The Italian Semifinal

On Saturday morning, the decisive stage of this European Champions’ Cup got underway when they kicked off in both the semifinals. In one match, Modalfa (Netherlands) were playing Computerland AZS (Poland), and in the other match, an all-Italian setting, Allegra Torino were playing Parioli Angelini Roma. Here are the highlights of the Italian match.

Board 3. Dealer South, EW Vul.
	ª A K © 9 8 7 ¨ A K Q J 5 § J 10 8
ª Q 7 6 3 2 © J 3 ¨ 10 § A 9 7 4 3		ª 10 8 © A Q 10 4 2 ¨ 7 4 2 § Q 5 2
	ª J 9 5 4 © K 6 5 ¨ 9 8 6 3 § K 6

Closed Room:
West	North	East	South
Lanzarotti	Fantoni	Buratti	Nunes
			Pass
Pass	1§	Pass	1©
Pass	1NT	Pass	2§
Pass	2¨	Pass	3NT
All Pass

Once Fantoni treated his hand as an 18-20 NT, his side was committed to game. Buratti led a low heart which was ducked in dummy. Lanzarotti won the jack and returned the suit, Buratti clearing the suit. The only thing left to do for declarer was to guess the clubs, a rather easy task as defeat would be inevitable if Buratti held the §A. Parioli +400.

Open Room:
West	North	East	South
Versace	Bocchi	Lauria	Duboin
			Pass
Pass	1NT	Pass	Pass
2ª	3¨	All Pass

The NT range made the difference here. When Duboin could not make a further move, game was lost. Not that it was a very good game to be in, but if it can be made, you want to be in it. Allegra +130 and the first 7 IMPs to Parioli.

There were more to come on the next board:

Board 4. Dealer West, All Vul.
	ª 7 4 © Q J 10 8 5 4 ¨ K J § 10 7 6
ª K Q 10 9 © 7 6 3 ¨ 7 5 4 2 § Q 8		ª J 6 2 © A K ¨ Q 9 3 § A K J 9 3
	ª A 8 5 3 © 9 2 ¨ A 10 8 6 § 5 4 2

Closed Room:
West	North	East	South
Lanzarotti	Fantoni	Buratti	Nunes
Pass	Pass	1¨	Pass
1ª	Pass	1NT	Pass
3NT	All Pass

As Buratti had to open 1¨ to prepare for a strong NT rebid, Nunes had no reason NOT to lead a low diamond to his partner’s king. Even though declarer ducked the return of the ¨J, the contract could not be made as it was South who held the ªA. Parioli +100.

Open Room:
West	North	East	South
Versace	Bocchi	Lauria	Duboin
Pass	2©	Dble	Pass
2ª	Pass	2NT	Pass
3NT	All Pass

When Bocchi elected to open a weak two, Duboin had no reason NOT to lead partner’s suit. Lauria won and quickly played two rounds of spades. When Duboin ducked his ace twice, Lauria ran home for another +600 and 12 more IMPs to Parioli.

Keeping your balance against a weak NT is not always easy, as was shown a few boards later:

Board 7. Dealer South, All Vul.
	ª J 2 © 4 3 ¨ Q 8 3 2 § Q 9 8 5 4
ª K 10 6 3 © K J 7 5 ¨ A K 10 § J 10		ª A 8 7 5 © 9 8 2 ¨ 5 4 § A 7 6 3
	ª Q 9 4 © A Q 10 6 ¨ J 9 7 6 § K 2

Closed Room:
West	North	East	South
Lanzarotti	Fantoni	Buratti	Nunes
			1NT
Dble	Redble	Pass	2§
Dble	Pass	3ª	All Pass

In view of South’s opening bid, game looks a better proposition than at first glance, but I do not blame Burat