The action started quickly as the match got under way.

Board 1. Dealer North. Love All
	ª A K 7 5 © 9 5 ¨ J 10 6 § J 9 8 7
ª 10 6 4 3 © - ¨ A Q 9 5 4 § A K 10 5		ª 9 8 © K J 10 8 6 2 ¨ 8 2 § Q 4 2
	ª Q J 2 © A Q 7 4 3 ¨ K 7 3 § 6 3

South led a trump, and declarer ran it round to the queen and played three rounds of diamonds, finessing the queen, and ruffing the third round. The favourable position in that suit meant declarer could escape for one down.

This time West stood his ground, and South led the six of clubs. Decaler won with the queen, and took the diamond finesse. When that held he played a spade, and North went up with the king to play the five of hearts, for the jack and queen. South played his remaining club, and declarer won, cashed the ace of diamonds and ruffed a diamond with the six of hearts before exiting with a spade. North overtook his partner's card to play a club for South to ruff, but the defence was helpless, Declarer could ruff the spade return and play the king of hearts, claiming eight tricks when North's nine appeared. Poland were off to a good start with 11 IMPs.

       Krysztof Jassem

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

West's weak two paid a handsome dividend, as North-South finished in a poor contract that drifted three down on the lead of the five of diamonds.

East appeared to consider passing Two Hearts redoubled, but West might have retreated to Three Diamonds, a contract that would possibly be made. Two Spades was a delicate affair. Declarer won the opening trump lead with the ace, as North played the queen. He played a club to the nine, and when that held he exited with the three of diamonds. North won and played a heart for the ten and king. South returned a heart, and declarer discarded a diamond, allowing North to win with the king. He won the club switch with the ace, and played the ace of diamonds and a diamond, overruffing North's six of spades with the jack. He cashed the queen of hearts, ruffed a heart, and played a diamond. North could ruff with the nine of spades, but declarer was assured of eight tricks, holding the loss on the board to 5 IMPs.

The Polish pair had an unfortunate accident on the next deal. West held ªA9654 ©64 ¨Q106 §A98, and heard his partner overcall a weak no-trump with Two Diamonds. He alerted - it was a transfer - and bid Two Hearts. Everyone passed, but that did not prove to be a success as he was facing ªJ3 ©A8 ¨AJ9753 §A98! The king of diamonds was with North, so 3NT would have been a lucky make. The cost was only 4 IMPs, but the loss of morale was probably more important.