| 10th World Youth Team Championship | Page 6 | Bulletin 6 - Saturday 13 August 2005 |
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ENGLAND v USA 1 by Ron Klinger The first swing came when USA1 bid a tight game:
Datum: N/S 20
Lead: ♣6 North went one off for 100.
Lead: ♠9 Note opener’s strength for a one-level opening at favourable vulnerability. Declarer took the ♠K and played the ♣10, taken by the ace. South now tried the ♥10 to the queen and ace. East played the ♦4 to the nine and queen and North put the ♥8 on the table. East covered with the ♥J, repeated the diamond finesse and emerged with nine tricks for +400 and 7 IMPs to USA1. England picked up 5 partscore IMPs on Board 3, but those were the last English IMPs for a long time. Bits and pieces went to USA1 who led 16-5 at the half-way point. Then there was a torrent of IMPs to USA1.
Datum: N/S +80
Lead: ♠3 Having a bid available to show both minors below game values is certainly handy and it paid off here when North/South played in their longer trump suit. The ♠3 was led and declarer came home with an overtrick for +130.
(i) Transfer to clubs Lead: ♠2 Without a bid to show both minors, it might be prudent to pass 1NT rather than climb to the three-level into a possible 5-2 fit (not that 1NT is any joy here either). South captured East’s ♠J and played a club to the ten and jack. South won the ♠5 return and played another club to the king. The ♦2 went to jack and ace and West continued the spade attack, ruffed in dummy. Declarer finished one down for 100, and 6 IMPs to USA1.
Datum: N/S 290
Lead: ♠3 North led a trump and declarer made nine tricks for +110.
(i) Artificial, strong (ii) Artificial, 0-5 points Lead: ♣Q Declarer ducked the club lead and South shifted to the ♦2. (A spade switch might have tested declarer later.) The ♦K won and declarer played a low club to South, who switched to the S7. Grue played the ♠9 from dummy and North was endplayed. Whether North played a major or a diamond, it would give declarer the ninth trick. North chose a heart and East had +400; 7 IMPs to USA1.
Datum: N/S 170
Lead: ♥J Declarer ducked in dummy and West played a second heart for the king and ace. When East continued with a heart, South pitched the ♣7. Declarer handled the spades for one loser, -100. At the other table Grue/Kranyak combined well for a strong penalty:
(i) 6+ clubs, 10-15 HCP (ii) 6+ hearts, inviting game Lead: ♥J Declarer covered with the ♥K, taken by the ace. East cashed the ♥Q but, before continuing hearts, he also cashed the ♣K. Then came the third heart, ruffed and over-ruffed. West exited with the ♣A, ruffed by South, who played a spade to the jack for two down; 500 and 9 IMPs to USA1. England picked up 5 IMPs before USA1 continued their run:
Datum: N/S +50
Lead: ♠4 Declarer drew trumps and set up the diamonds to land eleven tricks for +650.
Lead: ♦6 Would you fancy leaving 3NT doubled in as West? A spade lead gives it to you and you can make it on a heart lead if you have the courage to duck in dummy, but on a diamond lead you are five down for 1100. West saw no reason to be a hero and the 3NT bid had already won the board. South took the ♦A and switched to a spade. The defence took the first four tricks for +50, but little consolation for the game available in spades; 12 IMPs to USA1. Two boards later there was another run from 3NT doubled:
Datum: N/S +100
Lead: ♥K Declarer won and led the ♣J. East took the ace and played the ♦10. North won and put the ♠7 on the table. East rose with the ♠A and cashed the ♥Q, but that was the end for the defence; +130.
Lead: ♥Q A heart continuation will beat 3NT (easier if West drops the ♥J), but that did not happen and on a spade switchdeclarer has nine tricks; 7 IMPs to USA1. England defeated a major-suit game in each room on the last board to collect 9 IMPs. That reduced the margin to58-19, a 23-7 VP win to USA1. |
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