put up the king.
[ J74
] AK85 On Board 13 (is it just my imagination or does this
{ Q952 deal enjoy more than its fair share of drama?) NS held
} 53 [- ]K10753 {AKJ642 }103 and [A4 ]AJ962
{109 }AKJ9. One pair missed 7], but it was not a
West North East South zero, that honour going to the pair who tried 7NT and
Demuy Fisher Kranyak Schwartz found no joy in either minor suit.
— — Pass Pass
Pass 1{ Pass 1] When the last round started the title seemed to rest
Dble Pass 1NT Dble between Helgeness and the brothers Herbst.
All Pass
Board 18. Dealer East. NS Vul.
In the (good?) old days this deal would have been [ A43
consigned to history with everyone passing. ] J874
South led the five of diamonds and declarer took { KQ82
North’s king with the ace and ran the ten of clubs to } KQ
North’s ace. The defenders cashed three diamonds and [ K 10 9 5 2 [ 87
South switched to the four of spades. Declarer had no ] A 10 6 5 2 ] Q9
chance of more than six tricks, one down, 200 and 8/2, { — { J 10 9 5
the top going to the Herbst brothers, who made 1NT } 972 } A J 10 4 3
doubled with an overtrick on the NS cards for +280. [ QJ6
] K3
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul. { A7643
[ 10 3 } 865
] 10 2
{ AQ9743 West North East South
} K 10 5 Helgemo Shi Helness Zhuang
[ KJ6542 [ A87 — — Pass Pass
] 5 ] AQ976 1[ Dble 2} 3{
{ J62 { 8 4} Pass Pass Dble
} 432 } AJ97 All Pass
[ Q9
] KJ843 South led the king of hearts and declarer won with
{ K 10 5 dummy’s ace, played a heart to the queen and a spade,
} Q86 covered by the queen, king and ace. North switched to the
king of clubs and declarer won and played his remaining
West North East South spade. South took the jack and played a club to North’s
Demuy Fisher Kranyak Schwartz queen. Now the obvious move is for North to play a
2[ Pass 4[ All Pass diamond, forcing dummy to ruff and ensuring two down.
However, after some thought North found the disastrous
North led the ten of hearts and declarer elected to put play of the jack of hearts. Declarer ruffed high, crossed to
in dummy’s queen. South took the king and switched dummy with a trump and could discard all his diamond on
to the queen of spades. Declarer won with the king the three good spades and the ten of hearts.
and played a diamond and South won with the ten and A huge slice of luck for EW who collected 0/10
returned the five. Declarer ruffed and played the nine instead of 10/0.

46
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

However, when the last board settled on the table it


was the Monegasques led by only a single point. One for All, All for One

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.


[ 532 Open Individual 1
] 4
{ AK72 One for all, all for one is the motto of Alexander
} KQ874 Dumas’ Three Musketeers (and the traditional motto of
[ K 10 7 6 [ QJ98 Switzerland. It is singularly appropriate for an Individual
] J 10 ] A983 event, where the players join forces to play a common
{ Q J 10 9 3 { 86 system and produce a single winner.
} 53 } 10 9 6
[ A4 The methods in force for everyone were 5 card
] KQ7652 majors with a 15-17 NT, weak twos in three suits and
{ 54 standard signals with 3/5th leads against suits and 4th
} AJ2 best versus no trumps.

West North East South Board 11. Dealer North. None Vul.
Helgemo Shi Helness Zhuang [ 982
Pass 1} Pass 1{ ] 7
Pass 1NT Pass 2{ { KQ76
Dble Pass Pass 3] } Q9872
Pass 3NT All Pass [ J 10 7 3 [ A654
] KQ865 ] A93
East led the queen of spades, but with spades 4-4 { A42 { 85
declarer could set up a heart for a ninth trick, +600. } A } K J 10 3
Two pairs duplicated that result, one went down in [ KQ
6} and another in 7NT doubled! ] J 10 4 2
At the table that mattered the Herbst brothers played { J 10 9 3
in 4] and went one down. That gave them only 3/7, } 654
but Helgeness’s -600 was worth only 8/2, so incredibly
the scores were tied. West North East South
Herbst Lee Zimmermann Kranyak
Both pairs collected gold medals and US$9000, with — — 1} Pass
Lall/Lee receiving $7,000. 1] Pass 1[ Pass
4[ All Pass
In the Women’s Pairs Michielsen/Wortel’s win gave
them US$8,000, Ran/Wang collected $6,000 and South led the jack of diamonds and declarer won
Wang/Lu $5,000. with dummy’s ace, unblocked the ace of clubs, crossed
to the ace of hearts, pitched a diamond on the king
of clubs, and ran the jack of clubs throwing dummy’s
remaining diamond. North took that and returned the
eight of clubs. South ruffed with the king of spades,
returned the jack of hearts for North to ruff and the last
club enabled South to score the setting trick with the
queen of spades, +50 and 9/1.
In passing I’ll mention that one way to tackle this
trump suit is to play the jack and run it if it is not
covered. Assuming that loses you cash the ace on the
next round, avoiding two losers 27% of the time.

[]{}
Zejun Zhuang
CHINA

47
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul. more esoteric examples.


[ QJ8765 The theorists can debate the situation if North doubled
] Q872 intending to bid 5{ over a possible 5} response by
{ 4 partner.
} J5 Note that if North passes then South might well take
[ 3 [ AK92 some action.
] J543 ] A 10 6 North cashed the king of spades and switched to
{ A K 10 6 5 { Q82 the seven of clubs which must be the right defence - if
} A63 } K Q 10 declarer has eight hearts and three spades then playing
[ 10 4 a trump will not stop any ruffs in dummy.
] K9 +500 was 10/0 - remarkably 11 tricks were made
{ J973 at all the other tables (twice when the contract was 5]
} 98742 doubled).

West North East South Board 9. Dealer North. EW Vul.


Herbst Lee Zimmermann Kranyak [ J 10 4
— — — Pass ] 652
1{ 3[ Dble* Pass { KJ954
4] Pass 6NT All Pass } 53
[ A2 [ KQ75
South led the ten of spades and declarer won with the ] J943 ] A 10 7
king, cashed the queen of diamonds, played a diamond { 732 { Q8
to the ace, a club to the king and two more diamonds. } Q972 } AJ86
North pitching the two of hearts, the five of spades and [ 9863
the eight of hearts. ] KQ8
Declarer continued with a club to the jack and queen, { A 10 6
a club to the ace and the last diamond followed by a } K 10 4
heart to the ten, South winning and cashing the nine of
clubs for one down, +100 and 2/8. West North East South
One declarer went two down in 6NT the others all Dong Lee Shi Shi
taking twelve tricks (although two stopped in 3NT). — 2{ Dble 3{
3] All Pass
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
[ AK53 North’s opening bid (of which your Editors thoroughly
] 7 approve) saw EW go overboard.
{ K J 10 8 7 2 North led the four of diamonds and South won with
} 73 the ace and returned the ten, North winning with the
[ 982 [ Q king and switching to the four of spades (a club is best,
] K Q J 10 9 6 4 3 ] A82 ensuring two down) . Declarer won with the ace and
{ — { A953 played a heart to the ten and king, South returning a
} J6 } K 10 9 8 5 spade to dummy’s king. Declarer cashed the queen of
[ J 10 7 6 4 spades pitching a diamond and then played the ace of
] 5 hearts and a heart, South winning with the queen and
{ Q64 playing the eight of spades. Declarer ruffed and played
} AQ42 a club to the jack and king, South’s diamond return
giving North the last three tricks.
West North East South I make that four down, -400, but even the three down
Dong Lee Shi Shi that appears on the datum was more than enough for
— — — Pass 10/0.
4] 4[ 5] 5[
6] Dble All Pass
[]{}
I have seen it written that opening 4] operates as a
transfer to 4[ by the opponents. Here was one of the

48
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. On Board 13 South held (at game all)
[ K Q 10 [Q7642 ]108 {102 }AKQ4 and saw partner
] A K Q 10 open 3{. East overcalled 3].
{ 54 Your bid?
} KQ74 South tried 4{ and found partner with
[ 876432 [ J95 [98 ]KJ3 {KJ87543 }10.
] 8 ] J62 3] was making , but 4{ was three down, -300 and
{ K J 10 { 3 0/10.
} 963 } A J 10 8 5 2
[ A Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
] 97543 [ AJ63
{ AQ98762 ] Q 10 7 5
} — { 10
} AKJ5
West North East South [ Q84 [ 10 9 7
Fantoni Lee Birman Helness ] K84 ] J932
— — Pass 1{ { AQ6 { J87
Pass 1] 2} 4}* } Q987 } 10 6 2
Pass 4NT* Pass 5NT* [ K52
Pass 7] All Pass ] A6
{ K95432
4} Splinter } 43
5NT 2 key cards and a void
West North East South
With the diamond king offside this had to go one Helgemo Lee Herbst Padon
down, -100. However, with two pairs attempting 6NT — — Pass Pass
(and one 6{) it proved to be worth 7/3. 1} 1NT Pass 3NT
Maybe the answer is for North to bid 4[? Then All Pass
South could ask for key cards and bid 6} over North’s
response (gambling that North has the ]AKQ) which East led the two of hearts and West won with the
should locate a second round diamond control? king and returned the eight to dummy’s ace. With West
Anyhow it’s not often that you go down in a freely bid marked with most of the missing high cards declarer
grand slam and score over average. played a spade to the jack, a spade to the king, a club
to the jack, cashed all his winners and exited with a
club forcing West to surrender a trick to the king of
diamonds, +430, but only 5/5 as one EW got caught in
1] doubled for -800 while one declarer scored +460.

On Board 18 North (at red) was looking at


[J84 ]9865 {972 }A75.
East opened 3] and partner doubled.
Your move?
Nothing obvious springs to mind, so North (in
common with the action at three other tables) decided
to pass.
Partner held
[AKQ2 ]104 {A10 }K10842 and declarer
[- ]AQJ732 {86543 }Q6.
Declare ruffed the spade lead and played a diamond.
South took it with the ace and returned a diamond, a
soft defence that gave declarer an easy route to nine
tricks and 2/10 (two others recorded +530). But if
Tor Helness South had played a second spade declarer would have
MONACO been struggling to take more than eight tricks.

49
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul. Would West have led the nine of hearts against 3NT
[ A if South had bid it immediately? We will never know,
] J 10 but 3NT was made four times, once with a overtrick,
{ 8764 the leads being the [4 (+430) the ]9 and the }7
} QJ6543 (twice).
[ Q 10 9 5 4 2 [ J6
] K ] A86532 Absolute Zero
{ AKQ3 { J9
} AK } 10 8 7 Open Individual S2
[ K873
] Q974 As the tournament drew to a close it was pretty cold in
{ 10 5 2 Beijing but still a long way short of absolute zero which is
} 92 the lower limit of the thermodynamic temperature scale,
a state at which the enthalpy and entropy of a cooled
West North East South ideal gas reaches its minimum value, taken as 0. The
Zimmermann Lee Lall Multon theoretical temperature is determined by extrapolating
1[ Pass 1NT Pass the ideal gas law; by international agreement, absolute
3{ Pass 3] Pass zero is taken as −273.15 on the Celsius scale.
3NT All Pass
It is much easier to record an absolute zero at the
Offered a choice of two suits East introduced his own, bridge table, as you will see from my review of the
which looks reasonable but when West bid 3NT he second session of the Open Individual.
stood his ground rather than bid 4[.
South led the four of hearts and declarer won perforce Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.
with dummy’s king and played a spade. North took the [ A52
ace and decided to switch to the three of clubs, turning ] J83
a top into a bottom, 1/9. { A3
} K 10 9 5 4
Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul. [ KJ963 [ 10 8 7 4
[ 10 ] A2 ] K97
] KJ3 { J874 { 52
{ AQJ6532 } A8 } J632
} 95 [ Q
[ AJ94 [ Q753 ] Q 10 6 5 4
] 982 ] A Q 10 6 { K Q 10 9 6
{ 10 9 { 8 } Q7
} J762 } K 10 8 3
[ K862 West North East South
] 754 Helgemo Dong Multon Fisher
{ K74 — — — Pass
} AQ4 1[ Pass 2[ Pass
Pass 3} All Pass
West North East South
Schwartz Lee Wu Herbst NS do very well in hearts, so playing in 3} was not
Pass 1{ Dble Rdbl a triumph.
1[ Pass Pass Dble Could South have risked a bid on the second round?
Pass 2{ 2[ 3NT Would it have made a difference?
All Pass East led the ten of spades and declarer took West’s
king with the ace, ruffed a spade, played a diamond
West led the nine of hearts and East took the jack to the ace, and then two more diamonds pitching a
with the queen and switched to the seven of spades. spade. East ruffed and played the king of hearts and
When declarer put up the king West won and returned a heart, West winning and playing a diamond. There
the eight of hearts, so the defenders had soon amassed was no way to avoid two down now, and -200 was
the first eight tricks, +200 and 1/9. 0/10.

50
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. and he innocently returned a diamond declarer could
[ A 10 8 dispose of his losing club for a valuable overtrick, +650
] A 10 and 10/0.
{ QJ982
} J84 Board 16. Dealer West. EW Vul.
[ K73 [ J9 [ A96
] K ] QJ742 ] J983
{ 753 { AK64 { Q94
} A Q 10 9 7 5 } 63 } A85
[ Q 6 542 [ 10 7 4 2 [ KQ8
] 98653 ] A6 ] KQ54
{ 10 { 765 { A 10 8 2
} K2 } K743 } 10 6
[ J53
West North East South ] 10 7 2
Ju Fantoni Herbst Bertens { KJ3
— — 1] Pass } QJ92
2} Pass 2{ Pass
2[ Pass 2NT Pass West North East South
3NT All Pass Schwartz Ju Dong Nunes
Pass Pass 1{ Pass
South led the four of spades and when North put 1[ Pass Pass 2}
in the ten (I would say it is near impossible for North Pass Pass Dble All Pass
to find the winning defence of rising with the ace and
switching to diamonds) declarer won with the jack and EW probably won’t make 1NT, whereas in theory
played a club to the ten and jack. North cashed the ace they can take eight tricks in spades. A player brought
of hearts and exited with a heart and declarer won, up on Acol would raise 1[ to 2[, but that is not de
cashed another heart and played a club for the king and rigueur in the land of the five card major.
ace. Now cashing the clubs squeezed North in spades When South reopened East elected to double rather
and diamonds for eleven tricks, +660 and 0/10. than bid 2[, which should have put his side on the
road to a top.
Board 15. Dealer South. NS Vul. West led the five of diamonds (a spade is the killer,
[ K Q 10 7 6 3 probably leading to two down) and East put in the
] A97 eight, declarer winning with the jack and playing a
{ K 10 5 heart. East won with king and switched to the king of
} 6 spades. Declarer won with dummy’s ace and played
[ 82 [ 5 a diamond, East taking the ace, cashing the queen of
] K82 ] Q 10 6 4 3 spades and exiting with the eight to declarer’s jack. The
{ A72 { J64 queen of clubs took the next trick and declarer exited
} K9752 } A J 10 4 with a heart to West’s ace.
[ AJ94 When West exited with a spade rather than a low club
] J5 declarer pitched a heart from dummy and when East
{ Q983 ruffed with the ten of clubs he overruffed and exited
} Q83 with a heart. West had to lead a club and declarer was
home, +180 and 10/0.
West North East South
Zimmermann Helgemo Cheek Kranyak
— — — Pass
Pass 1[ Pass 3[
Pass 4[ All Pass

East led the four of hearts for the five, king and ace
and declarer drew trumps and played a heart to East’s
queen. The four of diamonds was taken by West’s ace

51
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 21. Dealer North. NS Vul. Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
[ AJ6 [ A J 10 9 5
] Q7 ] AJ94
{ KQJ5 { AK7
} QJ97 } 9
[ 2 [ 10 9 5 4 [ 63 [ K82
] A42 ] 10 8 6 5 ] K76 ] 10 8 3 2
{ 10 9 8 6 { A432 { J942 { Q 10 8
} A6432 } 10 } Q654 } 872
[ KQ873 [ Q74
] KJ93 ] Q5
{ 7 { 653
} K85 } A K J 10 3

West North East South West North East South


Schwartz Ju Dong Nunes Birman Schwartz Helgemo Helness
— 1NT Pass 2}* — — — 1}
Pass 2{* Pass 3]* Pass 1[ Pass 1NT
Pass 3[ Pass 4[ Pass 2{* Pass 2[
All Pass Pass 4NT* Pass 5{*
Pass 5]* Pass 6}*
3] 4] and 5[, forcing Pass 6[ All Pass

East led his club and the defenders quickly wrapped 2{ Forcing relay
up the first five tricks, }A, club ruff, {A, ]A and 5{ One key card
another club ruff. With the rest of the field taking ten or 6} }K and [Q
eleven tricks in 3NT -200 was 0/10.
East led the three of hearts and declarer won with the
On Board 22 EW held nine, cashed dummy’s top clubs pitching a diamond,
[A643 ]A943 {KQJ87 }- opposite ran the queen of hearts, played a spade to the jack,
[K72 ]KJ8 {A103 }QJ106 ruffed the jack of hearts with the queen of spades and
Only one pair attempted 6{, which delivered all played a spade to the ten and king.
thirteen tricks When East played the eight of hearts declarer must
(South had [QJ95 ]652 {52 }AK52) for a have feared he had been the victim of another Helgemo
maximum. brilliancy, but West’s discard meant he could claim,
+1430 and 9/1.

52
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Top Gear to the matchpoints was to get three tricks.


When West led a low heart declarer was +660 for 8/2.
Open Individual S3
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
Top Gear is a British television series about motor [ K Q J 10 7
vehicles, primarily cars, and is the most widely ] Q J 10 6
watched factual television programme in the world. It { 10 4
began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine } QJ
programme. Over time, and especially since a relaunch [ 843 [ A2
in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous and ] 7 ] K98
sometimes controversial style. The programme is { K876 { AQ32
currently presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard } A 10 9 7 3 } 8542
Hammond and James May, and has featured three [ 965
different test drivers known as The Stig. ] A5432
When the last session started it was very likely that { J95
the medals lay between Geir Helgemo, Tor Helness } K6
and Ilan Herbst.
The question was which of them would take the West North East South
chequered flag. Zhuang Helness Dong Fantoni
Pass 1[ Dble 2[
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. 3} Pass Pass 3[
[ 8542 Dble All Pass
] K92
{ QJ52 East led the two of clubs and West took the ace and
} 10 6 switched to the seven of hearts for the queen, king and
[ A Q 10 6 [ J973 ace. A spade went to the king and ace and West ruffed
] 3 ] AQ7 the return of the nine of hearts, played a diamond
{ K 10 8 4 { A7 to East’s queen, ruffed the heart return and played a
} K873 } AQ95 diamond, two down, -300 and a dreadful 9/1 for the
[ K leader.
] J 10 8 6 5 4
{ 963 On Board 9 Helness was declarer in 4] with
} J42 [K6 ]Q9765 {KQ10 }K86 facing
[5 ]AJ1084 {A754 }J72.
West North East South He did not take the trump finesse and with East
Padon Shi Cheek Dong holding [A109743 ]K2 {J93 }Q9 scoring only
1{ Pass 1[ Pass +420 was worth only 2/8.
2[ Pass 3NT Pass
4] Dble Rdbl Pass
4[ All Pass

That seemed quite a bad miss - once West bid 4]


I expected East to take another bid with every suit
controlled as well as the certainty that the heart king
was onside.
Thirteen tricks were trivial, but only one pair bid the
slam, so +710 was 6/4.

On board 5 NS held
[KQ ]104 {K76 }AKQJ97 opposite
[J1093 ]Q98 {AQ!03 }43.
Everyone was in 3NT, sometimes by North,
sometimes by South. Lidang Dong
West held [A876 ]AK532 {5 }1085 so the way CHINA

53
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul. Board 21. Dealer North. NS Vul.
[ J 10 9 6 5 3 [ K J 10 7
] J3 ] 9
{ 10 { QJ96
} K943 } J642
[ Q2 [ AK74 [ 8542 [ —
] AK874 ] 10 9 6 ] J8532 ] A Q 10 6
{ AKQ { 9765 { 842 { AK5
} Q72 } J6 } Q } AK9875
[ 8 [ AQ963
] Q52 ] K74
{ J8432 { 10 7 3
} A 10 8 5 } 10 3

West North East South West North East South


Multon Padon Fantoni Helgemo Dong Herbst. O Zimmermann Schwartz
— — — Pass — Pass 1} 1[
2NT Pass 3}* Pass Pass 2}* 2[* Pass
3] Pass 3NT All Pass 3] Pass 4] All Pass

North led the three of clubs and South won and 2} Spade support
returned a club, North winning and exiting with a club. 2[ Take out
Declarer had nine tricks, +400.
At every other table North led the jack of spades and Three pairs bid this excellent slam, so +480 was a
declarer took ten tricks, so Helgemo had a top, 10/0 miserable 8/2.
and took the lead.
If East had bid 3[ rather than 4] West might have
Board 15. Dealer South. NS Vul. bid 4} when East can surely ensure the bidding does
[ AQ not stop short of 6]?
] K95
{ QJ63 As you may have guessed it was Top Geir who cruised
} K985 to victory.
[ K J 10 6 4 3 2 [ 8 Helgemo collected US$8000, while Helness & Ophir
] J6 ] Q 10 8 7 2 Herbst (who tied) received $5,500 each.
{ 10 { AK985 Nicola Smith won US$6000for her victory in the
} Q 10 3 } J6 Women’s Individual, with Marion Michielsen picking
[ 975 up $4,000 and Catherine Draper $3,000.
] A43
{ 742
} A742

West North East South


Herbst. O Zhuang Helgemo Ju
— — — Pass
3[ 3NT All Pass

North stretched to 3NT and East led his spade,


declarer winning with the queen, playing a club to the
ace and a diamond to the queen and ace. East exited
with a club and declarer won with the king and returned
a club. West won and played a spade and declarer won
and cashed his club. East, down to red cards could not
prevent declarer from collecting an eighth trick, one
down, -100, another top, 0/10 for the leader.

54
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP 2015


by Br
Brian
Bria
ian
n Se
Seni
Senior
nior
or

Every year the European bridge League holds a in the semi-final, the Dutch team coming out on top by
Champions Cup event. The twelve-team field consists 77-42. The two Italian teams, Allegra and Angelini met
of the top ten finishers in the most recent European in the other semi-final, with Allegra winning by 74-47.
Open Team Championships, the holders, and a team This first deal came from the first round robin match
from the host nation. In principle, the teams are between Allegra and Angelini.
the champion club from each country, but in some
countries, such as England, the major team events RR1. Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
are held between private teams so that there is no [ 52
important inter-club championship and those countries ] K J 10 5 2
can be represented by the winners of a major national { 2
championship – in England’s case the winners of the } AJ986
Premier League, which is used as an aid to selection of [ AK98 [ 10
the national Open team. ] A3 ] Q94
In the 13 years that the Champions Cup has existed { AKQ9 { J 10 7 6 5 4 3
there have been only four different winners, with the } Q32 } K5
competition dominated by two Italian teams – Angelini, [ QJ7643
who have won it six times, and Allegra, who are five- ] 876
time winners including the last four years. { 8
The format is a round robin qualifier of 11 x } 10 7 4
10-board matches, with the top four making it through
to 32-board semi-finals and a 32-board final and play- West North East South
off. Teams five-to-eight play secondary semi-finals, final Giubilo Bianchedi Cima Di Franco
and play-off, and teams nine-to-twelve minor semi- 2} 2] Pass 3]
finals, final and play-off, to give a complete ranking Dble Pass 4NT Pass
from first down to twelfth. In each group of four, the 5{ Pass 6{ All Pass
top qualifier can select its semi-final opponent from the
teams finishing third and fourth in their grouping. West North East South
England, as both hosts and having qualified by right, Duboin Tokay Bilde Sementa
were entitled to two teams, as were Italy, as the holders. 2NT Pass 4[ Pass
Meanwhile, the ongoing cheating scandal meant that 5} Pass 5{ Pass
no fewer than four of the qualifers – Monaco, Israel, 5] Dble 6{ All Pass
Germany and Poland – had withdrawn and been
replaced by countries who had not originally qualified. For Angelini, Valerio Giubilo opened 2} and that
While no team that finishes in the top half of a European made it possible for Bianchedi to overcall at a reasonably
Open Championship is weak, the overall field was safe level. I’m not sure of the meaning of the subsequent
somewhat weaker than usual, missing the gold and auction, but it resulted in Giubilo declaring 6{ from the
silver medalists in the 2014 European Championships right side. Bianchedi led the jack of hearts and Giubilo
and the new Bermuda Bowl champions from Chennai. called for the queen. When that held he had no further
The English Bridge Union gave its second spot to a worries and could draw trumps then give up a club and
sponsor, which did not sit particularly well with other had 12 tricks for a swift and painless +920.
English players but did make a major contribution to Giorgio Duboin, for Allegra, opened 2NT and that
the cost of holding the event. The sponsor’s choice of was a little too high for comfort so Mustafa Cem Tokay
team-mates meant that we had what I considered to be did not overcall. Four Spades showed one minor with
a ridiculous situation in which England was represented some slam interest, 5} was pass or correct, and 5{
by a team of one Englishman (the sponsor), three said the suit was diamonds. That suited Duboin just fine
Norwegians, an Irishman and Zia Mahmood, Pakistani, and he cuebid on the way to slam, just in case Seven
American and citizen of the world. might be possible. Tokay doubled for the lead and Bilde
The sponsored team duly topped the qualifying signed off in the small slam.
rankings and played Onstein BC’t of the Netherlands Sementa led the six of hearts, third and low, and
55
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

Bilde, of course, called for dummy’s ace. He cashed Prooijen’s overcall, Todor Tiholov showed a semi-
three rounds of trumps now, ending in hand. Tokay positive by doubling. When Louk Verhees made a
discarded the two of spades followed by the nine of pre-emptive club raise, Tenev followed through by
clubs, while Sementa threw the spade two followed by introducing his powerful spade suit and, with both East
the four of clubs. Both defenders had, I believe, shown and West having already done their bidding, 4[ ended
an even number of spades. Bilde led the ten of spades the auction.
next and Sementa played low – surely Tokay’s first Van Prooijen led the partnership suit, selecting the
discard would not have been to void himself in a suit, queen, so Tenev could win the ace and ditch one of his
so this looks like a clear error, but how could it hurt, heart losers. He drew trumps in three rounds, Verhees
as nobody would run the bare ten – would they? Yes pitching one club and one heart, then led the remaining
they would! Bilde thought for quite some time but then low heart from hand. Van Prooijen won the king and
convinced himself that this was his only real chance, forced him with a club so Tenev ruffed and led the ten
as a defender would have had to make a crazy error of diamonds. Again van Prooijen won his king and
to discard from a spade holding which would now ruff played a club. Tenev ruffed and, reading the position
out. Bilde played low from dummy and, when the ten perfectly, cashed his last trump and forced Verhees to
held the trick, crossed to the queen of diamonds to take throw a heart to keep ace to three diamonds. But now
two hearts discards on the ace and king of spades, after Tenev could cash the ace of hearts and lead a diamond
which he could give up a club and had 12 tricks for a to the jack and ace and Verhees had to lead a diamond
magnificent flat board. back to him at trick 12. Tenev put in the eight and had
Though here representing Italy, Dennis Bilde is his game. Very nicely played for +420.
a young Dane who has been having a lot of success Berend van den Bos opened 1[ and Joris van
recently and his willingness to play for a world class Lankveld made a simple raise. When Vladislav Isporski
opponent to have made an error rather than give up is doubled for take-out, v d Bos could jump to the spade
one reason why. game but Rumen Trendafilov bid 5} over that,
expecting it to either make or be a cheap save against
RR6. Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul. 4[. He was right, in a sense, in that 5} doubled was
[ A K J 10 7 6 very cheap, though leading either red king would have
] A65 beaten 4[.
{ Q 10 8 4 Van den Bos cashed a top spade then switched to a
} – low diamond and Trendafilov won the king, ruffed a
[ Q [ 842 spade and played the nine of clubs, which was ducked
] Q 10 8 7 ] K9 bu van Lankveld. Next Trendafilov led a low heart
{ A932 { K5 towards his king and van den Bos grabbed the ace and
} K 10 9 3 } QJ7654 played a diamond. There was just the ace of trumps to
[ 953 be lost for down one; –100 but 8 IMPs to Radkov.
] J432
{ J76
} A82

West North East South


Isporski v d Bos Trendafilov Lankveld
Pass 1[ Pass 2[
Dble 4[ 5} Dble
All Pass

West North East South


Verhees Tenev v Prooijen Tiholov
Pass 1} 2} Dble
4} 4[ All Pass

This deal comes from Onstein BC’t versus Radkov,


the Bulgarian champions.
For Radkov, Tenyu Tenev upgraded the North hand Roumen Trendafilov
to a strong (16+) club opening and, after Ricco van BULGARIA

56
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

to understand that his double then 3NT combination


showed a better hand than an immediate 3NT, while
Tor-Erik Hoftaniska, for Heimdall, leaped majestically
to 6{, relying on his opponents to have a nine-card
heart fit for their vulnerable bidding, when he might
need only a club finesse for his contract if he could ruff
hearts in the dummy.
Arthur Johansen led the seven of hearts against 3NT.
When Erik Berg turned up with the queen, Lindqvist
had a horrible guess – who had the ace of diamonds?
On the actual lie of the cards, winning the first heart
and playing on diamonds makes the contract, but if the
ace is with North it is necessary to duck twice to cut
defensive communications. Lindqvist ducked the heart
and was down two when it was Johansen who held the
critical card; –200.
Thor Erik Hoftaniska It appears that 6{ is indeed on the club finesse, but
NORWAY
Hoftaniska made his slam in a different fashion. Gillis
The Norwegian champions, Heimdal BK, met the led the five of spades to the ten and ace. Hoftaniska
EBU Sponsor’s team in Round 7. played the king of diamonds so Gillis won and exited
safely with his remaining trump, but the damage
RR7. Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul. had already been done. Hoftaniska cashed the king
[ Q 10 4 3 of spades, played ace of hearts then ruffed a heart,
] Q 10 6 and continued with the jack of spades to pin South’s
{ 9 nine. Though Saelensminde did not cover the spade,
} K 10 9 3 2 Hoftaniska was sufficiently confident of the position
[ J862 [ AK that he discarded the queen of clubs on the spade jack
] 2 ] AJ5 and had no need to worry about the club position. That
{ 10 4 3 2 { KQJ876 was +1370 and 17 IMPs to Heimdall BK, and you
} J854 } AQ might say that the courage shown by the well-reasoned
[ 975 leap to 6{ deserved its success.
] K98743 Early on the final went well for the Dutch challengers,
{ A5 Onstein BC’t. with this next deal making a major
} 76 contribution to their lead.

West North East South


Lund Saelensminde Hoftaniska Gillis
– – – 2{
Pass 3] Dble Pass
3[ Pass 6{ All Pass

West North East South


Brogeland Berg Lindqvist Johansen
– – – 2{
Pass 3] Dble Pass
3[ Pass 3NT All Pass

Both Souths opened with a multi 2{ and both


Norths jumped to 3], pass or correct, to pre-empt
their opponents’ auction. Now both Easts felt that
they were far too strong for a simple 3NT overcall so
both doubled and West responded 3[. Now came a
rather dramatic difference in hand evaluation. Espen Boerre Lund
Lindqvist, for EBU, settled for 3NT, trusting his partner NORWAY

57
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

F1. Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. the defence could then have played a third round of
[ A74 trumps when declarer had to give up a spade to open
] J93 her communications.
{ J653 Onstein held a narrow lead going into the last board
} 10 9 5 of set one but they came out of it behind when Bilde
[ J85 [ 10 3 2 outplayed the Dutch declarer in this grand slam, and
] AK75 ] Q 10 4 2 the momentum stayed firmly with the Italians for the
{ Q9 { AK84 remainder of the match.
} 8742 } AJ
[ KQ96 F1. Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
] 86 [ J42
{ 10 7 2 ] A Q 10 8 4
} KQ63 { A3
} AK8
West North East South [ 953 [ 8
Ticha Bocchi Ritmeijer Bilde ] 763 ] KJ92
Pass Pass 1} Pass { J2 { Q875
1] Pass 2] Dble } J 10 6 4 2 } Q973
Rdbl Pass Pass 2[ [ A K Q 10 7 6
Pass Pass 3{ Pass ] 5
3] Pass 4] All Pass { K 10 9 6 4
} 5
West North East South
Madala v d Bos Bianchedi v Lankveld West North East South
Pass Pass 1NT Pass Ticha Bocchi Ritmeijer Bilde
2} Pass 2] Pass Pass 1] Pass 2[
4] all Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3{
Pass 3[ Pass 4}
For Allegra, Bianchedi/Madala quickly got to the Pass 4{ Pass 4NT
heart game via a 1NT opening and Stayman response. Pass 5{ Pass 6}
Unfortunately for them, that put van Lankveld on Pass 7[ All Pass
lead and he made the aggressive choice of the king of
spades. Van den Bos played an encouraging four so van West North East South
Lankveld continued with a low spade to his partner’s Madala v d Bos Bianchedi v Lankveld
ace and back came a third round to the queen. With Pass 1] Pass 1[
three tricks in the bank, van Lankveld went passive, Pass 2} Pass 2{
switching to a trump. There was nowhere for Bianchedi Pass 2NT Pass 3[
to park his losing club so he was down one for –100. Pass 4} Pass 4NT
For Onstein, Ritmeijer’s 1} opening got the same Pass 5{ Pass 6{
contract played from the other side of the table after Pass 7[ All Pass
Ticha’s natural 1] response, and Bocchi kicked off
with the ten of clubs. There was still work to be done, Van den Bos opened 1] and rebid 2}, natural or
but Ticha won the ace of clubs and played four rounds any 16+, over the simple 1[ response. Two Diamonds
of diamonds, discarding two spades from hand while showed game values facing the strong variety and 3[
Bilde discarded the queen of clubs. Bocchi won the showed good spades. When van den Bos cuebid over
fourth diamond and led the three of hearts to the eight 3[, van Lankveld asked for key cards then for third-
and king. Ticha played a club to the jack and king and round diamond control and van den Bos duly bid the
Bilde returned a spade to the ace. When Bocchi now grand slam.
played the nine of clubs, Ticha could ruff with the ten, Madala led the three of spades. Van Lankveld won in
draw trumps and claim, winning the last trick with the hand with the ten and cashed the ace of spades then
eight of clubs. That was +620 and 12 IMPs to Onstein. led a heart to the ace and ruffed a heart, a diamond
Had Bilde thrown a spade instead of a club then to the ace and a diamond back to his king then ruffed
returned a trump when in with the club, it looks as a diamond. He ruffed a heart now then cashed his
though the contract should have been a trick short as trumps, pitching the last two hearts from the table.

58
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

There was no squeeze so he had to concede the third position came to light Bilde crossed to dummy with a
round of clubs at trick 13 for one down and –50. club to lead a spade to the jack and, when that too held,
Bilde started with a strong jump shift then showed his could cash out for nine tricks and +600.
second suit. Bocchi agreed spades so Bilde cuebid then Van den Bos also opened 1NT and the 3] response
asked for key cards and made his own grand slam try, showed a 4-1-4-4 game force. Van den Bos showed
accepted by Bocchi. his diamonds so van Lankveld cuebid then checked on
Ticha too led the three of spades to the eight and key cards, followed by a grand slam try, asking for the
queen. Bilde cashed the ace of spades and led a heart queen of trumps. Van den Bos signed off in 6{, against
to the ace then ruffed a heart. He continued with a which Bocchi led the jack of clubs. Van den Bos won
diamond to the ace and ruffed another heart low, the ace and led a diamond to his ace, getting the bad
played king of diamonds then ruffed a diamond with news. He continued with a heart to the ace and second
the jack of spades. A third heart ruff established the diamond, ducking Madala’s jack. Madala returned the
queen and he now drew the missing trump, throwing nine of diamonds so declarer put in the ten, ruffed a
dummy’s club loser, and claimed the last three tricks heart and led a spade to the jack. Meanwhile, forced
with the ace and king of clubs and queen of hearts; to hang on to his club holding, Bocchi had come down
+1510 and 17 IMPs to Allegra, who had taken the lead to two hearts and one spade. Van den Bos cashed the
right at the end of the half by 46-38 IMPs. king of diamonds, Bocchi throwing a heart and dummy
a spade, then cashed the ace of spades followed by the
F2. Board 21. Dealer North. N/S Vul. last diamond. Had East held the king of hearts with his
[ AJ2 club stopper, he would now have been squeezed, but
] Q 10 7 with West holding the two kings it was not to be; down
{ A K 10 4 3 one for –100 and another 12 IMPs to Allegra.
} 83 There was a winning line at the end if declarer could
[ K 10 6 [ 987 read the position. He must cash the last diamond
] K42 ] J98653 without cashing the ace of spades. Seeing one more
{ QJ98 { – discard from East should help as the defender will have
} 652 } J 10 9 4 to throw his last spade or come down to a singleton
[ Q543 heart. Cashing the three club winners now operates a
] A positional squeeze against West and brings home the
{ 7652 slam.
} AKQ7 Had Madala returned a club to break up the squeeze
when in with the jack of diamonds instead of a diamond
West North East South to prevent a ruff, declarer could have taken a spade
Madala v d Bos Bocchi v Lankveld discard on the third club then continued by taking the
– 1NT Pass 3] spade finesse, cashing the spade ace and ruffing a
Pass 4{ Pass 4] heart. A spade ruff and second heart ruff would then
Pass 4[ Pass 4NT have put him back in dummy at trick twelve for the
Pass 5{ Pass 5] trump coup.
Pass 6{ All Pass

West North East South


Verhees Bilde v Prooijen Duboin
– 1NT 2{ Pass
3] Pass Pass Dble
Pass 3NT All Pass

Bilde opened 1NT and van Prooijen overcalled to


show a single-suited major – an aggressive action even
at favourable vulnerability. Duboin had to pass for now
but could double for take-out when Verhees’s jump to
3], pass or correct, came back to him. Bilde bid 3NT,
won the heart lead with the bare ace and led the seven
of diamonds to the eight and ten, an avoidance play to Dennis Bilde
keep the dangerous hand off lead. When the diamond DENMARK

59
2016 IMSA Elite Mind Games - Huai’an, February 25 - March 3

F2. Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul. Bocchi opened 2NT and Madala showed one minor
[ 10 7 6 5 4 with slam interest. When he next showed that the minor
] J642 was clubs Bocchi raised to slam on the strength of his
{ 10 7 excellent controls. At this table the lead was a spade so
} J8 Bocchi too took the club safety play but here there was
[ J3 [ AK92 no heart to lose and he had 12 tricks for +920 and 11
] 95 ] A7 IMPs to Allegra, who now led by an imposing 86-38
{ KQ8 { AJ652 with only eight boards to play.
} K 10 9 7 5 2 } A3 Had the opening lead against 6} been a heart,
[ Q8 Bocchi would not have taken the safety play. Instead,
] K Q 10 8 3 he would have cashed the top clubs then played on
{ 943 diamonds. When the hand with the trump winner
} Q64 had to follow to three rounds of diamonds, a fourth
diamond allows declarer to dispose of the heart loser
West North East South and the slam is made.
Madala v d Bos Bocchi v Lankveld That is not quite the end of the story of this deal.
Pass Pass 2NT Pass England’s Mike Bell saw an extra chance. Before trying
4] Pass 4[ Pass to play four rounds of diamonds for a heart discard,
5} Pass 6} All Pass he saw the possibility of there either being queen-ten
doubleton spade or being able to ruff out queen-ten-
West North East South other. Accordingly, he won the heart lead, cashed the
Verhees Bilde v Prooijen Duboin ace and king of clubs and followed up with the ace and
Pass Pass 1} 1] king of spades. When the queen appeared he was at
2{ 3] Pass Pass the crossroads and, perhaps inevitably after spotting
Dble Pass 3NT Pass the extra chance, played for it by ruffing a spade. Alas,
4} Pass 4{ Pass the ten did not appear and South had the opportunity
5} All Pass to discard a diamond so that he could now ruff the third
round to defeat the slam. Playing for the extra chance
Van Prooijen opened a strong club and Verhees had cost the contract.
showed a club positive. The auction never really got to The second half of the final was one-way traffic,
grips with the hand and they subsided in 5} without with Allegra coming out on top by IMPs. The 2014
having explored it to the full. On the lead of the king winners had successfully defended their title. They
of hearts, van Prooijen won the ace and played ace of were, Alejandro Bianchedi, Dennis Bilde, Norberto
clubs then a club to the ten, the safety play for one loser Bocchi, Massimiliano Di Franco, Giorgio Duboin and
in the suit. That meant that he lost a heart trick so just Agustin Madala.
made his contract for +400.

60
20
2016
016
6 IMSA
IMS
MSA Elite
Elit
El ite Mind
it nd
dGGames
am
a mes - H
Huai’an,
uai’
ua i an
n, F
February
ebruary
y225
5 - March
h3

FULL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26TH


TEAMS
10.30-12.50 RR 1 (16 BOARDS)
14.20-16.50 RR 2 (16 BOARDS)
17.10-19.30 RR 3 (16 BOARDS)

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27TH


TEAMS
10.30-12.50 RR 4 (16 BOARDS)
14.20-16.50 RR 5 (16 BOARDS)
17.10-19.30 RR 6 (16 BOARDS)

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28TH


TEAMS
10.30-12.50 FINAL & PLAY-OFF 1 (16 BOARDS)
14.20-16.50 FINAL & PLAY-OFF 2 (16 BOARDS)
17.10-19.30 FINAL & PLAY-OFF 3 (16 BOARDS)

MONDAY FEBRUARY 29TH


PAIRS
10.30-13.40 SESSION 1 (22 BOARDS)
15.30-18.40 SESSION 2 (22 BOARDS)

TUESDAY MARCH 1ST


PAIRS
10.30-13.40 SESSION 3 (22 BOARDS)
15.30-18.40 SESSION 4 (22 BOARDS)

WEDNESDAY MARCH 2ND


INDIVIDUAL
10.30-13.50 SESSION 1 (24 BOARDS)
15.30-18.50 SESSION 2 (24 BOARDS)

WEDNESDAY MARCH 3RD


INDIVIDUAL
9.45-12.40 SESSION 3 (27 BOARDS)

Photo: from the opening ceremony


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