Both teams missed a good slam on the first board of the session.

Board 17. Dealer North. Love All A J 9 8 6 3 2 — A Q 6 10 8 3 7 4 Q 8 6 J 10 9 5 4 J 10 9 5 2 K 8 Q 6 5 2 A K J 9 4 K 10 5 A K Q 7 3 2 7 4 3 7 Closed Room West North East South Zhang Yu Meyers Wang Montin 1 2 3 4 5 Pass 5 All Pass

	The Michael's cue-bid made life awkward for North/South. Three hearts clearly promised some support for spades and presumably West's 4 asked East to bid her minor. South's hand did not improve when North announced a heart control and perhaps five diamonds would have been a better choice. Declarer claimed twelve tricks and was probably worried.
Zhang Yu (China)

Open Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu 1 2 3 Pass 4 All Pass

We are probably missing something, but was 3 forcing? North clearly had no thoughts of slam when she simply raised to game. Neither side got to grips with the next deal.

Board 18. Dealer East. N/S Game Q 9 6 10 9 7 4 7 Q 10 9 5 3 J 10 7 2 K 8 4 J 6 5 2 A K 3 9 6 4 K J 10 5 3 8 4 J 7 A 5 3 Q 8 A Q 8 2 A K 6 2 Closed Room West North East South Zhang Yu Meyers Wang Montin 1NT Pass 2 Pass 2 All Pass

South had no way into the auction, as she could not double 1NT for penalties. She started with the two top clubs and played a third round, declarer ruffing in dummy and discarding a heart from hand. That made no real difference to the outcome as declarer had to lose two spades, two diamonds and two clubs for one down, but if she had discarded a spade from hand instead she would have been in with a chance of making the contract thanks to the position in hearts.

Open Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu 1 Dble Pass 1 1NT Dble Pass 2 All Pass

East was lucky to get away with her rebid of 1NT. North should have passed her partner's double and if that had become the final contract East would not have enjoyed five rounds of clubs. It looks as if she can always be held to four tricks. In 2 declarer quickly made 10 tricks to pick up a couple of IMPs.

Board 25. Dealer North. E/W Game 7 6 3 2 Q Q 6 K J 8 7 5 2 A J K Q 10 5 4 K 9 8 6 4 2 10 K 8 2 J 9 5 4 3 Q 4 10 6 9 8 A J 7 5 3 A 10 7 A 9 3 Closed Room West North East South Zhang Yu Meyers Wang Montin Pass Pass 1 Pass 1 Pass 1NT Pass 2 Pass 2 Pass 3 All Pass

This was a straightforward contract with trumps 2-2 and declarer made nine tricks, +110.

Open Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu Pass Pass 1 Pass 2 Dble Pass 2 3 Pass 3NT All Pass

There was no reason for West to lead anything other than the two of diamonds and it seemed likely South would go wrong by playing low. To warm applause she went up with the queen and collected 9 tricks and 7 IMPs.

Board 30. Dealer East. Love All 7 5 3 2 7 6 3 2 8 5 2 4 3 K 9 10 Q 10 5 4 K J A K Q J 6 10 9 7 3 Q 5 J 10 9 8 6 2 A Q J 8 6 4 A 9 8 4 A K 7 Closed Room West North East South Zhang Yu Meyers Wang Montin Pass 1 Dble Pass 2 2 Dble Pass 3 Pass 3NT Pass Pass Dble 4 Pass Pass 4 All Pass

West cashed a diamond and switched to a heart. The contract failed by one trick but we cannot tell you why as their is no play record! Perhaps it went as described below.

Open Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu Pass 1 Pass 1 Pass 1 2 2 4 4 All Pass

West came in on the second round after passing the precision club opening.

She led the ace of diamonds and East played the ten. If that was meant to direct West to hearts it went un-noticed and a second diamond was led. Declare ruffed and cashed her top clubs. She then took the ace of spades and led a club. West discarded, so she ruffed and ruffed a diamond before exiting with a spade. West exited with a heart to the king and ace. South played the eight of hearts - the nine is more subtle - and after long thought West rose to the occasion in every sense of the word by going up with the queen.

A crocodile coup on VuGraph got deserved applause. A dull, low scoring set, saw China outscore USA1 27-4 to trail 32-40.