The holders had been making heavy weather in the defence of their title, but by the time the final round started they had dragged themselves back into contention. The boards did not appear to offer a lot of scope for swings, but as the famous Polish/French chess player, Savilly Tartakower once said, 'The mistakes are all there, waiting to be made'.

Dealer North. Game All 9 8 6 4 3 J J 2 A K J 5 A Q 5 J 10 A 7 4 3 2 K Q 10 9 8 6 9 8 6 5 Q 7 8 10 4 2 K 7 2 5 A K 10 4 3 Q 9 6 3 West North East South Bessis Bo Bessis Pigeaud Pass 2 Pass 4 All Pass

There was a dramatic start to the match when Bessis picked up 12 IMPs in the very first board. No problem here; EW: +420.

West North East South Briere Chemla Poulin d'Ovidio-Saul Pass 2 Dble 4 4 5 Pass 5 5 Pass Pass 6 Dble All Pass

West's 4 was intended as a splinter, but East clearly though it was natural. It's not clear if West's final bid was made in the hope that 6 would make, or if it was intended as a sacrifice. Either way it was miles off line and it cost 12 important IMPs. The 'comeback kid' was on his way!

Dealer South. Love All 9 8 7 3 2 7 4 3 Q 9 6 A 8 K Q 6 5 J Q 5 A K 2 7 K J 10 8 5 4 2 K Q 9 4 3 2 J 10 A 10 4 J 10 9 8 6 A 3 7 6 5

When the result came up from the other room East-West had collected +430, an excellent result. This had been their auction:

West North East South Bessis Bo Bessis Pigeaud Pass 1 Pass 1 1 1 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 3 Pass 3 Pass 3NT All Pass

This is how things went in front of the cameras:

West North East South Briere Chemla Poulin d'Ovidio-Saul Pass 1 Pass 1 1 1 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 3NT All Pass

South led the J and declarer won in hand and went after the clubs, North having to win the second round. A heart return now would force East to guess the diamonds correctly after cashing the winning clubs, but Chemla preferred to force an immediate decision, and he switched to the nine of diamonds. Declarer covered with the ten and there were no further problems.

This was the decisive board:

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

West North East South Bessis Bo Bessis Pigeaud Pass Pass 1 Pass 1 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass

South led a diamond - end of story. Declarer made ten tricks, +430.

West North East South Briere Chemla Poulin d'Ovidio-Saul Pass Pass 1 Pass 1 1 Dble Pass 2 Pass 2NT Pass 3 All Pass

Chemla's overcall was a match winner. 3NT was now out of the question and it was asking too much for East-West to reach 4. The holders were not going to relinquish their title easily!