Netherlands
vs Italy – Open Round 14
by Jos Jacobs
On Thursday evening, the vugraph match was to be Netherlands v
Italy. This happened to be an excellent choice, as the Netherlands
for sure were very much in a winning mood, having earlier in the
day added two successive blitzes to their tally. Of course, playing
the Czechs or the Faroe Islands might be slightly easier than having
to face those who have been reigning champions for the last decade
or so, but it can only be a moral advantage to enter into such a
match with 50 VPs behind your name for the day so far.
For Italy, on the other hand, it was going to be business as usual.
So far, they have shown the form everybody expects from them and
thus it’s no surprise to see them in the lead again for the
last three days.
The match started very quietly, the Netherlands taking a lead
on extra over- and undertricks of 5-0 over the first five boards.
From Board 6 onwards, things started to happen in quick succession.
Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
|
|
ª J 6 2
© A 7 5
¨ 8 2
§ A 10 4 3 2 |
ª K
© Q 8 6 3 2
¨ K J 7
§ Q J 8 7 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A 10 9 8 5 4
© K 4
¨ A 4 3
§ 6 5 |
|
ª Q 7 3
© J 10 9
¨ Q 10 9 6 5
§ K 9 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
|
|
1ª |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
2NT |
Pass |
3ª |
Pass |
3NT |
All Pass |
|
|
![](../Graphics/Bul07/Ita-Fantoni1.jpg) |
|
Fulvio Fantoni, Italy |
|
A perfectly normal contract and a perfectly normal club lead by
North. South won the king and returned the suit, North ducking his
ace when declarer played the queen. De Wijs then went on to unblock
his ªK and play
a low heart to the king. Fantoni elected to rise with his ace, apparently
thinking his clubs would be all good but, when he next cashed the
§A to find out that
this was not the case, the contract could no longer be beaten. In
fact, when North next exited with a heart, declarer could even afford
the luxury of a diamond finesse and thus ended up with an overtrick
for a score of +630 to the Netherlands and good prospects of a favourable
game swing.
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
|
|
1ª |
Pass |
2¨(i) |
Pass |
2NT |
Pass |
3§ |
Pass |
3© |
Pass |
3NT |
All Pass |
|
|
(i) Transfer to hearts
And so it turned out when the Dutch defenders made no mistake.
South led a diamond, won by dummy’s jack, the ªK was unblocked
and a heart was led. This time, North ducked, so the king won and
declarer continued with two rounds of spades, establishing the suit.
South, on lead with the ªQ, first played the ©J, which held the
trick, before switching to the §K and another. With the ©A still
to lose, declarer was down one and the Netherlands had got their
first major swing of 12 IMPs in the match to lead by 17-0.
It should be noted that playing a heart to the king at trick three
cannot be the winning play, as in many situations it will set up
five tricks for the defence before declarer has time to enjoy the
spades. So it should be correct to play a diamond to the ace first,
hoping for the spades to break and for the ©A (as well as, possibly,
the ¨Q) to be right.
There was more to come:
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
|
|
ª J 10 8 7
© A 7 6
¨ K 2
§ A Q 7 5 |
ª 9 6 5 2
© J 9 8 5 3
¨ Q 7 4
§ 6 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª -
© K Q 10 4 2
¨ A J 9 8
§ K J 8 2 |
|
ª A K Q 4 3
© -
¨ 10 6 5 3
§ 10 9 4 3 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
Pass |
1NT |
2© |
3ª |
4© |
Pass |
Pass |
4ª |
Pass |
4NT |
Pass |
5§ |
Pass |
5¨ |
Pass |
5ª |
Dble |
All Pass |
|
|
In the Closed Room, North/South had a bidding mix-up. 3ª by Nunes
showed spades, as he himself explained, but it was (correctly) explained
as minors at the other side of the screen. At the table East/West
thus were no longer in a position to judge clearly what was going
on. So they did not double the final contract at first attempt.
When play was over, it came to light that two different explanations
of 3ª had been given at either side of the screen, so the TD ruled
that a double should be added to the final contract after all. Thus,
the Netherlands scored +300 in stead of +100.
Not that it mattered too much:
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
Pass |
1§ |
1© |
Dble |
4© |
Pass |
Pass |
4ª |
Pass |
Pass |
5© |
Pass |
Pass |
Dble |
All Pass |
|
Well, 4ª would probably have gone down as well, but how could Bocchi
know when Duboin could not double this? South led the ªK, ruffed
by declarer who went on by leading two high trumps, both ducked.
Sort of locked in his hand now, Bocchi next led the §J which ran
to North’s queen. Verhees now cashed the ©A and played another
spade, ruffed by declarer with his last trump. Bocchi then ruffed
a club and played a diamond to the jack which held. When the king
dropped under the ¨A there were no diamond losers, but there also
was no way to dispose of the last two clubs. Down two for (another)
+300 to the Netherlands or 12 IMPs again. It stood at 29-0 now and
a sensation was in the air.
On Board 10, Italy opened their account with an overtrick to trail
by 29-1, but then came:
Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
|
|
ª 10 3
© K J 9 5 4
¨ K J 7 2
§ 8 2 |
ª 8 4
© A 3 2
¨ A 10 9 4 3
§ 10 9 4 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª Q 7 6 5
© Q 10 8
¨ Q 8 6 5
§ 6 3 |
|
ª A K J 9 2
© 7 6
¨ -
§ A K Q J 7 5 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
|
|
|
1§ |
1¨ |
1© |
3¨ |
3ª |
Pass |
3NT |
Pass |
4§ |
Pass |
4ª |
Pass |
5§ |
All Pass |
|
|
|
When West led the ©A the play was quickly over, the ªQ becoming
the defence’s only other trick; Italy +400.
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
|
|
|
1§ |
1¨ |
Dble |
3¨ |
4§ |
Pass |
4© |
Pass |
4ª |
Pass |
5§ |
Pass |
6§ |
All Pass |
|
|
|
Double dummy, 6§ can be made by guessing the hearts and finessing
the ªQ but, after the pleasant lead of the ©A, declarer adopted
another line – he cashed the top spades and tried to ruff
the third round. When West could ruff in front of dummy he was down
two for +100 again to Italy and their first substantial swing; 11
IMPs.
Then:
Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
|
|
ª Q 3 2
© Q J 10 9 3 2
¨ 6 3
§ 9 6 |
ª J 10 7
© A 8 6
¨ Q J 10 7
§ A Q 2 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A K 9 8 6 5
© 7
¨ A 5
§ K J 4 3 |
|
ª 4
© K 5 4
¨ K 9 8 4 2
§ 10 8 7 5 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
1¨ |
Pass |
1ª |
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
2¨ |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
3§ |
Pass |
4§ |
Pass |
4¨ |
Pass |
4© |
Pass |
4NT |
Pass |
5ª |
Pass |
6ª |
All Pass |
Another perfectly normal contract. You need either the ¨K onside
or a good guess/favourable split in trumps. Muller won the lead
of a low heart with dummy’s ace, cashed two top trumps, crossed
in clubs and took the diamond finesse. Alas, that was one down for
Italy +50.
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
1NT |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
2ª |
Pass |
3§ |
Pass |
3ª |
Pass |
4§ |
Pass |
4© |
Pass |
4NT |
Pass |
5© |
Pass |
6ª |
All Pass |
Here too, South led a heart to dummy’s ace, but declarer
took a different line, maybe playing for a swing or just following
his nose. He cashed one top trump, crossed in clubs and ran the
ª10. He lost a diamond later on but had gained a huge swing for
his team of 14 IMPs. Well played!
The complexion of the game had changed dramatically as the scores
now were almost level again. Would the Netherlands be the umpteenth
team to lose an early advantage when playing Italy?
Not really, as these were the two boards to follow.
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
|
|
ª J 10 9
© A J 8 7 6
¨ 8 7
§ 9 4 3 |
ª K 7 3 2
© 4
¨ K J 10 6 3 2
§ K 7 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª 5 4
© K 9 5 2
¨ A 5 4
§ A J 10 2 |
|
ª A Q 8 6
© Q 10 3
¨ Q 9
§ Q 8 6 5 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
|
Pass |
1§ |
Pass |
1¨ |
Pass |
1© |
Pass |
1ª |
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
3NT |
All Pass |
|
|
Hoping for a balanced hand with his partner, De Wijs made an aggressive
shot at game, assuming that his long diamonds would come in. Right
he was. South led a club into the tenace, so the Netherlands chalked
up an easy +630 when the ¨Q popped up in front of the ¨KJ.
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
|
Pass |
1§ |
Pass |
1© |
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
3¨ |
All Pass |
|
|
1© showed spades and 3¨ was a non-forcing canapé. Not knowing
about the extra length, Bocchi could not find any reason to go on,
so there it rested. With both major-suit aces well-placed, eleven
tricks were there for the taking, but the Netherlands had struck
back immediately, winning 10 IMPs on the deal.
On the next board, for once we saw Bocchi/Duboin overboard:
Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.
|
|
ª K J
© Q J 5 3
¨ Q 5 3 2
§ Q 8 5 |
ª -
© K 10 9 6 4 2
¨ A 10
§ A K 10 4 3 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A 8 7 4 2
© A 8
¨ J 9 8 7 4
§ 9 |
|
ª Q 10 9 6 5 3
© 7
¨ K 6
§ J 7 6 2 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
|
|
2ª |
Pass |
3© |
Pass |
4© |
All Pass |
2ª showed spades and a minor and 3© was forcing. Muller had a natural
raise and even the bad trump break did not trouble the declarer;
Netherlands +420.
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
|
|
Pass |
2¨ |
Pass |
2© |
Pass |
2ª |
3ª |
Dble |
4© |
Pass |
4ª |
Pass |
5§ |
Pass |
5¨ |
Pass |
6© |
All Pass |
When East had no gadget available to open the battle, Jansma introduced
a well-timed very weak multi. Thus, Duboin had to wait one round
before he could start bidding his suits, and the bidding got out
of control once he went on over partner’s 4©. The affair ended
with down two; Netherlands +100 and another 11 IMPs to go firmly
into the lead again, 50-26.
One push and one Italian overbid to a game with no legitimate
play had brought the score forward to 56-26 when Board 17 arrived:
Board 17. Dealer North. None Vul.
|
|
ª Q 10 9 4
© 7 6 5
¨ K J 7 6
§ A J |
ª 7
© A Q 10 2
¨ A Q 10 8 3
§ 8 6 5 |
![Bridge deal](/Graphics/Hand/board3.gif) |
ª A K 5
© K J 9 3
¨ -
§ K Q 10 7 4 3 |
|
ª J 8 6 3 2
© 8 4
¨ 9 5 4 2
§ 9 2 |
Closed Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
De Wijs |
Fantoni |
Muller |
Nunes |
|
1NT |
Dble |
2© |
Dble |
2ª |
3ª |
Pass |
4¨ |
Pass |
5© |
Pass |
5NT |
Pass |
6© |
All Pass |
1NT was 10-12 and the double was for penalties. When De Wijs could
double the 2© transfer Muller had no trouble in evaluating his hand
to perfection and bid 3ª. When De Wijs made one more positive action,
trump quality was the only thing that mattered. Well bid for an
easy enough +980 to the Netherlands when the trumps and the clubs
behaved.
Open Room: |
West |
North |
East |
South |
Duboin |
Verhees |
Bocchi |
Jansma |
|
1§ |
Pass |
1¨ |
Pass |
1© |
Dble |
1ª |
3NT |
All Pass |
|
|
|
![](../Graphics/Bul07/Ndl-Jansma.jpg) |
|
Jan Jansma, The Netherlands |
1§ could be anything, 1¨ could be anything as well and the same
applied to 1©, believe it or not. This is called Orange Club, a
national football (?) variation of the Polish Club. East’s
double showed an unspecified strong hand. When Jansma introduced
his suit, Duboin made the practical bid of 3NT, only to find out
that he had missed a slam in three possible denominations; Italy
+490 but another swing to the Netherlands of 10 IMPs. The score
was 66-26 now.
When the last board arrived, the Dutch lead had gone up to 68-26,
which was actually converting to a sensational 24-6, but Italy recouped
12 IMPs when they made a game that went down at the other table.
Still, the outcome was a fairly convincing 68-38 win, 21-9 VPs to
the Netherlands or the biggest defeat suffered by Italy in these
Championships so far.
The Netherlands found themselves back in a morale-boosting fifth
place after a national record-breaking score of 71 VPs on a day
that included a match against Italy but, for their great opponents,
it would be little more than one of those things that can happen
from time to time. No doubt they will continue pretty much undisturbed
and qualify for Estoril with matches to go.
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