Open Series: With only four squads going forward from each group, it may be time for the leading teams to start looking over their shoulders, particularly if they happen to be lying fourth.There is not much in it in Groups A & B, but in Group C, Indonesia are 18.5 VPs ahead of fifth placed Japan. In Group D, China have a margin of 14 VP over South Africa & Morocco.

Women's Series: There is more margin for error here, as eight teams qualify from each group. Sweden and South Africa are the teams currently in the hot seats.

Seniors: The USA have powered their way to the top of the table, and opened up a gap over Sweden and Scotland.

University: It is currently a two-horse race, as Austria and Italy have drawn clear of the field.

Double means trouble!

Women series

Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul
ª K Q 9 4 3 © 9 7 6 ¨ A K § Q J 4
ª 8 5 © A K Q 5 4 ¨ Q 10 9 6 5 § 6		ª A 6 2 © 10 3 2 ¨ 8 7 4 2 § 10 9 2
	ª J 10 7 © J 8 ¨ J 3 § A K 8 7 5 3

When someone makes a double, someone is in trouble. The Norwegian women, Soelvi Remen and Siv Thoresen cooperated brilliantly on this hand from the encounter with Ireland in Round 6.

Soelvi flashed a red card onto the tray, asking partner to lead her weaker major, usually promising a solid suit. Her bravado was handsomely rewarded when Siv led the two of hearts. Soelvi's suit was solid, and five heart tricks and the ace of spades put the contract two light. Doubled. +500 for Norway.

At the other table the bidding also went 1NT - 3NT, but this time West passed. East led from her longest and strongest, an Eva Lund Heitmann in declarer's seat won the queen with the ace, and played a spade. It is possible that East should fear the Club suit and rise with the ace to watch partner's play. Shift to a heart if she plays a high spade, and continue diamonds if she played a low one. It is a tough problem, and I guess not many players would have found the correct answer. (A Smith Peter would help if East does play the ace. Editor) East played low, and nine tricks were there for the taking. Eva cashed her clubs, and when the opponents discarded hearts en masse, she also threw hers and reverted to spades. East won the ace, but had only diamonds left. So Aase Langeland saw her partner enter twelve tricks on her scorecard for a gain of 15 IMPs.

No double - no trouble!

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