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 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
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
§ - |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
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 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
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.
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