New Zealand and Chinese Taipei are surprise leaders in Groups A and B respectively after eight matches in the Open Olympiad. However, niether is by any means running away from the field. New Zealand holds a one-point margin over defending champion France. Chinese Taipei's lead is even smaller only a half a point over Italy. In the Women's event, Sweden's perfect streak ended when they were defeated 24-6 by South Africa. That opened the way for Denmark to shoot into the lead, four points ahead of their Nordic rivals. Defending champion Austria fell on bad times, dropping all the way to sixth place. Meanwhile the United States had a big day to shoot into the lead by 5 VP in Group B.
By Seamus Dowling
Not many declarers made 4 on Board 14 of Round 3 in the Open Teams. Tom Hanlon did for Ireland against Indonesia. What's more, it was doubled.
Board 14. Love All. Dealer East. | |||||
J 7 6 | |||||
A K Q 9 3 | |||||
3 | |||||
K Q J 7 | |||||
10 9 5 3 | A K Q 8 2 | ||||
7 | 8 6 2 | ||||
A K 9 7 4 | 8 2 | ||||
A 5 4 | 10 9 6 | ||||
4 | |||||
J 10 5 4 | |||||
Q J 10 6 5 | |||||
8 3 2 |
West | North | East | South | |||
McGann | Hanlon | |||||
Pass | Pass | |||||
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
2 | 4 | 4 | Pass | |||
Pass | Dble | All Pass |
The J opening lead was overtaken by North who switched to the K, ducked. Hanlon won the next club and played a spade to the ace to take a heart ruff. Another spade to hand was followed by a second heart ruff.
The problem now was that he had no way back to hand to draw the last trump. He solved this by cashing one top diamond before exiting with his last club. North was endplayed. Whatever he played Tom could win in hand and make ten tricks.
Open |
A5 | B5 | A6 | B6 | A7 | B7 | A8 | B8 | |
Ladies |
A3 | B3 | A4 | B4 | A5 | B5 |