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FUN / COMPETITIONS

BRIDGE WITH THE HACKETT FAMILY

Sunday July 13,2008

IN THE European Championships in Pau it is fair to say that all nine of the home countries team’s were disappointed in their performance.

Two of the teams almost qualified to play in the world Championships.

The nearest were the English Senior team (Chris Dixon, Ross Harper, David Price, Victor Silverstone, Colin Simpson and Andrew Thompson).

They tied for the last spot with Italy, but as Italy beat them in the head-to-head match, it is Italy who go through and England become first reserve.

Early in the year when Iceland was playing their team’s trials we were commentating on some of the matches on BBO (Bridge Base On Line).

A hand that attracted our attention was this excellent defence from Isak Sigurosson and Steinar Jonsson.

Many will argue that it was poor judgement to remove 3NT to 4S, especially as 3NT will always make, but 4S became the contract in both rooms.

West decided that as South had expressed a strong desire to play in 3NT he would not lead his partner’s suit.

Instead he opted for the 4D (3rd highest as many players lead 3rd and 5th rather than 4th). This ran round to the JD and declarer led the QS.

East won with the AS and switched to the 6H. West won the AH and continued with the 10D. South won again and played a second spade. Isak rose with the KS and exited with his last diamond.

South now led a heart, trumped in dummy. All dummy’s trumps were played and Steinar discarded the 7H, the 8H and the JH on the next three tricks. On the last trump he discarded the 2C, keeping the 2H hidden.

West threw his last diamond and the 4C. Declarer should probably have now got the clubs right because it would require outstanding defence for East to keep the 2H.

However he convinced himself that he had squeezed East and led the KC. When East showed out on the next club declarer was forced to concede one down and a big swing to East-West.

Paul’s tip: When you are discarding try to hold on to cards in the suit that you think might be a problem for declarer.

KEY
S Spades
C Clubs
D Diamonds
H Hearts