After enjoying a splendid supper, the contestants settled down to what might prove to be the decisive session in the Women's Generali World Masters.

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

West led the queen of hearts, taken by declarer's king. Ewa Harasimowicz played a club to the king and ace, and East returned her remaining heart. If declarer was certain the hearts were 6-2 she should win this trick, and can then get home in a variety of ways. However, she ducked when West overtook it, and when Jill Meyers switched to the four of diamonds declarer was in trouble. She put up dummy's queen, but East produced the ace, and returned the suit, ducked to West's ten. At this point a club or a diamond ensures the defeat of the contract, but that was not easy to see, and West played the seven of spades.

Declarer was quick to seize her chance. She put up the ten, and when it held, cashed the ace of hearts, squeezing East in three suits. McGowan parted with a spade, but now three rounds of that suit was more than she could stand.

This was the only table that the contract was made at, so you can probably work out the match point scores.

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

West led a heart, and declarer won cheaply with the jack. A diamond to the king was followed by the jack of diamonds. West took the ace, and switched to the queen of clubs. When declarer failed to cover, Meyers was quick to go back to diamonds. Realising that if the spades were 3-3 she was doomed to a poor score, Sandra came to hand and played a club towards the king. She had her nine tricks, but the defenders had four, and +600 was worthless.

Board 27. Dealer South. Love All ª A 10 2 © 7 2 ¨ 10 9 3 § J 10 8 4 2 ª 9 7 ª Q J 5 4 © 9 4 3 © A Q J 8 ¨ J 5 4 ¨ K 8 6 2 § A K 7 6 3 § Q ª K 8 6 3 © K 10 6 5 ¨ A Q 7 § 9 5

The leaders met on the final round of session two. The boards were not exciting, but this caught the eye, not least because Daniele Gaviard responded to her partner's bid. Remind me to ask her if she has read the Editor's Bols Bridge Tip - 'Don't be afraid to respond'.

Bep Vriend led the queen of clubs and switched to the ace and then the queen of hearts. Declarer won with the king, and played dummy's remaining club. West won with the king, and played her last heart. Declarer ruffed, took a winning diamond finesse, and cashed the ace of diamonds before playing the ten of hearts. West ruffed, declarer overruffed and played a club. She was assured of eight tricks, and +110 was a little over average.