Our coverage of the fourth round starts with the match between Brazil and Italy. If it had been a boxing match the referee would have been tempted to step in to stop the contest and save the Italians from further punishment. Both Brazilian pairs were in excellent form whilst their opponents found the going heavy in both rooms.

Board 3. Dealer South. EW Game ª A J 10 9 7 © 5 ¨ Q 6 § K Q J 8 3 ª 6 5 4 ª 8 2 © 10 9 6 © J 7 4 3 2 ¨ 8 7 2 ¨ K J 10 4 § 10 5 4 2 § A 9 ª K Q 3 © A K Q 8 ¨ A 9 5 3 § 7 6 West North East South Campos Attanasio Villas-Boas Failla 1§ Pass 1ª Pass 1NT Pass 2ª Pass 3§ Pass 4§ Pass 4¨ Pass 4© Pass 4ª Pass 4NT Pass 6§ All Pass

Its hard to see why South bid 6§ at his final turn and the 4-2 break in trumps was fatal.

No mistake here. Declarer won the opening diamond lead with the ace and got rid of his loser in that suit by cashing two top hearts. He then came to hand with a trump and played the §K. Moments later he was claiming +980 and 14 IMPs.

The very next board saw an even bigger swing to Brazil.

Board 4. Dealer West. Game All ª A J © A K J 10 9 ¨ 9 § J 7 6 5 3 ª K 9 4 3 ª Q 10 8 6 © 7 6 5 © 4 3 2 ¨ K Q 8 ¨ A 10 7 6 3 2 § A 10 4 § — ª 7 5 2 © Q 8 ¨ J 4 3 § K Q 9 8 2 West North East South Campos Attanasio Villas-Boas Failla 1§ 1© Dble Pass 2ª All Pass

Two Clubs promised hearts and another suit and South's double was for take out. When Chagas emphasised the power of his heart suit Branco raised him to game. East's double was slightly speculative and when the first trick consisted of the ª 6,2,3 and J it resulted in a score of -990 and a loss of 15 IMPs. If East had started with the ¨A and another diamond declarer might have gone wrong as the possibility of a 4-2 trump break would have been in his mind.

Board 12. Dealer West. NS Game ª J 6 3 © K Q 8 ¨ 8 7 4 § K 9 8 7 ª — ª K Q 10 8 5 2 © 9 7 6 4 3 © 5 ¨ K J 9 3 ¨ Q 2 § Q 10 6 2 § A J 4 3 ª A 9 7 4 © A J 10 2 ¨ A 10 6 5 § 5 West North East South Campos Attanasio Villas-Boas Failla Pass Pass 1ª Pass 1NT Pass 2ª All Pass

South led the §5 covered by the queen, king and ace. The ªQ was ducked as was the ¨Q. A slight misdefence saw declarer emerge with 9 tricks.

Gabriel Chagas (Brazil)

South led his singleton club and when declarer put up the queen Chagas withheld the king. He played the ¨8 to the second trick so Branco was able to duck. Cut of from the dummy declarer played the ªQ. When that held he played the ªK which was taken by the ace. North was marked with heart values so South played the ©A and another heart. Declarer misguessed in trumps playing the ten but it made no difference as North could always give his partner a club ruff and the defence would still have to arrive at a trick in each minor for one down and 5 IMPs.

With this match effectively over the clash between the leaders, China and USA took centre stage for the second half. It turned out to be a slugfest with the lead repeatedly changing hands. These deals will give you the flavour.

Board 19. Dealer South. EW Game ª 4 © 9 8 7 5 2 ¨ A J 10 7 § A K 5 ª Q J 3 ª A K 8 7 6 2 © J 10 © A Q 6 ¨ Q 9 6 2 ¨ 8 § Q J 9 6 § 8 4 2 ª 10 9 5 © K 4 3 ¨ K 5 4 3 § 10 7 3 West North East South Hongjun Hamman Zejun Soloway Pass Pass 1© 1ª Pass 2ª Dble 4ª All Pass

South led his partner's suit as who would not and the location of the §10 was all declarer needed to record +620.

South ignored his partner as who would not by leading the ª5 and the contract was instantly doomed. 13 spectacular IMPs for China.

Board 21. Dealer North. NS Game ª A Q 9 3 © A K 8 5 3 ¨ A Q 3 § 4 ª K J 6 5 4 ª 8 2 © 10 © J 7 6 ¨ 8 7 ¨ K J 9 5 2 § J 10 8 3 2 § Q 7 6 ª 10 7 © Q 9 4 2 ¨ 10 6 4 § A K 9 5 West North East South Hongjun Hamman Zejun Soloway 1§ Pass 1© 1ª 2© Pass 3© Pass 3ª Dble 4§ Pass 4ª Pass 5§ Pass 6© All Pass

Declarer made no mistake on the lead of the §J, taking a spade finesse and ruffing his losing spades in hand to record +1430.

After the Bergen style raise North bid what he hoped he could make. East led the ©7 and declarer correctly won in hand. He crossed to dummy with a club and took a spade finesse. When that held he was in good shape and initially he detached the ªA from his hand. However he changed his mind and crossed back to dummy with a heart to the queen before cashing the ªA and playing a third spade. Now East could ruff with the heart jack and wait for a diamond trick. One down and 17 huge IMPs to USA.

Board 27. Dealer South. Love All ª A Q 10 2 © 6 3 ¨ K 8 § K 10 8 5 4 ª K ª 9 5 4 3 © 9 © 7 5 2 ¨ J 10 6 5 4 2 ¨ A Q 9 3 § A J 9 7 6 § Q 3 ª J 8 7 6 © A K Q J 10 8 4 ¨ 7 § 2 West North East South Hongjun Hamman Zejun Soloway 4© 4NT Dble 5¨ Pass Pass Dble All Pass

West's entry into the auction paid dividends as it led to this side finding the excellent save in 5¨.

South was left in peace and made twelve tricks when he managed to slip past the ace of clubs.

When the music stopped China were ahead by 6 IMPs and tied for the lead with Brazil.