Appetizer

We will be bringing you a detailed report of the thrilling, nerve jangling encounter between England and Sweden that decided the final qualification spot in the Venice Cup. Here is a foretaste of the action, which started on the very first deal.

Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
	ª Q 7 6 © K 6 ¨ A 9 6 4 3 § 6 5 2
ª J 5 3 2 © 10 9 7 3 ¨ 10 8 2 § J 10		ª K 10 4 © A J 8 5 4 ¨ K J 7 § K 7
	ª A 9 8 © Q 2 ¨ Q 5 § A Q 9 8 4 3

West	North	East	South
Brunner	Andersson	Goldenfield	Larsson
	Pass	1©	2§
Pass	3§	Pass	3©
Dble	3NT	All Pass

Declarer won the opening heart lead in hand and played a club to the queen. With suit breaking she could run for home, +400.

West	North	East	South
Forsberg	Smith	Gronkvist	Dhondy
	Pass	1NT	All Pass

South led a club and declarer won with dummy’s jack and played on hearts. South set about cashing her club tricks, and declarer had to find four discards. The obvious thing to do is to get rid of two hearts a spade and a diamond, but declarer decided to part with two spades and one card in each red suit. South cashed the ace of spades, and then played the nine. Declarer didn’t cover, so North won the third round of spades with the queen and played a diamond. Declarer got that wrong and so made only the tricks she had taken at the beginning, five down, -250. 4 IMPs to Sweden.

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

West	North	East	South
Brunner	Andersson	Goldenfield	Larsson
1§	Pass	1©	Dble
2©	2ª	3¨	4ª
All Pass

East led her club and the defenders took a club, two club ruffs, and a trick in each suit, three down, +300.

West	North	East	South
Forsberg	Smith	Gronkvist	Dhondy
Pass	Pass	1©	1NT
Dble	2ª	All Pass

Notice that the same defence defeats Two Spades, but when East led her club West ducked. Later on, East ducked the ace of hearts and declarer was home in comfort.

It was going well for England in this room – would it last. Don’t miss tomorrow’s thrilling conclusion.