Louis Vuitton McConnell Cup
Final / Set Two


Auken v Erhart

Austria started the third quarter with a healthy 29 IMP lead and within the space of four boards they had effectively put themselves out of reach.

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

West North East South
Erhart Stawowy Terraneo Farwig

1© Pass 2NT
Pass 3¨ Pass 3©
Pass 3NT Pass 4§
Pass 4© Pass 6©
All Pass

The short interval between sessions makes it difficult to obtain exact details with regard to the meaning of every single bid, but this is what we think was happening. After South had made a game forcing response to the opening bid the rebid showed a shortage and the subsequent 3NT was of the 'serious' variety, implying slam interest. When North failed to cue bid over 4§ (or was that a reply to RKCB?) South could hardly be blamed for settling for the small slam.

West North East South
von Armin Fischer Auken Weigkricht

4§ Pass 4NT
Pass 5© Pass 5NT
Pass 6© Pass 7NT
All Pass

This was duck soup for the Austrians and they must have been slightly surprised to gain 11 IMPs, putting them 40 IMPs ahead. Germany suffered on the next deal.

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

West North East South
Erhart Stawowy Terraneo Farwig

Pass 1NT
Pass Pass 2§ Pass
2© All Pass

East's reopening bid promised the majors and West gave preference. North must surely have been tempted to wield the axe but in the event she went quietly. The contract drifted two down for +100 to Germany.

West North East South
von Armin Fischer Auken Weigkricht

Pass 1¨
Pass 1© Dble 1ª
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
All Pass

We have no idea why Terri Weigkricht bid 1ª and it had the effect of letting von Arnim off the hook. 3NT is clearly too high but the bridge Gods were about to smile on the Austrians.

With a difficult lead East selected the ©2 which went to the six, nine and ten. With no place to go declarer tried a club to the ace and another club. West won with the §K and played the ª8. North tried the ªK and East won with the ace. East could not be sure her partner had the ©A so she switched to the ¨9. Declarer went up with dummy's ace and called for a card from dummy. The players were speaking in German and clearly von Arnim thought it was a diamond for she put the ¨6 on the table. When it transpired that declarer had asked for the ©K von Arnim substituted the ©A.

The Director, Richard Grenside confirmed that the ¨6 was a major penalty card and so had to be played at the first legal opportunity. East had no problem on this trick, parting with a heart, but the next diamond was a killer. Releasing a heart or a club would allow declarer to cash her tricks in that suit, at the same time squeezing East again. Auken released a club and was eventually thrown in with a spade to lead into declarer's heart tenace.

That cost another 11 IMPs, Austria by 51.

Both teams were at fault for not using English at the table which may well have contributed to this disaster.

Fischer-Weigkricht bid an excellent slam on the next board and the German pair must have been relieved to see it reached in the other room. It was only a temporary reprieve.

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

West North East South
Erhart Stawowy Terraneo Farwig

Pass Pass 4ª Dble
All Pass

4ª can be defeated but its not easy. South has to switch to a heart after cashing one trick in either minor. Then she can get in with the other minor to give North a heart ruff.

Not easy and after cashing the §A she fatally took a top diamond. +790 for Austria.

West North East South

Pass Pass 1ª Dble
Pass 2¨ 2ª 3ª
Pass 4§ Pass 4¨
Pass 5¨ All Pass

Well bid by the Austrians who recorded +600 and 16 huge IMPs.

It was by now clear that they would be the new Louis Vuitton McConnell World Champions.


Results Contents
Rosenblum Cup SF
McConnell Cup F
Open Pairs SF1, SF2, Z1, Z2
Ladies Pairs SF1, SF2
Senior Pairs Q1, Q2
Continuous Pairs
Louis Vuitton McConnell Cup Final I
Louis Vuitton McConnell Cup Final II
Mellow Mexican Music
Master Bidders Club
Seventh Heaven


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