Revenge for Hvalba 1544

by Svend Novrup

In 1544 Portuguese pirates attacked the small harbour of Hvalba in the Faroe Islands and kidnapped several of its beautiful women. On Wednesday the islanders finally had their revenge when they won 25-0 (96-8) in the open series of these championships.

Well, nothing personal, and congratulations to Portugal’s berth in the final of the European soccer championships but it is a big event for the Faroe Islands to be able to report these results home in consecutive rounds: Portugal 25-0, San Marino 25-1, Czech Republic 19-11 – and of course we hope to continue our record streak (the team never before won three matches in a row) against Serbia, Italy, and bye – but the last match is, unfortunately, the only one to guarantee 18 VPs!

The match against Portugal was played by the two 21 year old youngsters, Högni and Gunnar, together with Per and Balle. The latter pair fielding the round’s best Butler-scoring. One very good hand was this:

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

West	North	East	South
	Per		Balle
			1NT
Pass	2§	Pass	2¨
Pass	4NT	Pass	6§
Pass	6NT	All Pass

4NT was quantitative with 4-4 in the majors.

West opened ¨9 denying an honour, and the ¨10 was looking very friendly! Declarer cashed §KQ and led a heart to queen and ace (it is better to duck but not so easy to do so). Another diamond to king and ace, and four red tricks followed, the situation before the last being:

	ª A J 4 3 © 10 ¨ - § -
ª 10 7 6 © 8 ¨ 9 § -		ª Q 8 6 © - ¨ - § J 10
	ª K 9 © - ¨ 3 § A 9

East-West were caught in a non-simultaneous double squeeze when East had to let go a spade on ©10 while West had a similar dilemma two tricks later when the §A was cashed from the south hand. 12 tricks and 11 IMPs as the contract was 3NT with 11 tricks in the other room.

Of course you need some luck to win by 96-8. Like on this board

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

West	North	East	South
	Per		Balle
3ª	Pass!	Pass	Dble
Pass	5¨	Dble	All Pass

Down two, 500 to Portugal. In the other room, Högni in the West chair succeeded in suppressing his spade suit twice with an amazing result. North opened 3NT which was passed out. Gunnar cashed five heart tricks and switched to spades. Down 8. 800 to Faroe Islands. Not bad at all.