Englund and an old truth

Åke Englund did, a very long time ago, take part in a game of Stop. The point of Stop is to win the last trick. Clubs had not been mentioned and wholesaler Englund did not have high hopes in his eight of clubs. Much to his surprise the eight turned out to be the master club. The eight of clubs has since this day carried his name.

This year’s Swedish Senior Pair Champions will commence today. Last year’s event illuminated the old truth that is enough to take the lead at the same time that the director announces that the tournament is finished. Bernt-Åke Jansson - Jan Sonnerstedt battled their way to the top position overtaking Kenneth Österberg - Fredrick Wickström, and Bodil Andersson - Johan Tobieson on the very last board.

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

At all tables but one South declared 4ª and seventeen West players led a Tom Dick or Harry queen of clubs to wrap up a score of 16 out of 46 match points. Kenneth and Fredrik dug their own grave with the aid of their own bidding methods which cost them dearly on this occasion

West	North	East	South
			1ª
Pass	2NT	Pass	3§*
Pass	4ª	Pass	Pass
Pass

2NT showed a game forcing raise in spades and 3§ a singleton or void in clubs. This had the effect that West lost interest in the club suit and tried the ace of diamonds. This happened at six tables and rendered North-South a meagre score of 7 match points.

There had, of course, been plenty of other decisive boards. This one is from the meeting between Kenneth Österberg – Fredrik Wickström, who were the leaders, and Bernt-Åke Jansson – Jan Sonnerfeldt.

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

West	North	East	South
Jan	Fredrik	Bernt-Ake	Kenneth
Pass	1©	1ª	2§
4ª	5§	Pass	Pass
Pass

The lead of the ace of the spades was ruffed in dummy and declarer run the jack of clubs. If Kenneth had played on the hearts he would have collected twelve tricks but when he instead ruffed two more spades in dummy he could not avoid losing two tricks to the king of clubs and the king of hearts. The overtrick was only 5 match points, but they could have been handy as Jan and Bernt-Åke went on to collect the winner’s medals 7 match points ahead of Fredrik and Kenneth.

Bernt-Åke became declarer in three no trumps on the second board of the round

Dealer East. All vul, the hand has been rotated.
	ª 10 7 4 © A K 8 5 3 ¨ - § K J 9 5 3
ª Q J © J 7 4 2 ¨ K Q 8 7 6 § A 2		ª A 8 5 3 © 9 6 ¨ 10 5 4 § 10 7 6 4
	ª K 9 6 2 © Q 10 ¨ A J 9 3 2 § Q 8

West	North	East	South
Kenneth	Jan	Fredrik	Bernt-Ake
		Pass	1¨
Pass	1©	Pass	1ª
Pass	2§*	Pass	2NT
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

Running low on attractive leads, Kenneth placed the queen of spades on the table. Bernt-Åke won with the king and continued with the queen of clubs which was won by the ace. Kenneth cashed the jack of spades and exited with a small club to the king. Declarer cashed the jack of clubs and continued with another club to establish the suit discarding two diamonds. West did also intend to discard two diamonds but did accidentally put a small heart on the table. As hearts were now breaking it was a very wise decision by East to cash the ace of spades. Fredrik would, without the mechanical error, have switched to a low diamond on which declarer must play the nine to West’s queen. Kenneth could have exited a heart and collected one down. The annoying technicality of playing the wrong card did not cost more than 32 match points.

Vidar Wahlestedt declared the following deal in a very sloppy, maybe even sleazy way.

Dealer East. All vul, the hand has been rotated.
	ª J 9 7 3 © J 5 ¨ K 9 5 3 § K 10 4
ª K Q 6 2 © A K 7 5 ¨ J 8 4 § 9 5		ª A 10 8 4 © 4 2 ¨ A 10 6 § Q 8 7 2
	ª 5 © Q 10 9 8 3 ¨ Q 7 3 § A J 6 3

West	North	East	South
Bernt		Vidar
1©	Pass	1ª	Pass
2ª	Pass	Pass	Pass

South led a small diamond to the four, nine and ten. Declarer crossed to dummy on the ace of hearts and played a small club to the seven which was won by the jack. South did, persistently, continue with another diamond to the king and ace. Vidar played a small spade to dummy’s king and another club to the ten, queen and ace. South cashed the queen of diamonds and exited a club, ruffed in dummy and dropping the king.

At this point Vidar erred, or maybe he is not aware of the importance of the eight of clubs. The queen of spades followed and trumps were drawn with the aid of a finesse. He cashed the eight of clubs and won the last trick with ace of hearts. He really should have honoured Englund by cashing the ace of hearts before drawing trumps and win the last trick with eight of clubs.