Board 2. Dealer East. NS Game ª 8 3 © K 3 ¨ J 9 7 5 § A K Q 9 6 ª K J 7 5 ª 10 9 6 4 2 © A 7 © 8 6 5 4 ¨ A 8 3 2 ¨ 6 § 4 3 2 § J 8 7 ª A Q © Q J 10 9 2 ¨ K Q 10 4 § 10 5

A typically aggressive double from Geir Helgemo, by the way, watch out for a new book about the great man, Helgemo's World of Bridge, coming in the summer, but it was no real problem for North-South to reach 3NT.

Helgemo led the king of spades, just in case there was a singleton queen, and Zia won and knocked out the ace of hearts. The club break gave him eleven tricks. That was rather more than one unfortunate declarer made. He decided to finesse in clubs and finished up four down! Guess how many match points that was worth?

Board 4. Dealer West. Game All ª J 8 7 4 2 © Q 10 4 ¨ A K 5 § A 3 ª K 10 ª 9 6 5 3 © K J 7 3 © 9 8 6 5 ¨ 4 2 ¨ 10 9 § K J 10 8 5 § 9 7 2 ª A Q © A 2 ¨ Q J 8 7 6 3 § Q 6 4

Six Diamonds is not much of a contract on the North-South cards, but I heard that at least one pair reached it. West led a club, and declarer ran it to his queen, eventually collecting a not unlucky +1370, but with open cards the contract can always be made. If West leads a trump, declarer wins, draws a second round, and plays ace and queen of spades to endplay West.

Board 6. Dealer East. EW Game ª Q 9 7 © A 2 ¨ K 9 3 § 10 8 7 6 3 ª A J 10 3 ª K 6 5 2 © K Q 9 7 4 3 © — ¨ 5 ¨ A 8 7 § A 5 § K Q J 9 4 2 ª 8 4 © J 10 8 6 5 ¨ Q J 10 6 4 2 § —

The commentators were having some fun here, suggesting that East-West might be in trouble after Chemla's Four Hearts. However, they found their spade fit easily enough.

South led the ten of hearts to the queen and ace, and declarer ruffed. He cashed two top spades and the ace of clubs, claiming his contract shortly thereafter to record +1430. Brogeland was the early leader, but this board did not aid his cause much, earning only 3/24.

Eric Kokish, perhaps the World's leading expert on systems, amused everyone by forgetting the one he was using on this board. He overcalled the opening bid of One Club with Two Diamonds, showing the majors! There was no way to reach Six Spades now.

The next round was exciting for the audience, as the Greek players were on VuGraph.

Board 7. Dealer South. Game All ª 7 5 © A 9 4 3 ¨ J 8 6 5 2 § 4 3 ª Q J 10 8 4 2 ª A K 9 6 3 © 8 2 © Q J 10 6 ¨ 7 4 ¨ 3 § 10 8 7 § A K 5 ª — © K 7 5 ¨ A K Q 10 9 § Q J 9 6 2

John Baldursson showed no signs of strain after a heart bypass, and has clearly lost none of his aggressive instincts, judging by his weak jump overcall. North's double made it easy for South to bid Five Clubs, and Berry Westra, who by the way, usually sits West - for obvious reasons - made the obvious decision to go on.

Five Diamonds is defeated by a heart lead, but give West a heart honour, and Five Spades will be a heavy favourite to make.

When Zotos doubled, the crowd showed their approval, much to the amusement of the players, who could clearly hear the applause. He led a club, ensuring a two trick defeat and +500. That collected the lion's share of the match points for the Greek pair. Timeo danaos et dona ferentes - I fear the Greeks, even when bearing gifts. (You knew I was going to use that sometime during the event!)

Board 12. Dealer West. NS Game ª K 7 6 5 © Q 10 7 4 2 ¨ 8 § Q 7 3 ª 9 8 4 2 ª A 10 © A K 8 © 9 3 ¨ 6 4 ¨ A K 10 7 5 3 2 § J 10 9 6 § 8 5 ª Q J 3 © J 6 5 ¨ Q J 9 § A K 4 2

The rock crusher of a preempt paid off handsomely when North reopened. South was delighted to pass, but rather less pleased with the - 470 he entered on his scorecard!

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