The Russian pair of Michael Rosenblum and Larissa Panina began the third session of the Qualifying Round playing board 15 against a Belgium pair.

Board 15. Dealer South. NS Game Q 6 Q J 9 5 2 KQ 8 4 3 2 5 3 2 A 9 7 A 8 7 6 3 5 4 2 10 8 3 A K Q 9 7 4 9 6 5 K J 10 8 4 K 10 J 6 A J 10 7 West North East South Janar Rosenblum Stas Panina

Against Three Hearts a club lead and spade switch set up two spade tricks to go with two trumps and the club. One off. The next board was more exciting:

Board 16.Dealer West. EW Game 10 Q 8 7 K 9 4 3 2 Q 7 4 2 9 7 6 3 A K Q J 4 2 10 5 4 A Q 8 7 A J 10 6 K J 6 A 5 8 5 K J 9 6 3 2 5 10 9 8 3 West North East South Janar Rosenblum Stas Panina Pass Pass 2 3 Pass 5 5 Pass 6 All Pass

East opened a game-forcing Two Clubs and Panina began the pre-empt. The vulnerability was favourable for Rosenblum to raise the ante as high as he dared, but it was not enough to trouble East. Thirteen tricks were made when the diamond finesse proved successful. The next pair to arrive were Italian who were playing a Strong Club system in which the One Diamond opening could have no diamonds at all. Although most pairs have discussed their immediate actions against such an opening, ambiguities arise later on, which can catch you out. Both deals featured this aspect:

Board 17. Dealer North. Love All A J 9 5 4 5 4 3 Q J 10 9 J 7 6 Q 8 3 2 J 8 7 Q 10 9 7 6 5 4 A K 3 A Q 8 4 K 6 3 K 10 A K 6 2 8 2 10 9 7 5 2 West North East South Trevellini Rosenblum Farina Panina Pass 1 Pass Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 2 Pass 2 All Pass

Rosenblum was a little nervous that his partner might not interpret the second round Two Diamond bid as natural, but he had no hesitation in passing Two Hearts. The auction called for a trump lead but West began with a spade ducked around to the ten. Declarer led a club and now the trump switch was too late. Declarer obtained two club ruffs and went only one off for a reasonable score. On the next deal Rosenblum found a clever defensive play to protect his partner from error. This was the problem from Rosenblum's point of view:

Board 18. Dealer East. NS Game J 3 2 A K 4 A 7 5 K J 10 5 K 10 8 7 5 10 8 3 9 8 2 8 2 West North East South Trevellini Rosenblum Farina Panina Pass Pass 1 1NT Pass Pass 2 Pass Pass 2 2 Dble All Pass

The 1 was Precision and the 1NT overcall was either natural strong, or Comic, weak with a long suit. In the end Rosenblum was able to double Two hearts. He began with ace, king and another trump, discovering that declarer held four trumps to the queen. After ace and another club, where partner showed up with two small Rosenblum found himself on lead in this ending:

Board 18. Dealer East. NS Game J 3 2 — A 7 5 K J K 10 8 7 5 — 9 8 2 —

Clearly declarer's shape is 2-4-2-5 and he must have the ace of spades. What do you play next? Rosenblum came out with the clever play of the JACK of spades. He feared that if he switched to a low spade, partner might put in the queen. However, this switch proved disastrous when the full deal turned out to be:

Board 18. Dealer East. NS Game J 3 2 A K 4 A 7 5 K J 10 5 A Q K 10 8 7 5 Q 9 7 5 10 8 3 J 3 9 8 2 A Q 7 6 3 8 2 9 6 4 J 6 2 K Q 10 6 4 9 4

Dummy's spades had suddenly become good and reachable. Five spade tricks gave declarer his Two Hearts doubled for 470 and a bottom for the Russians. It was galling to find the simple play of a diamond would have led to two off.