Endgame

Andrea Reim, Germany

The last two winners of the Venice Cup, Germany, the holders, and The Netherlands, winners in Bermuda, are no strangers to close finishes, both having secured their titles in dramatic last gasp circumstances. When the last session started Netherlands led by 21IMPs and history pointed to them maintaining their lead as they have a tremendous record in head to head matches between the two countries. There was also the feeling that Germany had missed their chances during the two previous sessions, when they had the opportunity to build a commanding lead.

Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul.
	ª A 6 5 3 © J 7 3 2 ¨ A 10 7 5 § 6
ª K 7 © A K 9 ¨ 8 4 3 2 § J 10 5 3		ª 9 4 2 © Q 8 5 4 ¨ J 9 § A 9 4 2
	ª Q J 10 8 © 10 6 ¨ K Q 6 § K Q 8 7

West	North	East	South
Reim	Vriend	Nehmert	Van der Pas
	Pass	Pass	1§
Pass	1©	Pass	1ª
Pass	3ª	All Pass

The Dutch ladies did not over press and they made eleven tricks, +200.

West	North	East	South
Van Zwol	Auken	Arnolds	Von Arnim
	Pass	Pass	1ª
Pass	2NT*	Pass	3NT
Pass	4ª	All Pass

Of course it was right for the German pair to be on the lookout for any possible game, but with West on lead there was no real hope. After three rounds of hearts forcing declarer to ruff the queen of spades was covered by the king and ace but it was very easy for East to take the club lead from dummy and play the queen of hearts ensuring that the nine of spades would be the setting trick. 6 IMPs for Netherlands, increasing their lead to 27 IMPs.

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
	ª Q J © A 7 5 4 2 ¨ 8 5 3 2 § A 5
ª A 7 6 5 4 © 9 6 ¨ 9 § K Q 9 8 7		ª 10 9 8 3 2 © K 8 3 ¨ 7 6 § J 4 3
	ª K © Q J 10 ¨ A K Q J 10 4 § 10 6 2

West	North	East	South
Reim	Vriend	Nehmert	Van der Pas
			1¨
1ª	2©	Pass	4©
All Pass

East/West have a paying save because of the magical black suit fits, but they didn’t find it, N/S +650.

West	North	East	South
Van Zwol	Auken	Arnolds	Von Arnim
2ª*	Pass	Pass	3¨
Pass	3©	Pass	3ª
Pass	5¨	All Pass

Two Spades promised spades and a minor and it was very surprising to see East fail to make any kind of raise. It did not matter, as North/South got their wires crossed and reached a contract that could not be made. The lead was now 42 IMPs and Germany needed something good to happen.

Board 21. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
	ª Q 9 © Q 8 6 ¨ 10 9 6 5 2 § Q 6 4
ª A K J 8 4 © A J ¨ A J 7 § J 7 2		ª 10 2 © K 5 2 ¨ K 8 4 3 § 10 9 8 5
	ª 7 6 5 3 © 10 9 7 4 3 ¨ Q § A K 3

Both tables reached 3NT and Germany made nine tricks easily enough. At the other table South led the ace of clubs and switched to a heart. Full marks to Barry Rigal, who pointed out that if declarer was unwise enough to duck she would probably be defeated, losing three clubs, a spade and three hearts – and so it proved. 11 IMPs to reduce the margin to 31.

Board 22. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
	ª J 10 8 5 © 10 7 ¨ K Q 4 § K Q 7 6
ª K © 8 6 5 4 ¨ J 10 7 5 3 2 § 5 2		ª Q 7 6 4 2 © 9 3 ¨ A 6 § A 10 8 4
	ª A 9 3 © A K Q J 2 ¨ 9 8 § J 9 3

They went straight back on this deal when Germany reached a hopeless Four Spades on the North/South cards, while Netherlands sailed into 3NT.

The game of ping pong continued on the next deal:

Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
	ª K © J 9 3 ¨ J 8 5 § K Q 10 9 6 5
ª 9 2 © A 10 8 5 4 ¨ A Q 6 3 2 § J		ª A Q J 10 8 7 © K 7 2 ¨ 9 § A 3 2
	ª 6 5 4 3 © Q 6 ¨ K 10 7 4 § 8 7 4

West	North	East	South
Reim	Vriend	Nehmert	Van der Pas
			Pass
1©	Pass	1ª	Pass
2¨	Pass	3§*	Pass
3¨	Pass	3©	Pass
3ª	Pass	4§*	Pass
4©	Pass	4NT*	Pass
5©*	Pass	6©	All Pass

A good effort by East/West and the cards co-operated, +1430.

West	North	East	South
Reim	Vriend	Nehmert	Van der Pas
			Pass
1©	Pass	2ª	Pass
3¨	Pass	3©	Pass
3ª	Pass	4§*	Pass
4ª	All Pass

	Marijke van der Pas, The Netherlands

Very mysterious, with West refusing to cue bid in diamonds. 13 IMPs to get Germany back to minus 31, but time was running out and their was to be no miracle, Netherlands going on to win the session 47-31 and advance to the semi final.