The reigning champions, Italy, are making a strong challenge to retain their crown and lay third overnight, just 3 VPs behind the leaders. Great Britain were 14th and needed a sound result to keep in touch.

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

Martin Jones opened a multi and John Collings responded with his forcing inquiry bid. When Dario Attanasio overcalled 3¨, Guiseppi Failla made the questionable response of 3NT. Not wanting to scare his opponents away from a contract which he fancied his chances of beating, Collings did not double. He led out his seven clubs then switched to a heart so 3NT was four down for -400, not so good with 5¨ cold for North/South.

In the other room Norberto Bocchi opened a natural weak two and Giorgio Duboin just blasted 5§. Gerald Tredinnick doubled that, and Stuart passed it out. 5§ looks to be a couple down if the defense is accurate but something strange happened. Gerald led the ªA and Stuart, unsure that he could afford to signal with the jack, followed with the seven. As they play standard attitude, that looked quite encouraging to Gerald. After much thought, he continued with a low spade, hoping his partner could win and lead a diamond through declarer's hypothetical king. Duboin won the ªQ and drew trumps. Next, he took the heart finesse. Stuart could not believe that the spade position was the actual one. He switched to a diamond and suddenly the contract was home, with declarer able to pitch his remaining spades on dummy's hearts; +550 and 4 IMPs to Italy - which must have impressed Attanasio/Failla when they scored up after the match.

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

Both Easts played 4ª, Jones after his partner had opened 1©, Bocchi after a 1¨ opening which did not promise diamonds. How much of an effect the different opening bids had on the choice of opening leads I cannot say, but Failla led his doubleton diamond and Stuart a heart. That meant that Jones was a swift one down while Bocchi could win the heart on table, unblock the spade and cross to hand with the ©K to draw trumps; +620 to Bocchi but -100 to Jones and 12 IMPs to Italy.

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

Jones did something good for his side when he upgraded the East hand to a 15-17 no trump opening and was left to play there. The ©Q lead meant that he was one down; -100.

In the other room, Bocchi, whose no trump opening would have been 16-18, opened 1¨ instead. Stuart doubled for takeout and Gerald responded 3ª, not forcing but begging partner to find an excuse to go on to game. Stuart duly raised to 4ª. The defense had to knock out three minor-suit cards to establish four defensive winners while declarer had only to dislodge two major-suit cards to establish ten winners, so 4ª made in comfort; +620 and 11 IMPs to Great Britain.

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

Stuart opened 3§ in second seat and Duboin overcalled 3¨. That left Bocchi with an awkward decision. Hoping to keep 3NT in the picture, he responded 3ª on his good four-card suit, but Duboin raised that to 4ª. Bocchi was aware that 4ª could well be a 4-3 fit but decided rightly that it might be a good idea to play at the four-level rather than correct to 5¨. Stuart led the §3, a clear suit preference signal for diamonds. Without this clue from the opening lead, declarer has some interesting possibilities in the spade suit, courtesy of his holding the eight, but with South marked with a diamond void it is surely correct to simply take the spade finesse and play for spades to be 3-3 by playing two more rounds of the suit. That is what Bocchi did after winning the §Q at trick one, so he had ten tricks. A heart lead would have beaten the contract - if North could have worked out to switch to a diamond - but why should South lead a heart?

In the other room, Failla passed the South cards and Collings opened a 15-17 no trump. Jones responded 3§, Puppet Stayman, and Failla intervened with 3§. Now Collings showed his diamonds and Jones jumped to 5¨, where there were three inescapable losers once the defense did not lead hearts to establish a discard for declarer's third spade; down one for -100 and 12 IMPs to Italy.

The jump to 5¨ doesn't look right. Surely Jones can bid 3ª and give his partner some options?

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

Having started out by doubling the weak no trump, Collings had no real choice but to bid 5© when 4ª doubled came round to him. And 5© doubled proved to be cold, dummy having a diamond entry to permit the trump finesse to be taken; -850.

Playing Precision with a strong no trump, Stuart had to open 1¨. Duboin made a heavy 4© overcall and showed this by doubling 4ª. It is not easy for East to bid 5© over that and Bocchi made the normal-looking pass. To beat 4ª doubled, the defense must lead a diamond at trick one - which is not very likely. Duboin tried to cash a heart and Tredinnick ruffed and played a trump to the bare ace. Now Duboin found the diamond switch and declarer ducked but won the next diamond. It looked from the play to date as though West was 8-3 in the red suits so the winning line was strongly indicated. Declarer played four rounds of clubs to throw all his diamonds away and had ten tricks; +790 and 17 IMPs to Great Britain, levelling the match.

That was to be the last good news for Great Britain. They took a single IMP lead a couple of boards later but missed a chance on this next board and then Italy took control.

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

It seemed that both East/West pairs were well placed to reach the grand slam at one point but both Easts gave up and settled for six before they needed to do so.

1NT was 15-17 and 2§ initiated a Puppet Stayman sequence. It does seem that having found the diamond fit there were a lot of bids between 3ª and 6¨.

The 1NT response was either game-forcing or weak with a minor. 2§ showed a balanced 16-20 and 2¨ was a relay. Now 2NT showed 16-18 with no major. 3¨ was natural and 4¨ set the suit. Again it seems that the jump to slam was premature.

7¨ is a fair bet, given that you can be certain that the other room will reach at least six. It comes to comfortably better than 50% before you add in the possibility of being given a free finesse by the lead of any side-suit.

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

After three passes, the respective Norths both opened the hand in fourth seat, but system differences obliged them to choose different calls. Attanasio opened 2§, natural and limited, and Failla made a pre-emptive raise to 3§ by responding 2NT. 3§ was two down when declarer misguessed the trump suit; -200.

That looked OK for Great Britain but in the other room Gerald opened a Precision 1¨ on the singleton and Stuart had to respond 1NT, ending the auction. Duboin led a top diamond and switched to the ©2 to the king and ace. Bocchi led the ¨J then, when that was ducked, the ¨10, again ducked. Now he switched back to hearts and Stuart won the queen. He had six tricks if he could pick up the clubs but only two when he chose to lead low to the §J and the defense took all their major-suit winners for five down; -500 and 7 IMPs to Italy.

From what declarer has seen already, the ªA will almost certainly be with East, because both East and West are passed hands, and so the black queens will be split. It seems to be a complete guess which queen is in which hand. The only reason to play West for the §Q is that at least that way you are not quite so many down when you have guessed incorrectly as you will have cashed a club trick and will only have one spade loser.

Board 11. Dealer South. Love All ª 10 9 8 6 4 © K 4 2 ¨ K Q J 6 § 8 ª A Q 7 3 2 ª J © A J © 10 7 6 5 3 ¨ 4 3 ¨ A 8 § Q 6 5 4 § A K J 3 2 ª K 5 © Q 9 8 ¨ 10 9 7 5 2 § 10 9 7

2ª showed opening values with five spades and four or more clubs, 3§ was an enquiry and 3NT showed the 5-2-2-4 shape. Jones bid 4§ to invite cuebids and when Collings made a discouraging 4NT response just punted the slam. The lead was the ¨10. Jones won the ace and led the ªJ to the king and ace. He now drew trumps in three rounds, pitched his losing diamond on the ªQ, and ruffed a spade. When spades proved to be 5-2, he could no longer make the hand; down two for -100.

2¨ was a transfer to hearts and after Duboin had done as requested the auction reverted to normal lines. 4NT was a spade cuebid and that was enough for Bocchi to bid the slam. He too got a diamond lead and played the ªJ to king and ace. Now the paths diverged. Bocchi cashed the ªQ to pitch his diamond loser and continued by playing ace then jack of hearts. Gerald won that with the king and played a spade through and the moment of truth had arrived. Bocchi judged correctly, ruffing high, then played a heart and again did the right thing, ruffing low. When that passed off peacefully he was home with twelve tricks; +920 and 14 IMPs to Italy.

Board 12. Dealer West. NS Game ª 10 3 © A 6 ¨ A K J 3 § K J 6 5 4 ª Q J 9 7 ª A K 8 2 © Q 10 9 7 4 © K J 5 3 2 ¨ 7 5 4 ¨ 9 8 § 9 § 7 2 ª 6 5 4 © 8 ¨ Q 10 6 2 § A Q 10 8 3

2¨ showed the majors and Collings, who always intended to go on to at least game on his double fit, started slowly, hoping to buy the hand at as low a level as possible. When the bidding got back to him it was at the five-level. Collings saved in 5© and was doubled for the obvious -300.

In the other room, Duboin (West) opened 2§, 4-10 with at least 4-4 in the majors, and Gerald doubled. Bocchi jumped to 4© and Stuart made a responsive double, ending the auction. Again, declarer lost the obvious four tricks; -100 and 5 IMPs to Italy.

Board 13. Dealer North. Game All ª A © J 8 4 3 ¨ 10 9 6 5 § A 10 7 5 ª K Q 7 3 ª J 10 8 6 4 © K 7 5 © A 9 6 ¨ Q 8 7 ¨ A 2 § K 6 4 § J 9 3 ª 9 5 2 © Q 10 2 ¨ K J 4 3 § Q 8 2

Collings opened 1ª in fourth seat and Jones raised him to game. That seems a slight overbid and, with both opponents being passed hands, the need for pre-emption was less than normal so a limit raise looks better. Anyway, the ¨Q allowed a discard for the heart loser, but Collings could do no better than hold hid club losers to two for down one; -100.

In the other room, Duboin opened a 12-15 no trump and Bocchi transferred. Despite the four-card spade support, Duboin was not breaking the transfer on this hand, but Bocchi then went on with 2NT over 2ª. Somewhat surprisingly to the spectators, Duboin judged to pass 2NT rather than go back to 3ª. Gerald led a diamond and after this ran to the king declarer had eight tricks; -120 and 6 IMPs to Italy, building up a big lead now.

The next few boards were mostly pretty dull and only a small number of IMPs changed hands. Italy had one more major swing to come, however.

Board 20. Dealer West. Game All ª A 9 8 6 © A 8 4 2 ¨ 2 § J 9 8 2 ª Q 7 5 2 ª K 3 © J 9 7 6 © K 10 ¨ A 5 4 3 ¨ K Q 6 § 4 § K Q 10 6 5 3 ª J 10 4 © Q 5 3 ¨ J 10 9 8 7 § A 7

Duboin opened 2§, weak with at least 4-4 in the majors, and Bocchi responded 2¨, enquiry. Duboin rebid 2©, showing 4-8 with 4-4 in the majors, and Bocchi bid 2NT. This was not alerted so was presumably natural an non-forcing, but now Duboin bid 3¨, thinking that could well be a better spot. Bocchi converted to 3NT, ending the auction. The lead was the ¨10. Going for his best, indeed almost only chance for the contract, Bocchi won with dummy's ace and led a club to the ten and ace. Stuart switched to a spade now, the jack, but that was not good enough. The spade ran to declarer's king and he cleared the clubs. With no diamond with which to put declarer in, Gerald do no better than switch to a low heart and pray for a misguess. But it wasn't really a guess. Assuming the ªA to be offside, guessing correctly by playing the ©10 would only save an undertrick, while rising with the king would make the contract and, of course, Bocchi did play the king and had nine tricks; +600.

Jones/Collings bid: Pass - 1NT - 2§ - 2¨ - 2NT - 3NT, where 2§ was Puppet Stayman. The lead was the ¨J and again declarer won in dummy and played a club to the ten and ace. Failla found the killing switch to a low heart. Attanasio won the ace and returned a heart to establish the queen, and now the defense had a fifth winner to cash when North got in with the §J; down one for -100 and 12 IMPs to Italy.

That rounded off the Italian victory nicely. The final score was 79-29 IMPs, or 25-5 VPs. Italy were still looking live contenders to retain their title.