8th World Youth Bridge Team Championship

RIO DE JANEIRO MANGARATIBA, 6-15 August 2001

Wednesday, 15 August 2001 Bulletin 9 DAILY BULLETIN

Editor: – Co-editor: Stefan Back – Layout Editor: Stelios Hatzidakis Denmark Secure The First Medal

By defeating Thailand 191-123.5 IMPs Den- mark, represented by Michael Askgaard, Gregers Bjarnarson, Kare Gjaldbaek, Jonas Houmoller, Andreas Marquardsen and Mar- tin Schaltz took third place. It was the fourth consecutive medal for Denmark in these Champi- onships, having previously won bronze medals in Bali and Fort Lauderdale and a gold in Hamilton in 1997. Although they did not win a medal the team rep- resenting Thailand won the admiration of every- one for their enthusiasm and the infectious behav- ior they displayed at the table.

USA I go into today's two remaining sessions of Jaime (Jimmy) Ortiz-Patino, President of the World the final with a huge advantage as they lead Israel Bridge Federation from 1976-1986 arrived yesterday and 174 -93 IMPs. immediately took the opportunity to look over the superb facilities accompanied by Panos Gerontopoulos, They took full advantage of their opponents President of the WBF Youth Committee. mistakes to establish a commanding lead after three of yesterday's four sessions but full credit to the Israeli team who came back to win the final ses- Table of Contents sion of the day to just about keep their hopes alive. Final & Playoff Results ...... 2 In the Swiss pairs event Agustin Madala and The Page ...... 3 Pablo Ravenna had an excellent final day and USA I v ISRAEL ...... 4 finished well clear of Olav Ellestad and Gunnar SWISS PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP ...... 7 Harr. ISRAEL v USA I ...... 8 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

FINAL

c/o 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total 1 USA I ISRAEL 6 - 0 62 - 2 38 - 14 38 - 24 30 - 53 174 -93

PLAYOFF

c/o 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total 1 DENMARK THAILAND 0 - 7.5 58 - 26 56 - 17 36 - 27 41 - 46 191 - 123.5

Welcome to the President Emeritus of the

The President Emeritus of the WBF Jaime Ortiz-Patiño arrived here yesterday to attend the final stages of our Champi- onship. Jimmy was instrumental in the evolution of World Junior Bridge.At the end of his ten year tenure as President of the WBF from 1976 - 1986 he set up the WBF Youth Committee, which he commissioned with the task of setting up a world junior competition.The world youth team championship came into being in 1987 and Jimmy, who had become President Emeritus in the meantime, donated the Ortiz Patiño Trophy for the winners. Since then the trophy has become the symbol of supremacy in world junior bridge.The Championship has been held biannually ever since and Jimmy has proved almost on every occa- sion his dedication to junior bridge by attending the championship and in most cases personally presenting the trophy to the winners. We welcome the President Emeritus wholeheartedly and we thank him for giving us the pleasure to have him once again among us, a practice we are sure will continue in the future. Panos Gerontopoulos Chairman WBF Youth Committee

Come to the 2002 Students in the ACBL Junior Camp! Netherlands Here is some great news for all juniors! A junior camp While the juniors battled out their semifinals here in will be held in the Washington D.C. area immediately fol- Mangaratiba the 7th European University Teams Champi- lowing the ACBL Summer Nationals, 29th July - 4th August onship started in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 2002. For more information please check the ACBL home- After six rounds of play Denmark is on top with The page www.acbl.org, the WBF homepage www.bridge.gr or Netherlands, Estonia and Germany leading the chasing pack. the EBL homepage www.eurobridge.org in the next months. Ranking after Round 6 Rumour has it, that you may even bring in friends that 1 Denmark 127 have not started to play bridge yet, but are eager to learn the game.Also there will be lessons for weaker players and 2 The Netherlands 124 lectures for the more advanced. An exciting leisure time 3 Estonia 116 programme, together with a lot of fun at and around the Germany 116 bridge table should make this camp a favourite in your cal- 5 Norway 105 endar. 6 Italy 103 Europe will again send a delegation to the camp and it 7 Poland 99 is certainly hoped that juniors from other WBF zones take 8 Latvia 93 part as well. 9 France 83 10 England 81 Attention European Juniors! 11 Belgium 78 If you wish to be considered to be subsidized by the 12 Czech Republic 62 EBL for a trip to Washington you need to apply by email to 13 Ireland 31 [email protected] by 31st October 2001. 14 Turkey 7

2 6-15 August 2001 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

The Edgar Kaplan Page

Edgar Kaplan was recognised as (amongst other things) the greatest commentator of his generation. His own comments and sto- ries about him are worthy of note, so sit back and enjoy the foillowing:

A story of Edgar Kaplan is mentioned by Jerry Machlin in his not dismayed. autobiography. EK is playing in the Life (at the time a prestige event) and playing against a player seems to have I am ancient enough to remember times when, holding, lucked into her Life Master status. Being normally very easy going [AK632 / ]A2 / {K74 / }KQJ you could expect an unencum- he says nothing after a disaster on the first hand. After the sec- bered auction, even though you were in fourth seat, vulnerable ond hand she puts her hand down with the comment, "I didn't against not. know what to do, I had 14 points". Edgar replies "My fault madam, I thought you had 300." At third position, non vul. against vul., Zia,West, opens 1NT strong with [43 / ]1084 / {3 / }KQJ10872 Edgar's long-time partner, , was a very deliberate Zia,West at Table 2, counted 6 points extra for length plus 3 player.As Edgar was fond of writing, "Every time Norman starts for shortness to reach the value for his notrump opening. The to think, I know we're about to win 10 IMPs." It is said that not three-notrump contract he reached temporarily was indeed the long ago, after Edgar had become ill with cancer, the two were winning spot, although for North-South. playing, and Norman was taking quite a long time before making a play. Edgar finally grumbled "God almighty, Norman, play a I've never understood why they say that down one is good card!" Norman slowly turned his wrist, looked at his watch, and bridge, after a partscore went one down; with the same cards, said "Why, are we under time pressure?" Edgar leaned over Meckstroth made 3NT+1.Making an overtrick – that's good bridge. slightly and said "In case you haven't noticed, I am!" Defending against a 7] off A-K of trumps And now for some gems from Kaplan's pen: West led a club against seven hearts doubled, giving East a . Now Balicki, East, decided to cash his ace of trumps before Making three, plus 150 (what a waste of talent to have him the mice could get at it and crashed partner's bare king: down declarer in a part-score!). only 300. Hamman reads the cards perfectly, makes 2NT with an over- trick. I do not guarantee I'll never open one notrump holding a five- card major, but so far in a long bridge career I have never found Perhaps you understand why three Wests decided to double the occasion to do so. four spades after their partner had preempted in hearts.All three are marvellous players, so no doubt the decision is more sensi- According to the "Law", there should be a total of 23 tricks ble than it looks to me; perhaps it would be right in the long run. for the two sides; had there been, NICKELL would have gained In the short run, though, they were unable to take any heart 17 IMPs. In reality, there were only 20 tricks taken altogether, so tricks in defence (declarer made an overtrick). ZIA won 12 IMPs. At Table 2, Meckstroth was declarer at three notrump with On a 1{ opening on: [Q63 / ]Q3 / {QJ10952 / }K9 unaccustomed strength (25 HCP) – he is more comfortable with My first bridge partner used to bid on such hands – still does, 21 HCP. actually; he would decide later whether to treat his action as a psych or as a light opening. "The modern fashion in cuebids is not to show anything in particular but to cast a rosy glow over the whole auction." On grand slams: "Declarer led the ace of trumps and it held. So now he must It is astonishing how often a player in seven is laying huge reconsider his options." odds because the opposing team did not reach even six at the "As you can see, neither pair had any difficulty reaching their other table. 19-point game.The difficulty will come in the play." On keycard disasters "There are three right plays in bridge – what's correct on Many with-it partnerships are up to six aces, plus several analysis, what works and what I would do." queens of trumps – talk about inflation! "No swing on a that was touch and go at both tables. It touched and went." East opens lightly, opponents get to 4[ and West doubles. "When partner asks for help in a side suit and you respond posi- It is not clear where West got his double of four spades in the tively with three small, it is an insult to your partner. And if he's Closed Room; perhaps from the same place that East got his well-built and hefty, it is a poor idea to insult him." opening bid. "I know people who could go down on this hand, but I don't believe any of them are here." At table 4, Zia was declarer at five clubs (actually, Deutsch was supposed to hold the South cards, but Zia had reversed the "To equal the result in the other room, he needs 16 over- board – what a hand hog!) tricks." "It's a question of intent: if you have a problem, you must At Table 3, East had bid spades, so she tried a surprise, the think. If you hesitate to fool your opponent, that is unethical. If nine of diamonds. Declarer may have been surprised, but he was your heart is pure, your ethics are unsullied."

3 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

USA I v ISRAEL

fter a convincing performance by both teams in their semi- round with the king. Now declarer should start on the clubs, Afinal match, Israel and USA 1 met for the first of six sets of cashing the ace and king. If an honour appears on declarer's left sixteen boards on the way to determine the new World Junior as on the actual deal, the theory of restricted choice suggests Team Champions. that declarer should draw the last and then rely on the The Americans, who started with a 6 IMP-carry over, had a ruffing . If it is West who produces an honour declarer can flying start, when the grand slam-ouverture of the final required still get home if the clubs are 3-3 or 2-4 as he can ruff two clubs very careful play: in his hand. Finally, if no honour appears then declarer must de- cide if clubs are 3-3 or 4-2. When the Israeli declarer ruffed a small club at trick three, Declarers’ restricted choice cashed two rounds of trumps and tried to ruff another club, East Session 1. Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. was able to overruff – USA 1 +50, 14 IMPs and an early 20-0 lead. [ A 6 5 2 ] J 9 7 5 4 The curse of the red sixes { K 8 3 The next board saw USA 1 in action at both tables: }7 Session 1. Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul. [3 [J 10 8 N [A 10 ] Q 8 3 ] A K 10 6 2 W E ]Q 2 { Q J 7 6 5 { 10 9 4 { K Q J 10 9 5 2 } Q 8 5 4S } J 2 }3 2 [ K Q 9 7 4 [ K 8 7 6 5 [ Q J 9 2 ]– N ] K J 9 7 3 ] 6 5 {A 2 W E { 4 3 { 7 6 } A K 10 9 6 3 } 9S } A Q J 8 5 In the Open Room USA 1 settled for 6[ after the following [4 3 auction: ] A 10 8 4 Open Room {A 8 } K 10 7 6 4 West North East South Amit Grue Vax Kranyak In the Closed Room East opened the bidding, and as a result Pass Pass 1} East/West reached game with a combined 17 HCP. Pass 1] Pass 2[ Closed Room Pass 3[ Pass 5NT West North East South Pass 6[ All Pass Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider It only took South less than ten seconds to win the {Q lead 1} Pass with the king, play club to the ace and ruff a club. He then cashed 1[ 3{ 3[ Pass three rounds of trumps and conceded one club trick to West, to 4[ All Pass come up with twelve tricks – USA 1 +980. Israel was more ambitious at the other table: Declarer lost five tricks and quietly went two down – Israel +100. Closed Room At the other table South opened the bidding and therefore North/South reached game in the other direction: West North East South Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider Open Room 2{(1) Pass 2NT West North East South Pass 3} Pass 3{ Amit Grue Vax Kranyak Pass 3[ Pass 5NT Pass 1} Pass 6{ Pass 7[ 2} 2[ 3[ Pass (I) both majors, 5-10 HCP Pass 3NT 4[ Pass Pass 4NT All Pass The play in 7[ revolves around the club suit. If trumps are 2-2 then only a dreadful club distribution will defeat you, so de- Here South hoped that if there were nine tricks to take, there clarer's first move should be to cash the [A in case spades are might even be a tenth. It is easy to see that 3NT is cold, but when 4-0 in East. If everyone follows you can afford to draw a second East led [Q, everybody expected a swing in Israel’s direction.

4 6-15 August 2001 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

In his Mammoth Book of Bridge, Mark Horton suggested In the Open Room, South who selected a more conservative that the most important asset for a player is the ability to con- bid on his second turn, felt he had something to spare, when his centrate. Terence Reese maintained that a player who could opponents never got beyond 3{. count was one in a thousand, but Mark opined that one who could count and concentrate was one in ten thousand. Appar- Open Room ently East had not read Mark's book, as the curse of his two red sixes struck him hard. West North East South Declarer won the with the ace, and played a di- Amit Grue Vax Kranyak amond to the ace on which East played the ]6 instead of the {6. 1} After a diamond to the king the was established, so all de- Dble 1[ Dble 2} clarer had to do now was to collect his nine winners and score Pass 3} 3{ 5} his contract via the bonus trick – USA +630 and 11 IMPs in, to increase their lead to 31-0. Dble All Pass South’s optimistic view proved to be the right decision. He Double trouble ducked West’s ]K and had an even easier time to score his game, when his opponent now laid down the {A – USA 1 +550, an- On the next deal South was put to the test to take the right other 8 IMPs and an impressive 39-0 lead after only three boards view of his hand: of play. Session 1. Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul. [ K Q 8 3 Double double trouble ] 10 5 Both East/West pairs must have felt great about their result on the next hand, only to find out that it was just good enough { K 9 3 for a push: } 10 9 6 3 [ J 5 4 2N [ A 10 9 7 6 Session 1. Board 7. Dealer South.All Vul. ] K Q 9 3 ] J 7 2 [ Q J 5 W E { A J 6 4 { Q 10 5 2 ] Q 9 7 }QS }J { K J 6 4 [– } Q 4 3 ] A 8 6 4 [ A 9 8 7 4N [ 10 6 3 {8 7 ] A K J 8 4 ] 6 3 W E } A K 8 7 5 4 2 { 10 9 { 7 5 3 2 } KS } 9 8 6 2 In the Closed Room East/West ended up in a doubled con- tract: [K 2 ] 10 5 2 Closed Room { A Q 8 West North East South } A J 10 7 5 Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider Closed Room 1} West North East South Dble 1[ Dble 3} Pass 4} 4[ Pass Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider 1NT Pass Dble All Pass 2}(1) Dble 2[ Pass South, confident that he had already told his story, passed his Pass Dble All Pass partner’s penalty double. From North’s point of view doubling 4[ (1) both majors must have been the right thing to do, because he knew that five of his eight points were of no use for partner in the alternative A very peaceful layout in the majors led to an easy eight club game. East lost one trick in each suit and emerged with one tricks – USA 1 +670. down only – Israel +200. But of course it helped East/West in the Open Room as well:

Open Room Learn The Language! West North East South What do you say at the airport, when you find out that Amit Grue Vax Kranyak due to your performance your captain has left you behind 1NT and despite all your effort you will not be allowed to fly out? Dble Rdbl Pass Pass E muito longe a pe? 2](1) Dble 2[ Pass How far is it to walk? Pass Dble All Pass (1) both majors

5 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Although South started with [2 to his partner’s jack, who im- a spade to the ace and let the [9 run. When South ducked he mediately returned another trump to declarer’s ace, nothing continued with another spade. This time South hopped up and could be done to prevent one heart ruff, which was good enough led a heart, which declarer had to ruff. After a diamond to the to set up the heart suit – Israel +670 and no swing. ace, South cashed [8 to collect the defenders’ sixth trick for one down – USA 1 +100 and 6 more IMPs, USA 1 meanwhile ahead 48-1. Two wrongs don’t make a right A disputable (to say the least) third-hand opening bid scored on the next board, but who would ever dare to argue with suc- The fatal ruff cess: Once again declarer is put to the test on the next deal, if the defenders make his life difficult: Session 1. Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. [5 3 Session 1. Board 13. Dealer North.All Vul. ] A J 7 4 [ A J 9 7 2 { 7 6 5 ] 10 9 3 } K J 10 5 { A K 5 } 10 4 [ J 6 2N [ A Q 10 9 ] K Q 10 9 ] 2 [ 10N [ K 6 5 4 W E ] Q J 8 5 4 2 ] K 6 { J 9 8 { K 10 4 2 W E } A Q 8S } 9 6 3 2 { Q 9 { 6 4 3 [ K 8 7 4 } A Q 9 2S } J 8 5 3 ] 8 6 5 3 [ Q 8 3 { A Q 3 ]A 7 }7 4 { J 10 8 7 2 } K 7 6 The Closed Room auction looked perfectly normal: In the Open Room the declarer piled up a huge amount of Closed Room tricks after the following bidding:

West North East South Open Room Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider West North East South Pass Pass Pass 1} Pass 1[ Pass Amit Grue Vax Kranyak 1NT All Pass 1[ Pass 1NT 2] Pass Pass 3[ After a heart lead to the ten, declarer let the {9 run, which All Pass held the trick.The {J then went to South’s queen, who returned a heart to king, which held as well.And another ducking play was The defence started with the ]K, which declarer ducked, and yet to come, when West played a spade to the nine.A third round another heart. North then played a spade to the ten, jack and of diamonds now set up declarer’s seventh winner.In the end de- king. Back came another trump to the nine. Declarer cashed the clarer even scored an overtrick – USA 1 +120. {K, crossed to dummy with the [Q and played the {J to the Had South taken the {Q at trick two to play back a club, the queen and ace. He then drew the outstanding trump and cashed defence will succeed. North wins the club, plays back a spade, his diamond tricks – USA 1 +200. which South will win with the king, to play another club. Declar- It is not so easy with another line of defence: er now continues with another diamond to South’s ace, but now the defenders who have already scored four tricks can cash two Closed Room more clubs and the ]A for one down. In the Open Room South found a "lead-directing" 1{ dia- West North East South mond opening, that worked well, when East’s response to a Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider doubtful double from West proved to be too high to score a plus: 1[ Pass 1NT 2] Pass Pass 3[ Open Room All Pass West North East South Again East was allowed to score the ]K, but now East Amit Grue Vax Kranyak switched to a club to the king and ace.West continued with the Pass Pass 1{ }Q and another club, so North was forced to ruff.The playing Dble 1] 2[ All Pass record says that now declarer played a spade to the queen and cashed the ]A. If he then went back to his hand with a diamond South led a heart to the king and ace, and North switched to to fatally ruff a heart, he will go down, as now East discards a di- {7 to the queen. Back came a club to the queen and king and }J amond, wins the spade return with the king and leads a fourth to West’s ace. Declarer now discarded a club on the ]Q, played round of clubs to promote another trump winner for his side.

6 6-15 August 2001 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

At the table declarer went one down and the US team had another good result in – USA 1 +100 and 7 IMPs to extend their Swiss Pairs Championship lead to 56-2. Final Results

While you were sleeping 1 Madala Ag. - Ravenna Arg 118 The first set lived to see a great finale for USA 1 when they 2 Ellestad - Harr Nor 65 scored a double-digit number of IMPs in spectacular fashion once 3 Hishmat - Salam Egy 57 again: 4 Pellegrini - Vichayapai Arg/Tha 42 Session 1. Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul. 5 Brayshaw - Croft Aus 39 6 Chen - Liu Chi 31 [ J 9 8 6 4 2 7 Anderson - Groosman Can/Ned 23 ] 9 5 3 2 8 Hakkebo/Joersted/Kvangraven Nor 20 {7 9 Bathurst - Grainger Usa/Can 19 }7 4 10 Demuy - Madala Ad. Can/Arg -15 Gaviard - De Tessieres Fra -15 [5 3N [7 ] K J 8 6 4 ] Q 12 Chou - Yeh Tph -19 { A Q J 4W E { 10 9 8 6 3 2 13 Brenner - Machado Bra -24 S 14 Bessis - Bessis Fra -37 } K 8 } A J 10 9 5 15 Linlin - Qiang Chi -53 [ A K Q 10 16 Chang - Zheng Tph -69 ] A 10 7 17 Barbosa - Brum Bra -83 {K 5 18 Chen - Liu Tph -105 } Q 6 3 2

First of all, the American East/West pair in the Closed e-bridge's special offer to Juniors Room completed their flawless set reaching another unbeat- participating in 8th World Youth able game: Bridge Team Championship Juniors participating in the Championship can get a 60% dis- Closed Room count to e-bridge during the Championship. For a yearly subscrip- tion fee of only 50$ you will be able to play in both social and tour- West North East South nament rooms, watch VuGraphs of major bridge events, and access Campbell Roll Wooldridge Schneider the rich bridge content department. 1] Pass 1NT Dble For details of this special subscription offer, please contact - has Romik from e-bridge,Yaniv Wax from the Israeli team, or Mark 2{ 2[ 4[ Pass Horton, the Daily Bulletin Editor. 5{ Pass Pass 5[ e-bridge is providing near real-time full Internet coverage of the Pass Pass Dble All Pass Junior Team Championship, including VuGraph matches featuring all the hands played. When South trusted his opponents’ bidding and sacrificed in 5[ doubled, USA did not score their maximum plus for 5{ mak- ing but collected five tricks to put declarer three down – USA 1 +500. Rolling Down To Rio In the Open Room East in a moment of absence missed his Words: Rudyard Kipling, music: Peter Bellamy cue: (Recorded by Tom Lewis on Mixed Cargo.)

Open Room I never sailed the Amazon and I never reached Brazil, But the Don and the Magdalena they can go there when they will, West North East South And weekly from Southampton great steamers white and gold, Amit Grue Vax Kranyak Go rolling down to Rio, roll down, roll down to Rio, 1] 2[ ! Pass ! 3NT And I'd like to roll to Rio someday before I'm old. All Pass I've never seen a jaguar nor yet an armadill - o, After North’s hyper-weak jump East did not find the Dillo'ing in his armour, and I s'pose I never will, obvious , so to everybody’s surprise South be- Unless I go to Rio, these wonders to behold, came declarer in a new kind of gambling 3NT.The rest of the Go rolling down to Rio, roll really down to Rio, story is told very quickly. West led a diamond, South won and and I'd like to roll to Rio someday before I'm old. cashed seven more winners for one down – Israel +50, but once again 10 IMPs to USA 1 who went into the next session with a Yes I'd love to roll to Rio someday before I'm old. 68-2 lead.

7 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ISRAEL v USA I

srael needed to regroup after the first session and get some Session 2. Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. Ipoints on the board. However the early deals presented few opportunities. [ Q 4 2 ] Q 10 7 6 3 Session 2. Board 4. Dealer West.All Vul. { 10 8 7 [ J 3 2 }A 7 ] A J 9 7 3 [ K 8 3N [ A J 7 { K 4 3 ] 9 2 ] A J 8 5 4 W E }A 6 { K 9 5 4 3 2 { A J [ 8 7 4N [ K Q 10 6 } 4 3S } Q 8 2 ] Q 8 4 ] K 10 6 2 W E [ 10 9 6 5 { A J 9 { 10 7 6 ]K } J 8 7 4S } K 9 {Q 6 [ A 9 5 } K J 10 9 6 5 ]5 { Q 8 5 2 Open Room } Q 10 5 3 2 West North East South Open Room Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi West North East South Pass 1NT Pass Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi 2} Pass 2] Pass Pass 1] Pass 1NT 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass Pass 2{ All Pass With an awkward hand to evaluate facing a strong no-trump Two Diamonds was a marginally worse resting place than West took the aggressive view – normal enough for a team that 1NT and East found a trump lead to the two, nine and king. De- was hoping to score points – and that led to a game that was clarer now tried a low club but East went in with the king of quickly down. South led the jack of clubs, North put up the ace clubs to play another diamond. East took the jack and ace and and returned the suit.That gave the defenders the first six tricks switched to a spade. Declarer had run out of ammunition and and when East failed to realise that he could squeeze North in was two down, -200. the red suits he lost an extra trick to go two down, -100. Closed Room Closed Room West North East South West North East South Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit Pass 1] 1[ Dble Pass 1NT All Pass 2]* Pass 2[ All Pass This time West was happy to pass and the defence started in In the long run overcalling on a four card suit is a losing pol- the same way with six rounds of clubs. However this time de- icy but it takes many years to find this out. Still, there are players clarer made no mistake and made seven tricks, +90 and 5 IMPs who would overcall on the East cards - but they would be play- to the USA. ing pairs and not be vulnerable. West's Two Heart bid was also questionable, but did no harm this time. Session 2. Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul. South led his singleton heart and North won and returned the three of hearts. Soutyh ruffed and played a club to North's [ K 10 9 4 ace, ruffed the next heart and played back a club. Declarer still ] K 10 6 4 had to lose a diamond and the ace of spades, but he played North {A for the jack of spades to escape for one down, -100 but 7 IMPs for Israel - their biggest swing of the match so far. } K 10 7 6 [ Q 8 7 2N [ J 5 ]Q 5 ]J 2 W E Learn The Language! { K 6 3 { Q J 10 7 5 4 S What do you say at the airport, when you find out that } J 9 5 3 } Q 8 4 due to your performance your captain has left you behind? [ A 6 3 Ele tem meu passaporte. ] A 9 8 7 3 He has my passport. { 9 8 2 }A 2

8 6-15 August 2001 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Open Room Right he was as West showed an invitational 4-6.Yes, the de- West North East South fenders might have been able to cash five spades, and the clubs might have been 3-1 in such a way that declarer could not pick Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi them up, but bidding and making close games when you are vul- Pass 1} 2{ 2] nerable is winning bridge. 10 IMPs to USA I, who took the lead Pass 4{ Pass 4[ in the set 16-11. Pass 4NT Pass 5} Pass 5{ Pass 5] Session 2. Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul. Pass 6] All Pass [ K 9 8 6 5 ] Q 8 6 North would have been happier to splinter if his ace and been in one of his side suits, but it worked like a charm as South had { K 9 4 3 the perfect cards to move towards a slam that was easy to make }2 thanks to the 2-2 trump split.With careful play, declarer can even [ J 7 4N [ – score an overtrick by squeezing West in the black suits, but South ] K 10 2 ] A J 7 4 3 was happy to settle for +980. W E { A Q 10 6 2 { 8 5 Closed Room } A 8S } Q 10 9 7 5 4 West North East South [ A Q 10 3 2 Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit ]9 5 Pass 1} 2{ Dble {J 7 3{ 4{ Pass 5{ Pass 6] All Pass } K J 6 3 You do not see many auctions where the trump suit is only Open Room agreed at the six level (although it has even happened in the case West North East South of a grand slam before now!) and this time declarer did bring off the squeeze to gain a hard earned IMP. Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi Neither team in the play off for third place bid this slam, so 1[ both pairs deserve a lot of credit for getting there. Pass 3NT* 4} Dble Session 2. Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. All Pass [ A J 9 8 When East came into the auction South though he had ] 10 7 4 3 enough to double for penalties. The sight of dummy combined { J 7 5 with declarer's ability to ruff the opening lead soon showed him the error of his ways. }Q 6 Declarer got the hearts right and lost only two clubs and a [ 7 5 4 3N [ 6 2 diamond to record +510. ] K Q ] A 9 6 5 W E { 10 { A Q 8 4 Closed Room } A 10 9 8 5 2S } K 7 4 West North East South [ K Q 10 Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit ] J 8 2 1[ { K 9 6 3 2 2{ 3{ 3] 3[ }J 3 4] 4[ 5] Pass Open Room Pass Dble All Pass West North East South With a hand much more suited to attack rather than de- Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi fence East pressed on to Five Hearts. South led the ace of Pass 1{ Pass spades and declarer ruffed and followed sound technique by at- 1[ Pass 1NT All Pass tacking the side suit, playing a club to the ace and a club, ducked to South's jack as North discarded a spade. South forced de- Facing essentially a weak no-trump should West make a try clarer again and with not much hope declarer played the seven for game? Its a close decision and when East made ten tricks of clubs discarding dummy's last spade. North ruffed and had West, knowing how aggressively the North Americans bid, must only to exit with a trump to leave declarer with an inescapable have had a sinking feeling. diamond loser. Closed Room His actual choice of the king of spades allowed declarer to discard a diamond from hand and ruff in dummy. Now he West North East South could play the ten of hearts to his jack, ruff a club high, cash Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit the ace of diamonds, ruff a diamond and draw the outstanding Pass 1{ Pass trumps. 1[ Pass 1NT Pass +650 and the sort of missed opportunity Israel simply could 3} Pass 3NT All Pass not afford.

9 8th WORLD YOUTH BRIDGE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Session 2. Board 13. Dealer North.All Vul. Open Room [5 2 West North East South ] J 6 2 Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi { 8 7 5 Pass } Q J 10 8 7 Pass 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 2{ Pass 2NT [ 10 9 3N [ A J 8 Pass 3[ Pass 4[ ] A K Q 4 ] 10 9 8 7 5 3 W E Pass Pass Dble All Pass { Q 9 3 { 6 4 S There must have been a systemic reason for North's rebid of } 9 4 3 } A 5 2{. The subsequent course of the auction saw East double, and [ K Q 7 6 4 declarer scored +990 when the defence was less than accurate. ]– Closed Room { A K J 10 2 West North East South } K 6 2 Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit Open Room Pass Pass 1[ Pass 1NT West North East South 2} 2[ 2NT 3[ Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi Pass 4[ All Pass Pass Pass 1[ The defenders started with two rounds of clubs and declar- Pass Pass 2] Dble er ruffed and played a spade to dummy's jack. He had an easy ten 3] 4} 4] 5} tricks, +620.Those nine IMPs for the USA left the session score 5] Dble All Pass at 38-13 but Israel had one shot left in their locker.

Five Clubs would have gone two down on any sensible de- Session 2. Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul. fence but West badly misjudged the situation. [ 10 4 Five Hearts failed by two tricks, -500 and another poor result ] 9 6 5 for Israel. {7 6 Closed Room } K 9 8 7 5 2 [ A 8 6 5 [ Q J 7 West North East South N ] A Q 10 4 3 ] 8 7 W E Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit { 4 { A K Q J 10 5 Pass Pass 1[ } A 10 4S } Q 3 Pass Pass 2] 3{ [ K 9 3 2 3] Pass 4] All Pass ] K J 2 South led the ace of diamonds and switched to the king of { 9 8 3 2 spades. Declarer won and cashed the ace of hearts. A 2-1 split }J 6 would have given him a third round to hand in order to Open Room play a diamond and set up a discard for his losing club but the 3-0 break doomed him to defeat. One down, -100 but 9 IMPs to West North East South USA I. Liran Grue Varshavsky Mignocchi 1] Pass 2{* Pass 2] Pass 3{ Pass Session 2. Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul. 3[ Pass 4] Pass [ A K 7 6 5 3 6{ All Pass ] Q 8 5 Two Diamonds was game forcing and 3{ presumably { A K 4 promised a good suit but even so,West took a good view when }3 he jumped to slam.The fortunate lie of the cards meant +1370. [ 4N [ Q 10 8 2 Closed Room ] J 7 6 4 2 ] 10 9 West North East South W E { 5 3 { Q 10 7 2 Campbell Vax Wooldridge Amit } A Q 10 9 7S } K 5 2 1] Pass 2{ Pass [J 9 2[ Pass 3{ Pass ] A K 3 3NT All Pass { J 9 8 6 North led a club and declarer took South's jack with the ace. } J 8 6 4 He made eleven tricks for +660 to lose 12 IMPs. After two sessions the writing was on the wall.

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