Clash of the Titans
Norway v Israel
by Jon Sveindal


The two teams on top of the score list met in round 7. Both contenders hoped for a big win, to get some distance from their keenest competitors. The first major swing was on board 3.

Board 3. Dealer South. EW Game
ª K 9 7 3
© J
¨ 9 8 4
§ A K Q 9 2
ª Q J 6 5 4 ª A
© Q © A K 10 8 7 5 3 2
¨ K Q 10 6 ¨ A J 3
§ J 5 3 § 6
ª 10 8 2
© 9 6 4
¨ 7 5 2
§ 10 8 7 4

Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levinger Saur Liran

Pass
1ª 2§ 2© Pass
2ª Pass 6© All Pass

Closed Room
West North East South
Shaham Charlsen Levin Kristoffersen

Pass
Pass 1§ Dble Pass
4ª Pass 5© All Pass

As anyone can see, the problem was not in the play. Both declarers lost a club trick. The aggressive opening bid by Brogeland in the open room yielded 13 imps when Saur made the practical slam bid. There was more action on the very next board.

Board 4. Dealer West. Game All
ª J 8 7 6
© Q 10 3
¨ J 9 8
§ J 10 4
ª 9 2 ª A 5 4 3
© A 9 4 2 © 8 6
¨ A Q 10 5 4 ¨ K 7 6 3 2
§ 7 2 § 8 5
ª K Q 10
© K J 7 5
¨
§ A K Q 9 6 3

Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levinger Saur Liran

1¨ Pass 1ª Dble
Pass 2§(!) 2¨ 3¨
Dble Pass 4¨ 5§
All Pass

Closed Room
West North East South
Shaham Charlsen Levin Kristoffersen

1¨ Pass Pass 1§
Pass Pass 2§ 2©
Dble All Pass

It might look as if the light opening style of the Norwegians backfired in the open room, but of course the key to the good game being reached, was the 2§ bid by Levinger on his scattered values. 12 imps to Israel, who added another 11 imps on board 6.

Board 6. Dealer East. EW Game
ª K Q J 10 8 5
© K Q 4
¨ 5
§ Q 7 3
ª 6 4 ª A 9 3 2
© A 10 6 5 3 2 © J 9 8
¨ K 7 3 ¨ 10 9 8 6
§ K 9 § 5 2
ª 7
© 7
¨ A Q J 4 2
§ A J 10 8 6 4

Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levinger Saur Liran

Pass 1§
1© 1ª Pass 2§
2© 4ª All Pass

Closed Room
West North East South
Shaham Charlsen Levin Kristoffersen

Pass 1§
1© 1ª 2© 3¨
Pass 4NT Pass 5©
Pass 5ª All Pass

In the open room Saur lead a heart, and Brogeland won the ace to return a spade. Later in the proceedings West tried to cash his diamond king the second time the suit was played, so Levinger could discard his club losers on two good diamonds. Unfortunately for Norway the defense was on the alert in the closed room, where Charlsen got rosy views when he saw partner reversing. 5ª went one off. Israel was 9 imps ahead, and continued to take more than they gave away until board 15 came up.

Board 15. Dealer South. NS Game
ª A 9 8 7 5
© 6 5 2
¨ 6
§ A K 10 2
ª 10 4 ª Q J 6
© Q 9 © J 10 8 7
¨ K 10 8 7 5 2 ¨ Q J 9 4 3
§ 9 7 6 § 4
ª K 3 2
© A K 4 3
¨ A
§ Q J 8 5 3

Open Room
West North East South
Brogeland Levinger Saur Liran

1§
2§ Dble 5¨ Pass
Pass 5ª All Pass

Closed Room
West North East South
Shaham Charlsen Levin Kristoffersen

2§ 2ª 5¨ Pass
Pass 5ª Pass 6ª
Pass Pass Dble Pass
7¨ Dble All Pass

The final major exchange went to Norway. In the open room North did not have a forcing 2ª at his disposal, and the Israelis came to rest in no man's land after South made a forcing pass over 5¨. In the closed room Charlsen forced with 2ª, and thus reached the fair slam contract. Shaham showed 0 or 1 trick with his pass, and Levin's double showed 1 defensive value. East had a clear-cut take-out, and the net outcome of 1400 down might have been a 1 imp profit. Now Norway earned 12, to bring the match result as close to a draw as possible. Israel - Norway: 14-16, and both teams still very much in contention for the gold medals.

Results Contents
Juniors Round 8 Match of the Day Italy v Russia
My New Partner by Morten Lund Madsen
Norway v Israel



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