OCBL JOURNAL Issue N. 64. Friday, 10 March, 2021 LEVINE WON THE OCBL SUPER CUP Team Levine, with M. Levine, G. Helgemo, T. Helness, J. Meckstroth, R. Morris, E. Rodwell and E. Wold, won the OCBL Super Cup!

In the Final, they faced team Compton, with C. Compton, K. Dwyer, A. Goodman, S. Huang, T. Moses and R. Smith. Mike Levine Geir Helgemo Tor Helness J. Meckstroth The bronze medallists are teams France Sud (B. Cabanes, H. Fleury, M. Mus, E. Gautret, M. Girollet, PY Guillaumin, JJ Palau, P. Poizat) and Gupta (D. Bilde, S. de Wijs, N. Gupta, A. Madala, B. Muller, Zia Mahmood).

The OCBL events will come back on March 29, for the OCBL Open League! Robert Morris Eric Rodwell Eddie Wold See details on pages 15 - 16.

OCBL SUPER CUP - THE BRACKET GUPTA (97.1) GUPTA (48.1) GILLIS (70) LEVINE (95) FREDIN (25.1) LEVINE (62) LEVINE (100) LEVINE DONNER (38.1) FRANCE SUD (48) FRANCE SUD (63) COMPTON (43.1) COMPTON (42.1) COMPTON (90.1) ORCA (28)

WBT CHALLENGERS CUP 1 Challengers Aces 63.69 12 Kinds 40.98 The WBT Challengers Cup is 2 Harris 59.77 13 Norway Juniors 39.45 underway! 3 ECF Holding 55.97 14 The Highlanders 36.07 The event will end on Friday, 12 March. 4 Zaza's Boys 53.89 15 Norwegian Trolls 34.39 5 Munlein 50.55 16 Dutch Juniors 33.73 On the left you can see the ranking 6 Olczyk 49.07 17 Denmark Juniors 29.13 after 4 rounds. 7 Arma 47.17 18 Akkarfjord Lost 24.77 For detailed results, see pages 13 - 14. 8 Baltic Express 47.01 19 Dreamland 22.2 9 Anatolia 46.95 20 Dubrovnik Smart 22.03 10 Abisco 45.51 21 Les Berrichons 18.17 11 Flekkefjord 42.01 22 Benny and Juniors 17.49 OCBL Journal

OCBL UPCOMING EVENTS

OPEN LEAGUE 29 March - 25 April, 2021 Play every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday at 21.30 CEST - 15.30 EDT

APRIL CUP 5 - 9 April, 2021 CEST EDT Qualification: Monday 5 April 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 Tuesday 6 April 16.30 - 19.00 - 21.30 10.30 - 13.00 - 15.30 Wednesday 7 April 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00

OCBL CUP Thursday 8 April 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 KO: Friday 9 April 16.30 - 19.00 - 21.30 10.30 - 13.00 - 15.30

MAY CUP 3 - 7 May, 2021 CEST EDT Qualification: Monday 3 May 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 Tuesday 4 May 16.30 - 19.00 - 21.30 10.30 - 13.00 - 15.30 Wednesday 5 May 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00

OCBL CUP Thursday 6 May 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 KO: Friday 7 May 16.30 - 19.00 - 21.30 10.30 - 13.00 - 15.30

OPEN LEAGUE 10 May - 6 June, 2021 Play every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday at 21.30 CEST - 15.30 EDT

JUNE CUP 31 May - 4 June, 2021 CEST EDT Qualification: Monday 31 May 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 Tuesday 1 June 16.30 - 19.00 - 21.30 10.30 - 13.00 - 15.30 Wednesday 2 June 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 Thursday 3 June 16.30 - 19.00 10.30 - 13.00 OCBL CUP KO: Friday 4 June 16.30 - 19.00 - 21.30 10.30 - 13.00 - 15.30

2 OCBL Journal

Champions Cup Total Ranking

# Team WBT points Captain # Team WBT points Captain 1 Black 416 Andrew Black 43 Seligman 52 Martin Seligman 2 De Botton 324 Janet de Botton 44 Skalman 50 Krister Ahlesved 3 Moss 253 Sylvia Moss 45 Edmonds 49 Jodi Edmonds 4 Apres- Bridge Champs 241 Sabine Auken 45 De Michelis 49 Luca De Michelis 5 Salvo 237 Nafiz Zorlu 47 Big Ten 46 Ken Kranyak 6 Hunisr 229 Gabor Winkler 47 No surprise 46 Petar Ivanov 7 Skeidar 224 Martin Andresen 49 Marupe 46 Jevgenijs Antonovs 8 Gupta 208 Naren Gupta 50 Zhao 44 Chen Zhao 9 Fredin 203 Peter Fredin 50 Hotspurs 44 Norman Mandell 10 Compton 197 Chris Compton 52 Lupoveloce 42 Davies Guttman 11 Lebowitz 180 Laurence Lebowitz 52 Champey 42 Bart Bussink 12 Wilson 180 Alison Wilson 54 Zaleski 40 Romain Zaleski 13 Apple 155 Hilda Setton 54 Australia 1 40 Tony Leibowitz 14 Gillis 150 Simon Gillis 54 JJMaxRodl 40 Jim Fox 14 Levine 150 Mike Levine 57 Daugava 38 Ugis Jansons 16 France Sud 139 Jean Jacques Palau 58 Cacahuettes 37 Philippe Casler 17 Ireland 125 John Carroll 59 Norwegian Amazones 36 Marianne Harding 18 Scorway 120 Steve Levinson 60 Coppens 34 Pim Coppens 18 Hill 120 Joyce Hill 61 Costa fishing 33 Christian Kayser 20 Leslie 115 Tim Leslie 62 Keeva's Monsters 31 Anam Tebha 21 Amateurs 100 Ai-Tai Lo 62 Goodman 31 Andy Goodman 22 Cole 99 Margie Cole 64 Turkish Delight 29 Omer Ekinci 23 Schwartz 96 Eric Schwartz 64 Lewis 29 Linda Lewis 24 Tilly 95 Kevin Castner 66 Bishel 27 John Bishel 25 Denmark 93 Morten Bilde 67 Khalidon 26 Paul Lewis 26 Orca 88 Richard Plackett 67 Olczyk 26 Jerzy Olczyk 27 Harris 85 Jonathan Harris 67 Albania 26 Konstandin Kapo 28 Sugi 84 Sugiharto Sugiharto 67 Clash 26 Greg Hinze 29 Israel Seniors 80 Doron Limor 67 ECF Holding 26 Espen Fasting 30 Red Devils 78 Zvi Engel 72 BridgeScanner 25 Erikas Vainikonis 31 Agriport 77 Anton Hiemstra 73 McIceberg 24 John McAllister 31 Rippey 77 Mark Rippey 73 Amalgamated 24 Ovunc Yilmaz 33 SpuTnik VI 72 Aleksander Smirnov 75 Fast Juniors 20 Alexander Sandin 34 Mikadinho 67 Marcel Verhaegen 76 Hedge Your Bets 19 Alex Kolesnik 34 Ferguson 67 Bruce Ferguson 77 The Optimist 18 Bernie Greenspan 36 Israel Emerald 66 Ilan Bareket 77 Alpert 18 Claire Alpert 36 Palma 66 Antonio Palma 77 Bridge42 18 Gabor Macskasy 38 Alexander 64 Emma Övelius 80 Hotagrosstein 17 Stewart Rubenstein 39 Donner 61 Gary Donner 80 English Juniors 17 Filippos Kritsalis 40 Harari 58 David Harari 82 Koeppel 16 Lynne Koeppel 41 Goded 54 Gonzalo Goded 83 Parker 14 Christina Parker 42 Slovakia 53 Eduard Velecky 84 Aces Take Kings 13 Sam Amer 85 The Juniors 12 Jacob Freeman

3 OCBL Journal

Semifinals by Brian Senior

Set one Compton v France Sud third spade and returned a , and that left Wold with a spade loser at the end; down one And so to the semi-finals, again to be played West North East South for –50. over 2 x 16- segments. It would be Gautret Goodman Mus Compton Meckstroth’s 1NT was 14-16 and Gupta’s Compton v France Sud, and Gupta v Levine, the – 3{ Pass Pass double penalty. Zia didn’t fancy that so ran to first-named team having a 0.1 IMP advantage to 3] Pass 4] All Pass 2] and Rodwell, with no reason to suspect avoid any possibility of a tie and extra boards. the nature of the hand on his right, competed West North East South to 2[, ending the auction. Zia led the queen Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau of diamonds to dummy’s king and Rodwell [ A 8 6 – 3{ Pass Pass played the queen of spades. Gupta won that ] J 10 3] Pass 4{ Dble and returned the king of clubs, which Rodwell { J 10 9 8 7 6 4 Rdbl Pass 4[ Pass won. He cashed the [K then led a diamond to } 7 5} Pass 6] All Pass the ace before switching to haeart, leading the [ 9 3 [ K 7 5 4 jack. Gupta won that and forced Rodwell with ] K 9 6 4 3 2 ] A Q 8 7 In this match both Norths opened 3{ and a club. Rodwell accepted the force and played { A 3 { Q 5 2 both Wests overcalled 3]. Mus raised quietly to the queen of hearts. Gupta, who had discarded } A K 9 } Q 5 game and I bet you can guess by now Gautret’s his small heart on the second diamond, ruffed [ Q J 10 2 line of play – yes, +450. and played a club. Rodwell could only make his ] 5 The overtrick was of purely academic interest two trump tricks from here so was down one for { K as in the other room Huang showed a good raise –100 and 4 IMPs to Gupta.. } J 10 8 6 4 3 2 to 4] and Palau made a lead directing double of the 4{ call. Now the Americans drove to Compton v France Sud Gupta v Levine slam, 4[ being RKCB and 5} showing zero or three. Here the lead was the jack of diamonds West North East South West North East South and the lead-director gave Bathurst the clue he Gautret Goodman Mus Compton Levine Madala Wold Bilde needed. He played low from dummy and the – 1NT 2[ All Pass – 3{ Pass Pass bare king appeared, after which he needed 3] Pass 4] All Pass only that the [A would be onside; a somewhat West North East South fortuitous +980 and 11 IMPs to Compton. Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau West North East South – 1NT 2[ 3NT Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul. All Pass – Pass 1{ 3} [ K Q 3] Pass 4] All Pass ] K 9 8 3 Goodman opened a strong NT and Mus { K 6 4 2 overcalled 2[, spades and a minor. When Madala opened 3{ and that ran round to } A 7 6 Compton passed, no doubt hoping for a Levine, who overcalled. Wold raised to game [ 10 [ A 8 7 5 3 reopening double, I would have expected Gautret and, after a club lead, Levine won the queen, ] 10 7 6 4 2 ] A 5 to want to play in his partner’s minor – even if drew trumps, and tried the three of diamonds { Q J 9 { 7 that minor is only a four-card diamond suit it towards dummy’s queen, hoping to sneak past } 10 9 8 5 } K Q J 4 3 could well be better than the five-one spade fit – the king. That cost an overtrick; +450. [ J 9 6 4 2 but he passed so Mus had to play in 2[. Meckstroth was the only one of our four Norths ] Q J Compton led the four of spades to the queen, not to make a pre-emptive opening, so Gupta { A 10 8 5 3 ducked, and Goodman continued with the [K, got to open 1{ as East and Rodwell made a } 2 also ducked. Mus won the low heart switch and weak jump . Zia bid his hearts and was played the king of clubs, which Goodman won. raised to game. Again, the lead was a club and Gupta v Levine He returned a low heart to Compton’s queen Zia won, drew trumps and tried the same sneak and Compton switched to ace and another diamond play; +450. West North East South diamond. That saw Goodman’s king ruffed out Levine Madala Wold Bilde and Mus cashed the ace of spades then played – 1NT 2[ 3] on clubs, losing two trumps in the endgame for 4} All Pass down two and –100.

West North East South Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell – 1NT Dble Pass 2] Pass Pass 2[ All Pass

Madala’s 1NT was 15-17 and Wold’s overcall showed clubs and a major. Bilde bid 3], invitational or better with at least five spades, and Levine competed with 4}, which concluded the bidding. Bilde led the queen of hearts, Wold winning the ace and giving up a diamond. Madala won the {K and returned a low trump. Wold won in dummy and passed the jack of diamonds, pitching his heart loser. Bilde won but could do nothing to hurt declarer. Wold started out on a grand crossruff, cashing Naren Gupta the {Q along the way. Madala over-ruffed the Agustin Madala 4 OCBL Journal Huang made the same overcall but Palau took a Huang’s asking 3] to show first-round control. against 4], Goodman running this to his queen shot at 3NT, against which Huang led the queen Thinking that might be the ace, Huang suggested and leading a low club. Mus grabbed the ace, of clubs, collecting the ten from Bathurst. It was 3NT, but Bathurst had other things in mind and cashed the ace of spades, and continued with a easy now to continue clubs and the defence jumped to 5NT, pick a slam. Huang picked 6}, second spade. Goodman went up with the king, soon came to four clubs and two major-suit aces; and soon had 12 tricks; +1370 and 13 IMPs to cashed the ace of diamonds, and crossruffed his down two for –200 and 7 IMPs to Compton Compton. way to 10 tricks; +420. Huang made the off-shape take-out double and Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul. Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. soon regretted it as Bathurst was doubled in 2}. [ Q 10 2 [ 3 Guillaumion cashed the ]K then switched to ] K 7 6 ] A K 10 8 7 his spade. Bathurst won the ace, ruffed a heart, { J 9 4 3 { Q 2 and played a diamond to the king and ace. Back } J 6 2 } J 10 9 5 3 came a trump, which he won with the king. [ A K 8 6 [ J 4 [ 8 5 4 2 [ A Q 9 He now tried a spade towards the queen. This ] – ] 8 5 3 2 ] 4 ] J 6 5 2 permitted Guillaumin to get rid of all his hearts { A K Q 10 5 2 { 8 7 { 7 5 4 { K 9 6 3 on his partner’s spade and diamond winners, } Q 8 3 } A K 10 5 4 } K Q 7 6 2 } A 4 and Bathurst could only come to the ace and [ 9 7 5 3 [ K J 10 7 6 queen of clubs; down three for –800 and 9 IMPs ] A Q J 10 9 4 ] Q 9 3 to France Sud. { 6 { A J 10 8 Everybody dealt competently with this next } 9 7 } 8 slam deal.

Gupta v Levine Gupta v Levine Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. [ A 10 7 5 West North East South West North East South ] 4 Levine Madala Wold Bilde Helness Madala Helgemo Bilde { K 8 5 3 – – – 2] – 1] Dble Rdbl } A K J 3 Dble 3] 4} Pass 2} Dble All Pass [ 6 3 [ J 8 4 2 4] Pass 5} All Pass ] K J 3 ] 10 8 7 6 West North East South { J 9 6 { 10 4 West North East South Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell } 8 7 5 4 2 } Q 9 6 Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell – 1] Pass 4] [ K Q 9 – – – 2] All Pass ] A Q 9 5 2 Dble 3] Pass Pass { A Q 7 2 Dble Pass 4} Pass Helgemo didn’t have the ideal distribution for a } 10 5{ Pass 6{ All Pass take-out double of 1], but he did have 14 HCP and didn’t want to pass. But Bilde redoubled, Gupta v Levine After identical starts to the two auctions, Wold showing strength and, when Helness took out bid 4} freely while Gupta passed. However, it into 2}, Madala cound double for penalties. West North East South was Gupta’s partnership which reached slam Madala cashed the king of hearts and promptly Helness Madala Helgemo Bilde while Wold’s did not. switched to his singleton spade. Helness rose – – Pass 1] Levine cuebid in response to the 4} bid but with dummy’s ace and took a heart . A Pass 2} Pass 2{ then accepted his partner’s decision when Wold diamond to the king lost to the ace and Bilde Pass 2NT Pass 4NT signed off in 5}. After a diamond lead, Wold returned his trump. All Helness could do was to Pass 6{ All Pass won, drew trumps and ruffed out the diamonds win the ace and take a second heart ruff, after for 12 tricks and +620. which the }KQ brought his total to six; down West North East South When 3] came back to him, Zia made a two for –500. Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell second double then jumped to 5{ over the 4} Gupta was not prepared to double with poor – – Pass 1}(i) response. Now Gupta appreciated the value of distribution. Playing Precision, Rodwell saw little Pass 2[(ii) Pass 2NT(iii) his ace-king and raised to the diamond slam. prospect of slam so just raised to 4], ending Pass 3{(iv) Pass 3NT There was a trump to be lost but that was all; the auction. Gupta, imagining that declarer Pass 4NT(v) Pass 6{ +1370 and 13 IMPs to Gupta would want to take ruffs in what would often be All Pass a shapely dummy, led a heart from his jack to Compton v France Sud four and Meckstroth called for dummy’s nine. (i) 16+ He played the eight of clubs next and Zia played (ii) 8+ HCP, 4-4-4-(i) West North East South low so Gupta could win and play a second trump (iii) Asking Gautret Goodman Mus Compton round to Meckstroth’s eight. Meckstroth played (iv) 4-1-4-4 – – – 2] his spade and Gupta played low. Meckstroth (v) Invitational Dble 3] Pass Pass went up with the king, ruffed a spade back to Dble Pass 5} All Pass hand, and ran the queen of diamonds. When Compton v France Sud that held the trick, he repeated the diamond West North East South , cashed the {A, and had three more West North East South Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau tricks via a high crossruff; 10 tricks for +420 but Gautret Goodman Mus Compton – – – 2{ 2 IMPs to Gupta. – – Pass 1] Dble 2] 3} Pass Pass 1[ Pass 2{ 3{ Pass 3] Dble Compton v France Sud Pass 3} Pass 3[ Rdbl Pass 3NT Pass Pass 3NT Pass 4} 5NT Pass 6} All Pass West North East South Pass 4{ Pass 4NT Gautret Goodman Mus Compton Pass 6{ All Pass Gautret doubled the weak two and doubled – 1] Pass 1[ again when the 3] raise came back to him. Pass 2} Pass 4] West North East South Though Mus now jumped to the club game, All Pass Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau Gautret was concerned about the trump West North East South – – Pass 1] situation – if the ace was missing there might be Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau Pass 1[ Pass 2{ a problem avoiding a heart loser – so he passed – 1] Dble Rdbl Pass 3} Pass 3[ and the good slam was missed; +620. 2} Dble All Pass Pass 3NT Pass 4{ Palau opened a multi, Bathurst doubled, and Pass 6{ All Pass Guillaumin bid a pass or correct 2]. When Mus did not come in on the East cards and Huang could bid a free 3}, E/W were off to the was no doubt glad not to have done so as the Madala/Bilde via two-over-one, Meckwell via races. Bathurst bid a forcing 3{ then redoubled opposing auction unfolded. He led a low diamond a strong club, Compton/Goodman and Palau/ 5 OCBL Journal Guillaumin via fourth-suit-forcing, all four Compton v France Sud ran it. That lost to the ]Q and there was still reached the excellent diamond slam. the ace to come; down one for –50. Bilde received a spade lead, which he ran to West North East South Rodwell, with the protection of limited his nine. He played ace of hearts and ruffed Gautret Goodman Mus Compton openings in the context of a , one, king and another diamond to the ace, and Pass 2] Pass 3NT opened the South hand. It made little difference, cashed the {Q. With trumps drawn, he cashed All Pass as Meckstroth was soon at the helm in 5{. the [KQ, crossed to the ace of clubs, and had Meckstroth won the spade lead with th ace but two heart discards on winning black cards; West North East South he discarded a heart from hand then led a low +1370. Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau heart off the table. Zia won the ace and returned Meckstroth played it the other way up and Pass 2{ Pass 2] the }Q. Meckstroth won the ace, cashed the Gupta led the eight of hearts. Meckstroth won All Pass king of hearts, and drew two rounds of trumps the ]A, ruffed a heart, drew two rounds of ending in dummy. He could take a club pitch on trumps, then took a second heart ruff. When the Guillaumin opened a multi, and Palau the jack of hearts and was home with 11 tricks king appeared, he had all 13 tricks for +1390 contented himself with a pass or correct 2] and for +400 and 10 IMPs to Levine. and 1 IMP to Levine. played there. Bathurst led the ace of diamonds Can the defence prevail on this line of play? Compton got a trump lead and decided to then switched to a low club. Palau won the West has to the heart, allowing the king to draw trumps immediately. Next he passed the queen and led back a diamond, Huang winning score. Declarer will play back a second heart to ten of clubs, losing to the queen. Compton won and returning a spade. Palau won the queen in East’s queen. On a low club return declarer can the heart return with the ace, took a heart ruff, hand and passed the jack of hearts. That lost play low and West has no more clubs to lead to and had three club winners on which to throw to the king and back came a spade to dummy’s take the late off the table. Declarer can his remaining heart losers; +1370. king. Palau played ace and another heart and therefore set up the hearts and cash the one Palau too received a trump lead and followed was able to get dummy’s club losers away on required to bring his winner-total to 11. the same line as Compton; +1370 and a push the ace of spades so had an overtrick for +140. So East has to win the ]Q and return the } board. I assume that Goodman’s 2] was a constructive K. Declarer has to win that as otherwise a club as otherwise the 3NT response is continuation sees West get a ruff for the setting Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul. a bit wild. Gautret led the three of clubs to the trick. Declarer therefore wins the ace of clubs [ K 4 six, eight and queen. Compton passed the jack and ruffs a heart. Now he can succeed by playing ] A 10 9 8 6 3 of hearts, losing to the king, and back came the for the actual trump lay-out. A diamond to the { J 2 ten of diamonds. He followed with the five and nine is followed by a winning heart. West has to } 10 9 6 Gautret won the ace and continued with the ruff, but declarer over-ruffs, leads a diamond to [ 10 6 5 [ J 9 8 3 seven. Mus clearly played his partner for a third the queen, and West has no more trumps so a ] Q 5 4 ] K 7 2 diamond now, showing the value of concealing heart can be cashed in peace. { A 7 { K 10 9 8 6 the three, and ducked. That was a disaster, as If East is allowed to find the inspired switch } K 7 4 3 2 } 8 it meant that Compton had the extra dummy to the }K, then it’s only fair to allow declarer [ A Q 7 2 entry he required to set up and cash the hearts. to find the inspiration to play for trumps to be ] J He duly did so and had 1o tricks – four hearts, three-one, don’t you think? { Q 5 4 3 three spades, two clubs and one diamond – for } A Q J 5 +630 and 10 IMPs to Compton. Compton v France Sud

Gupta v Levine Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul. West North East South [ – Gautret Goodman Mus Compton West North East South ] K 8 7 – – Pass 1} Helness Madala Helgemo Bilde { A K J 10 6 5 3 2[ 3{ 4[ Pass Pass 2] Pass 2NT } 10 3 2 Pass 5{ All Pass Pass 3NT Pass 4] [ K J 8 5 4 2 [ Q 10 7 6 All Pass ] A 9 6 ] Q 3 West North East South { 8 4 2 { 7 Bathurst Guillaumin Huang Palau West North East South } Q } K J 9 8 5 4 – – Pass Pass Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell [ A 9 3 2[ 3{ 4[ Dble Pass 2] Pass 2NT ] J 10 5 4 2 Pass 5{ All Pass Pass 3} Pass 4] { Q 9 All Pass } A 7 6 Compton treated the South hand as a weak NT type, his 1} opening promising only Madala opened a weak two bid and saw Bilde Gupta v Levine two clubs. As in the other match, whether or first inquire then convert 3NT to 4]. Helgemo not South opened the bidding proved to be led his singleton club, Madala putting up the ace West North East South irrelevant as Goodman became declarer in 5{. and cashing three rounds of spades to get rid Helness Madala Helgemo Bilde Goodman won the spade lead, pitching a club, of one of his diamond losers. Next he led the – – Pass Pass and immediately ran the jack of hearts. That lost jack of hearts and, when there was no cover, 2[ 3{ 4[ Dble to the queen and Mus could have taken a heart went up with the ace and played a second heart. Pass 5{ All Pass ruff to beat the hand immediately – but he didn’t Helgemo won the king and led a diamond to know that. Instead, he found the return of the Helness, who won the ace and played king and West North East South king of clubs to knock out the late dummy entry. another club for his partner to ruff. There was Zia Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell Goodman won the }A and drew trumps, Mus still the ]Q to come, so that was down two for – – Pass 1] discarding his small heart to clarify the situation –200. 2[ 3{ 4[ Pass for partner, and now Gautret knew to duck when Meckstroth too opened 2] and then showed Pass 5{ All Pass Goodman played the ]K and, in the fullness of a medium or maximum with fewer than four time, Goodman lost a second heart and a club spades, and Rodwell put him into the heart Helness opened with a weak two bid in third trick; down one for –50. game. The first few tricks were as at the other seat and Helgemo raised to game after Madala’s Palau did not open as South but Guillaumin table, but when Meckstroth led the jack of hearts overcall. When Bilde now made a value- played in everybody’s diamond game anyway. off the table he ran it. Gupta won the king and showing double, Madala repeated his powerful Guillaumin won the spade lead, discarding a returned the ten of diamonds, so Zia won the diamonds. Madala won the spade lead with the club from hand, rattled off a few rounds of ace nd played king and another club. Effectively, ace. Discarding a club from hand. He cashed trumps, then crossed to the ace of clubs to run the situation was as at the other table, with the the queen and nine of trumps then ruffed a the jack of hearts. That lost to the queen and same outcome; down two for –200 and no spade and drew the outstanding trump. Next he Huang cashed a club; down one for –50 and swing. ducked a club to Helness’s bare queen and back no swing. came a spade, which he ruffed. Madala led a After 16 boards, half-way, it was Gupta 22.1 club to the ace then led the ten of hearts and – 15 Levine, Compton 46.1 – 18 France Sud.

6 OCBL Journal Set two that went round to Muller he doubled for take- out. De Wijs left it in, of course, and Helgemo Going into the second half of the OCBL and Helness both judged to play in diamonds, Super Cup semi-finals, the all-American match despite Helgemo’s singleton. was very close, with Gupta up by just 7.1 IMPs De Wijs led a diamond to dummy’s bare ace against Levine. The third American team, and Helness led the four of hearts to the two, Compton, had a significant, but not decisive seven and queen., setting up a later finesse lead, of 28.1 IMPs over the sole remaining against the jack. De Wijs played ace and another European team, France Sud, who would be spade now, Muller winning and playing two looking for a challenging set of deals. more rounds of spades. Helness pitched a heart The second half started with a bang. on the fourth spade so de Wijs ruffed cheaply and returned a club. Helness won the ace and Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. led a heart to the ten and ace. He ruffed the [ Q 10 7 4 club return and played a diamond and just had ] 8 5 4 to lose to the {K; down two for –300, but 5 { A IMPs to Levine. } A J 10 8 2 [ A 8 [ K J 6 3 Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul. ] A Q 6 ] J 9 2 [ K Q 4 { K 7 5 4 2 { 6 3 ] 5 3 } Q 9 5 } K 7 6 3 { Q J 7 6 [ 9 5 2 Philippe Poizat } K 8 7 2 ] K 10 7 3 [ J 10 [ A 9 8 7 3 { Q J 10 9 8 Girollet’s 1} could have been a doubleton, ] Q J 9 6 ] A 8 } 4 and the 1{ response showed hearts. When { K 10 9 8 3 { A 4 Fleury competed with 2{ at his next turn his } 10 3 } A J 6 4 Compton v France Sud side were in trouble and Huang doubled for take- [ 8 5 2 out, left in by Bathurst, and Girollet’s preference ] K 10 7 4 2 West North East South to 2] was also doubled, this time for penalty by { 5 2 Poizat Smith Cabanes Moses Bathurst. } Q 9 5 – 1} Pass 1] Huang led the six of diamonds. Girollet won Pass 1[ Pass 1NT the bare ace and ace of clubs then ruffed a club, Compton v France Sud All Pass played the queen of diamonds to the king and ruff, and ruffed another club. He tried to cash West North East South West North East South a diamond now but Huang ruffed that and led Poizat Smith Cabanes Moses Bathurst Girollet Huang Fleury a heart through. Bathurst took the queen and – – 1[ Pass – 1} Pass 1{ ace and, having drawn trumps, the defence had 1NT Pass 2} Pass 1NT Pass 2} 2{ the rest; down three for –500 and 10 IMPs to 2[ Pass 3NT All Pass Pass Pass Dble Pass Compton. Pass 2] Pass Pass West North East South Dble All Pass Gupta v Levine Bathurst Girollet Huang Fleury – – 1} Pass Poizat passed throughout with the West hand, West North East South 1{ Pass 1[ Pass leaving his opponents to declare 1NT, against Rodwell Madala Meckstroth Bilde 2} Pass 2{ Pass which he led the four of diamonds to dummy’s – 1} Pass 1] 2[ All Pass bare ace. Moses led the eight of hearts and 1NT Pass 2} Pass ran it when Cabanes played low. That lost to 2{ Dble Rdbl Pass Huang’s 1} opening was strong and the 1{ the queen and Poizat continued with the two Pass 2] Dble All Pass response showed 0-7. Two Clubs showed 6-7 of diamonds. Moses won that and played a HCP but at most two spades, and 2{ was a diamond straight back at him, Poizat winning West North East South relay. The 2[ response completed the picture the king and leading a low club for the jack and De Wijs Helgemo Muller Helness of the West hand and Huang was content to king. Cabanes switched to the nine of hearts – 1} Pass 1] play a safe partscore. for the ten and ace, and now Poizat found the 1NT Dble Pass 2{ Fleury led a diamond to the ten, jack and ace, killing switch to ace and another spade. Three Pass Pass Dble All Pass and Huang ducked a club, Fleury going in with spade tricks meant the defence had seven in all the queen and playing a second diamond to for down one and –50. Rodwell overcalled 1NT and Meckstroth used dummy’s king. Huang ran the queen of hearts, Stayman. The 2{ response was doubled for losing to the king, and back came a second take-out and Meckstroth redoubled to show heart. He won the ace and played ace then values. When Madala ran to 2], Meckstroth’s ruffed a club, and led the jack of hearts off the double suggested taking a penalty and Rodwell table. Girollet ruff in with the queen so Huang was happy to oblige. over-ruffed and ruffed his last club, conceding Rodwell led the ace of spades against 2] one spade trick; +170. doubled and, after receiving an encouraging Cabanes opened a natural 1[ and rebid three from Meckstroth, switched to a diamond 2}, promising only two clubs over the forcing to dummy’s bare ace. Bilde payed ace of clubs 1NT response. When Poizat admitted to some then ruffed a club, then led the eight of diamonds spade tolerance, Cabanes jumped to 3NT and and ran it, pitching a club, the nine having been that concluded the auction. Smith led the six of played on the first round of the suit. When that diamonds and that ran round to Poizat’s ten. held the trick, Bilde continued with the queen of He played the jack of spades to the queen and diamonds, again ducked by Rodwell. Another ace, cashed the ace of diamonds, then led a club went away and Meckstroth ruffed and spade back to the ten and king. Poizat won the returned the nine of hearts to the ten and queen. heart return with the ace and cashed his spade Rodwell thought for a while now but eventually winners then got out with a heart. Moses won continued with ace and a third heart to Bilde’s and led a low club to the king and ace and, when king. Bilde tried a spade now but the defence Poizat now led a low club back towards his ten, had the rest; –500. Moses played low so that the ten scored and De Wijs too overcalled 1NT and Hlegmo Poizat had the rest; 11 tricks for +660 and 10 doubled to show three-card heart support. IMPs to France Sud. Simon de Wijs Helness responded 2{ to the double and when 7 OCBL Journal Gupta v Levine Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. enough, Helgemo led ace and another heart. De [ 7 Wijs played low, scooped in his jack and drew West North East South ] A Q 8 4 2 trumps; 10 tricks and +620, worth 13 IMPs to Rodwell Madala Meckstroth Bilde { Q 9 Gupta. – – 1} Pass } A 10 8 5 4 2{ Pass 2[ Pass [ 10 9 6 5 3 2 [ A K Q J Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul. 3} Pass 3NT All Pass ] J 6 ] K 10 5 3 [ J 7 6 5 2 { J 6 { A 4 2 ] K 5 West North East South } 9 7 2 } Q 3 { K J 10 8 4 De Wijs Helgemo Muller Helness [ 8 4 } 2 – – 1} 1] ] 9 7 [ 10 9 4 [ A Q Pass Pass 1[ Pass { K 10 8 7 5 3 ] A Q J 10 7 6 ] 9 8 3 2 1NT Pass 2} Pass } K J 6 { A 6 5 { 2 2[ Pass 2NT Pass } 5 } J 9 8 7 6 4 3NT All Pass Compton v France Sud [ K 8 3 ] 4 Meckstroth opened a strong club and Rodwell West North East South { Q 9 7 3 upgraded his hand to show 8-10 balanced. Poizat Smith Cabanes Moses } A K Q 10 3 Meckstroth bid his spades and now 3} showed – 1] Dble 2}(i) a doubleton spade, so Meckstroth signed off in Pass 2{ Dble Pass Compton v France Sud 3NT. 3[ Pass 4[ All Pass Bilde led the two of hearts to dummy’s queen. West North East South The jack of spades was covered by queen and West North East South Poizat Smith Cabanes Moses ace and a spade back to the ten lost to the king. Bathurst Girollet Huang Fleury – – Pass 1} Back came a heart. Meckstroth won the ace and – 1] Dble 2}(i) 1] 1[ 2NT(i) 3[ cashed his spades but accurate discarding meant Pass 2{ 2NT Pass 4] 4[ All Pass that there were no overtricks; +600. 3[ Pass 4[ All Pass Muller also opened a strong club but Helness (i) Four-card Mixed Raise overcalled. Now de Wijs/Muller invert Pass and (i) Diamonds Double so that de Wijs, by passing, showed a West North East South semi-positive. Muller bid 1[ then, over the 1NT Cabanes doubled twice and the second time Bathurst Girollet Huang Fleury response, bid an artificial 2} and discovered caught a jump response of 3[ from Poizat. – – Pass 1} the doubleton spade support. He invited game Cabanes had little to spare for his second double 1] Dble 4] All Pass by going on with 2NT, and de Wijs accepted. but he di have wonderful spades, so he raised to Helgemo led the five of hearts, which de Wijs game. But Smith’s lead of the queen of diamonds The key to this deal was that Smith could bid ducked to Helness’s king, and Helnsess switched was a killer and set up the fourth defensive trick 1[ to show five, allowing Moses to support to a diamond for the ten, jack and ace. De Wijs immediately; down one for –100. spades at the three level when Cabanes showed led a low spade off the dummy, his jack losing Huang doubled only once then bid 2NT, and a Mixed Raise. That meant that Smith in turn to the king, and Helgemo returned a low club once again partner’s spade bid was sufficiently could save in 4[ over 4]. At the other table, to the four and queen. Helness led a second exciting for him to raise to game. And here Girollet could only double to show four or more diamond through and de Wijs rose with the the raise was justified when Girollet led ace spades, and that, coupled with Huang’s full- king and played the ten of clubs. Helgemo did and another heart. Bathiurst played low on blooded leap to 4], meant that there was no not cover so the ten scored, and now de Wijs the second round, winning the jack, and after prospect of N/S finding their spade contract. switched to the ten of spades. However, taken drawing trumps had a heart discard for his losing Girollet led his club against 4], Fleury winning in by Helgemo’s having won the first spade with diamond; 10 tricks for +620 and 12 IMPs to and switching to a trump. Bathurst finessed, the king, he did not run the ten, which would Compton. losing to the king. A trump continuation might have made the contract, instead going up with have left him short of a ruff for the third spade, the ace and playing the nine back to Helgemo’s Gupta v Levine but declarer can survive by winning the second queen. Helgemo had the queen of diamonds to heart in dummy and ruffing out a club honour. cash and that was the fifth defensive trick; down West North East South He has two diamond ruff entries to dummy to one for –100 and 12 IMPs to Levine. Rodwell Madala Meckstroth Bilde ruff out the remaining club honours, and the ace – 1] Dble 2}(i) of spades is the entry to cash the two established Pass 2{ All Pass clubs. All of which was academic when Girollet returned a diamond. Bathurst won the ace, (i) Diamonds ruffed a diamond then ruffed a club, before taking the losing spade finesse. He was able to West North East South ruff all his losers and had 10 tricks for +620. De Wijs Helgemo Muller Helness – 1] Dble Pass 1[ 2} 3] Pass 4[ All Pass

Meckstroth bid only once with the East cards and Rodwell did not balance with his long suit and weak hand, so Madala was left to play a peaceful partscore. Two rounds of spades forced him to ruff and now he could not get diamonds wrong. When he also picked up clubs without loss he had 11 tricks for +150. Helness was the only one of our four Souths not to bid over the double. De Wijs was therefore able to show spades immediately and Muller now showed strong raise. A six-card suit was two more than de Wijs might have held (maybe even three more), so his lack of high cards didn’t stop him from accepting the invitation. He jumped to 4[ and awaited the . Without a diamond bid from partner it is very Bauke Muller - pic: Arianna Testa/WBF tough for North to find the killing lead and, sure Jeff Meckstroth 8 OCBL Journal Cabanes led a heart against 4[. Poizat won Levine had come through a much closer battle and switched to a low diamond – disaster! On any against Gupta in which they trailed by 37-47.1 other return, Cabanes could have won the first with only four boards to play. This was the Send us your spade with the ace and led his singleton diamond decisive board which saw Levine retake the lead for a diamond ruff and the setting trick. Now, for the final time, and go on to win by 62-48.1: up-to-date pic, the communications between the defenders’ hands were broken and Smith could win the Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul. {10 and lead a spade up to take advantage of [ A Q 9 4 2 please! the miraculous spade lay-out. Cabanes duly won ] 5 It has been a long time since many of us last the [A but could do no better than switch to { A 8 6 2 met and we are doing our best to make your a club. Smith won that, laid down the king of } K Q 2 online Bridge experience as valuable as we spades, then drew the outstanding trump before [ K J [ 6 can. knocking out the ace of diamonds; 10 tricks for ] A K 7 6 2 ] Q J 10 4 3 another 620 and 15 huge IMPs to Compton. { K 10 9 { Q J 5 3 Obviously when producing Bridge articles it } J 8 4 } A 5 3 is necessary Gupta v Levine [ 10 8 7 5 3 to use photos from the archives, as the last ] 9 8 international face-to-face Bridge event was West North East South { 7 4 held several months ago (the 2020 Winter Games in Monaco). Rodwell Madala Meckstroth Bilde } 10 9 7 6 – – Pass 1} Since online play is at the moment our new 1] Dble 2NT(i) Dble West North East South ‘present’, we would like to represent it as it 4] 4[ Dble All Pass Rodwell Madala Meckstroth Bilde is! – 1[ Dble 4[ (i) Four-card limit raise 5] Dble All Pass So if you can please send us a picture (can be a selfie) West North East South West North East South of yourself playing online Bridge. De Wijs Helgemo Muller Helness De Wijs Helgemo Muller Helness Let your Bridge friends see you in the – – Pass 1} – 1[ Pass 4[ present! 2] Dble 4] All Pass All Pass You can send the pic to: [email protected] We have seen 4[ permitted to make at one Muller did not double with the East hand and table. Madala reached 4[ and was doubled. Helness’s raise to game shut the Dutch pair out. Meckstroth led a heart, Rodwell winning and Muller led the queen of hearts and continued switching to his club. Madala won the }10 with a second heart. Helgemo ruffed and played and played a diamond to his king and was in ace and another diamond to set up a dummy a position to make the hand as the defensive entry. Back came a third diamond so he ruffed, communications were once again cut. But Madala took the spade finesse and cashed the ace of next played the jack of spades. Meckstroth won spades to draw the king. Helgemo ruffed his last the ace and played a club to the queen and ruff. diamond and led a club to the king, which held Rodwell played ace and another diamond for the trick, then crossed to dummy with a spade to Meckstroth to ruff, and now another club lead lead another club up. A successful finesse against promoted another trump trick for Rodwell. One the jack meant that the contract was home for card had changed making to down three; –800. +620. De Wijs/Muller got to 4], against which Meckstroth doubled the 1[ opening and that Helgemo led his singleton club. Helness won enabled Rodwell to bid 5] over the 4[ raise. and continued with a second club but declarer’s He was doubled, and that concluded the auction. intermediates were far too good for that to worry Madala led the king of clubs and Rodwell him. De Wijs ruffed, took the spade finesse, and ducked, Bilde signaling with the ten to deny ruffed the next club play. He could ruff all his the jack. Madala switched to the two of spades, losers now and just had to concede a trick to the hoping that the }10 was suit preference – king of hearts; 10 tricks for +620 but 5 IMPs to but it was not. Rodwell scooped in the spade, Levine. drew trumps and set up the diamonds for a club There were more swings to come as the discard, and Madala’s greedy defence had cost matches wound down, but Compton had won the contract; 11 tricks for +850 and 16 IMPs to comfortably by 90.1-48 over France Sud, while Levine.

Geir Helgemo 9 OCBL Journal

Final by Brian Senior

Set one Similar auctions lead to identical contracts and it is all about the opening lead. So the final would be between Compton Compton guesses to lead a diamond and this and Levine and would, like the quarters and proves to be perfectly harmless. Helgemo wins semis, be played over 2 x 16-board segments. the diamond and gives up a club to Goodman, Compton would start the match with a 0.1 IMP who pushes a heart through. Helgemo ducks, tie-breaker advantage. hoping for a heart return, but that is always a The set begins peacefully, the score being only slim hope at best, and in practice Compton 3-2 to Compton after 7 boards. Finally, comes wins the heart and gets out with a diamond. the first serious swing: Helgemo plays a spade, Compton winning the ace and playing the {Q. There is no way to ruff Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul. two heart losers without setting up a spade loser [ 10 9 3 so the contract is down one for –50. ] 4 3 Levine guesses to lead the jack of hearts. { 7 5 4 2 That runs round to the queen and Huang has } K Q 7 no problem in coming to 10 tricks for +420 [ K Q 7 [ J 8 6 5 4 2 and 10 IMPs to Compton, who lead by 13-2 ] 8 6 ] A Q 9 2 midway through the first half. Kevin Bathurst { J 9 6 { A K } J 10 9 8 4 } 6 Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul. Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul. [ A [ A K 8 4 [ A 9 7 5 ] K J 10 7 ] A K J 9 3 ] Q { Q 10 8 3 { Q 10 7 5 { A K Q 9 6 } A 5 3 2 } – } A 8 2 [ 10 2 [ J 7 6 5 3 [ 10 4 3 [ Q J 8 6 West North East South ] Q 6 ] 10 8 4 2 ] K 8 5 ] A 10 9 7 6 Helness Goodman Helgemo Compton { J 9 3 { A 8 { J 10 4 3 { 8 7 Pass Pass 1[ Dble } K Q J 10 7 3 } 9 6 } 6 5 3 } 10 7 2[ Pass 2NT(i) Pass [ Q 9 [ K 2 4[ All Pass ] 7 5 ] J 4 3 2 { K 6 4 2 { 5 2 West North East South } A 8 5 4 2 } K Q J 9 4 Bathurst Wold Huang Levine Pass Pass 1[ Dble West North East South West North East South 2](ii) Pass 2NT(i) Pass Helness Goodman Helgemo Compton Helness Goodman Helgemo Compton 4[ All Pass Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell – – Pass Pass – – – Pass Pass 1{ 1] 2} (i) General 3} Dble All Pass Pass 2] Pass 2NT (ii) Better than bidding 2[ Pass 3NT All Pass There looks for a moment to be potential for some excitement on Board 11, but no, West North East South the contract is the same at both tables. Wait a Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell minute though, perhaps the defence will slop a – – Pass Pass trick at one or other table? Pass 1} Pass 1NT Goodman cashes the king of spades, the king Pass 2] Pass 2[ of hearts, then the ace of spades, and down Pass 3} Pass 4} tumbles Compton’s queen. Might that be of Pass 4{ Pass 4[ use to declarer? Goodman cashes the ace of Pass 4NT Pass 5] hearts next then plays the ]J, which declarer Pass 6} All Pass ruffs. Helness plays the }K. which Compton ducks, followed by the }7 to dummy’s nine. Meckstroth opens a strong club after three But Compton wins that and returns the king of passes and Rodwell’s response shows 8+ with diamonds. Helness wins the ace and leads the five or more clubs. Two Hearts shows diamonds, {8 back to his jack, but has two diamond losers 2[ denies diamond support, and 3} admits so is held to six tricks for –500. to club support. Four Diamonds is Key-card Meckstroth cashes the king of hearts then for clubs, the response showing one key-card, switches to the five of diamonds. Bathurst plays and now 4NT asks about the }Q and side-suit low from dummy so Rodwell wins the king kings. Rodwell shows the }Q plus one king, and returns a low club and that is all the help and Meckstroth bids the small slam. Bathurst requires. He wins in dummy, and leads Huang cashes the ace of hearts and continues a heart to the queen and ace. Meckstroth cashes with the ]10, which Meckstroth ruffs. He draws two top spades then plays the ]J, but Bathurst trumps then ruffs out the diamonds and has 12 can ruff that, cash the ace of diamonds, and ruff tricks for +920 – ‘simples’. a heart. A diamond ruff in the dummy brings Goodman and Compton don’t get close to his trick total to seven for –300 and 5 IMPs to slam, settling in 3NT, where a heart lead to Compton, up by 18-2. the queen and ace and a spade switch sees Compton claim 10 top tricks for +430 but 10 IMPs to Levine, who close to just a point behind Chris Compton at 17-18. 10 OCBL Journal Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul. Levine has another pick-up on the last board of West North East South [ 10 7 2 the set when both E/W pairs play a 26-point NT Helness Smith Helgemo Moses ] A 10 game and find that the cards lie poorly for them. 1} Pass 1[ Pass { K J 7 3 Helness gets out for down one, while Bathurst 2[ Pass 2NT Pass } K 10 7 3 is down four for a 7-IMP swing to Levine. They 4{ Pass 4[ All Pass [ 6 [ A 8 close out the first half ahead by 29-18. ] 7 6 2 ] K J 9 5 4 3 Both E/W pairs reach a thin spade game which, on the lie of the cards looks hopeless. { A 10 4 { 9 8 6 5 2 Set two Rodwell leads a low club to the nine and king } A Q 9 8 6 4 } – and Huang runs the jack of spades to the queen. [ K Q J 9 5 4 3 Levine lead by 11 IMPs, 29-18, going into the Meckstroth returns a club to dummy’s queen ] Q 8 final 16 deals of what has been a high quality and Huang plays the king of spades to Rodwell’s tournament. Will we have a tight finish, or will ace. Now Rodwell cashes the ace of hearts and { Q one team pull away? } J 5 2 stops to think. Finally, he leads a second jeart to Meckstroth’s king and the contract is down one Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul. for –100. A club return would have been even West North East South [ Q J 10 5 better, as it promotes a trick for Meckstroth’s Helness Goodman Helgemo Compton ] J 5 4 [9 and he still gets the second heart trick. – – – 3[ { 10 7 3 At the other table Moses doesn’t like his options Pass 4[ 4NT Pass } Q 5 4 on opening lead. He knows that dummy will turn 5} Dble 5{ Pass up with a genuine club suit and he fears that a [ K 9 6 [ 8 7 club lead will be to declarer’s benefit. He decides Pass Dble All Pass ] A K 8 7 6 3 2 ] 10 9 to underlead the ace of hearts, a big decision and { Q 4 { A 9 8 2 one which defeats his partner, who puts in the West North East South } 2 } K J 10 8 3 ten. Helgemo wins the ]J and cashes the two Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell [ A 4 3 2 top diamonds to discard a heart from dummy. – – – 1[ ] Q Having reduced his heart losers to one, it is 2} 2NT 3] 4[ time to play on trumps and Helgemo does so { K J 6 5 by leading a small card towards dummy. Moses 5] Dble All Pass } A 9 7 6 shoots in with the ace and plays ace and another heart, crashing his partner’s king, not that this Rodwell opens at the one level and Meckstroth West North East South matters at this stage. The third heart is ruffed shows a limit-plus raise, only promising three- Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell with the ten and over-ruffed, and Smith returns card support. When Huang introduces his – – Pass 1{ the nine of spades. Helgemo can win that and hearts, Rodwell jumps to 4[ and that bullies has the rest; +620 and 12 IMPs to Levine, 1] Dble Rdbl 2] whose lead grows to 43-23. Bathurst into showing his heart support at 4] All Pass the five level, doubled by Meckstroth. Rodwell Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul. leads his diamond to dummy’s ace and Huang West North East South [ 10 7 gets the heart wrong at trick two, leading low Helness Smith Helgemo Moses ] A 10 9 6 3 to the jack and queen. He wins Rodwell’s spade – – Pass 1{ { J 10 4 3 return and ruffs his remaining spade then plays a 1] Pass 1NT Pass } K Q heart. Meckstroth wins the ace and there are two 3] Pass 4] All Pass [ A Q 9 8 6 5 4 [ K J 3 2 diamonds to come; down two for –300. Both E/W pairs reach the heart game and both ] 8 ] Q 7 5 4 Compton opens 3[ with the South hand and { A 8 { Q 6 2 Goodman raises him to game. Now Helgemo receive a spade lead. Moses wins the ace of spades and returns the } 8 5 2 } A 7 makes a two-suited 4NT overcall and Helness king of diamonds to remove dummy’s entry – a [ – picks clubs, of course. When that gets doubled, good idea but, alas, unsuccessful on this occasion, ] K J 2 Helgemo runs to 5{ and Helness passes, as Helness wins the ace, takes his spade ruff and { K 9 7 5 having no reason to suspect that his partner’s draws two rounds of trump before leading a club } J 10 9 6 4 3 hearts are so much better than his diamonds. to the king. That loses to the ace but he is home Goodman doubles, to complete a lively auction with 10 tricks for +420. Rodwell too wins the ace of spades but he West North East South and Helgemo awaits the appearance of dummy returns a low diamond. No matter, Bathurst puts Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell with some trepidation. up the queen and takes his spade ruff before – – 1{ 3} Compton leads the king of spades, Helgemo cashing the top hearts. He too has 10 tricks for 3] 4} 4[ Pass winning the ace and ruffing his remaining spade. +420 and a well-bid and played push. 4NT Pass 5[ Pass Next he leads a heart up and Goodman grabs 6[ All Pass his ace, though Helgemo was almost certainly Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. [ Q 9 2 about to play the king anyway after this bidding. West North East South ] K 10 Goodman returns a heart and Helgemo does Helness Smith Helgemo Moses put up the king. Helgemo plays ace then ten { Q J 8 7 5 2 – – 1] Pass of diamonds and Goodman wins the jack and } 9 2 1[ Pass 2[ Pass cashes the king. That is it for the defence, and [ K 10 8 7 [ J 5 4 3 4[ All Pass Helgemo has got out for down only one in his ] Q 5 4 ] J 3 2 fragile trump suit for –100 but 5 IMPs to Levine. { 4 { A K 10 3 Helgemo can open a four-card major on a } A Q 7 5 4 } K 8 minimum in his methods so does [ A 8 so, then gives a simple raise of the 1[ response, ] A 9 8 7 6 and Helness raises himself to game. After Smith’s king of clubs lead, there is just one loser in each { 9 6 side-suit; +620. } J 10 6 3 Things are more challenging in the other room, where Huang has to open 1{ and Rodwell West North East South makes a space-consuming weak jump overcall. Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell Bathurst bids 3], transfer to spades, and 2{(i) Pass 2NT(ii) Pass Meckstroth takes the remaining space away from his opponents with a gentle raise to 4}. Though 3}(iii) Pass 3{(ii) Pass Huang holds a minimum for his Precision 1{ 3](iv) Pass 4{(v) Pass opening, Huang has excellent spade support so 4] Pass 4[(vi) All Pass bids 4[. Now it appears that Bathurst envisages a hand opposite with genuine diamonds and (i) 101-5 three-suiter, short diamonds short clubs. He asks about key-cards and Huang (ii) Asking says that he has two plus the queen of trumps (iii) Minimum – he no doubt figures that if his partner doesn’t (iv) 4-3-1-5 hold the queen himself he will have at least a six- (v) End , please bid 4] so I can sign- card suit, so that the queen will not be required. off Bathurst bids the small slam and Rodwell leads (vi) Sign-off the ten of clubs, Rusinow. Huang is more than Shan Huang a little disappointed with dummy, of course, but 11 OCBL Journal what can he do? He is soon down two for –200 The match is effectively over at this point, with and Levine have added 13 IMPs to their lead, not enough in the boards to give the Compton which is now up to a worrying, from a Compton team a chance to recover. Our coverage would perspective, 55-24. not be complete, however, without showing this huge hand. Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul. [ Q 9 6 3 Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul. ] 4 3 2 [ A { Q 4 ] K Q } Q 9 7 3 { A K J 10 9 8 7 5 4 [ A K 10 8 7 2 [ 5 } K ] 10 5 ] A K J 8 7 6 [ 9 6 3 2 [ Q 8 4 { J 9 5 { A K 6 ] J 9 8 6 2 ] 10 4 } 5 2 } A K 8 { 6 2 { Q 3 [ J 4 } Q 9 } J 6 5 4 3 2 ] Q 9 [ K J 10 7 5 { 10 8 7 3 2 ] A 7 5 3 } J 10 6 4 { – } A 10 8 7 West North East South Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell West North East South 2[ Pass 3} Pass Ron Smith Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell 4] Pass 4NT Pass – – – 1[ 5} Pass 6] All Pass Board 9. Dealer North. E/W Vul. Pass 2{ Pass 2] [ Q 8 7 6 Pass 4{ Pass 4NT West North East South ] 7 Pass 7{ All Pass Helness Smith Helgemo Moses { A Q J 7 4 2 2[ Pass 3] Pass } A 10 West North East South 3NT All Pass [ 5 3 [ J 2 Helness Smith Helgemo Moses ] J 9 6 4 2 ] Q 8 5 3 – – – 1[ Helness opens a weak two bid and Helgemo { 10 6 3 { K 5 Pass 2{ Pass 2] responds 3], natural and forcing. Though he } K J 4 } 9 6 5 3 2 Pass 3{ Pass 3[ has no stopper in either unbid suit, Helness [ A K 10 9 4 Pass 4} Pass 5} doesn’t like to raise with only ten-doubleton, and judges his hand to be worthy of a game ] A K 10 Pass 6{ All Pass contract so rebids 3NT, presumably because { 9 8 } Q 8 7 We don’t often pick up a hand like North’s Helgemo could pass a simple 3[ rebid. Helness on this deal, still less when partner opens 1[ wins the club lead and plays safe, leading a low in front of us. Smith bids diamonds and more heart towards his ten. Moses wins the queen West North East South diamonds, then clubs, but all that does is to and tries the jack of spades. Helness wins and Bathurst Meckstroth Huang Rodwell cashes his second top spade then rattles off the collect an unwelcome raise. Now Smith cannot hearts and the fall of the doubleton queen of – 1{ Pass 1[ even ask for key-cards, so eventually just shrugs diamonds means that he has 12 tricks for +490. Pass 3[ Pass 6[ his shoulders and guesses to bid 6{. Seven is All Pass just better than a fifty-fifty proposition, so Six Bathurst too opens the weak two bid but is the place to be, in NT to be perfect. On the his partnership has a piece of system for this actual lie of the cards, Smith has an overtrick situation and Huang responds 3} to show West North East South and +1390. hearts. Bathurst likes his hand, with two top Helness Smith Helgemo Moses tricks, sufficiently that he jumps to 4] and Meckstroth responds 2{ then jumps to 4{, now, undaunted by the previous slam disaster, – 1{ Pass 1[ effectively assuming his suit to be solid. Four Huang, with a huge hand, asks for key-cards Pass 3[ Pass 4] Diamonds is Key-card for diamonds and the Pass 4[ Pass 5] 4NT response shows two key cards without the then bids the small slam. Meckstroth leads a {Q. Meckstroth bids the grand slam and the trump. Needing to ensure his club ruff, Bathurst Pass 5[ All Pass fall of the trump queen means that he comes has to go up with the ace. He then takes the home with 13 tricks for +2140 and 13 IMPs ruff, crosses to dummy in diamonds, and draws Meckstroth opens a Precision 1{ and Rodwell to Levine, confirming the result of the match if the outstanding trumps. The fall of the ]Q responds 1[. When Meckstroth now gives such confirmation is needed. Congratulations to means that he has an overtrick for +1010 and jump support to 3[, Rodwell doesn’t bother them. 11 badly-needed IMPs for Compton, who close with science, just blasting 6[ and leaving the to 34-56, midway through the second half. opposition to find the killing lead, if there is one. Bathurst bravely leads the four of clubs away from his king-jack, but it is to no avail. Rodwell rises with the ace and takes one top trump in hand before cashing the top hearts to get rid of dummy’s club loser. Next he takes the diamond finesse, which loses, and back comes the queen of hearts. Rodwell ruffs in dummy and leads a spade to his king. When both spades and diamonds divide in a friendly manner, there is nothing more to the hand; +980. Smith too opens 1{ then jumps in support of spades, but Moses is unwilling to commit to slam. He twice cuebids hearts and now for some partnerships Smith, with first-round control of both the other side-suits, would be obliged to bid slam. Smith, however, is not a member of one of those partnerships, and he looks at what he sees as a minimum for his previous bidding and signs off for a second time in 5[, and Moses finally gives up. Helness too leads his low club but Moses soon has 12 tricks and +480, but those 11 IMPs won by Compton on the previous deal have been immediately wiped out by this deal and the Levine lead is back up to 67-34. Levine gains a further 8 IMPs on Board 10 when Smith/Moses, seeing that their side needs swings, try their luck in 3NT with a flat 12 facing a flat 10. Not surprisingly, that leads to down two for –200 while Meckwell stop safely Tor Helness - pic: Peter Hasenson in 1NT for +120. Eric Rodwell 12 OCBL Journal

WBT Challengers Cup

ROUND 1 ROUND 4 VPs VPs VPs VPs 12.55 7.45 Flekkefjord 10.31 9.69 ECF Holding Les Berrichons 28 IMPs 19 IMPs Zaza's Boys 30 IMPs 29 IMPs

VPs VPs VPs VPs 5.82 14.18 Baltic Express 13.28 6.72 Baltic Express Norway Juniors 27 IMPs 43 IMPs Munlein 41 IMPs 29 IMPs

VPs VPs VPs VPs 11.2 8.8 Den Juniors 13.75 6.25 Kinds Kinds 25 IMPs 21 IMPs Harris 40 IMPs 26 IMPs

VPs VPs VPs VPs 13.75 6.25 Dreamland 18.55 1.45 Norway Juniors Arma 25 IMPs 11 IMPs Challengers Aces 61 IMPs 17 IMPs

7.2 VPs 12.8 VPs 6.25 VPs 13.75 VPs The Highlanders 31 IMPs 41 IMPs Challengers Aces Denmark Juniors 33 IMPs 47 IMPs Abisco

19.25 VPs 0.75 VPs 12.8 VPs 7.2 VPs Zaza's Boys 64 IMPs 13 IMPs Benny and Juniors Arma 41 IMPs 31 IMPs Norwegian Trolls

VPs VPs VPs VPs 3.74 16.26 Norwegian Trolls 6.72 13.28 Flekkefjord Dutch Juniors 19 IMPs 46 IMPs Dutch Juniors 37 IMPs 49 IMPs

17.31 VPs 2.69 VPs 18.44 VPs 1.56 VPs Harris Akkarfjord Lost Anatolia Les Berrichons 58 IMPs 24 IMPs 53 IMPs 10 IMPs

VPs VPs VPs VPs 6.48 13.52 Munlein 16.42 3.58 Dubrovnik Smart Olczyk 32 IMPs 45 IMPs Olczyk 33 IMPs 5 IMPs

VPs VPs VPs VPs 4.08 15.92 Abisco 13.97 6.03 Akkarfjord Lost Anatolia 8 IMPs 33 IMPs Dreamland 27 IMPs 12 IMPs

4.26 VPs 15.74 VPs 10 VPs 10 VPs Dubrovnik Smart ECF Holding The Highlanders Benny and Juniors 16 IMPs 40 IMPs 32 IMPs 32 IMPs

ROUND 2 ROUND 5 to be played today VPs VPs 19.34 0.66 The Highlanders Harris ECF Holding 59 IMPs 7 IMPs ECF Holding VS

VPs VPs 18.55 1.45 Akkarfjord Lost Zaza's Boys Munlein 52 IMPs 8 IMPs Challengers Aces VS

VPs VPs 13.52 6.48 Flekkefjord Kinds Harris 29 IMPs 16 IMPs Baltic Express VS

VPs VPs 14.18 5.82 Arma Munlein Dutch Juniors 54 IMPs 38 IMPs Norway Juniors VS

6.48 VPs 13.52 VPs Olczyk 34 IMPs 47 IMPs Anatolia Arma VS Olczyk

4.08 VPs 15.92 VPs Abisco 23 IMPs 48 IMPs Challengers Aces Abisco VS Flekkefjord

VPs VPs 18.66 1.34 Benny and Juniors Norwegian Trolls Norway Juniors 79 IMPs 34 IMPs Anatolia VS

VPs VPs 1.67 18.33 Kinds The Highlanders Dreamland 23 IMPs 65 IMPs Dutch Juniors VS

VPs VPs 17.31 2.69 Norwegian Trolls Akkarfjord Lost Baltic Express 53 IMPs 19 IMPs Denmark Juniors VS

VPs VPs 7.71 12.29 Denmark Juniors Les Berrichons Dubrovnik Smart 31 IMPs 39 IMPs Dubrovnik Smart VS

19.52 VPs 0.48 VPs Zaza's Boys Les Berrichons Dreamland Benny and Juniors 70 IMPs 16 IMPs VS

ROUND 3 ROUND 6 to be played today VPs VPs 4.81 15.19 Harris Harris Zaza's Boys 20 IMPs 41 IMPs Challengers Aces VS

VPs VPs 8.24 11.76 Abisco Munlein Norwegian Trolls 16 IMPs 22 IMPs ECF Holding VS

VPs VPs 11.2 8.8 Baltic Express Olczyk ECF Holding 27 IMPs 23 IMPs Zaza's Boys VS

VPs VPs 14.8 5.2 Munlein Arma 34 IMPs 15 IMPs Arma VS Baltic Express

16.42 VPs 3.58 VPs Challengers Aces 33 IMPs 5 IMPs Les Berrichons Anatolia VS Flekkefjord

5.2 VPs 14.8 VPs Kinds 14 IMPs 33 IMPs Flekkefjord Abisco VS Kinds

VPs VPs 1.79 18.21 The Highlanders Denmark Juniors 7 IMPs 48 IMPs Norway Juniors VS The Highlanders

VPs VPs 19.69 0.31 Dreamland Olczyk 56 IMPs 0 IMPs Norwegian Trolls VS Denmark Juniors

VPs VPs 13.52 6.48 Dubrovnik Smart Norway Juniors 48 IMPs 35 IMPs Dutch Juniors VS Akkarfjord Lost

VPs VPs 10.91 9.09 Dutch Juniors Anatolia 40 IMPs 37 IMPs Dreamland VS Dubrovnik Smart

14.6 VPs 5.4 VPs Akkarfjord Lost Benny and Juniors Les Berrichons 34 IMPs 16 IMPs VS Benny and Juniors

13 OCBL Journal

WBT Challengers Cup - Butler Ranking

Name Team Result Boards Name Team Result Boards 1 Camila NUÑEZ, (camiix) Benny and Juniors 2.13 16 75 Steve ROOT, (AsNuttyAs) Harris 0.1 48 2 Anil PADHAYE, (oqonil) Challengers Aces 1.75 32 Niall IGOE, (ibraves) Harris 0.1 48 Gopal VENKATESH, (texanace) Challengers Aces 1.75 32 Dominik FILIPOWICZ, (consus88) Olczyk 0.1 48 4 Rumen TRENDAFILOV, (rumen) Harris 1.58 48 Jaroslaw CIESLAK, (palnik22) Olczyk 0.1 48 Vladi ISPORSKI, (smileyv) Harris 1.58 48 79 Gjermund REKSTAD, (gjerk) Kinds -0.03 32 6 Dan MCINTOSH, (DanMac) The Highlanders 1.5 16 Ole Marius MYRVOLD, (zorro15) Kinds -0.03 32 7 Halvor DAHL, (halvordahl) Akkarfjord Lost 1.44 32 81 Frederik Helness, (fredrik101) Abisco -0.06 48 Bjorn MYHR, (agatonsax) Akkarfjord Lost 1.44 32 Steffen Fredrik SIMONSEN, (fijijoe) Abisco -0.06 48 9 Jim DOYLE, (culbaire) Munlein 1.25 32 83 Stine HOLMOY, (stineh) Norwegian Trolls -0.08 64 James BREIHAN, (Devilscoup) Anatolia 1.25 16 84 Ignacio MIQUELEZ, (Ignaciomiq) Benny and Juniors -0.09 32 11 Ding-hwa HSIEH, (hsiehdh) Challengers Aces 1.22 32 85 Marius AUSTAD, (marius03) Flekkefjord -0.11 64 Lin-huan CHEN, (lc chen) Challengers Aces 1.22 32 86 Anne Birgitte FOSSUM, (skvisi) Abisco -0.16 32 13 Isabelle DEWASME, (Totilas001) Zaza's Boys 1.16 32 87 Geir AUSTAD, (kbur) Flekkefjord -0.22 32 Jean-Marie BACKES, (baks) Zaza's Boys 1.16 32 Adriaan LUCAASSEN, (Adriaantje) Dutch Juniors -0.22 32 Finn BRANDSNES, (brandy68) ECF Holding 1.16 32 Tim van den BOS, (TimvdB) Dutch Juniors -0.22 32 16 Piotr NAWROCKI, (nawrot) Olczyk 1.15 48 90 Arne DEVIK, (Kejila) Norway Juniors -0.23 48 Piotr WIANKOWSKI, (vifon_e) Olczyk 1.15 48 91 Torkild HAGEN, (thagen) Kinds -0.25 64 18 Ida Marie OBERG, (Ida marie) Flekkefjord 1.06 32 Stig VESTVEIT, (stig73) Kinds -0.25 64 19 Maja Rom ANJER, (majara) Norwegian Trolls 1.03 32 93 Hakan PEYRET, (peyret) Arma -0.27 48 20 Olivier NEVE, (OlivierN) Zaza's Boys 0.98 48 Erdinc ERBIL, (erlusty) Arma -0.27 48 Patrick BOCKEN, (Bocken) Zaza's Boys 0.98 48 95 Luka KESIC, (kubrick12) Dubrovnik Smart -0.28 32 Can BERKTAS, (Babacan2) Anatolia 0.98 48 Bernard LAUGIER, (boubou13) Les Berrichons -0.28 32 23 Berkay KAPUSUZ, (Leganes) Anatolia 0.94 16 97 Richard CHAN, (honestgolf) Dreamland -0.38 64 24 Sergei BIRIN, (birin) Baltic Express 0.86 64 Ming SHENG, (kainsheng) Dreamland -0.38 64 25 Espen FASTING, (mehe) ECF Holding 0.84 32 Vilmar VAHE, (vilmar) Baltic Express -0.38 48 26 Siv THORESEN, (sivt) ECF Holding 0.81 48 Maksim KARPOV, (rott2020) Baltic Express -0.38 48 Tom GILLIGAN, (shakervilz) Munlein 0.81 48 101 Brian O'NEILL, (bnetz) Munlein -0.41 32 David TERRY, (lamata25) Munlein 0.81 48 102 Jostein AUSTAD, (vinny123) Flekkefjord -0.45 64 Adolfo MADALA, (adolfod) Benny and Juniors 0.81 16 103 David O'BRIEN, (irl) Munlein -0.46 48 30 Jelena ALFEJEVA, (helenaaa) Baltic Express 0.79 48 104 Jeff LUO, (mossby3) Dreamland -0.47 32 31 Andre OBERG, (andobe) Flekkefjord 0.77 64 Alex HONG, (fhong) Dreamland -0.47 32 32 Christian BAKKE, (chrien) Abisco 0.75 16 106 B ETCHEPAREBORDA, (baltaetche) Benny and Juniors -0.5 8 Mehmet Isin KANDEMIR, (kandemir) Anatolia 0.75 16 Philippe BAGUENIER, (mael37) Les Berrichons -0.5 64 Tor Eivind GRUDE, (teg91) Abisco 0.75 16 108 Kauko KOISTINEN, (koistinen) Baltic Express -0.56 16 Sedat ALUF, (monk99) Arma 0.75 32 109 Carlos PELLERGINI, (carlosp) Benny and Juniors -0.63 16 Erdogan KAYA, (erdogan54) Arma 0.75 32 110 Ante MIJIC, (White Shad) Dubrovnik Smart -0.73 64 37 Athena CHOW, (afc96) The Highlanders 0.72 32 Josko DILOVIC, (joke_du) Dubrovnik Smart -0.73 64 38 Sean CONNOR, (sconnor) Munlein 0.65 48 112 Dilek YAVAS, (dileky) Anatolia -0.75 16 Stewart PINKERTON, (styzon) The Highlanders 0.65 48 Hatice ÖZGÜR, (abdulrezza) Anatolia -0.75 16 40 Are LANDSVIK, (AreB2004) Norway Juniors 0.64 64 114 Divo TIKVICA, (Khazaddoom) Dubrovnik Smart -0.8 64 Thomas TØSSE, (olethomas) Norway Juniors 0.64 64 115 Youp CARIS, (Youpmaster) Dutch Juniors -0.88 64 42 Ida WENNEVOLD, (liten ida) Norwegian Trolls 0.63 32 Niels van BIJSTERVELDT, (NielsvBij) Dutch Juniors -0.88 64 Glen FALCONER, (gfalconer) The Highlanders 0.63 16 117 Stian Evenstad, (stianas) Abisco -0.94 16 Hans LETORT, (hanzii) Denmark Juniors 0.63 16 Ronan VALENTINE, (RonanV) The Highlanders -0.94 32 Ranja SIVERTSVIK, (ranja) Norwegian Trolls 0.63 32 119 Christian Fredrik JOHNSEN, (chris_f) Norway Juniors -1.06 16 46 Magnus SATRE, (elektro200) Norway Juniors 0.59 32 120 Samir SADAKA, (svmj) Les Berrichons -1.22 32 47 Michel SCHOLS, (Futuralis) Dutch Juniors 0.56 32 Odet DE CASSIN, (odet37) Les Berrichons -1.22 32 Ramiro NUÑEZ, (ramita) Benny and Juniors 0.56 32 Jake MILNE, (Jake2012) The Highlanders -1.22 32 Gints FREIMANIS, (soljaboy) The Highlanders 0.56 32 123 Lisbeth GLARUM, (kvikksolv) Norwegian Trolls -1.23 48 Emile SCHOLS, (Mkgnao) Dutch Juniors 0.56 32 124 Leah THRANE, (ledu12) Denmark Juniors -1.25 48 Sam Inge HOYLAAND, (sioslo) ECF Holding 0.56 16 Clara BRUN, (clara27) Denmark Juniors -1.25 48 Kåre Osvald BOGØ, (osvaill83) Abisco 0.56 48 126 Trond Odin RØNBECK, (helt naken) Akkarfjord Lost -1.29 48 Jacob HANSEN, (jacobklh) Denmark Juniors 0.56 32 Michel MOREAU, (Gelaz) Les Berrichons -1.29 48 54 Kristoffer HEGGE, (HagZ) Abisco 0.53 32 128 Velibor PUZOVIC, (bibo_tnt) Dubrovnik Smart -1.31 32 55 Jonathan HARRIS, (Jdache) Harris 0.5 32 129 Bjorn Henning GRANDAL, (ghgutt) Akkarfjord Lost -1.38 32 Eddie MALHASYAN, (master DJ) Harris 0.5 32 130 Torkel VIKEN, (tonys7) Akkarfjord Lost -1.44 32 57 Nikolai ZEEBERG, (niko537b) Denmark Juniors 0.46 48 131 Thea INDREBØ, (theali) Norway Juniors -1.47 32 58 Terje LIE, (terjel) ECF Holding 0.44 64 132 Leif Erik Hoel STABELL, (Pepperen) Akkarfjord Lost -1.56 32 Andreas ROLF-LARSEN, (arolfdk) Denmark Juniors 0.44 32 133 Francisco GUERRA, (guerrita) Benny and Juniors -1.58 48 60 Jerzy OLCZYK, (jerzyo48) Olczyk 0.41 32 134 David UELAND, (helten10) Norwegian Trolls -1.59 32 Pawel NEIDZIELSKI, (consus2) Olczyk 0.41 32 135 Turid BONES, (Tbeinet) Akkarfjord Lost -1.63 48 62 Tezcan SEN, (Tez) Arma 0.4 48 Abi MILNE, (009domino) The Highlanders -1.63 16 Mert BILGEN, (mbilgen) Arma 0.4 48 137 Yan WANG, (wy7199) Dreamland -1.66 32 64 Are NESDAL, (vise3232) Kinds 0.38 32 Edward XU, (edward3048) Dreamland -1.66 32 Martin NELSON, (nelmart61) Challengers Aces 0.38 64 139 Luc MONNET, (treschat) Les Berrichons -1.69 16 Asbjorn KINDSBEKKEN, (kind) Kinds 0.38 32 Marie Christine VALENTI JANIAK, (Tabloide) Les Berrichons -1.69 16 Jason PITT, (scoobyroo) Challengers Aces 0.38 64 Karl Gustav LASTHEIN, (Karl09) Denmark Juniors -1.69 16 68 Clovis DEHAYE, (aqwis17) Zaza's Boys 0.33 48 Viktor KOLDING, (kolding2k) Denmark Juniors -1.69 16 Bernard DEHAYE, (alienor2) Zaza's Boys 0.33 48 143 Ase LANGELAND, (sophie13) Norwegian Trolls -1.88 16 70 Bruno RUBENIS, (brunchiks) Baltic Express 0.25 32 144 Tomas CAMPDEPADROS, (tomasc) Benny and Juniors -2.25 16 71 Liam O'BRIEN, (LiamOB96) The Highlanders 0.22 32 145 Raphaël GUENOUN, (Raphael 1) Les Berrichons -2.44 16 72 Jo Arne OVESEN, (jo-arne) ECF Holding 0.19 64 146 Dana BIANCHEDI, (danu2702) Benny and Juniors -2.59 32 Mustafa Timucin ERKOC, (MrAce) Anatolia 0.19 64 Clara FEITUCH, (clarafe) Benny and Juniors -2.59 32 Ira CHORUSH, (chorush) Anatolia 0.19 64

14 OCBL Journal OPEN LEAGUE 29 March-25 April, 2021

Name Team Result Boards Registered Teams

17 Teams already registered! The Open League will take place from 29 March to 25 April, 2021.

DONNER DE MICHELIS SKEIDAR Donner G. (GDonnerSC1) De Michelis L. (LucaDM) Andresen M. (Mime477) Rimstedt S. (sandria) Failla G. (gioffi) Rimstedt C. (CillaR) Manno A. (maqeda) ALEXANDER Dwyer K. (kdwyer) Di Franco M. (M_DiFranco) Sandin A. (stridsvagn) Grue J. (joegrue) Övelius E. (Emma Sj) Moss B. (brad) DENMIX Bergdahl T. (lingonback) Hammelev J. (johse61) Andersson L. (bridgetruck) THE EXPATS Krefeld C. (camse2) Larsson J. (Jela79) Botta G. (Gio 89) Henneberg J.O. (JOH1) Molberg J. (juve_) Savchenko I. (Igors) Henneberg M. (MAKIR) Clementsson S. (237425) HARRIS Amer S. (Samer026) Thomsen S. (Thomsen) Karlsson T. (charlie99) Root S. (AsNuttyAs) Endelman E. (E11) Jepsen P. (P_Jepsen) Igoe N. (ibraves) Gold M. (marusab) Soliman A. (Rabie3) Monsted N. (Monsted) SWEDESE Trenka P. (trp42) Monsted R. (Rikkemusdk) Morath A. (andersm) Trendafilov R. (rumen) Chechelashvili D. (Dato) Schaltz D. (DS_DK) Efraimsson A-Z. (annazack) Harris J. (Jdache) Kemény G. (Kemeny) Schaltz P. (PS_DK) Axdorph M. (axdorph63) Malhasyan E. (master DJ) Probert D. (davpro) Isporski V. (smileyv) AUSTROMANY VENTIN Borgesson T. (saturmos) Guttmann D. (daviesG) Ventin J.C. (phave) Hammarstrom G. (maximum) AMATEURS Berger H. (wuzi5) Wrang F. (fly21) Arnberg M. (marnberg) Ai-Tai L. (aitail) Fritsche J. (joefri) Pacareu J. (paca1987) Gullberg T. (psotogul) Pettis B. (buffalo6) Reps K. (rops) Thoma M. (hawai) Efraimsson B-E. (berik) Sheng M. (Kainsheng) Kasimir U. (udo) Palma A. (apalma) Baseggio F. (baseggio) Cole B. (april2) Jokisch P. (jockel) DENMARK Schwartz A. (alansc) BLACK Caspersen H. (hcasp) Stark A. (astark) ROBINSON Black A. (boggis) Jiang Gu (Jiang_Gu) Robinson L. (Saba) Gold D. (dagold) DE BOTTON Grossack A. (nevereast) McIntosh A. (mcintosh) De Botton J. (Capt Lulu) Wolkowitz D. (wolkowitz) Grossack Z. (germs345) Paske T. (thomas1000) Ao H. (hl123) Bilde D. (Ballebo-Jr) Hult S. (hultahult) SLOVAKIA Madala A. (Septiembre) Hallberg G. (rerack) Velecký E. (edowell) IRELAND Baton G. (barton) Moran M. (markpm) Carroll J. (coppers) Hanlon T. (kinder1) McGann H. (hmg2) Mesbur A. (AMesbur) Fitzgibbon N. (nickfg1) Amoils L. (amoils)

Book your seat at: https://ocbl.org/preregistration/15 OCBL Journal

OCBL OPEN LEAGUE

Qualification + Knockout

UPCOMING OPEN LEAGUE (1) UPCOMING OPEN LEAGUE (2) 29 March - 25 April 2021 10 May - 6 June 2021

Qualification: 10 Rounds x 16 Boards Play every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 21.30 CEST - 15.30 EDT

KOs: Quarterfinals: 2 Rounds x 20 Boards Semifinals: 2 Rounds x 20 Boards Finals: 2 Rounds x 20 Boards

Info and pre-registration: WWW.OCBL.ORG 16