As
advertised
Thanks to a rally in the fourth set, England had a 12-IMP lead
over France in the quarter-final round of the Women’s series
of the World Bridge Olympiad with 16 deals to play.
It was an exciting set that would not be settled until the final
deal.
England increased the lead on board 1 with an overtrick IMP, but
the French drew to within 6 IMPs on the next deal.
Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
|
|
ª Q 6 3 2
© K Q J
¨ Q 8 7 4
§ 9 7 |
ª K 10 7
© 9 5
¨ A K J 3
§ 10 8 5 4 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª 4
© A 7 6 4 2
¨ 9 5 2
§ A Q J 6 |
|
ª A J 9 8 5
© 10 8 3
¨ 10 6
§ K 3 2 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
|
|
1© |
Pass |
2§ |
Pass |
3§ |
Pass |
3NT |
All Pass |
|
|
Catherine D’Ovidio started with a low diamond against Heather
Dhondy’s pushy game – her 2§ response to 1© and Nicola
Smith’s raise served to endplay Dhondy in the bidding. The
favourable opening lead did little more than give declarer false
hope for nine tricks. She played a club to the queen and 2, then
followed with a low heart from dummy. North won the ©J and played
a spade. Once that suit was cleared it was only a matter of time
before defenders had six tricks and declarer was claiming for two
down and minus 100.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
|
|
1© |
1ª |
2NT |
3ª |
All Pass |
|
That’s a lot of bidding considering the limited assets of
the four players.
The French defense was deadly accurate. Sylvie Willard started
with the ¨A, switching to the ©9. Benedicte Cronier won the ©A and
continued with the ©2 (suit preference) to dummy. Michelle Brunner
played a spade to the ace and a second spade, but Willard won the
ªK, put Cronier in with the §A and took the heart ruff. There was
still a diamond to come, so Brunner was two down for minus 200 and
7 IMPs to France.
Three deals later, England boosted their lead to 10 IMPs.
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
|
|
ª K Q J 9 5 4
© 9
¨ A 10 7
§ 10 7 2 |
ª A 10 7 6 3 2
© K J 2
¨ K J
§ 6 3 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª 8
© A 8 7 6 4
¨ Q 9 4 2
§ A K 8 |
|
ª -
© Q 10 5 3
¨ 8 6 5 3
§ Q J 9 5 4 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
|
|
1© |
Pass |
1ª |
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
|
|
Danielle Allouche led the §Q to Smith’s ace. A diamond went
to the king and ace, and D’Ovidio switched to a trump, which
ran to dummy’s jack. The ¨J was cashed, followed by a club
to the ace and a club ruffed low. The ©K was cashed, and when Smith
played the ªA, Smith was surprised to see Allouche considering her
play. Eventually, Allouche ruffed, but Smith had an overtrick for
plus 650.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
|
|
1© |
Pass |
1ª |
2ª |
Pass |
Pass |
Dble |
All Pass |
|
|
There were some comments during the Vugraph show about the apparent
excess of deals in which two of the players have six spades each.
If Goldenfield was aware of the computer’s proclivities, she
wasn’t impressed, bidding the natural 2ª anyway. Willard was
happy to double with six trumps, and the defenders took all the
tricks coming to them. Cronier started with the top two clubs, then
gave Willard a club ruff. The ¨A was knocked out and the defense
collected two more diamonds and a heart trick, leaving North with
all trumps. Declarer managed five tricks, but it was only minus
500 – 4 IMPs to England, now leading 108-98.
The lead grew to 16 when Willard and Cronier overbid on this deal.
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
|
|
ª A J
© J 9 8 5
¨ Q J 8 3
§ K 8 4 |
ª 8 7 5 4 2
© 10 6 4
¨ 7 4
§ A 10 2 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª K Q 6
© A K Q 7
¨ A 10 9 5 2
§ 6 |
|
ª 10 9 3
© 3 2
¨ K 6
§ Q J 9 7 5 3 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
Pass |
1¨ |
1NT |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
3ª |
All Pass |
Dhondy’s hand didn’t improve enough for her to consider
bidding game despite her partner’s super-acceptance of the
transfer. Allouche started with the §Q, taken by the ace. A spade
was led from dummy, and D’Ovidio played the ace to continue
with the §K. Smith ruffed with the ªQ, cashed the king and began
playing hearts. Allouche ruffed the ©Q and cashed the §J, but there
was only one more trick coming – plus 140.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
Pass |
Pass |
1¨ |
Pass |
1ª |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
2NT |
Pass |
3ª |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
|
|
Apparently Willard’s 2NT was meant to be a relay preparatory
to signing off in 3ª. When her partner indicated three-card support,
Willard took a shot at game. Goldenfield found the killing lead
of a club, taken by Willard with the ace. She did not help herself
by ruffing a club at trick two. When she followed with the ªK, Goldenfield
won the ace and played a third club, forcing dummy to ruff with
the ªQ. Hoping for some luck in hearts, Willard started cashing
the high ones, but Brunner ruffed the ©Q with the ª9 and played
a fourth round of clubs, allowing North to score the ªJ. The result
was minus 100 and 6 IMPs to England.
The match tightened up considerably when Dhondy, facing a difficult
decision, made a poor choice.
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
|
|
ª 8 7
© K J 10 8 6 4 3 2
¨ J 4
§ 9 |
ª K J 6 4 3 2
© -
¨ K 9 5
§ Q 10 6 2 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A Q
© Q 9 7
¨ A Q 8 6 2
§ A K 4 |
|
ª 10 9 5
© A 5
¨ 10 7 3
§ J 8 7 5 3 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
|
4© |
Dble |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
|
|
The correct bid with the West hand on the given auction is debatable,
and likely would depend on partnership agreements, but 4ª seems
the worst choice. In the closed room, Willard and Cronier did not
find the cold grand slam, but they did help their team to 13 IMPs.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
|
4© |
Dble |
Pass |
4NT |
Pass |
6¨ |
Pass |
6ª |
All Pass |
|
|
4NT usually shows interest in a minor suit, and Cronier had more
than enough to indicate how high she thought they should go. It
wasn’t perfect, but at least they managed the small slam.
The swing left France only 3 IMPs down, 114-111. They took the lead
on the next deal.
Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
|
|
ª K 10 5 3 2
© 10 7 4 3
¨ 6
§ A K 7 |
ª 9 6
© Q 2
¨ A Q J 10
§ Q 10 6 4 3 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A Q 8 7
© K 9 8 6 5
¨ 8 2
§ J 8 |
|
ª J 4
© A J
¨ K 9 7 5 4 3
§ 9 5 2 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
|
|
Pass |
Pass |
1§ |
1ª |
2© |
Dble |
Pass |
2ª |
All Pass |
|
Smith started with the §J, which went to D’Ovidio’s
ace. She tried a diamond to dummy’s king, but Dhondy took
the ace and switched to the ª6. That went to the 2, 7 and jack,
and D’Ovidio continued with a diamond ruff. She then played
a heart to the jack and queen. Dhondy continued with the ª9 to the
10 and queen, and Smith exited with a heart to the ace. D’Ovidio
was rapidly running out of tricks, and she tried for one more diamond
ruff, but Smith overruffed, pulled declarer’s last trump with
the ace and exited with a club. D’Ovidio’s last trick
was the §K. Plus 300 looked like a good position for England, but
it didn’t work out that way.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
|
|
Pass |
2¨ |
Pass |
Pass |
Dble |
All Pass |
Brunner paid for her aggressive preempt when Cronier balanced with
a double. The result was minus 800 and an 11-IMP swing to France,
now leading 122-114.
England got a couple of IMPs back by playing a superior part score
on board 12. With four deals to go, France was in front 122-116.
The final swing of the match was enough to put England in the lead.
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
|
|
ª 6 4
© K 6 4
¨ K 7 5 2
§ A J 5 4 |
ª K J 9 2
© A 3
¨ A Q 10 6
§ K 8 6 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª Q 7 5 3
© Q J 9 8 7 5 2
¨ -
§ 10 3 |
|
ª A 10 8
© 10
¨ J 9 8 4 3
§ Q 9 7 2 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
|
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
With no clues from the bidding to guide her, Allouche did not find
the killing club lead, starting instead with a low diamond. Smith
went up with the ace, pitching a club from hand. She ruffed a diamond,
then played the ©Q, which went to the king. North played a spade
to South’s ace and, too late, a club (the §Q) was played.
Smith had her 10 tricks for plus 620. The contract played from the
other side in the closed room, and that made all the difference.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
|
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
2¨ |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
Goldenfield did very well to start with a spade – any other
lead gives away the contract. Brunner won the opening lead with
the ace and, looking at the East hand as dummy, had no difficulty
finding the club switch. In due course, the defense had four tricks,
plus 100 and 12 IMPs in the bank.
The next deal was a flat board with both tables bidding and making
3NT.
England had a chance to seal the match on the penultimate deal,
but it didn’t happen.
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
|
|
ª A Q 9
© K J 9 7
¨ 8 3
§ Q 8 6 4 |
ª J 4
© 6 5 3 2
¨ K Q 9 7 2
§ J 5 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª 10 5 3
© Q 8
¨ 10 6 4
§ A K 10 9 7 |
|
ª K 8 7 6 2
© A 10 4
¨ A J 5
§ 3 2 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
|
|
|
1ª |
Pass |
2§ |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
|
The double-dummy club lead defeats the contract because of the
trump promotion, but it’s a lead no good player would make
given the auction and possession of the ¨K Q. Indeed, Dhondy started
with the ¨K, ducked by declarer as East contributed the 4. Dhondy
continued with the ª4, taken in dummy with the queen. South now
made the good play of a low club from dummy. Smith went in with
the king, as South played the 2 and West the 5. A trump was continued,
and Allouche took it in dummy and followed with a diamond to the
ace and a diamond ruff. Now a heart to the ace allowed declarer
to pick up the last trump, after which she played her second club,
ducking when West produced the jack.
A diamond return was ruffed, and South had to play hearts. With
a fairly accurate count of the East hand, there was no way South
was going to drop the doubleton ©Q offside, and indeed she finessed,
going one down.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
|
|
|
1ª |
Pass |
2§ |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
|
Willard also started with the ¨K, ducked as at the other table.
Again, a trump switch was taken in dummy and a low club played from
the North hand. Cronier played the §K, Brunner followed low –
but Willard played the jack. At this point Cronier could have continued
with a high club and a third round to promote a trump trick, but
she exited with a spade. Now Brunner did not have to make a guess
in hearts. She could win the spade switch in dummy, play to the
¨A and ruff a diamond, enter hand with the ©A and pick up the last
trump, discarding a heart from dummy. She could then play a club
from hand and simply cover West’s card. East could win cheaply
but would be endplayed. A heart return would solve declarer’s
problem in that suit, a high club would be ruffed, making the §Q
good for a heart discard, and on a low club return, declarer simply
pitches a heart.
Alas, on the third round of spades, Brunner discarded a club! Now
the endplay would not work, and she ended up taking the losing heart
finesse as had her counterpart. One down – no swing.
With one deal to go, England led by 6. Because the open room Vugraph
table had finished early, it was apparent France could still win
the match.
Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
|
|
ª 6 2
© J 10
¨ K 6 5 3 2
§ A 6 5 3 |
ª K 10 9 5
© K 9 8
¨ A Q 4
§ K 10 4 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A Q J 3
© A 7 5 2
¨ 10
§ Q J 9 7 |
|
ª 8 7 4
© Q 6 4 3
¨ J 9 8 7
§ 8 2 |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Dhondy |
D'Ovidio |
Smith |
Allouche |
1NT |
Pass |
2¨ |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
2NT |
Pass |
3§ |
Pass |
3ª |
Pass |
4¨ |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
|
|
2¨ Transfer to hearts, balanced slam invitation or 4441 (any singleton)
2© Forced
2ª Balanced slam invitation or 4441
2NT Any minimum
3§ Natural
3ª Natural
4¨ Cue, but not necessarily the singleton
It’s clear that 12 tricks are easy with the East/West cards,
but getting to the slam is not a trivial exercise. Plus 680 for
England gave French partisans hope as the final deal came on the
screen in the Vugraph room from the closed room.
West |
North |
East |
South |
Willard |
Goldenfield |
Cronier |
Brunner |
1NT |
Pass |
2§ |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
4¨ |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
|
|
Willard considered her hand for a time after her partner’s
splinter in diamonds, but she had a minimum and the ¨Q was wasted
opposite the singleton. Finally, she passed, and England survived
to play the semi-final round.
|