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. |