2002 European Teams Championships Page 4 Bulletin 14 - Saturday, 29 June  2002


Poland vs France

Open Round 33

Though Poland started their recovery halfway through last week, at the time this match was scheduled (Thursday evening) their qualification was by no means sure yet. A defeat at the hands of France would therefore mean a serious setback for their aspirations, and at the other hand it would revive the thin French hopes.

On the first two boards, these hopes certainly were boosted when France took a 6-0 lead.

The game:

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

Open Room
West North East South
Bessis Lesniewski Rombaut Martens
      Pass
1NT Pass 2ª Pass
3§ Pass 3NT Pass
4§ Pass 5§ All Pass

When Bessis accepted the transfer Rombaut went on, relying on his club length rather than his high-card points, so an odds-against game was reached. When the §Q was doubleton where she should be, France chalked up a lucky +600.

Closed Room
West North East South
Bizon Duguet Kowalski Toffier
      Pass
1NT Pass 2ª Pass
3§ All Pass    

This was a more normal contract in which Bizon played safe for nine tricks. Poland +110, but 10 IMPs to France who led 16-0.

Two boards later, the Poles struck back, and a double blow it was to be:

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

Open Room
West North East South
Bessis Lesniewski Rombaut Martens
  1¨ Dble Pass
3© Pass 3ª Pass
3NT All Pass    


DUGUET Michel, France
 

As the diamonds are 4-4 you can make nine tricks by first finessing the hearts and then establishing a spade trick. Bessis won the diamond lead and passed the ©Q, but when he next played a heart to the ace he had established a fifth defensive trick. One down, Poland +50.

On the actual layout, slam in clubs is on and some pairs at other tables bid it. What would happen at the other table in this match?


Closed Room
West North East South
Bizon Duguet Kowalski Toffier
  1¨ 2¨ Pass
3§ Pass 4§ Pass
5§ All Pass    

Not very much, as you can see. All 13 tricks were made when declarer won the ¨A and led the ©Q which was covered by king and ace. Poland +440 and 10 IMPs on a board that might easily have been a push.

And:

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

Open Room
West North East South
Bessis Lesniewski Rombaut Martens
    Pass Pass
1¨ Pass 2© Pass
4ª All Pass    

The French standard of showing hearts and longer spades by bidding 2© led to a solid contract in quick time. France +680.

Closed Room
West North East South
Bizon Duguet Kowalski Toffier
    Pass 2©
Dble 3© 4ª Pass
4NT Pass 5§ Pass
5¨ Pass 5NT Pass
6¨ All Pass    

This time, the French preempts drove the Poles to what turned out to be an excellent slam. 5§ showed on ace and that was all Bizon wanted to know after Kowalski's jump to 4ª. Poland +1370 and another 12 Imps to lead 22-16 all of a sudden.

They went on to gradually increase their lead, which stood at 39-21 when the decisive board arrived. It certainly was one of the most spectacular boards of the Championships:

 

KOWALSKI Dariusz, Poland

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

Closed Room
West North East South
Bizon Duguet Kowalski Toffier
2¨ Pass 2NT Pass
3§ Pass 3¨ Pass
3© Pass 3ª Dble
4¨ Dble 4NT Pass
5§ Pass 6© All Pass

In the Closed Room, the heart fit was revealed when Bizon opened 2¨. After this, there was no way to move the Poles away from the right track. Poland +1430.

Open Room
West North East South
Bessis Lesniewski Rombaut Martens
Pass 3¨ 4¨ 5§
5¨ Pass 6ª Dble
7© Pass Pass Dble
All Pass      

In the Open Room, West could not open this type of hand, so it was North to kick off. His preempt in diamonds proved a lucky shot that completely led the French astray. Apparently East did not realise that West had not promised a fit in both majors by bidding 5¨. Poland another +200 when the §A survived for a juicy 17 IMPs to lead 56-21. The match was effectively over.

The final result became 58-26 to Poland or 22-8 V.P. The Polish team had kept their high hopes of qualification firmly intact.



Page 4

  Return to top of page
<<Previous Next>>
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
To the Bulletin List