Previous visitors to the European Bridge Mixed Championships will recall that being watched by a member of the Editorial team is usually accompanied by a significant fall from grace.

As the last session of the final got under way some of the pairs in contention found out that the Editor's Curse has lost none of its potency.

Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
	ª A K 6 5 © 10 9 ¨ K J 5 2 § K 5 2
ª J 4 2 © A Q 7 4 3 ¨ 10 8 7 § J 4		ª 10 7 3 © 5 2 ¨ A Q 6 3 § 10 9 7 6
	ª Q 9 8 © K J 8 6 ¨ 9 4 § A Q 8 3

West	North	East	South
Eginton	Langston	Nelson	Langston
			1NT
Pass	2§*	Pass	2©
Pass	3NT	All Pass

West led the seven of diamonds and declarer played low from dummy, East winning with the queen and switching to the five of hearts. West took the queen and ace and went back to diamonds. West's ace was the last trick for the defence. That looked to be a normal result for both sides

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
	ª A 10 4 © A K Q 3 ¨ K Q 6 § A 7 2
ª K 8 6 3 2 © 7 ¨ A 10 9 § Q 10 5 3		ª 9 7 © J 9 5 4 2 ¨ 8 7 4 2 § K 4
	ª Q J 5 © 10 8 6 ¨ J 5 3 § J 9 8 6

West	North	East	South
Eginton	Langston	Nelson	Langston
Pass	2§*	Pass	2¨*
Pass	2NT	Pass	3NT
All Pass

West led the four of hearts and dummy's ten took the trick. With the spade finesse right declarer had an easy route to ten tricks and a good score. In fact, only a spade lead at trick one will hold declarer to ten tricks, provided declarer attacks clubs by playing low towards the §J986.

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
	ª J © J 10 9 7 ¨ Q 10 6 4 3 § A 10 2
ª K 10 8 5 © A Q 8 5 ¨ K 7 5 2 § K		ª A Q 6 4 3 © 6 3 ¨ J 9 § Q 9 6 5
	ª 9 7 2 © K 4 2 ¨ A 8 § J 8 7 4 3

West	North	East	South
Spencer	Xerri	Kerr	Battin
			Pass
1¨	Pass	1ª	Pass
2ª	All Pass

The West hand is difficult to evaluate, but with the dreaded 4-4-4-1 and a singleton king a gentle raise looks clear. Still, several pairs pushed on to game.

South led a club to North's ace and he switched to the jack of spades. Declarer won in hand, and it looks natural to play a red suit, trying to set up communications. However, declarer preferred to ruff a club and play a low diamond. That was also good enough to lead to ten tricks, as the nine forced West's ace. Indeed, it would not have helped East to go in with the queen. With ten tricks being made most of the time, the pairs who bid game scored well.

Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
	ª A K 9 5 © A K 9 ¨ A Q 9 6 4 § A
ª Q 6 4 3 2 © J 3 2 ¨ 8 3 2 § J 10		ª 10 © 10 4 ¨ K J 10 7 § K Q 9 8 5 4
	ª J 8 7 © Q 8 7 6 5 ¨ 5 § 7 6 3 2

West	North	East	South
Spencer	Xerri	Kerr	Battin
Pass	2§*	Pass	2¨*
Pass	2NT	Pass	3¨*
Pass	4©	All Pass

The opening lead was the ten of spades, so declarer was off to a very good start. It was covered all round and now declarer cashed two top trumps in hand and the ace of clubs. He took the ace of diamonds, ruffed a diamond, ruffed a club, ruffed a diamond, drew the last trump and took his spades for twelve tricks and an excellent score. Although a good view in spades will always produce 12 tricks, several declarers went down in Six Hearts.