|
Canada
vs Norway
A vital match for both teams that provided us with some simply
sensational bridge.
|
Session 16. Board
1. Dealer North. None Vul.
|
| |
ª 8 7
5 4 3 2
© 4
¨ K 10
7 5
§ K 6 |
ª
-
© A 9 8
7 5 2
¨ A J 6 4
§ Q 8 7 |
 |
ª
Q 10 6
© K Q J
10 6 3
¨ 8 3 2
§ 3 |
| |
ª A K
J 9
© -
¨ Q 9
§ A J
10 9 5 4 2 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
Pass |
3© |
5§ |
| 6© |
Pass |
Pass |
Dbl |
|
When South bid Five Clubs, an eminently sensible action after
East's preempt, West, was faced with an awkward decision.
The obvious bid of Five Hearts might give the opponents a
chance to locate a spade fit, and at the same time it was
possible that a slam might be on for East/West.
Quite a problem for the first deal of such an important match.
When West went for the most aggressive action South's double
closed proceedings. South led a top spade and declarer appeared
to be booked for two down, but a defensive error - South faling
to unblock in diamonds - let him escape for -100.
|
|
David Grainger, Canada |
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
Pass |
2¨* |
3§ |
| Pass |
3ª |
Pass |
5ª |
| All Pass |
|
|
|
The multi did not show itself in a favourable light this time although
West could have bid Six Hearts at the end. Declarer ruffed the opening
heart lead and cashed a top spade. He crossed to dummy with a club,
drew trumps and gave up two diamonds. +450 and a good start for
Canada, ahead by 8 IMPs.
|
Session 16. Board
3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
|
| |
ª K 10
6
© J 8
7 6
¨ K 7 6
4
§ J 6 |
ª
Q 7 5 2
© Q
¨ J 8 2
§ A K 5
3 2 |
|
ª
J 8
© A 10 9
5 4 3 2
¨ A 10
§ 10 8 |
| |
ª A 9
4 3
© K
¨ Q 9 5
3
§ Q 9
7 4 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
|
|
Pass |
| 1§ |
Pass |
1© |
Dbl |
| 1ª |
2¨ |
2© |
All Pass |
South's pointless double enabled East/West to stop at a low level.
South led a diamond to the queen and ace and when declarer played
back the tem of diamonds South won and switched to spades. The defenders
took two tricks in the suit and two trumps but that was all, +110
for Canada.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
|
|
Pass |
| 1© |
Pass |
1© |
Pass |
| 1ª |
Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
Four Hearts lost the same tricks as in the other room so declarer
was two down, -200 and 7 IMPs for Canada.
|
Session 16. Board
4. Dealer West. All Vul.
|
| |
ª 8 6
4
© A J
8 2
¨ A 4
§ A Q
J 2 |
ª
K Q 10
© Q 6 3
¨ J 8 7 6
§ 7 5 4 |
|
ª
A 7 5 3
© 10 9 5
¨ Q 2
§ K 10 9
6 |
| |
ª J 9
2
© K 7
4
¨ K 10
9 5 3
§ 8 3 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| Pass |
1NT |
All Pass |
|
With the heart finesse right and the suit 3-3 declarer made eight
tricks, +120.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
2§ |
| Pass |
2© |
Pass |
2NT |
| Pass |
3NT |
|
|
Facing a 15-17 no-trump the South hand is just about worth an invitational
raise but the combination of that and North acceptance saw another
six IMPs go to Canada, East leading a spade on the go, overtaking
his partner's king of spades at trick two and returning the five
so that West would switch to a club. For a quick one down. 21-0
to Canada and some worried looks from the Norwegian supporters.
|
Session 16. Board
5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
|
| |
ª 10 5
© K 5
¨ J 9 6
4
§ Q 10
8 7 4 |
ª
A Q 2
© 6 3
¨ 10 7 3
2
§ J 6 3
2 |
|
ª
K 8 7 6 4 3
© J 7
¨ A
§ A K 9
5 |
| |
ª J 9
© A Q
10 9 8 4 2
¨ K Q 8
5
§ - |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
Pass |
1ª |
4© |
| 4ª |
All Pass |
|
|
That was quite a bid from West but he was under pressure. South
led the king of diamonds and declarer won, played a spade to the
queen, a spade to the king and cashed a top club. When South showed
out declarer faced his cards, as he could play a club to the jack
and subsequently take a marked finesse in the suit, +420.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
Pass |
1ª |
2© |
| 2ª |
Pass |
4ª |
All Pass |
East had a blind spot in the play and went down - -50 and the score
was now 31-0.
|
Session 16. Board
6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
|
| |
ª K 9
7 4 2
© K 8
6
¨ J 3
§ 9 5
4 |
ª
A
© Q J 7
5 2
¨ Q 9 8 5
§ J 10 7 |
|
ª
Q J 10 3
© A 9 4
3
¨ A 4 2
§ K 8 |
| |
ª 8 6
5
© 10
¨ K 10
7 6
§ A Q
6 3 2 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
|
1NT |
Pass |
| 2¨ |
Pass |
3© |
Pass |
| 4© |
All Pass |
|
|
South led a spade and declarer found a neat way to ensure his contract.
After winning with the ace of spades he ran the queen of hearts
and then played the jack, covered by the king and ace. Now cam the
queen of spades, declarer throwing a diamond from dummy. That neat
loser on loser play meant that in due course declarer could dispose
of dummy's remaining diamonds on the top spades. A well played hand
for +620.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
|
1© |
Pass |
| 4© |
All Pass |
|
|
Full marks to East, who had recoverd his equanimity after the previous
board and made no mistake, play following similar lines to that
in the open room. A flat board and then at last the promise of some
badly needed IMPs for Norway.Full marks to East, who had recoverd
his equanimity after the previous board and made no mistake, play
following similar lines to that in the open room. A flat board and
then at last the promise of some badly needed IMPs for Norway.
|
Session 16. Board
7. Dealer South. All Vul.
|
| |
ª A Q
9 7 3
© 9 4
2
¨ 8
§ K 9
6 3 |
ª
K J 6
© K 6
¨ A 10 9
7 6 5 4
§ 4 |
|
ª
10 4
© A 10 8
3
¨ K J 2
§ A Q J
7 |
| |
ª 8 5
2
© Q J
7 5
¨ Q 3
§ 10 8
5 2 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
|
|
Pass |
| 1¨ |
1ª |
Dbl |
Pass |
| 2¨ |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
| 2NT |
Pass |
3NT |
All Pass |
Declarer made eleven tricks, +660.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
|
|
Pass |
| 1¨ |
1ª |
Dbl |
Pass |
| 2¨ |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
| 2NT |
Pass |
3¨ |
Pass |
| 3© |
Pass |
4§ |
Pass |
| 4ª |
Pass |
4NT |
Pass |
| 5¨ |
Pass |
6¨ |
All Pass |
Nils Kvangraven, Norway |
|
It took some time for this board to arrive from the Closed
Room so the speculation was that East/West might have reached
Six Diamonds. Say North leads a heart. Declarer wins, draws
trumps, cashes the other top heart and then runs his trumps
to reduce everyone to four cards. Dummy will be down to §AQJ
and a spade. North will have to keep ªA
and §K96.
Declarer takes a club finesse and then throws North in with
a spade to force a lead back into the club tenace. However,
Josh Heller was having none of this and led the nine of clubs!
It looks as if that is a killing lead as it attacks declarer's
communications but if declarer takes the club finesse and
simply plays off all his trumps followed by the top hearts
ending in dummy North will still be caught. He has to keep
the king of clubs guarded and can be thrown in with the ace
of spades as before. Declarer did not see this possibility
and he went up with the ace of clubs and had to go one down.
|
A huge blow for Canada, ahead by 44 IMPs instead of just 18 had
the slam been made.
|
Session 16. Board
8. Dealer West. None Vul.
|
| |
ª 10 9
5 4
© 2
¨ Q 10
9 8 7 4
§ K 2 |
ª
Q 8 7 3 2
© 3
¨ K 6 2
§ 10 6 4
3 |
|
ª
K
© K Q J
9 7
¨ J 5
§ A Q 9
8 5 |
| |
ª A J
6
© A 10
8 6 5 4
¨ A 3
§ J 7 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| Pass |
2ª |
Dbl |
All Pass |
North's opening bid promised at least four spades and a minor.
East's double was the best action for his side, although the lunatic
fringe in the audience also mentioned the possibility of Leaping
Michaels and a Three Spade cue bid, both far too ambitious facing
a passed partner.
West was happy to defend and East led the king of hearts. Declarer
won in dummy, ruffed a heart, West discarding a diamond, and played
the queen of diamonds to his ace in order to ruff another heart.
Now he exited with a diamond to the king. West switched to the two
of spades and declarer won and ruffed a heart with his last trump.
He now played a diamond and if he discards a club he can escape
for one down but when he pitched a heart West ruffed and played
a club. East won and played a heart and although that was a winner
West ruffed and played a club. Now another heart from East enabled
West to score both his trump tricks - a Grand Coup by the defence
no less and +300.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
2¨* |
2© |
Dbl |
| Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
3¨ |
| All Pass |
|
|
|
North did not fancy defending Two Hearts doubled and he was right
as on this layout the contract cannot be defeated.
Three Diamonds can be made but declarer made a slight mistake and
finished one down - still 8 IMPs to Canada. With the score at 50-0
Norway were almost down and out.
|
Session 16. Board
9. Dealer North. E/W Vul.
|
| |
ª Q 9
6 3
© Q J
7 4
¨ 7
§ K J
9 4 |
ª
7 5 4 2
© A 10 3
2
¨ Q J 8
§ Q 6 |
|
ª
A J 10 8
© 8
¨ 9 6 5 2
§ 8 7 3
2 |
| |
ª K
© K 9
6 5
¨ A K 10
4 3
§ A 10
5 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
Pass |
Pass |
1NT |
| Pass |
2§ |
Pass |
2© |
| Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
|
West led the queen of diamonds and declare won and crossed to dummy
with a heart to play a spade. East naturally played low so the singleton
king won.
Now declarer played a second heart and when East showed out he had
to be careful. His next play did not fall in with that requirement
as he ran the jack of clubs to West's queen and would now have been
defeated if West had simply played ace and another heart. As long
as declarer takes a first round club finesse the other way he cannot
be defeated as he can never lose more than two trumps thereafter
even if the finesse loses. However, West played a spade, forcing
declarer to ruff. He cashed his other winning diamond discarding
a spade and at this point can still make the contract by overtaking
the ten of clubs, ruffing a spade and playing the ace of clubs.
All West can get is two trump tricks.
However he rufffed a diamond and had to go one down.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
Pass |
Pass |
1¨ |
| Pass |
1© |
Pass |
3© |
| Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
|
The opening lead of the three of clubs made life very simple, +420
and incredibly the score was now 60-0.
|
Session 16. Board
10. Dealer East. All Vul.
|
| |
ª Q 10
8 7
© 6 3
¨ K Q J
8 6
§ 6 4 |
ª
J 9
© J 10 9
8 2
¨ 9 2
§ Q 7 5
3 |
|
ª
3 2
© A Q 5
¨ A 10 5
4 3
§ A J 9 |
| |
ª A K
6 5 4
© K 7
4
¨ 7
§ K 10
8 2 |
|
| Open Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Grainger |
Kvangraven |
Wolpert |
Harr |
| |
|
1NT |
Pass |
| 2¨ |
Dbl |
Redbl |
2ª |
| Pass |
Pass |
3© |
Dbl |
| Pass |
3ª |
All Pass |
|
Declarer made the obvious tem tricks, losing only to the three
aces.
| Closed Room |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Ellestad |
Heller |
Charlsen |
Demuy |
| |
|
1NT |
2ª |
| Pass |
3ª |
Pass |
4ª |
| All Pass |
|
|
|
That was another tem IMPs to the Canadian team, putting them 70-0
ahead at half time. There was to be no comeback for Norway in a
dull second half and the European Champions, who were one of the
ante post favourites were down and out. Canada however were now
right back in the race for a semi-final spot.
|
