France v Poland
by Ron Klinger
Before this match, both teams were more than 40 VPs ahead of fifth place and thus virtually certain of a semi-final berth. This match was more for bragging rights and also for a psychological edge should they meet later in the finals.
The scores began at a frenetic pace with a 50 IMP turnover in the first five deals. It started with a slam that can be defeated
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. |
| ♠ K Q 10 5 3 ♥ A K Q 8 ♦ 10 ♣ Q 10 5 | ♠ 2 ♥ 10 9 6 3 2 ♦ A 6 2 ♣ 8 6 3 2 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ J 8 4 ♥ ♦ 9 8 4 3 ♣ A K J 9 7 4 | | ♠ A 9 7 6 ♥ J 7 5 4 ♦ K Q J 7 5 ♣ |
Datum: N/S +130
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| 1♠ | 2♣ | 3♦(i)
|
4♣ | 4♥ | 5♣ | 6♣
|
Pass | 6♠ | All Pass
| |
(i) Fit-jump
There is no need to take a sacrifice if you can beat the contract. East led the ♦9 to the ace and West returned a heart; +50 to Poland.
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| 1♠ | 2♣ | 4♣
|
5♣ | 5♥ | Pass | 6♠
|
Pass | Pass | 7♣ | Dble
|
All Pass
| | | |
Lead: ♦K
Declarer lost two diamonds and a spade for 500 and11 IMPs to Poland. Perhaps a 4♦ bid by West instead of 5♣ would have helped East with the decision. Chile v Egypt
West | North | East | South
|
Robles | Mehilba | Pacareu | Nabil
|
| 1♠ | 3♣ | 4♣
|
5♣ | Pass | Pass | 5♦
|
Pass | 5♥ | Pass | 6♠
|
All Pass
| | | |
East led the ♣A, ruffed, and declarer pulled the ♦5 from dummy. West rose with the ♦A and switched to the ♥2; one down for +50 to Chile.
West | North | East | South
|
Hammad | Smith | Abdelfatta | Riedel
|
| 1♠ | Pass | 2♦
|
Pass | 2♥ | Pass | 2♠
|
Pass | 3♥ | Pass | 4♣
|
Pass | 4♦ | Pass | 4♠
|
Pass | 4NT | Pass | 5♣
|
Pass | 5♠ | All Pass
| |
The first three tricks were the same as at the other table; +450 and 11 IMPs to Chile.
Canada v China Hong Kong
West | North | East | South
|
Demuy | Ng FY | Wolpert | Mak KF
|
| 1♠ | 2♣ | 4♣
|
Dble | 4♥ | 5♣ | 6♠
|
All Pass
| | | |
East led the ♣9, ruffed. Then came the ♠A, two, three-, four, and the ♠7, ♥6, ♠K, ♠8. Declarer shifted to the ♦10, three, king, ace and back came the ♥2, ruffed; +50 to Canada.
West | North | East | South
|
Cheuk-hin | Grainger | Chi-cheung | Lavee
|
| 1♠ | 3♣ | 4♦
|
Pass | 4♥ | Pass | 5♣
|
Pass | 6♠ | All Pass
| |
East led the ♣A, ruffed, and declarer played the ♦5 from dummy. West rose with the ♦A, but alas returned a diamond. North ruffed, drew trumps and claimed +980;14 IMPs to Canada.
Poland picked up 6 IMPs on a partscore deal and more on the next board:
Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul. |
| ♠ Q 8 5 ♥ K 10 9 7 3 ♦ A 8 7 ♣ 10 2 | ♠ J 9 4 2 ♥ 4 ♦ Q 4 3 2 ♣ A 7 6 5 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A K 10 7 ♥ A 5 2 ♦ J 5 ♣ K Q 9 4 | | ♠ 6 3 ♥ Q J 8 6 ♦ K 10 9 6 ♣ J 8 3 |
Datum: N/S 410
East/West have a comfortable game in spades (ruff two hearts and finesse the spade). If East opens 1NT, West needs to make some invitational move.
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| | | Pass
|
Pass | 1♥ | Dble | 3♥
|
Pass | Pass | Dble | Pass
|
4♥ | Pass | 4♠ | All Pass
|
Lead: ♥Q
Declarer took the ♥A, ruffed a heart and ran the ♠J. After a spade to his ten he ruffed his other heart loser and made eleven tricks for +650.
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| | | Pass
|
Pass | 1♥ | 1NT | 2♥
|
Dble | Pass | 2♠ | All Pass
|
Lead: ♥Q
Declarer also made eleven tricks for +200; 10 IMPs to Poland, leading 27-0. After East bids 2♠ in reply to the take-out double, West is worth at least 3♠. Chile v Egypt
West | North | East | South
|
Hammad | Smith | Abdelfatta | Riedel
|
| | | Pass
|
Pass | 1♥ | Dble | 2♣
|
2♠ | All Pass
| | |
Lead: ♠5; Ten tricks +170.
This time it was East who might have raised spades.
West | North | East | South
|
Robles | Mehilba | Pacareu | Nabil
|
| | | Pass
|
Pass | Pass | 1NT | All Pass
|
Lead: ♥6
It can go wrong, of course but, vulnerable at IMPs, West might try for a spade fit. Declarer took his seven tricks for +90; 2 IMPs to Egypt. Canada v China Hong Kong
West | North | East | South
|
Demuy | Ng FY | Wolpert | Mak KF
|
| | | Pass
|
Pass | Pass | 1NT | Pass
|
2♦ | Pass | 2♥ | Pass
|
2NT | Pass | 4♠ | All Pass
|
West | North | East | South
|
Cheuk-hin | Grainger | Chi-cheung | Lavee
|
| | | Pass
|
Pass | Pass | 1NT | Pass
|
2♣ | Pass | 2♥ | Pass
|
3♠ | Pass | 4♠ | All Pass
|
Both tables made eleven tricks for, +650.
France struck back on the next board:
Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. |
| ♠ Q 10 7 ♥ Q 7 2 ♦ A 4 3 ♣ K J 6 4 | ♠ 8 5 4 ♥ J 9 6 3 ♦ Q 10 6 ♣ A 8 7 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A J 9 6 ♥ K 10 5 ♦ 8 7 5 ♣ 10 5 3 | | ♠ K 3 2 ♥ A 8 4 ♦ K J 9 2 ♣ Q 9 2 |
Datum: N/S +170
At one table North played 3NT on the ♦8 lead for one down. At the other table:
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
Pass | 1♣ | Pass | 1♦
|
Pass | 1NT | Pass | 3NT
|
All Pass
| | | |
Lead: ♠6
The lead gave declarer an extra trick with the ♠10, but there was still a long route to nine tricks. The ♣4 went to the queen and ace and West returned the ♠5, ducked to dummy’s king. After a club to the king, declarer played the ♦4: eight jack queen. West played his last spade to the ace and East cashed the thirteenth, everyone pitching hearts. Declarer had lost four tricks and had to make the rest. East exited with the ♣10 to the jack and declarer played a heart to the ace, diamond to the ace and cashed his last club, everyone again throwing hearts. Then came the ♦3: seven . . . and the moment of decision had arrived. To the joy of the French supporters, Bessis rose with the ♦K, felling the ten, and had his ninth trick for +600 and 12 IMPs to France. Almost the whole gain vanished on the next deal:
Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. |
| ♠ J 10 6 5 3 2 ♥ Q J 6 ♦ 10 9 ♣ J 5 | ♠ A K 7 ♥ A 10 4 2 ♦ 3 ♣ K 7 6 3 2 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ Q 8 4 ♥ K 8 7 ♦ K Q J 8 7 6 5 ♣ | | ♠ 9 ♥ 9 5 3 ♦ A 4 2 ♣ A Q 10 9 8 4 |
Datum: N/S 150
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| Pass | 1♦ | 2♣
|
Pass | Pass | 2♦ | Pass
|
3♣ | Pass | 3♦ | Pass
|
3♥ | Pass | 4♥ | All Pass
|
Lead: ♠J
East/West did well to avoid the doomed 3NT. Declarer won the spade lead with the ace and played the ♦3 to the king and ace. South play the ♣A, ruffed. The ♦Q followed, West pitching a club. Then came ♥K, heart to the ace and a third heart. The 3-3 heart break meant declarer had eleven tricks for +450.
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| Pass | 1♦ | 2♣
|
Dble | Pass | 2♦ | Pass
|
3NT | All Pass
| | |
Lead: ♣J
South was able to force out the ♣K and had the ♦A as entry; two off for 100 and 11 IMPs to Poland. The pace slackened to a more normal rate, but it was a steady stream to Poland. On this board the sound of the auction and the void in trumps persuaded South to double a cold contract:
Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. |
| ♠ 6 4 3 2 ♥ 10 ♦ K 10 9 5 ♣ Q 7 6 4 | ♠ Q J 9 8 7 5 ♥ 7 2 ♦ 2 ♣ A 10 9 2 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A K 10 ♥ A J 8 6 ♦ Q 8 7 6 3 ♣ J | | ♠ ♥ K Q 9 5 4 3 ♦ A J 4 ♣ K 8 5 3 |
Datum: N/S 640
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| Pass | 1♦ | 1♥
|
Dble(i) | Pass | 1♠ | 2♥
|
2♠ | Pass | 3♠ | Pass
|
4♠ | Pass | Pass | Dble
|
All Pass
| | | |
(i) Shows 4+ spades
Lead: ♥K
Declarer took the ♥A and led the ♦Q. South won, cashed the ♥Q and played a third heart, ruffed with the ♠7. Then came ♣A, club ruff, diamond ruff with the ♠Q, club ruff, ♥J, ruffed with the ♠J and another club ruff. All these high ruffs had promoted a trump trick for North’s ♠6 and so declarer made ten tricks for +790.
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| Pass | 1♦ | 1♥
|
1♠ | Pass | 3♠ | Pass
|
4♠ | All Pass
| | |
Lead: ♥10
Declarer made eleven tricks for +650, but 4 IMPs to Poland. The next deal gave declarer a chance for a very pretty play:
Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. |
| ♠ 2 ♥ Q 6 2 ♦ 10 8 2 ♣ A J 10 6 5 2 | ♠ Q J 6 5 ♥ A 9 8 7 3 ♦ Q ♣ K 9 7 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A 8 7 ♥ K 10 5 ♦ K J 7 6 5 4 3 ♣ | | ♠ K 10 9 4 3 ♥ J 4 ♦ A 9 ♣ Q 8 4 3 |
Datum: N/S 50
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| | 1♦ | 1♠
|
2♥ | Pass | 3♥ | Pass
|
3NT | Pass | 4♦ | Pass
|
4♥ | All Pass
| | |
Lead: ♠2
Declarer won with the ♠A and finished two down for 200.
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| | 1♦ | 1♠
|
2♦(i) | Pass | 3♥ | Pass
|
4♥ | All Pass
| | |
(i) Transfer to hearts
Lead: ♣4
Declarer inserted the ♣9 and ruffed North’s ♣10. The ♦4 came next and South took his ace to play the ♣8, king, ace, ♥10. Dummy’s other club went away on the ♦K and the ♥K was cashed. This was now the position:
| ♠ 2 ♥ Q 6 ♦ 10 ♣ J 6 5 2 | ♠ Q J 6 5 ♥ A 9 8 7 ♦ ♣ | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A 8 7 ♥ ♦ J 7 6 5 3 ♣ | | ♠ K 10 9 4 3 ♥ J ♦ ♣ Q 3 |
East now played a low spade. South took the ♠K and gave North a spade ruff. North returned the ♦10, which South ruffed with the ♥J to uppercut declarer and take the contract one down. That was 100, but 3 IMPs to Poland.
Suppose in the diagram position East leads the ♦J. South ruffs and declarer pitches a spade. South has no winning move. A spade exit makes it easy. If South plays a club,declarer ruffs and plays ♥A and another heart, discarding dummy’s low spades and dummy is high.
Canada v China Hong Kong
West | North | East | South
|
Demuy | Ng FY | Wolpert | Mak KF
|
| | 1♦ | 1♠
|
Dble | 2♣ | 2♦ | 3♣
|
3NT | All Pass
| | |
North led the ♣10 and declarer was 200.
West | North | East | South
|
Cheuk-hin | Grainger | Chi-cheung | Lavee
|
| | 1♦ | Pass
|
1♥ | Pass | 2♦ | Pass
|
3♣ | Dble | 3♥ | Pass
|
4♥ | All Pass
| | |
North led the ♠2 and declarer was 100 for 3 IMPs to China Hong Kong.
Chile v Egypt
West | North | East | South
|
Hammad | Smith | Abdelfatta | Riedel
|
| | 1♦ | Pass
|
1♥ | 2♣ | 2♦ | 2♠
|
Dble | 3♣ | Pass | Pass
|
Dble | All Pass
| | |
East led the ♥5 to West’s ace and the ♣7 came back.Declarer misguessed by rising with the ♣A. North now tried the ♥6 and East rose with the ♥K to switch to the ♦5. Declarer had no quick entry to reach the ♥Q and so lost one spade, two hearts, a diamond and a club for 200. This turned out to be a useful gain in view of what happened at the other table:
West | North | East | South
|
Robles | Mehilba | Pacareu | Nabil
|
| | 1♦ | 1♠
|
3NT | Pass | 5♦! | All Pass
|
This was certainly the best contract on the East/West cards. South led the ♣3 and declarer made eleven tricks without great difficulty for +600 and 9 IMPs to Chile en route to a 21-9 win.
At other tables 4♥ sometimes made, sometimes failed, but no other pair found 5♦ East/West.
Poland led by 55-14 when this deal came along:
Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul. |
| ♠ K Q 10 9 8 2 ♥ 4 ♦ K 8 4 ♣ 9 6 2 | ♠ 4 3 ♥ 9 8 7 5 3 2 ♦ 9 3 ♣ A K 7 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ ♥ K J 6 ♦ 7 6 5 2 ♣ Q J 10 8 5 4 | | ♠ A J 7 6 5 ♥ A Q 10 ♦ A Q J 10 ♣ 3 |
Datum: N/S +1210
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| | | 1♣
|
Pass | 1♠ | Pass | 2♦
|
Pass | 4♥ | Pass | 4NT
|
Pass | 5♣ | Pass | 6♠
|
All Pass
| | | |
There is no problem in the play; Poland +1430.
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| | | 1♠
|
Pass | 4♠ | 5♣ | 5♦
|
6♣ | 6♦ | Dble | 6♠
|
Pass | Pass | 7♣ | Dble
|
All Pass
| | | |
Lead: ♦A
South continued with the ♦Q to the king and the ♥4 came back, jack, queen. East still had two hearts to lose for five down; 1100, but 8 IMPs to Poland. Chile v Egypt:
West | North | East | South
|
Hammad | Smith | Abdelfatta | Riedel
|
| | | 1♠
|
Pass | 4♠ | All Pass
| |
West | North | East | South
|
Robles | Mehilba | Pacareu | Nabil
|
| | | 1♠
|
Pass | 4♦ | 5♣ | 5♠
|
6♣ | Dble | All Pass
| |
This went five down for 1100 and 9 IMPs to Egypt.
Canada v China Hong Kong
West | North | East | South
|
Demuy | Ng FY | Wolpert | Mak KF
|
| | | 1♠
|
Pass | 4♠ | All Pass
| |
West | North | East | South
|
Cheuk-hin | Grainger | Chi-cheung | Lavee
|
| | | 1♠
|
Pass | 3♥ | Pass | 3NT
|
Pass | 4♦ | Pass | 6♦
|
Pass | 6♠ | All Pass
| |
That was 1430 and 13 IMPs to Canada, who won the match 25-5.
Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul. |
| ♠ 3 2 ♥ Q 7 6 ♦ K 8 6 ♣ 9 7 6 5 3 | ♠ K 7 5 ♥ J 10 2 ♦ J 10 7 ♣ A K 8 4 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A 10 8 6 4 ♥ 5 ♦ Q 9 5 4 3 2 ♣ 2 | | ♠ Q J 9 ♥ A K 9 8 4 3 ♦ A ♣ Q J 10 |
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| Pass | 2♠ | Dble
|
3♠ | Pass | 4♠ | Dble
|
All Pass
| | | |
Lead: ♥A
Declarer went two down for 300.
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| Pass | 2♠ | 3♥
|
3♠ | 4♥ | All Pass
| |
Lead: ♣A
West shifted to the ♦J, but declarer had no way to avoid four losers in the black suits. That was one down for 50 and 8 IMPs to Poland.
Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul. |
| ♠ J 9 8 ♥ 9 4 2 ♦ K Q 3 2 ♣ Q 10 3 | ♠ 4 3 ♥ Q 10 8 7 6 3 ♦ 8 6 4 ♣ 5 4 | ![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) | ♠ A K 7 5 ♥ J ♦ J 10 7 ♣ A J 8 7 6 | | ♠ Q 10 6 2 ♥ A K 5 ♦ A 9 5 ♣ K 9 2 |
West | North | East | South
|
G.Grenthe | Araskiewicz | J.Grenthe | Buras
|
| | | 1NT
|
All Pass
| | | |
Lead: ♥7
Declarer made ten tricks for +180.
West | North | East | South
|
Kotorowicz | T.Bessis | Kalita | Gaviard
|
| | | 1NT
|
Pass | 2♠(i) | Dble | 3♣(ii)
|
Pass | 3♠ | Dble | 3NT
|
All Pass
| | | |
(i) Range inquiry
(ii) Maximum
Lead: ♠3
East won the lead with the ♠K and switched to the ♥J, ducked all round. East continued with the ♠A and another spade. South played a diamond to the king and set up a club trick for +400 and 6 IMPs to France.
Poland still scored a maximum 25-5 VPs for their 74 IMPs to 21. |