Bulgaria
vs Russia
Open Series - Round 20
In the middle session on Sunday, the Rama match was Greece v.
France. This was an important match for both teams, but at the
same time the Bulgaria v. Russia match was scheduled, a match
of particular importance to Bulgaria, even more so in view of
their forthcoming encounter on Rama with Italy. As it turned out,
the Eastern Europeans provided us with a highly entertaining and
spectacular match, so will we concentrate on that one, but also
have a few short looks at the Rama proceedings.
Boards 1 and 2 seemed routine games for N/S but in fact were
not. On Rama both Greece and France went wrong on one of them
so their score stood at 7-6 to Greece when board 3 hit the table
and the wall:
Session 20. Board 3. Dealer
South. E/W Vul.
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ª K 10 2
© K J 7
¨ A J
§ Q 8 7 6 3 |
ª Q 9 5
© A 9 2
¨ 8 7 3
§ J 9 5 4 |
![Bridge deal](../../../graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª J 8 7 4
© Q 10 8 3
¨ Q 6 5
§ A 2 |
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ª A 6 3
© 6 5 4
¨ K 10 9 4 2
§ K 10 |
Closed Room |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Karaivanov |
Gromov |
Trendafilov |
Petrunin |
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Pass |
Pass |
1¨ |
Pass |
2¨ |
Pass |
2NT |
Pass |
3NT |
All Pass |
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For systemic reasons, Gromov could not open 1NT. As a consequence,
the normal contract of 3NT had to played from the North seat.
When East led a heart, West won the ace and returned the suit.
Declarer won the third round with his king and played ¨AJ. Next,
he played a club to the §K and when this held, cashed the diamonds.
When the queen appeared, he had nine tricks. Russia +400.
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