French Grand

In the match report about the French Schools team victory over England, we saw the French team bid and make a heart grand slam to gain 11 IMPs (1 IMP more than the margin of victory). In the next round, the French Junior team gained 11 IMPs by bidding another excellent heart grand slam, again missed at the other table. This time, however, the swing merely reduced the margin of the French defeat at the hands of Sweden.

Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
	♠ Q J 7 6 ♥ 6 ♦ K 10 9 8 3 ♣ 9 5 3
♠ A 10 8 5 3 ♥ 9 8 3 ♦ A J 7 4 ♣ 2		♠ K ♥ A K Q J 10 7 5 ♦ – ♣ A K 10 7 6
	♠ 9 4 2 ♥ 4 2 ♦ Q 6 5 2 ♣ Q J 8 4

West	North	East	South
T. Bessis		O. Bessis
	Pass	2♦	Pass
3NT	Pass	4♣	Pass
4NT	Pass	7♥	All Pass

I have never been a big fan of the French ace-showing responses to their game-forcing opening bids, believing that they pre-empt their own auctions too much before a trump suit has been found. However, sometimes those methods can be spectacularly successful, particularly if used in partnership with a little imagination.

Olivier Bessis opened 2♦, artificial and game-forcing, and Thomas responded 3NT, showing any two aces. It was now a matter of six or seven for Olivier and the key would be his brother’s club holding. Rather than bid 4♥, forcing, he tried 4♣. The 4NT response said that Thomas had no interest in clubs so Olivier figured that he must be short enough in the suit for it to be ruffed out. I guess that, once in a while, West might be short enough in both clubs and hearts for this not to work out very well, but you don’t often get an opportunity to bid the trump suit for the first time at the seven level, so who could resist?