Did the four man team from Indonesia have enough reserves of energy to compete with the World Champions?

The first session of the Final starts with Board 13, but the first moment of interest came three deals later.

Board 16. Dealer West. East-West Game
	ª A 7 4 © A J 9 ¨ A J 8 7 § 9 5 4
ª J 10 8 6 5 © 10 4 3 2 ¨ 10 § A 7 2		ª K Q © K Q 8 7 5 ¨ K 5 § K J 6 3
	ª 9 3 2 © 6 ¨ Q 9 6 4 3 2 § Q 10 8

As you can see, the cards werer lying perfectly for declarer, and he had no problems after a diamond lead, as he could get to dummy twice to play towards his heart honours. The contract can be defeated, but only if South leads an unlikely spade and North switches to a club.

5¨ turned out to be a good save against the 620 recorded in the other room, as declarer could not be denied eight tricks, -500 and 3 IMPs.

Board 17. Dealer North. Love All
	ª 5 © J 10 8 4 2 ¨ A 9 5 4 3 § 8 2
ª 8 4 © A 7 3 ¨ Q 10 6 § Q J 10 9 5		ª A K Q 7 6 3 © Q 6 ¨ J 2 § 7 6 3
	ª J 10 9 2 © K 9 5 ¨ K 8 7 § A K 4

2ª was described as 14-16, 5-3-3-2, but the extra spade would normally have been sufficient compensation. Not this time, and on a heart lead declarer could only arrive at four tricks. -250 did not appear to please Guido Ferraro, but there were favourable developments at the other table:

A excellent protective auction by the Italians paid a big dividend, as they reached a game that only needed reasonable breaks. When he was doubled Versace probably though they didn't exist, but everything was rosy, and he collected +590.

Board 20. Dealer West. Game All
	ª A K 10 6 5 4 3 © Q ¨ K Q 7 § A 10
ª Q 9 8 © J 6 ¨ A J 3 § Q J 6 4 2		ª 7 © A K 7 4 2 ¨ 10 6 5 2 § 8 5 3
	ª J 2 © 10 9 8 5 3 ¨ 9 8 4 § K 9 7

East cashed a top heart and switched to a diamond. That made life simple for declarer, +620.

East again led a top heart, but then continued with a low one. Declarer ruffed, and tried his luck in spades, West taking the third round with the queen. The Italian pairs signalling method when discarding is to use odd cards for encouragement, with secondary suit preference, not ideal for this hand. Guido switched to the ace of diamonds, clearly correct if North's shape was 7-1-2-3, but the losing option this time.

What is the best line in 4ª? After ruffing the second heart, declarer could cross to the king of clubs and lead a diamond to the king. If that held, he could play the ten of spades from hand, creating an entry for a second diamond play. If the diamond lost to the ace, he could still hope for 2-2 spades or a singleton queen.