The Disaster Corner

There was no trouble deciding on the winner of the daily prize for this issue of the Daily Bulletin. Marc van Beijsterveldt of the Netherlands was directing in the Open Room, and reported these two deals.

Portugal vs The Netherlands Round 7. Board 7. Dealer South. N/S Vul
	ª Q J © K J 7 2 ¨ K 7 3 § Q 8 7 6
ª A K 10 6 3 © 6 3 ¨ 10 4 § A K 4 3		ª 9 4 © A Q 5 4 ¨ A J 9 6 § 9 5 2
	ª 8 7 5 2 © 10 9 8 ¨ Q 8 5 2 § J 10

South led the two of diamonds, and declarer took North’s king with the ace, and played back the six of diamonds. Dummy’s ten was allowed to win, and declarer now played a low spade. North won with the queen and switched to the two of hearts. Declarer went up with the ace and ran the nine of spades. That led to one down, and E/W must have anticipated a swing.

Only a plea of temporary insanity might save North, but it would require a very sympathetic jury! His double was completely unsound, even more so facing a passed partner.

West cashed the ace of spades and switched to the six of hearts. East took the queen and ace and played back a spade. Careful play will allow declarer to score three tricks, but you can’t really blame him for making only two, to record -1700.

Belgium vs Sweden Round 8. Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul
	ª K 6 4 3 © K Q J ¨ Q 7 § Q 10 9 5
ª Q 7 © 6 5 2 ¨ A 10 8 6 5 3 2 § K		ª A J 10 8 5 © 7 ¨ K J 9 4 § A J 6
	ª 9 2 © A 10 9 8 4 3 ¨ - § 8 7 4 3 2

Do you think North should raise to Four Hearts? Our opinion is 100% in favour of a quick pass. Declarer made the obvious twelve tricks for +620.

North did not go quietly in this room, but it did not do any real harm - until South made a very undisciplined bid. He compounded his error by doubling Six Diamonds, but Mr. Lightner would not have approved! Declarer soon claimed twelve tricks, and +1540.

For no Reward

Nissan Rand

The Israeli juniors had the best of fortunes when they met Estonia in the seventh round of the Junior Championship, defeating Estonia by 25-1VP.

On this deal Israel’s Ran Schneider took advantage of a defensive error, but it turned out to be in a losing cause.

Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul
	ª A K 4 2 © 8 5 ¨ 9 4 2 § 10 8 7 4
ª 10 9 7 3 © A J 6 4 3 ¨ K 5 § Q 9		ª 6 5 © Q 9 7 2 ¨ J 10 6 3 § A 6 5
	ª Q J 8 © K 10 ¨ A Q 8 7 § K J 3 2

West led the ten of spades, taken by dummy’s ace. Declarer played a club, and put up his king. When that held he cashed the queen of spades, and then played a second round of trumps, putting West on play with the queen. A third spade was taken by South’s jack, as East, instead of ruffing and playing a heart, mistakenly discarded the seven of hearts. Declarer then cashed the ace of diamonds and when West failed to unblock the king, it was all over. He had to win the next diamond with the king, and had a choice of losing plays. If he played a spade, East could ruff, but South would simply discard a heart.

So he switched to the four of hearts, and declarer was able to win with his king. He cashed the queen of diamonds and ruffed his last diamond in dummy. He then discarded his remaining heart on the king of spades and made ten tricks, losing only two trumps and a diamond.

Plus 130 was a fine score, but in the other room, the bidding followed an obscure route:

Two Diamonds clearly promised both majors, but the rest is a mystery. This little adventure cost 1400 - it could have been 1700 - and is right in there in the contest for the biggest disaster.

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