Man Bites Dog

by Barry Rigal

Dog bites man is not news; man bites dog is rather more sensational. In this case the story worth reporting was the sensational success by the Albanian team in defeating World champions Italy in round four of the qualifying event. The world championships in Beijing represent the first time the Albanian team has participated in an official competition. Additionally, they arrived in China as big fans of the Italian champions.

The match was very low scoring; but these were the two big swing deals from the Albanians’ match with their idols.

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
	♠ A K J 4 ♥ 6 3 ♦ 5 4 3 ♣ A K 4 2
♠ 7 2 ♥ A 2 ♦ A K Q 9 8 6 2 ♣ 6 3		♠ Q 6 5 3 ♥ Q 10 8 5 ♦ J ♣ Q 10 9 5
	♠ 10 9 8 ♥ K J 9 7 4 ♦ 10 7 ♣ J 8 7

Both tables played 3NT; the Italians from the West seat on an auction where Fantoni as West could open 1♦ – natural and forcing – doubled by North. Now Fantoni jump rebid 3NT to show good diamonds and a heart stop when his partner could redouble and South ran to 1♥. North led a top spade and shifted to the killing heart. In the other room a natural sequence saw West show good diamonds and East take a shot at 3NT, again after North had doubled 1♦. South led a low heart and declarer claimed the first nine tricks.

Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
	♠ 7 ♥ A Q 8 5 ♦ Q J 9 6 3 ♣ Q 10 7
♠ J 8 6 5 ♥ 4 3 2 ♦ A K 8 ♣ 9 4 3		♠ A K 9 ♥ J 10 7 ♦ 10 7 5 4 ♣ J 5 2
	♠ Q 10 4 3 2 ♥ K 9 6 ♦ 2 ♣ A K 8 6

Both the N/S pairs played game here. Which contract would you prefer, 4♥ or 3NT? I think 3NT looks more comfortable; for Italy, Lorenzo Lauria as North reached 3NT on the lead of the unbid suit, the ♥J. Not knowing hearts were splitting, he won in hand and led a heart to the nine. When he led a diamond from dummy West took the king and played a third heart; Lauria might have changed tack and gone up with the ace to leave himself in hand, but he won in dummy and now needed an extra entry to hand, so tried a club to the ten. East won the jack and exited with a club, and the defenders could eventually cash out for down two.

In the other room the Albanian North declared 4♥ on a top spade lead and club shift. Declarer won in dummy and played a diamond; West won and continued a club. Declarer won in dummy and played a low spade, and when the defenders played a third club he had three club tricks and seven trump tricks for ten winners. Even if the defenders had shifted to trumps, I believe declarer could ruff one diamond and give up a diamond after drawing trumps, to take four hearts two diamonds and four clubs.

This was another 13 IMPs to Albania, who ended up with a 16-14 vicory – their first win of the tournament and Italy’s first loss.