| 45th GENERALI European Bridge Championships, Arona, Tenerife, Canary Islands | Tuesday, 19 June 2001 |
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Sweden v. Italy The Rama match on Monday morning was Sweden v. Italy. Both teams are considered to belong to the stronger European sides, so a good match was in sight. The initial boards turned out to be rather quiet however, it took a long time before the first substantial swing could be registered, though rumours are that on the first board a big swing would have occurred had the declarer involved not missed a few spade pips…
For systemic reasons, the well-fitting nature of the N/S hands did not fully come into the picture, so a thin but not unreasonable game was missed. Declarer played very carefully for 8 tricks, 110 to Sweden.
A good heart fit was all Versace needed, so he could jump straight to game after the Bergen-type raise. On a spade lead to the ten and queen he immediately took the heart finesse. When this held, a club went to the king and ace. The only other outside loser was a diamond so ten tricks were there on cross-ruff lines. Italy +620 and 11 IMP´s. A few boards later, the Swedes struck back.
A simple weak NT auction and a blind lead for Bocchi. He selected a low heart so Andersson had an easy ride to nine tricks. Sweden +600. Even on a club lead declarer can get home by first attacking the hearts the right way and later knocking out the ¨A, but this looks a distinctly less obvious line.
Here the Italians duly reached their 4-4 fit, but were quickly down on a diamond ruff as there was no way to dispose of the eventual spade loser. Another +100 and 12 IMP´s to Sweden.
Lead: ª10. Tricks: 11 with the help of a repeated spade finesse after the §Q drops. Italy +460.
Ten tricks, Sweden +170, but 7 IMP´s to Italy. At this point, the teams were level at 20-20,
but then came two big swings to Sweden:
For once, the Italians failed to exploit the full trick-taking potential of this hand. 2¨ showed a heart suit and 2NT was a strong relay. 3¨ was transfer again, and 4© showed a six-card suit without an outside control.
The Swedes had no problem. In the strong variation of the1§-opening both the spade and heart suits were duly shown, after which Sundelin took control of the bidding and placed the contract in the right denomination and from the right side of the table. Sweden +1020 and 11 IMP´s when both tables failed to make a trick with the ¨A. And, next board:
Here, the Swedes reached the same contract in more orthodox fashion, and Sylvan received the same diamond lead. He had other views on the desired line, however. He won the ¨K, cashed the ©K and then produced the ªQ, which held the trick and, more important, pinned the jack. From then on, it was all over. Heart to the ace, ©9 covered by the jack (if Versace does not cover declarer can draw all the trumps and then quietly run the spades) and won by the queen, and another spade. Versace can ruff whenever he wants and take two club tricks, but Sylvan would always be in control thereafter. Well done, and a fully deserved 420 or 11 IMP´s to Sweden. The final result:: 43-23 or 19-11 V.P. to Sweden. |
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