The vugraph theatre was packed to the rafters for the final 16 boards of the Venice Cup final. The audience were hoping for a close encounter and they raised the roof when China, after picking up a couple of IMPs on the first deal, made big inroads into the American lead on the second board.

Board 114. Dealer East. N/S Game Q 10 7 6 K 8 K Q J 5 3 Q 10 A K 8 5 3 2 A 9 6 Q J 10 5 9 2 A 8 4 K J 7 3 A 9 8 6 J 9 4 7 4 3 2 10 7 6 5 4 2 Closed Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu 1NT Pass 2 Dble Pass Pass Rdble Pass 2 Pass 3NT All Pass

West's game-forcing Stayman bid of 2 allowed North to get in a lead-directing double. That put paid to 3NT which had to go down on a diamond lead.

Open Room West North East South Wang Sokolow Zhang Yu Breed 1 Pass 1 2 Pass Pass Dble All Pass

When Sokolow overcalled 2 it looked odds on that we would be watching a flat board, but when her partner reopened with a double, Zhang Yu made the winning decision. The defence started with three rounds of spades and collected all the other tricks they were due. +500 meant 11 IMPs to China and the match was very much alive.

However, on the very next board, China missed an opportunity in both rooms and the USA re-established control.

Board 115. Dealer South. E/W Game A 7 6 2 3 A K A K 9 6 3 2 Q J 10 8 3 5 4 J 6 4 2 A Q 8 7 5 7 3 2 Q 10 8 5 Q J 10 K 9 K 10 9 J 9 6 5 4 8 7 4 Closed Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu Pass Pass 1 1 Dble 2 3 Pass 3NT All Pass

This is the sort of deal that is likely to appear in many magazines bidding challenge features. The problem for North/South is to reach five clubs rather than 3NT. Even 6 is in the picture, needing only a 2-2 split. There is a small inference from North's three club bid that she needs more than just a single heart stopper, as if she had solid clubs she would surely have bid 3. However, this is a very difficult problem, and you would not expect many pairs to get it right.

Open Room West North East South Wang Sokolow Zhang Yu Breed Pass Pass 1 1 1NT 2 3 Pass 3NT All Pass

The inference was surely clearer this time, as South had already shown a stopper and North had not bid 3NT. Lady luck was smiling though, as West found the unfortunate lead of the Q. Now declarer could establish the clubs and claim nine tricks. 10 vital IMPs for USA1.

A slightly unlucky result for China made it clear that this was not going to be their day.

Board 117. Dealer North. N/S Game J 8 6 2 K 8 4 2 4 Q 8 5 3 K 9 4 — A Q 9 7 6 J 10 5 7 Q J 9 5 3 2 J 7 6 4 A 10 9 2 A Q 10 7 5 3 3 A K 10 8 6 K Closed Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu Pas Pass 1 1 Dble 4 4 All Pass

As you can see, the defence have three tricks and they collected them all. +620

Open Room West North East South Wang Sokolow Zhang Yu Breed Pass Pass 1 2 2 3 4 Dble All Pass

West knew East had some values and she was tempted to try a speculative double. Her idea was clear, lead the singleton diamond, get in with the king of spades and put partner in for a diamond ruff. The singleton diamond in dummy must have been a disappointment and perhaps this caused the defenders to take their eye off the ball, as they allowed declarer to discard her losing heart on the queen of clubs. -990 and 9 IMPs

The match was already over when this deal appeared. It produced the biggest swing of the match.

Board 125. Dealer North. Game All A Q 10 7 4 10 A K 10 6 5 K 6 K J 9 8 2 5 3 7 K Q J 9 5 4 Q J 7 4 3 2 9 8 5 Q 4 3 6 A 8 6 3 2 9 8 A J 10 7 2 Closed Room West North East South Berkowitz Zhang Ya Letizia Gu 1 2 3 Pass 3 Pass 3NT Pass 4 Pass 4NT Pass 5 Pass 5 Pass 6 All Pass

When East bid 2 South went for the shadow rather than the substance, and the Chinese drove to a poor slam. East led the king of hearts and after winning with the A declarer could have got home by running the nine of diamonds and then picking up the trumps. Too tough, and she drifted two down.

Open Room West North East South Wang Sokolow Zhang Yu Breed 1 2 Pass Pass Dble Pass Pass 2NT All Pass

The Chinese did not escape. 2NT was a desperate attempt to improve things that didn't work. North led the K and continued with the six. Declarer won and played a heart to the king and ace. South switched to her spade and Declarer put up the king, losing to the ace, and North cleared the diamonds. When West played a club, North went up with the king and cashed her winners before playing a club. South had the rest, -1700!

There would be no new name on the Venice Cup, USA1 were the 1997 World Champions!