English Bridge December 2005 WINTER 2005/6 WINTER HOLIDAYS XMAS/NEW YEAR BRIDGE HOLIDAYS -avoita6ilitr 4* HORL DElFIM, SOUTHERN PORTUGAl 18 Dec OS £679- S seats remaining (o,.n.ted .,., Alr1wn enol 1179) THE HOLIDAY INN - TELFORD /IRONBRIDGE Christmas and New Year Breaks for 4/5/9 nights from £299 A firm festive favourite with Bridge Overseas clients, with previous years selling out. A. THE CARLTON HORL CHELRNHAM 30 Dec os- Popular New Year Bridge Break- 3 nights £279 4* HORL VILLA GABRIELE D'ANNUNZIO, FLORENCE 17 April 06 - 4 nights bridge, bed and breakfast . 'AV WINTERSUN Enjoy the beautiful city of Florence on the banks of the Amo 1n LONG S'[HI the springtime. Home of such famous sights as the Duomo and Uffixi Art Gallery. 5* PALM MARINA • PORT EL KANTAOUI (lriciQ• O....neas enol TTOll) 01 Jan 06-35 nights £559 only The venue of the 2005 Congress - UK SPRING BRIDGE BRUKS 2006 excellent value for high quality hotel. (Oporotod by l'anoroma 0712) THE ESPLANADE HORL, LLANDUDNO 4* JACARANDA RNERIFE 19 February 06-5 nights £199 13 Jan-24 Feb 06- 14 & 28 nights from £699 Ideally situated on Llandudno's magnificent North Shore, The Canary Islands ore renowned for that much needed winter overlooking the Victorian pier. sunshine. This fine hotel has on enviable position and excellent bridge room. Flights available from most local airports. THE BUCKINGHAM, BUXTON (Opototod br Thomas Cooll Hond..,. 1368) 26 February 06 - 5 nights £229 BANGKOK PLUS BEACH This new venue is a real find . Situated in the heart of the Peak February 06- 14,21 or 28 days District it offers exceptional hospitality. From vibrant Bangkok to the exclusive bijou Anantasila Hotel WOODCROFTTO~R,BOURN~OUTH • on the fine white sandy beach in Hua Hin. Many clients who stayed here with us this year have already rebooked for 2006. 27 February & 9 April 06-4/5 nights from £199 A firm seaside favorite with Bridge O verseas clients. (flivlm sold .,., ltldoo --· 011- lot Gold IMdol Tnlvol) 5* SUNRISE QUEEN, SIDE, SOUTHERN TURKEY THE MANOR HORL, EXMOm 14 February 06- 14 & 28 nights and 28 February 06 - 29 March 06 - 5 nights £229 14 nights from £395 which Includes on early booking discount A P!~asing additon to our bridge programme. Set in an enviable of £50 per person poSition , o!' t~e Beacon in Exmouth, the Manor Hotel offers This excellent quality hotel situated on the beach and only 3.5 worm hosp1tahty. km to historical Side is proving a popular choice with our clients. The early booking discounts are being snapped up quicklylll THE THREE COUNTIES, HEREFORD (Oponnod br Thomas Cooll Ho~ d..,.1361) 13.April 06, Easter- 4 nights £249 This regul~r Easter bridge break Is usually a sell out. Early bookmgs recommended. CYPRUS - WARM AND WELCOMING ALL YEAR ROUND HOMESTEAD COURT, ~LWYN GARDEN CITY 4* AVANTI HOTEL, PAPHOS 14 April 06, Easter- 4 nights £249 Ideally located for those · h' 21 Feb 06- 14 nights £499 sure to become a firm f w•s.tmg .toh escop~ the city, this hotel is The hotel's impressive facilities include flat green bowls. Paphos avon e Wit our clients. with its charming old fishing harbour and cobbled streets is an ideal location. ( *SPEcW. 12TH ANNIVERSARY OFFER* , 0 !~ h:~:r:~d ~br:~dst seledilnd ~f bridge holidays I TWO COMPLIMENt' we wou hke to offer our Bridge Overseas~ :IGHTks5 on a selection of Bridge Overseas Holid · · rea · Book any new advantage of this fab ay and you can toke freephone number fo ulous offder. Please call on our This oHer is bas~ r more etails. per perJon for two 'd':,.':::,~:'e,s~o_rding. and subject to paying £39.50 :----....:.:::._:~o r n ge '"'· Subject to ovoilobi/ity. . - 5* CONSTANTINO$ THE GREAT, PROTARAS 29 Ma"h & 12 April 06-14 nights from £479 A high standard hotel situoted close to beautiful Fig Tree Boy. ,_...... ,., Thomas Cooll Holidoyt 1,.. , English Bridge Editor: Brian Cook BAD LUCK, Hill Crest, 8 Kingsley Road, Klngsbridge, Devon TQT1EY Tel: 01548 852565 Fax: 01 548 854417 email: [email protected] ENGLAND Editorial Sally Bugden (Chairman), IN the end nothing went right for England in the World Jeremy Dhondy and Brian Cook Championships in Estoril. The open team had a good first Advertisement Manager day, ending it leading the 21 countries vying for the title. laura Grimsley at Blue2 But then they went on a slide, which several times they Charllon House, Old Estate Yard, threatened to halt, but never could. In the end they East Hendred, Oxford, OX12 8LL slipped to 17th, well short of a top eight place required to ' Cover picture Tel: 01235 833060 lax: 01235 862589 contest the knockout stages of the event. [email protected] For England women it was more heartbreaking than I DIMMIE Fleming awards, made Printing: Stlves (Andover) pic disappointing. They put up an excellent performance in for outstanding contributions to Artwork: Blue 2, 01235 862587 the round robin sequence, ending it in a solid sixth place. bridge at county level, have been , This earned them a quarter-final match against Germany conferre d on nine members of English Bridge Union and hopes were high. But it was not be. They lost this the EBU. Pictured are those who Broadlields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury HP19 8AZ match and, like the open team, were on their way home. attended a presentation ceremo- Italy are the new world open champions and France ny In london. Read about all the CONTACTING THE EBU have the women's world title. See story page five. winners on page seven Tel: 01296 317200 1 Fax: 01296 317220 postmasterOebu.co.uk Web site: www.ebu.co.uk Bridge play online: Chairman launches www.brldgeclubllve.com Direct EBU helpllnes and email addresses (STD code 01296 lor all telephone numbers and earthquake appeal suffix @ebu.co.uk lor all email addresses) Telephone Email AFI'ER the great success of our Valentine's Week you could increase table money, Accounts 317210 account Tsunami Appeal, where we raised more than take donations, charge for kiss- Bridge for All 317217 bla £10,000 to buy boats for Sri Lankan fishermen, ing Santa or raffie the treasurer's Bridge Shop 397851 brldge.shop we are again working in association with Rotary cashbox- the festive opportuni- Competition 317203 comps International to support a reconstruction ties are boundless. Development 317206 project, this time following the devastating For those of you who are Education 317218 ebuta laws & Ethics 317208 lecsec earthquake in Pakistan. We are currently using unable to hold an event but wish Licensing of events 317205 license Rotary's excellent network of local clubs to to support the appeal, please feel Master Points 317202 points identify suitable projects and free to send your donations, Membership 317201 ebu will ensure that all funds are • Advice on movements, scor- payable to The English Bridge Technical services 317207 technic directly spent on the chosen ing and general directing consid- Union, however large or small, Tournament orgn. 317204 tourns project rather than on adminis- erations. and we will send them on once a EBU STAFF tration costs. • Promotional materials for project has been identified and Use suffix @ebu.co.uk lor all email addresses Throughout December we advertising your event. casted. General Manager and will be running a series of indi- As usual these events are free If you'd like to enter, or have Company Secretary Teny Collier terry vidual events. For those who to all affiliated clubs, but we do any questions at all, please email have not participated in such hope they will be used to raise [email protected] or call 01296 QJI1u. ~llmiD.IIlll.tlllD. W. fi events before, they are a fun ver- funds for this worthy appeal. 317207. We look forward to PA to GMelill MmJI!r Cllll Smith clare sian of bridge where you not Clubs are free to raise money as hearing from you. OffiCe Manager Klren DUITIII karend Webmaster Anne Oudge anna only switch opponents and they think suitable; for instance Der1is Robson, EBU cl1ainnan AdmlnlstraliXl Asslst!ntKir Certer kay boards in each round- you also AfHJJ/JJJ switch partners! This way you Accounts Manager Brien Smith brlans get to play with and against Accounts Assistant Gill Neacerraw gall most people in the field and it is INSIDE GUIDE Membership a very sociable form of the Ad ministrator Eileen Meunder eileen 5 Announcements explained Club and Master Points game. So why not incorporate it World championships Administrator Colla Parcll colin into your Christmas party? Renault Bridge 5 29 Bridge Shop Administrator Sue Humphrls sueh Zia Mahmood, the legendary Dimmle Fleming awards 7 Prize defence answers 31 Telesales Assistant Andree fendom Pakistani bridge player, is lend­ Trading Assistant Chris Price chrlsp ing his full support to our Prize defe nce 9 Teach-In report 32 rommrnt DlplliJDJlll appeal and will be producing a Doubles quiz 9 Ohondy answers your Tournaments ManagerM11 Bevin max commentary on the hands, AdtniniStllltiD Asslstr1l Dewn Mertens dawn which will no doubt be as enter­ Readers' letters 11 questions 33 nick Tournaments SecretaryNicll Doe taining and enlightening as his learn with , Bird, Tournaments New scoring idea 34 Administrators Gill Peln gill regular Guardian bridge Senior and Kambites 13-19 Peter Jorden peter columns. Horning BC celebrates 35 len Mllchell ian Lederer report 21 We will be offering all affuiat­ Golf and bridge 36 fiuelllqn DullllDIBI ed clubs the following: Oxford day out 23 fDuC;IOOn Manager Jolin Pain John • Five sets of hands, with dupli­ Byrne's junior view 36 Youth and mate files, hand records and EBU news and events fDuC;100n Olli:ef Alison Nicolson alison 24-25 Townsend's Get Even Administrator Usa Millar lisa curtain cards. 111ntqpm«nl Dlpl.liJDIIJI • A commentary by Zia Role of the npc 27 with the Odds 37 Oevelopmelll Manager Vlrpl OJell vlrpl Mahmood, one of the world's Rigal from America 29 County news 38-46 CormUicillill15 OlftcerMichlel Clerk michael top players.

D [email protected]..£nalish..Bddae MORE BIDDIN The follow-up Interactive CJJ) by BERNARD MAGEE 200 More Hands in 10 Chapters

• Basics • Defence to l NT • Advanced Basics • Doubles • Weak Twos • Two.. suited • Defence • Defences to to Weak Twos Other Systems • Strong • Misfits and Hands Distributional Hands Includes An~lysis and Commentary on the Play of the 200 hands, whtch vary from the straightfonvard to the very difficult.

ACOL BIDDING 200 Hands in 10 Chapters Windows 98 or later, CD ROM • Opening Bids • No- Openings and Respon~ea and Responses • Slama and • Opener's and Strons Openinss Responder's Rebids TIPS FOR BE II ER BRIDGE • Support for Partner • AUnon and MisfitJ • Pre-empting by Bernard Magee • Doubles • Oven:aUa Published at £10.99 and • Competitive Auctions available from bookshops Still Availabl wind e ~·s 9B or later, CO ROM

liiliil9 Make your cheque payable to Mr Brldga and send to: U · D wr liirJ mt ' wagon Y: rd Lo I'll ~ V 01672 519219 email·mrb 'd . a' ndonRoad,MarlboroughSN81LH ~ ~ . n gemal 1order@ukonl ' ~ me.co.uk Fax 01672 519244 ~ Disappointment in the r BACK oN TOP RETURNED from their below par performance·l in the World championships the England open team players quickly re-established themselves World Championships by taking top places In the latest round of England trials. ANOTHER World Championships has their round robin series in a solid sixth­ Colin Simpson, David Price, and come and gone and sadly England is not up place, having won 14 and drawn one of their Tom Townsend headed the eight teams con­ there among the honours. It was a particu­ 21 matches. testing stage lllb, while twins Justin and jason larly disappointing outcome for the open Next came the quarter-finals and a clash Hackett, the other two England representatives team, especially after a bright start in Estoril with the strong German side that they had in Estoril, were in the team that finished third. in which on the first day they beat narrowly beaten in the round robin match. The result ensures the Simpson team mem­ Guadaloupe and Russia and drew with This time it was different and at 210-135.7 bers of representing their countJy in at least one Brazil to head the rankings. to Germany with one session to go England weekend of the next five nations Camrose But there were six more days to come of conceded and were out of the champi­ series. The remaining Camrose places will go to this gruelling round robin (three matches a onship. other players who contested the stage lllb trials. day) and the team of David Price, Colin But there was some consolation in that Second place in the trials went to Paul Simpson, David Gold, Tom Townsend and Manchester's Barbara Hackett, wife of Justin Hackett, Tony Waterlow, John Armstrong and Jason and Justin Hackett, with npc Hackett, recorded another memorable John Holland, third to the Hackett twins, Nick Raymond Brock and coach David Burn, was achievement in winning a silver medal as a Sandqvist and Artur Malinowski and fourth to soon feeling the heat. member of the German ladies' team. Geoffrey Wolfarth, Nevena Senior, The top eight teams from the round robin Despite their reputation as outstanding and Espen Erichsen. go forward to the knockout stage of the bridge players the Italians have not won the These four will play a knockout competition and for a long time, despite world open title for 30 years, so it was (semi-finals and final), with the Simpson team fairly quickly slipping out of the top eight, fitting that they should claim the title at choosing its semi-final opponents and the win­ England hovered in sight of a possible quar­ last. They won it after a thrilling final ner of the final gaining the right to represent ter-final place. It gradually became more against USA I in which the Americans led England in the next European Championships hope than anticipation and in the end, for most of the way. and World Bridge Olympiad. despite a huge win over Jordan in the 19th In the final Germany put up a Fifth place in the stage lllb trials went to round, they slipped to finish 17th. great fight against the powerful French team Nexander Allfrey, Andrew Mdntosh, Andrew For the England ladies' team of Heather before conceding the gold medal place to Robson and , with Frances Dhondy, , Rhona Goldenfield, their rivals. Hlnden, jeffrey Nlerton, Graham Osborne and , and Kitty A special attraction at the championships john Cooke sixth, fan Monachan, David Bum, Teltscher (with npc Alan Mould and coach is the transnational open teams events. It Brian Ca llaghan and Victor Silverstone seventh Chris Duckworth) there was much more to drew 134 entries and England's Andrew and Jeremy Dhondy, Keith Bennett, Heather cheer in the chase for the Venice Cup. They Robson was in the team that Dhondy and Rob Cliffe eighth. were in good heart when they wound up reached the quarter-finals. ------w------~ Brilliant Renault bridge in two cities by jeff Smith un der t h e gu1' dance o f expen·- AFfER closed room and open enced TD Tony Woollin and as room - now it's showroom the evening drew to a close one bridge! 'I thought it was brilliant; could not help but feel having the best value I have experienced taken part in something rather in my 47 years playing tourna­ grand and different, and superbly ment bridge.' These were the orchestrated by Renault - very words of Raymond Semp after much the way bridge events attending the Renault Bridge should be organised. event at Manchester. The seeds of this unusual event Prizewinners: I John Holland were sown when one of our local and John Armstrong (who won players, Colin Skelton, sat reading entry to the Renault final in a bridge book in the Renault Paris), 2 Ted and Janet Latham, 3 Salford showroom. Renault had Tracy Capal and David Adelman; run a successful bridge tour in non experts 1 David Tobias and France last year and was looking boards had been duplicated by ing 12 rounds of prepared boards, Sally Lewis, 2 John Gardener and to extend the tour to European hand (courtesy of Mike coffee and petit fours afterwards, John Moran; quiz I Ron and venues. A Renault employee Newman's help), the catering staff a prize quiz and a keepsake and Jeanne Bayley, 2 Paul Hackett and approached and this liaison led to were on standby, the tables and pack of Renault cards for every­ Hugh McGann. .Manchester being one of the two chairs all set up neatly in two sec­ one at the end. A similar and equally enjoyable English venues to host the event tions among the Clios and All this in the ambience of a and successful event was held in at a Renault showroom. Meganes, the computer scorer at luxurious Renault showroom Birmingham, where top spot and When the Renault Van (which the ready - and the early guests with opening addresses from our the reward of playing in the Paris goes to ~11 the s.s ven~es of the were arriving. local toastmaster, Tracy Co pal, the final went to Glynn Preece and competitwn) arnved w1th all the The event was unusual and sales director Barney Schofield, Chris Potter. Janet Whittaker and bridge equipment at 3:30pm, we special in many ways- Free entry! the EBU chairman Denis Robson Gilly Herbert came second and were ready to go into action after Free drinks throughout, a superb and the Renault director of Rob Ferguson and Sue Northen weeks of preparation. dinner beforehand, 120 smartly communications Benoit Colin. third. The non expert winners 1\vo hours later two sets of 32 dressed bridge enthusiasts play- The bridge event ran smoothly were Dave Rutter and Dave Pratt.

December 2005 English Bridge 5 BRIDGE EVENTS THROUGHOUT 2006 Special Swiss Teams Events 10-13 February £225 per person, full board, 3 nights Special Private Bridge Club weekend rates During February-March No minimum number, full board, 2 nights from £125 3 nights from £160 per person Master Points weekends (2 nights) February 24-26 £159, April 7-9 £165 June 2-4 £179, June 30-July 2 £179 Bridge licensed by the EBU

Handcarved, Rosewood bridge s ets Luxurious Motlrer ofPearl , hand­ engraved lid with your choice of tlze Ace of Spades or the Queen of Hearts; felt-lined with removeable insert. Includes 2 packs of cards, score pad and 4 pencils.17cmx115cmx5cm. For further information please telephone: •J1tis special offer price is only available for ordi!TS placed using llrt Richard Margaroli trrinltd ill our ndDert on page 6 of tire October 2005 edition of Eng t i~h Rrillgr by teltplront. l'ou can also buy llris product and virw o11r full range on-lrnr. THE ARDINGTON HOTEL ~ NB. Unfortullllttlytht bttukrl card bags 1urot nuw sold out. STEYNE GARDENS • WORTHING WEST SUSSEX • BNll 3DZ ~ www.silkwoodtraders.com AA Tel: (01903) 230·l51 AA Delivery within 5 days. UK mainland and N.lreland only. Visit our website at: Rourtt RlsiRurR nl mQuality*** Smre www.ardingtonhotel.co.uk 1998-2005 [email protected]. Tel: 01273 864587

Following our vety successful first season l'le Situated in the popular s t are returning to our lovely 4 * hotel in the hotelis the Grand Hot pad own of Mo~tec.lt(ni, your luxurious 4 • picturesque mountain village of Filzmoos. Salzburgerland, which has . e1 u Park et Regrna. excellent fadlities induding an indoor swimming pool. Atr conditioned and el an t offers excellent food (a 'l 't~ he hotel has a large swimming pool. Beautiful walks. Wonderful tourist opportunities. ' Cit les and service. We have categOI}' A tickets for the unique 'Best of Mozart' conC'E'ftt Montecatini is perfectly locat .. Siena and Pistoia ( all w·th · ed for ~tstts to Florence. Lucca, Pisa, in Salzburg. Fr h , m a one hour journey). Flights from Stansted £699-£729 tg ts from Stansted or Uverpool £799-£899 • Half board accommodation • Bridge licensed~b~¥~t~h~E~B~U~·~!!·•.il~;.;~:- • Transfers • Pairs & team prizes • Master poin: /A.ccoladJe For a brochure Call: 0114 2218977 Email: harry@accoladeholidays k . . ATOLNo 646s _ Holidays _ .co.u or VISit our web . Site at: WWW.accoladeholidays.co.uk 6 English Bridge December 2005 Honoured for serving their Ramni.k Samani arrived in this country in 1978. As an experienced bridge player and counties well with some help from Lelcestershire CBA he was the prime mover in establishing the NINE members of the English Bridge Union have been honoured Leicester Bridge Centre, opened by Rixi this year with the Dimmie Fleming Award, which is given for out· Markus in 1983. standing contributions to the development of bridge at county level. Ramnik has always gone out of his way to Five of them were able to attend the AGM of the EDU in London, at provide services and help to his fellow county which the presentations were made by Margaret Curtis, chairman of members and was the first to provide com­ the awarding committee. The others are receiving their awards at sep· Worcestershlre's John puter scoring facilities He served on the arate ceremonies. Cattanach received Leicestershire committee as tournament sec­ his certlncate from The following is a resum~ of the achievements of the Dimmie EBU vice· president retary, effectively running the major LCBA Fleming recipients : Keith Stanley during events. His enthusiastic approach has attract­ Rita Keable joined the Bedfordshlre county committee more than the Malvern Congress ed some 600-700 members for Pachabo and 25 years ago, having previously managed the Corwen qualifiers. Acol Club with her former husband Joe Our picture on the front cover of this Ramnik has made the Leicester Bridge Arnsbury. magazine shows, from left, back row Centre premises freely available for AGMs After stints as membership secretary and Monica Lucy , Margaret Curtis (who and committee meetings and it has housed a then treasurer she enjoyed a highly successful made the presentations) and Mike large percentage of regular LCBA competi­ five-year spell as the county's first lady chair­ de Winter; front row Rita Keable, Pat tions for 20 years. man. Panter and Christine Duckworth Rita has been a member of the Bedford Christine Duckworth joined the London Congress committee since 1994 and congress Metropolitan BA committee 18 years ago, but secretary for the past four years. Her organ is· which he has just retired after 43 years, Terry actively worked for bridge for a number of ing skills have done much to ensure the con­ Udall has provided a venue for southern years before that Since her time with the tinued efficient running of the event counties and in later years Dorset bridge. LMBA she has been county secretary and Terry has hosted bridge six days a week at the organiser of the Lederer Memorial Trophy for Monica Lucy, also Bedford shire, has been a centre in the form of duplicate, rubber, teams, many years and takes a major interest in the county committee member since the late county and national heat events. junior and newcomers bridge. 1980s, serving both as county captain and He was initially secretary of the Dorset CBA Christine, who retired at the end of 2003 as tournament director. Her overriding achieve­ and for many years was its chairman. He was the EBU's education services manager, has ment to date has been the founding of a member of the EBU laws and ethics com­ devoted most of her life over the last few years Brickhill Bridge Club, which regularly attracts mittee and Dorset representative at annual to the development and promotion of bridge. 15 to 20 tables. The dub is recommended meetings. above all others as a stepping stone for players Mike de Winter has been involved with A consistently hard worker since he joined wishing to move from social bridge into a bridge for more than 35 years. He was first the Worcestershlre county committee nearly more competitive area. elected to the Kent CBA committee in 1986 20 years ago, John Cattanach has spent much Ever mindful of the bigger picture Monica and served as county secretary for 12 years of that time introducing people to bridge, has encouraged many of the club's members until he became competitions secretary, a post teaching MiniDridge and Bridge For All both to join the EBU and compete at county and he still holds. He plans to retire next year hav­ to children and adults. national level. ing completed 20 years of service. On joining the WCBA committee John pro­ Mike has been a county tournament direc­ posed a competition organised Channel Islands county secretary Pat tor since 1991, officiating at a number of for charity. With the help of sponsorship this Panter and her husband John have taught county events. He also directs regularly at two regularly raises more than £1 ,000 a year for ACOL bridge at evening school for the last 10 clubs and at occasional major events for a charity and he does all the organising himself. years. In 1986 Pat founded Highfield Bridge third. John has been the county's membership Club, which today attracts up to 23 tables each Elected to Farnborough Bridge Club com· secretary for many years and is responsible for week. mittee In 1969, Mike has twice served a two­ the county's newsletter. She has inspired many islanders with a love year term as chairman. He was treasurer of the Throughout the years John has been a pos­ of bridge, mainly at club level, and has been club from 1978 until2004. He is now an hon­ itive force on the committee, ensuring stan­ instrumental in bringing internationals such orary life member of the club. dards are maintained. as Ron Klinger to the island and for organis­ ing directors' courses. Involved in county activities for nine years, It's as you were at the top one of Pat's current duties is to organise the one day Green Point event each year. THE English Bridge Union goes into the year 2005·06 with its principal officers unchanged. At the union's AGM Denis Robson was re-elected chairman and Philip Janet Sheppard has been a wonderful ser· Mason was re-elected vice-chairman. John Neville, a former treasurer, who stepped vant to bridge in Cumbria for many years. Into the post again following the death in May of Tom Bradley, was elected to con­ She directs inter-county friendly matches, tinue In office. county and club tournaments, directs regular· Two new members elected to the EBU board are Martin Pool and Graham Jepson, Jy at two clubs and teaches bridge to adults while those re-elected to the board are Sally Bugden, fohn Carter, David Harris, and MiniDridge in more than one school. Philip Mason, Jeff Morris, Alan Nelson, John Neville and Denis Robson. Janet is active both at club and county level Re-elected to the laws and ethics committee are Richard Fleet and Martin Pool. and has been Cumbria Congress secretary for New members elected to the tournament committee are Brian Crack and Paul some years. It is due to her hard work that the Hackett congress continues to run smoothly. Re-elected to the selection committee is Richard Fleet New members elected to this committee are Steve Eglnton, , Bob Rowlands and Clive Owen. At his Wessex Bridge Centre in Poole, from

December 2005 English Bridge 7 Dordogne Bridge Holidays d erlence In the Dordogne for small groups Excel Bridge 6.b An exclush·e Brl tgl e cxpto play and improve their Bridge together of friends wan ng _ ---- for the vcn1 best • in Luxury Bridge Weekends .,. ~~~ . IF you want Style & Quality, ~ · ~ d" Personal Attention and a Friendly Atmosphere: Ring for your brochure NOW ********** • Pri\':lte residential Bridge courses ta.llored solely to your Group's needs. Our first cruise! Rela.~ed, fun play and teaching scssrons AT LAST! 'I Suitable for a small Group, from 4 to 10 people. ~~1 standan.!s and S})tcms Spend January 2007 in the Caribbean! e~tcrcd for. Dcginners' groups and non-Bridge pla)lng guests welcome See Page 20 + Sole occupancy of 'Chestnut Cottage', a wonderful, 200)T old stone ********** fannhousc, luxuriously equipped and situated on a 50 acre pril'atc cstare Two attractive venues for early 2006 11ith I4x7 metre Pool complc.t, mc:ulows, stream, lake, forests and trnils ~ Teaching is with llarrls Raphael, a highly regarded Bridge teacher, The Lansdown Grove BATH professional member of the EBU Teachers Association, and Bridge journalist February 3-5/6 £178/212 + Cost per bridge-pla)·ing guest is from only.£240 per week. Includes all The Hydro EASTBOURNE accommodation, tuition, prizes, other acth'itics and 'Welcome Dinner' February 24-26/27 £167/200 'I Enjoy the delights of the Oordogne, its Chatcallt, rh·ers, bastide tOIIllS June 2-4/5 £189/229 and markets, world famous pre-history sites and sublime food and 11ine ********** 'Our bolidaJ•bas jlou7t bJ'. The Bridge U'OS so much jim and so inlerestmg Chestnut rollage is a delight and itt such a majestic selling J SPOIL yourself witlt Traditional Comfort Mc115sa and Friends -UK The Treglos Hotel Nr PADSTOW More information and photos: ""'-w.DonlogneBrldgellolldays.com March 9-16 (7nts) £450 Callllarris and Victoria on: + +33 553 06 36 70 ********** email: harrisrapbael@ll'lllladoo.fr Spend Easter in Sttjlel Dridge licensed by the EDU Special EDU Member Olfn, The Cambridge Belfry Nr CAMBRIDGE April14-17 £252 ********** Three of our most Popular Hotels The Highcliff BOURNEMOUTH May 5-7/8 & Nov 24-26/27 £198/221 Carlton Hotel CHELTENHAM June 9-11/12 & Oct 27-29/30 £154/191 Exotic Bridge Holidays Blunsdon House BLUNSDON July 7-9/10 £175/212 ********** Borneo sept2oo6 ***** Au excellent cltoice of 5 uigltt breaks! 16 nights including: The Royal VENTNOR : 2 nights deluxe 5* at the Shangri-la, Kuala lumpur April 2-7 £345 14 nights at the Superior Arst Nexus Resort Karambunai, Borneo The Imperial BARNSTAPLE • All flights and transfers included June 25-30 £355 + Experienced holiday guides and bridge directors Tankersley Manor YORKSHIRE + O~pllcate pairs or teams every evening July 30-August 4 £334 + Bndge licenced by the EBU. Prizes daily. ********** + Golf course within hotel grounds At all venues there will be a full Bridge Programme + Numerous optional excursions including with cheerful and instructive morning seminars Orangutan sanctuary ********** EXCEL BRIDGE For further Information & bookings Osborne House, 14 Elton Road, Clcvedon, BS21 7RG Call 01258 456300 Just £2450 Telephone 01275-872575 Bridge Website: www.excelbridge.co.uk licensed More details at www.notjustbridge.co.:: Gcnerous by tire Pri:cs "Excel for Excellence" EBU

8 English Bridge December 2005 Stars of Bournemouth JOHN Armstrong and David Stevenson came out on top in the two stars final, contested by the leading 28 pairs at the EBU's Autumn Congress at Bournemouth. They were just clear of Catherine Draper and Michael Prior in second spot and there was a gap of five percentage points A competition you can all enter to Celia and Derek Cram, who headed the trailing pack. There are three categories In our The next 28 pairs contested the satellite fmal and the winners were and Peter competition: for players up to and Czerniewski, with Rob Cliffe and Nora Smith second and Inn Draper and Jeremy Willans third. Including County Master; for those The remainder of the field (162 partnerships} battled it out at Swiss pairs and here victory was up to and Including Regional Master, claimed by Ruth Edmondson and Brigid McElroy, with Dom Goodwin and John Voos second and for those with higher ranking and Ncvena Senior and Geoffrey Wolfarth third. Three trophies were up for grabs in the Sunday teams event and the main one, the East bourne TAKE a look at the four defence situations Bowl, contested by the leading 14 teams from a qualifying round, went to Catherine and Jan here and give your answer to each question, Draper, Michael Prior and Jeremy Willans. Runners-up were Andrew Urbanski, Mike Davies, Eva with a brief explanation of your reasoning. Turner and Aidan Schofield, with third place filled by Mike Walsh, Matt Millson and Olivia and Alan Woo, 1) What would you lead as West from the The next 14 teams chased the Burlington Cup and this was claimed by Jeremy Dhondy, Filip hand below after the auction shown? Kurbalija, Alan Kay and Tim Rees, from John Dakin, Harvey Bengen, Kevin Elstow and Philip +A Q 3 2 ¥4 +8 7 S 4 +K 4 3 2 Thornton, with Harold Wayne, Ian Pagan and Catherine and Chris Jagger third. South West North East John Armstrong, David Stevenson, Rob 2NT Pass Pass Pass Cliffe and Nora Smith came out best of the rest and won the Sussex Cup. makers of playing cords slnce1824 ----, Full results on the EBU website: www.piolnik.co.uk (tel 020 86851515} 2) + 83 www.ebu.co.uk • Q 10 9 2 l • 10 9 8 7 Clive and t. + A62 + 97 5 John walk it ¥ Kl S 4 • 6 3 2 in the North E3 +I 10 9 PLAYERS again came from far and wide to contest the Great Northern Swiss Pairs. This South West North East event takes some winning and competition, as 2+ Pass 2+ Pass 3NT usual, was hot, yet Clive Owen and John This set of cards featuring the work of Pass 4+* Pass Holland virtually had the title in their pocket 4¥ Pass 6¥ Pass Monet is the prize on offer as we Pass Pass as they came to the !:1st round. They lost this continue our series of defence posers 14-6, but were still clear winners of the title by by Andrew Kambltes. Piatnik is giving • 4+ is Stayman, asking for a four-card 11 points. Bernard Goldenfield and Bill Hirst a prize for each of the three winners in major did just enough in the last round to sneak in the competition for second place, ahead of David Stevenson West leads the ~Q . Declarer wins with the and John Armstrong, the only pair that went ~A and leads the • 6 to West's •3and dummy's •to. Can you see a way to beat into the round with any possibility of catching 3) + KJ3 2 the leaders. • Q3 this contract? There was an entry of 146 pairs. Full results + K I 10 4) on the EBU website: www.ebu.co.uk + AQ43 + 7 53 • J 10 8 + Q 10 9 8 7 + A K 10 9 DOUBLES QUIZ ¥ K 10 2 + 95 2 + AQ + 10 9 8 + K J 10 8 By Bob Rowlands • 743 IEJ 2 • Q43 + 87 Dealer East. Game all South West North East 1NT Pass 2+ Pass E3 2+ Pass 3NT Pass West North East South Pass Pass South West North East 2+ 7 2+ Pass 2+ Pass (5·9 points) Your partner leads the •s (a fourth best 3NT* Pass 6NT Pass lead promising an honour). Declarer tries Pass Pass dummy's •o.covered by your •K, which • 3NT shows 25-26 points What do you bid with: declarer allows you to hold, following with (a) + 2 ¥ K 10 7 4 +A 9 8 3 the •s. Your •10 holds trick 2 as well, West leads the •6 (second best from a bad +KJ86 declarer playing the •6 and West the •4. suit). Declarer wins the • A and runs the +J. (b) + K 9 3 ¥ 6 + A K Q I 9 6 5 + A 3 What nexH How should you defend? (c) + 3 ¥ K Q 10 9 5 +A 5 Entries to Andrew Kambltes, 1 Stratford Court, Stratford Road, Stroud, Glouce~ter~hlre GLS +AKJ92 4AO. Entries to arrive by December 20. Please Indicate on the top left hand corner of the envelope which category you are entering. Andrew Kambltes will judge the entries and the (d) + A Q 6 ¥ K Q 3 +A K J S first one In each category that he considers give~ the best answers will win a Platnik prize. +A 104 playing cards naw for sale online. Answers on page 29 PI.&TNIK For more Information visit www.platnlk.co.ulc + •• ++ •• •+ •• + •+ +t v t t DIAMOND BRIDGE • Plantations & Pirates + 9th March 2006 - 17 nights . board Swan Hellenic's Minerva II to v .. A fly-cru1se a . s · G d ""' Barbados, Venezuela, French Guiana, unnam, rena a + t & Martinique. __ ..n _ _.__ fli hts ff01B £2390 ind~n~~lll vu.-, g , + uam1oa aH gratuities • ,.,_.. o.n hill AlTAI ...... , IarS-...... A1'01.6m) • Land of Ice & Fire + 29th July 2006 - 14 nlghts • , M" ' A cruise without flights aboard Swan He1 1emc s mervo II t• 23rd-28th December 2005 'I from Dover to Stavanger & Bergen (Nor:warl• Torshovn + (Faroes), four Icelandic ports of call - Drup1vogur, Christmas £459.00 5 nights + Akureyri, Reykjavik & Heimaey, & finally Kirkwall • + + ' (Orkneys) before returning to Dover. 1 fi'OIII £2475 IIICiuding cruise, U&Unions & gratuities '+ •~ New Year Spectacular ~• t fPII-*IIGn hill AlTAI...... , Iars- IWiooil AT01.6294) ~ .+ 29th December to 2nd January 2006 • • Jewels of the Mediterranean + 1st September 2006 • 14 nights : New Year £373.00 ; + A fly-cruise aboard the The Thomson Spirit cruising to 4i FULL BOARD NO SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT ~· some of the most interesting ports of the Mediterranean t - Palma/Palerma(Sicily)/Naples/Ajaccio(Corsica)/Toulon/ '+ + The 4 Star Renaissance Hotel, Reading • Barcelona/Villefranche/livomo(for Florence & Pisa)/ • + 'I Civitovecchia(for Rome)/Corsica/Minorca/Palma. ~ ••••++•• • + frolll £1499 including avise, flights, gratuities & 'all illduslve' drinks paclcage v : 2006 : + (...... IIJGnn..IAillllm) .• . JANUARY 20th-22nd !... Rovini, Northern Croatia • 4i The Ardington Hotel, Worthing ~• 19th September 2006-14 nights + £175.00 Full Board No single room supplement • •+ The Hotel Eden is set by the sea, right next to parkland, • + within a short seafront walk of the delightful medieval V 4 i FEBRUARY 17th-19th • + town of Rovinj. The hotel was voted an all-round winner by our group which stayed there in September 2005 + 4i The Corus Romsey Hotel, Near Winchester ~ ~ thanks to the friendliness of the hotel staff and the high + • 'I standard of food at dinner. • £179.00 Full Board £20 single room supplement + ., U99 haN-board (D,onloolllr Gn n..l A101l291) y : : MARCH 17th-19th : + ' + Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Heme) Hempstead • & t Far East Australia • £165.00 Full Board No single room supplement + lr. .Odober/November 2006-14 or 28 nights •+ ~· • wo cru1ses aboard the 6-star all-suite all-balcony Soven .. • I 4i MARCH 31st-2nd APRIL ~• s~~.Mariner. The first is from Hong Kong to Singapore ~ + • V~Sihng three ports of call in Vietnam plus Thailand with 'I • Royal Hotel, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire + + t . e chance to visit Bangkok. The second is from Singapore to Indonesia, Komodo Island Darwin 4i £161.00 Full Board £15 single supplement ~• ~ I ThSdursday Island, Caims , the Great Barrler Reef ~nd • y nay. • 4i ~· + EASTER BREAK APRIL 14th-17th • • Fn.£2660 : Corus Warwick Hotel Honilcy, Ncar Warwick : . , P.,..110.. 'hooiWI... ._... ..,_ S...S.ATill.SSa4) • £249.00 Full Board f• + Kefalonia t Th H ~Sth October 2006-14 nights + + 4 days no single room supplement • e otel Med1terran h A • + 'I I popular ven . h ee as proved to be our most ~ much so tha~~hwlt our regular clients over the years, so ~ • • APRIL 28th-30th • + holiday there n: booked all the places available for one : The Thistle Golden Valley Hotel, Cheltenham : produce a b h ~r even before we had chance to 'I + add another~rt~~h Not su.rprisi~gly we have decided to t • £161.00 Full Board £15 single room supplement + t home of Captai ~ t 0~ thiS del1ghtful Greek island, the • • fit n ore 11 1s Mandolin. 1;. 4~ MAY 19th-21st f• • 061Wf-lloanl ~ 10...... , O..lr...IATDI. b) ~ + The Mendlp House Hotel, Frome, Somerset • I .. • - ,_.. ,.., lldwsl.. of Ill.,..,.. Clll1s ,..,. ,.,..'r ,._ IJU V : £169.00 Full Board : + 3211...... _.1 Dlalloncl Bridge 4• No single room supplement • ~ lllall: lafo@~b' llngstandlng, Birmingham 844 9HJ + ..., or .sa~· www.dlamondbndge.co.uk + ... + ~ •• + ~ •• + ~ •• + ••• + ~· 'I+ + ~ FuJorJrmms •• + ~ •• + t •• • + f f 10 English Bridge December 2005 Not fair to accuse Terence Reese of falsehood on PRC Keep your THERE are countless bridge players who do not understand or accept the Principle of Restricted Choice and your correspondent. Andrew Ward, Is one of them. This does not entitle him to suggest that the game's greatest writer and analyst. Terence Reese, hands clean! deliberately propagated a falsehood. WlNTER is almost here and up and down the Andrew claims that there is no mathematical basis for restricted choice. Indeed there country lots of Christmas parties will be held is. The principle is a variant of Bayes's Theorem, first published In 1763. He claims also over the next few weeks. After half an evening that there is no a priori evidence to support the principle. Again, this is incorrect of bridge, with the wine flowing freely, it is Take the standard textbook example where you hold A-1 0-9-x-x In dummy (North) usually a time for a finger buffet - but how and K-x-x-x in your hand (South). You cash the king and an honour appears from East many players will stop to \vash their hands The a priori odds of the various relevant holdings for East are: Q·Jdoubleton = 6.8%, before tucking into the party food? singleton Q =6 .2%, singleton I = 6.2%. Handling playing cards and money before When you follow restricted choice, eating is a sure way to spread colds and 'flu I finessing On the Second round WhiCh· check it 0 ut and I find it amazing that the answer to my ever honour appeared, you will win question is 'Not many~ - Rosalie Simpson, whenever east began with a singleton • n w·l k· pe d · a Woking11am honour and lose whenever he began 1 1 1 with Q·J doubleton. I In the long run, the odds will be 12.4 IN the October issue of English Bridge J My put down 1 to 6.8 in your favour, nearly 2-to-1 . This you published a letter from Andrew 1 holds true whether East plays the queen Ward from Stevenage, which started 'I I LOVED George Pilcher's 'put downs' in the or the jack on any particular occasion. am surprised that contributors and cor- ~ October issue of Englis11 Bridge and they 1 Also, it makes not the slightest difference respondents are still trying to demon- reminded me of an experience when I \vas a what strategy the various East players strate the truth of the Principle of real beginner and at one of my first real club would employ when following from Q-J Restricted Choice, which has no basis in sessions. I landed in 7NT and, terribly fright­ doubleton; you will be losing to this logic or mathematics'. ened, played it as best I knew how and made combination anyway. Mr Ward is incorrect in the assertion the contract. My reward from one of my I dare say your correspondent has no made at the end of this sentence. The opponents \vas the words: 'If you had played it dear understanding of the Theory of Principle of Restricted Choice is an properly, you would have gone down!' - Relativity either. I hope he will not be application of Bayes's Theorem and can Jackie van den Berg11, New Ma lden writing to some learned scientific journal, be proven rigorously to the satisfaction suggesting that Einstein deliberately of any mathematician. Details can be propagated a falsehood! - , found in Wikipedia. - Michael Keville, Not funny t Chandlns Farrl Wallington I I was reading George Pilcher's letter 'Put Editor's note: PRC is a subject that has really got the mathematicians going and in addition downs at the bridge table' in October's English to various letters there have been several expositions that would each fill a whole page in Bridge and it made me think about the other English Bridge. Apologies to those whose contributions have not been used. evening when I \v:IS playing at our small friendly bridge club in Epping. We were playing rubber bridge, so I r------~ Please email or post your letters to: decided to go straight for my contract and not Now we stick Brian Cook, Hill Crest, 8 Kingsley Road, muck about with dodgy . As I Klngsbrldge, Devon TQ7 l EY commented to my bridge companions, 'A bird to ACOL engllshbrldge®lntcmet-today.co.uk in the hand is worth two in the bush.' Then I The editor reserves the right to condense added, as an afterthought, 'Unless it has bird THE club where my partner and I have hap­ letters. Publication does not mean the EBU flu, of course.' Alas, not one of the other pily played for several years has decided that agrees with the views expressed or that the players showed the slightest glimmer of all players must have a . We comments ore foduolly correct. amusement. Oh dear!-Juliet Hipkin, Epping do not have one and have only been asked for Upland our card once, years ago, when we were play· ·------~ ing against two 'experts~ My partner opened INT and RHO snapped 'Convention card!' Putting the Spurway I said nothing, but looked under the table. RHO called the director, who asked me why I had not replied. I explained that I was looking record straight for the dog, to whom RHO had obviously been speaking, and my partner saved me from A SMALL correction, if I may, to your October item reporting the death of John Spunvay. My being thrown out by politely explaining that Olmrose records show that John played only two Olmrosc matches, partnering his brother Paul we have no convention card but that we play (1958 and 1960), bec:~use Paul then moved to Olrdiff and became eligible to represent Wales. standard ACOL John had five more matches for England, all partncring Phil Toplcy (total record won six, We now try to play standard ACOL, or as drawn one). The Spum'Oiy brothers actually found themselves on opposing sides in Uandudno in ncar to it as we can remember. - Edwanl 1964 (England won 12·6), the only such C3Se I know of in the home internationals.- Patrick Newma11 Jourdal11, Cardiff U~§ VLAtf li()lfl Deans Place Hotel is a 14th century country house hotel in the picturesque village of Alfriston set in the heart of the Sussex Downs

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(01 h2h BJ247h) www.coombccn~'1s .co.uk ·j . ~-- + Comfortable Country Hotel with spectacular A very special holiday featuring of Dartmoor • Q~ + Really delicious food, carefully prepared and I A BRIDGE with golf courteously served < ) at the beautiful Budock Vean Hotel on the + ~:~~~:~~ge sessions directed by ~he very popular banks of the Helford River in Cornwall + Luxu,.Y Indoor po 1 5 nights from Sun 23rd to Fri 28th April 2006 1 ° •spa, sauna, solarium and fitness suite Bridge licensed by the EBU with Master Points awarded + Friendly staff and Informal atmosphere Partners provided and optional free tuition + Master Points and Prizes given each evening Includes: • Full English breakfast and 5 course dinner • Special Golf programme focusing on fun + Tennis + Swimming • Sherry Reception • Prizes for all sessions + Prize giving banquet + Tea & biscuits From £435 per person for 5 nights- no single supplement Mawnan Smith Falmouth Cornwall TRU SLG Freephone: 0800 833927 Corrm.tll louri.,t Bo.ud AA AA llott'l of till' h.u 20ll2, 2lHl1 & 200-t RAC Ask about d' 1.. ~ , ~ South \\'l•o,l tourism L.trgl' I:TB lscounts for sharing , ,, llotl'loflhl'h•.u2lllH -1**** and multiple bookings Bridge licensed by the EBU 12 English Bridge December 2005 SANDRA LANDY STANDARD ENGLISH Responding with three card support LAST issue, all the hands I discussed had a points and at least five spades, you should try four-card or longer fit for the major opened for game by raising to 3t . If partner rebids 2'1 t QJ 9 t K 8752 by partner, but responder is not always so you know that partner must have at least five 'I KQ96 'I A 7 3 lucky. An opening bid of one of a suit can be spades and four hearts. Now you can jump to + KQ • 6 3 made on as few as IO points or as many as I9. 3t , showing three-card spade support and a + AJ6S + Q93 In case opener has a good hand, responder real try for game. Even if partner rebids 2+, E3 keeps the bidding open on as few as six points, you should support spades by bidding at least since 6 + 19 =25 and 25 points will often be 3t . In fact, with such a good fit for diamonds, Mike enough to make game. it would be acceptable to bid 4t . ,., Partner wiJI know that a 3~ bid on the sec­ 2NT When partner opens 1¥, ond round shows only three spades - with 3t ~ K 7 S 2 you are not strong four spades you would have raised to 3t When Mike showed a balanced 18-point ., 6 4 enough to respond in straightaway. hand by jumping to 2NT, Chris, with nine • 86 your longest suit, clubs . points, might just have said 3NT, knowing + KJ853 The correct response is Make the responding that the combined point count was at least 26. I ~ . planning to pass t K 7 S hand a bit better. The But Chris carefully bid 3'1 in case Mike had partner's rebid if it's a spade raise, a heart ., 6 4 auction still starts with five hearts. Mike only had four, but did have rebid or I NT. Really the only time you wiJI bid + A Q 10 2 partner opening It and three spades, so he bid 3+ and the good 4t again on this weak hand is if partner says 2+. + A9S 3 you responding 2+. game was reached. 3NT goes down on a dia­ Now it is correct to put partner back to the Whether partner rebids mond lead, but 4+ made easily. suit originally opened, by bidding 2'1. 2+, 2'1 or 2t you will jump to 4t as your sec­ ond bid. You have an opening bid facing part­ When partner opens 1'1 ner's opening bid and you should expect to t A KJ 4 t32 ., Q 10 9 3 'I K 6 ~ K 7 S you are stiJI not strong finish in a game contract - spades looks best J ., 6 4 enough to bid 2+ - you once you know partner has a five-card suit. + KQ 10 • 9 8 7 + KS + QJ1062 • 86 should have nine-plus Suppose with that last hand partner rebids +K98532 points to respond in a 2NT. This shows 15-16 points and with your E3 new suit at the two level. 13 points, your side must have at least 28 Gloria Geoffrey INT, denying four spades and showing about points - more than enough to bid game. You ,., 2'1 6-9 points, is the best response. could say 3NT, but just in case partner has a 2NT 3NT But suppose partner opens I ~ rather than weak heart holding too, it makes sense to I '1. You would be unhappy responding INT show your three cards in spades on the way to With four spades and four hearts, Gloria with two small doubletons. A better idea is to 3NT. Now the auction will go lt -2+ ; 2NT-3 ~ . correctly opened 1'1 - this gives the best raise partner to 2t , even though you have only Your 3t bid is 100% forcing and partner chance of finding a fiL Geoffrey three-card support. Surprisingly, partner will must not pass. With only four spades partner might have responded 1NT, but with a have a five-card spade suit for the It opener will bid 3NT, knowing you hold only three doubleton spade and no diamond stopper, about three-quarters of the time. So there will spades. With five spades partner will probably decided 2'1 was a better choice with the often be an eight-card fit in spades. When prefer to play in 4t . strong three-card heart holding. Gloria was there isn't, partner will have at least I 5 points worth a try for game and chose 2NT, (since INT was not opened) and your side Here are some hands we played in a practice showing her strong hand with only four will have the balance of the points. class recently. Those of you who remember cards in hearts. Geoffrey happily bid 3NT, my last article about using Losing Trick Count expecting his long clubs to provide tricks and With this hand you will note how each of the following hands con­ his heart honours to be the entry to cash ~ K 7 S would raise 1+ to 2+, forms nicely with the advice given about how those winners. ., 6 4 I+ to 2+ and bid 1NT high to raise with a given number of losers. • 10 8 6 2 over 1'1. But again it + K9S 3 usually works out best to raise It to 2 ~ . There t AKJ9S t 432 is hope that partner can use your trumps to 'I K 10 9 3 'I QJ64 a heart and it does stop fourth hand mak­ + KQ2 + A9 ing an at the two level. +9 • J 10 s 2 While it can be right to raise partner to the E3 two levd with only three spades, you should never jump raise spades straightaway. If you Ceri Dorothy are good enough to make a jump raise, you l t lNT 2'1 3'1 will be strong enough to respond in a new suit 4'1 first. When partner opens Dorothy had to choose between a INT and a 1 ~ . you respond 2+, 2t response. With a fairly flat hand and stop­ ~ K 7 S ., 6 4 bidding your lowest pers in all the other suits she decided I NT was best. It worked well when Ceri rebid 2'1, as 4'1 + K J 10 2 four-card suit first. If + A953 partner rebids a, is a better game than 4t , though in practice showing about 12-IS both would have made.

December 2005 English Bridge 13 DAVID BIRD Beat toda 's ex erts

The standard of bidding and play in the final of the World Youth Teams, between Spare your Poland and the USA, was excellent. Both East-West pairs suffered a strange lapse on partner the agony this deal: 3. Game all. Dealer East of deciding whether ------·-- 'I K2 E:~~~·'I AQJAQ 109S4 ..t AKQJ10742 W E t 3 a grand slam is on +K42 S +987 Next we will pay a brief visit to the 2005 WE will start with a deal from the African East World Youth Teams Championship, contested West Zonal Championships, contested in Buras Araszkiewi Casablanca. Egypt won all three categories - in Sydney. (In my view the age limit of 26 is l t open, ladies and seniors. Their open team too high. Some teams were. made up o~ stu­ 2+ 4~ faced Kenya when this deal arose: dents, while others contamed professtonal 5t 5t players with Bermuda Bowl experience. A top 1. East-West game. Dealer East age of 23 would make more sense.) France faced Israel on this deal: The first point of interest is this: after a start of 1+- 2+, what is the difference between a rebid of 3+ and 4+? You might rebid 3~ on +KQ6 +A 2. Game all. Dealer West 'IAKQ4 E3 •93 any six-card spade suit when you held too t 10 7 S W E t A K Q I 8 6 4 many points to rebid only 2~ . A 4t rebid +K72 S +Q95 + KJ108742E3 + AQ shows that you definitely want to play in • J9S W E • 10 spades. You may have seven or more spades t AK943 • Q2 and not much beyond a minimum opening in West North East South +A S • Q 10972 Pujara Shah terms of points- a hand that is a little better 1t 1t than an opening 4+ pre-empt 6NT Pass 7NT Obi West East Over 4t it seemed to us, commentating on Tessieres Bess is Bridge Base Online, that West had a dose When the Egyptian South overcalled in 1+ 2+ decision between bidding St and 6+. spades, Pujara decided to punt 6NT. What do z• 2+ Eventually he bid only St and it looked as if you make of that? Perhaps you think that it is 3t 3NT the slam had been missed. No, East persisted a slight overbid, but a reasonable enough 4+ 4NT with Stl 5t 6t gamble. Think againl Look at the problem There could be only one explanation for that the bid caused Shah, in the East seaL this. He must have thought that St was a cue Although he had opened with a mere one bid, East's 2+ response was a game-forcing with spades agreed. Although you wo~d he held eight running tricks in his hand, and West's 2• rebid denied four hearts! (A rarely contest partner's suit after a jump rebid including the ace of the opponents' suit. His rebid of 2t would have shown four hearts.) to 4t, it seems an eccentric view to take that partner's le:tp to the six-level left him with Presumably the French pair sees some space­ St as a . Now, we all thought, it would an unwelcome guess. Should he advance to saving advantage in this method, although it be obvious for West to bid 6t . He chose to 7NTI is not immediately apparent. East's 3NT asked pass, though, and a club lead through the king I can see no reason to fault East for his deci­ partner to cue-bid and 4NT was Roman Key­ put St two down. sion to bid a grand slam. South then doubled, card Blackwood. Since West held seven Would the USA East-West, Grue and asking North to lead a suit other than spades. trumps. he felt entitled to tell partner that Kanyak, fare any better? They began It - 2t • North interpreted his partner's message cor­ they the queen. East might well have mclud~d 3+. Kanyak bid 4t and Grue cue-bid 4¥. Now rectly and ... led a heart! The Kenyans inserted held A-x-x tn the spade suit, in which case the 2490 on their scorecard and were subsequent­ queen could probably be picked up. came 4NT, Roman Key-card for spades, and a St response. . ly rewarded with 15 imps. East bid 6+ and it proved to be an excellent Forget about the lud.')' result. How do you contract. If the defenders lead a heart, declar­ A huge swing for the USA was looming if assess the blame for reaching such a bad con­ er can ruff one heart loser and discard anoth­ Kanyak bid 6t now, but he passed 5t for a tbt board. tract? As I see it, it was entirely West's fault. If er. If the defenders hit on the best lead of a he fancied a gamble in 6NT he should first !rump, declarer has some chance of discard­ How would you play 6t on a heart )e3~! have bid 4NT to check on the key-card posi­ tng two hearts on dummy's diamond suit. Would you rely on the ruffing ~ tion. If partner showed the three key cards spades, or lead towards the +K? The answtrJ.S What'fi are . we. to make• of the French au ct' ton ? Win that were the minimum requirement, then he Th e artt tcta 1tty gamed little on this • t hat you should combine two chances. . d Ea b' 0 ccaston, could bid 6NT. If, instead, his partner showed tt seems, an .st td the slam on general val- with the 'IQ, cash thetA (throwing a dub} four key cards, he could continue with SNT to ues. The Isrnehs, Hoffman and Ofi . d and lead the +Q ruffing in the West hand. I . h r, mtsse h • dn1( suggest a grand slam. East could then advance t h e sI am wtt a standard sequence: .... t e +K does not drop doubleton, you d ... 3 . 1~- 2• • 2+ to a grand with a source of tricks. - 3... , t - 4t. Here Enst missed th trumps, re-enter dummy with a heart 311 On the original auction East had a plentiful nity of bidding 4•, to suggest a se opportu­ lead towards the +K. Virtue would ha\'t bf source of extra tricks, but his partner had not West would then have had a cha pade sla~. rewarded. North held the ace of clubs 30 a . I' . d nee to realiSe told him (because he did not know) whether th at has tmtte values were very h . doubleton +KJ SA all the key cards were held. right place. muc m the The final resulted in a tie with the lJ winning after extra boards. ' • Awards: 6NT -10, 6t - 9, games- 4, grands • Awards: 6+. 10, 5+/4+. 6 c. .. -2. 3NT- 1. ' '"' • 4, St - 3, • Awards: 6t - 10, NT game- 8, 6NT/5t . 1, 4+-4,5+-2. 14 English Bridge December 2005 During the August congress in Brighton, West's It was equivalent to a normal (but slam in that strain. With an unsuitable hand, the EBU arranged 128-board matches forcing) !NT response. East's 3+ rebid was West could have signed off in 4NT. Since his between the Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup natural and forcing. What should West say hand \v:tS excellent for clubs, he cue-bid 4.. teams of England and the Netherlands. This next? To raise the dubs might take the part­ East now knew that the ace of diamonds was slam deal comes from early in the open nership past the last safe haven in 3NT, so missing, so it would have been unsound for match. Barbosa marked time with lt. Everyone him to bid 4NT, asking for key-cards. He cue­ watching the match on the internet expected bid in spades instead and West \v:tS then able 4. Love all. Dealer West East to bid 3NT now, arriving at the best spot, to bid 4NT, leading to the excellent small slam but he bid a somewhat confusing 3+ instead. in clubs. Since East could bid an easy 3NT with spade At the other table Marsal and Schroeder • 4 .K1098753 values, or so one would think, the natural (for Germany) started with a similar 1+- 1•, • K J 10 7 6 5 W E • A Q 9 4 interpretation of 3+ was that he needed some It- 3NT. Marsal then chose 4NT as his slam • AK2 • Q assistance in the suit. With two small spades, try and the bidding ended there. Playing in no +A72 S +3 West decided to bid the dub game. The cards trumps, you have only 11 certain tricks {after 0 did not come to the rescue. The •K was off­ knocking out the •A) and must take the heart West North East South side and declarer could not avoid a further finesse. With clubs as trumps, you can ruff a justin H Bakkeren jason H Bert ens loser in each . One down. spade for the twelfth trick. The •Q was with ,. 3+ 4+ Pass This was the auction at the other table: North, so the second-best contract of 6NT 4• Pass 4NT Pass would have been successful. 5+ Pass 5• Pass West East 5+ Pass 6. Amoedo Thoma • Awards: 6+ -10, 6NT- 6, games- 4, 6•-2. Pass ,. Jason Hackett decided to agree hearts imme­ 1+ 2NT Yet another mixed bunch for our experts, 3NT diately, rather than show his spade suit Justin whose score of 40 out of 60 will give you a rea­ cue-bid in diamonds and Jason bid Roman sonable chance of defeating them. Before Key-card Blackwood. The 5+ response showed Again the 1+ and 1NT responses were being switching out the lights, let's see if we can none or three key cards. It was extremely swapped. East's 2NT was artificial and showed extract some useful bidding tips. unlikely that West held no key cards but, nev­ any game-forcing hand (a rebid of 3+ would ertheless, Jason bid a disciplined 5•. This have promised five or more clubs). West could would allow the partnership to stop low when now have enquired with 3+, but with only six (lrllf~ Tiro> i:lJ ;

. b "dge holiday becomes, call The more you travel with Mercaan the cheaper your n d t . 1 Mercian bridge free of charge on freephone 0800 0368372 for more e aa s.

• NEW VENUES FOR 2006 02 April Kliczrow Castle, Poland - 10 Nts. 16 April Havana & Varadero, Cuba - 14 Nts. 24 April Madeira Palacio, Funchal - 7 Nts. 15May Richmond Ephesus Resort, Turkey - 14 Nts. 23 Sept Parkhotel ScMnbrunn, Vienna - 7 Nts. 01 Oct The Dome Hotel, Northern Cyprus - 14 Nts. Nov06 Best of Thailand- 5 Nts. Bangkok & 10 Nts. ChaAm

• BEST OF WINTER SUN BRIDGE 30 Oct 05-26 Mar 06 Sol Elite Don Pablo, Torremollnos 22 Dec 05 La Trelade Hotel, Guernsey - 7 Nts. 06 Jan 06 Playa La Arena, Tenerife 7 to 42 Nts. 13 Jan 06 San Felipe, Tenerife- 14 Nts. 01 Feb 06 Sheraton Hotel, Luxor - 14 Nts. 17 Feb 06 South American & Caribbean Cruise - 25 Nts. 11 Mar 06 Caribbean Cruise on the Boudicca - 28 Nts. 13 Mar 06 King Solomon's Palace, Eilat - 14 Nts. • STOP PRESS • BRIDGE IN 2006 A brand new bowling green has been opened 01 May Portelet Hotel, Jersey - 10 Nts. ;"pecially for Mercian Bridge at the AIU Green Park, unlsia. This 4 star hotel is adjacent to an excellent 23May Hotel Albatros, Croatia - 14 Nts. golf course and a short walk from the heart of Port El Kantaoul. 24May Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on the Boudicca - 24 Nts. Our holiday In the AIU Green Park Is uAII Inclusive" 03 June Cannes Palace, France - 10 Nts. ~~~:g~~~~ November until 26 March, so why not Sept Lake Bled, Slovenia - 14 Nts. have avallab~i~e~tly refurbished hotel whilst we still Oct Lake Hotel, Killarney - 10 Nts. of single room ~ still have a very limited number dates, please ~I Mwrthout a supplement on certain 12 Oct Cruise the Adriatic on Boudlcca - 20 Nts. ercian for further details.

16 Enalish._Bddne.Dec:ember 2005,_~---~------~===:__ BRIAN SENIOR Improve your declarer play

mond tricks and eight in all, but will have Keeping the 'danger' good chances of creating an against South for the ninth. This next is a little less secure: defender off lead +864 E3 tAJ2 '1 95 'I K) 3 WE have already come across an example of to appreciate the need to avoid allowing + K Q 10 9 W E + A J 8 6 :m avoidance play. Basically the idea is that North, the dangerous hand, to gain the lead. +AK7 3 S +84 2 declarer often finds himself in a situation The same principle is followed on this next where one defender can hurt him while the deal: other cannot. Accordingly, declarer does his East declares 3NT after South has over­ best to lose the lead to the safe defender, the called 1'1 and led a low heart to the queen. one who cannot effectively attack his weak 'It 97AK E3 *'1 953KQ6 To the first heart would only succeed spot, rather than to the dangerous defender, + AK9864 W E + Q 10 if hearts were six-two and South could be kept the one who can. +A52 S +Q8643 off lead. If declarer wins the flrst trick, howev­ One possibility is to eschew a normal er, he can succeed if he can establish an extra finesse when it is not vital to win every trick in trick while keeping North off play, unable to the suit: West North East South lead through the remaining 'IJ 3. It seems the ,. best chance ofgetting a ninth trick is by find­ Obi Pass 1NT Pass ing a three-three club break, with South +A KJ + Q105 3NT Pass Pass Pass • 642 'I QJ7 obliged to win the defensive club trick. That is + K8 + A Q9 possible if declarer takes some care and finds +)9864 +A Q 10 5 South leads the +J. Having opened the bid­ South with the +Q. E3 ding, South presumably holds all the missing Declarer wins the fmt trick and plays a high cards, with the possible exception of one club. If South follows with the queen he is East plays in 3NT and the defence leads of the jacks or maybe the 'IQ. It would be allowed to hold the trick, otherwise declarer three rounds of hearts, North showing out on dangerous to duck the first trick, so declarer wins and crosses back to hand with a dia­ the third round. The normal club play is to wins the +K. Now North is the danger hand as mond to lead a second round of clubs. Again, finesse, of course, but declarer does not need he could lead through the remaining +Q6, if South plays the queen he is allowed to hold five dub winners - four will be plenty. He while South is the safe hand. Declarer can the trick, otherwise declarer goes up with should lay down the +A at trick four then guard against bad luck in the diamond suit by dummy's remaining honour then plays a third continue the suit. If North holds the king crossing to a top heart to lead a low diamond round. Whenever South holds three clubs to declarer will have cost himself the second to the I 0. If this loses, South is powerless to the queen he is forced to win the third club overtrick, but will make his contract. The hurt declarer, who will have five diamond trick and the 13th club is declarer's ninth bonus comes when South holds the bare king winners to go with two hearts, a spade and a trick. and declarer makes a contract in which an club. If North began with four diamonds to This is the only realistic line for the con­ unthinking player would fail. the jack, declarer has all six diamond tricks tract, as playing for the +K Q onside and lead­ and has avoided the risk of losing the lead to ing twice towards the jack sees North, the the danger hand. What if North holds all five danger hand, gaining the lead even when the + K)109 E3 + A2 diamonds? Declarer will have only four dia- spades lie as required. '1 75 'I KJ9 + A K J W E + Q 10 9 7 +A Q 6 4 S + J 10 3 2 A Denis Young problem West North East South 2'1 Obi Pass 3NT Pass that's devoid of sneakiness! Pass Pass THIS month's problem has no deception in In imp scoring all that matters is that I South opened with a and now it and is just a little test. Imagine that a make the contract. By ducking the first leads a low heart to the 10 and declarer's jack. Ieamer has sent me this hand: diamond I make sure of it, unless one The obvious way to the extra tricks required opponent has a diamond , in which for the contract is to take the club finesse, but case no one can make it. + AKQ4 E3 t 82 that play is fraught with danger for, should it 'I A96 5 'I 92 But in a pairs contract I must simply fail, North will be on lead to push a heart + 74 WE + AKQ86 3 make the highest score I can. Since the through to his partner's presumed A Q x x x, +A92 S + 75 4 chance that one of them has a singleton is and that will mean down two. A spade finesse about 28% and the chance that the suit into North would run the same risk, but what breaks kindly is about 68%, I must bang out about a spade finesse into the South hand? I am West and I am told that I open 1'1 . the diamonds from the top immediatel)'· The safe play is to cross to the +A and lead Partner bids 2+ and I bid 3NT. The opening Incidentally I trust that all you readers the +9 and run it. If South wins he can do lead is the t J. The Ieamer asks me how the own a copy of Bridge Odds for Pmcticnl nothing to threaten the contract. On his best hand should be played and I tell him that I Players by Kelsey and Glaucrt. Did you switch of a club, declarer rises with the ace, don't know, because I have not been told think that I carry these odds around in my unblocks the spade and cashes the diamonds what sort of bridge we are playing. head? and spades for nine tricks in all. The key was

December 2005 English Bridge 17 I Progress Vilamoura. EB OM SpaRfiD• with Algarve EL ROMPIDO GOLF HOTEL - 3rd-17th Sept 2eu HOTEL ATlANTlS - Jan 26th-9th Feb 2006 El Rompido is in a stunning location on Spain's Costa Andrew · Ever popular, this great value holiday is alr~10st fully de Ja Luz and our new two-week holiday here often booked so don't delay - make your reservation n~. high season at lo~ seaso~ prices. . . Cost is £879.00 which includes full board. bnd~e The hotel occup1es a pnv1leged pos1t10n and iss . Kambites fees. insurance. entertainment. excursions and air­ 11 rounded by an immense protected area of na ~tra~ LA QUINTA HOTEL. MENORCA - 21 -28 April port duties. Single rooms available without supp!e· ZOO& landscape in which there is a wonderful lB hole ~ Based at the superb 5-star La Quinta Hotel, this is ment (subject to availability). Price based on Gatwlck course in front of the Piedras river. a holiday aimed at the player who is either receiv­ flights. Other airports available at a supplement. El Rompido Golf Hotel is five star in every aspect ing tuition or comparatively new to duplicate Director Graham Hedley. bedrooms all have television, direct dial tel e~ bridge. The objectives are to increase the confi· If you can't make it in 2006, don't worry, we'll ~e and mini-bar plus a balcony with open views across dence and knowledge of those who already play back at the Hotel Atlantis in 2007. Watch our webs1te the golf course and towards the sea. This is agolf tn and to introduce the social player to the many dif­ for information. ferences in the tactics, speed and scoring at a club. and walkers paradise with wonderful bridge faciJi. Your programme has been approved by the English ties. Free tea & coffee during the bridge sessions. Bridge Union and is based on the Standard English/Acol system it is designed to complement MagiCal all teaching systems including 'Bridge for All'. The tuition will be overseen by Andrew Kambites. All Madeira tutors will be EBUTA qualified with a maximum PESTANA BAY HOT£L - 15th-29th May 2006 ratio of 1 : 20. Bridge is licensed by the EBU with This superb hotel offers twin bedrooms with sea­ being awarded. The price based on flying from Gatwick is £545.00" view balconies. The rooms are generously sized and equipped with a small kitchenette. Close to Funchal, "Subject to single supplement the Pestana Bay Hotel is the perfect setting for our Hom S'ALGAR. MEN ORCA -28 April- 5May 2IDi unique blend of bridge and relaxation. Funchal can A holiday aimed at players experienced in duplicate be reached by the free hotel bus or public transport. bridge. We recommend that to gain most benefit Bridge will be played in the comfort of an air con­ you should have played at a duplicate club regularly. ditioned room There will be an enjoyable programme In addition to giving a full and varied programme of of which will appeal to players of bridge we offer a series of seminars which are all standards. Prizes will be awarded to the winners Two weeks half board holiday for the established designed to help you achieve a deeper understand­ of all events including open pairs. Trophies will be player directed by Andrew Kambites who will~ ing of the game with the objective of improving your awarded to the winners of specified events. a minimum of two seminars during the fortnight results and building or increasing confidence. Bridge Director Graham Hedley. Cost from £899.00 Prices are based on Gatwick and start at £979.00 is licensed by the EBU with masterpoints being based on Gatwick. Other airports and single occu­ Other airports are available at a supplement awarded. pancy rooms also available at a supplement Birmingham. Stansted £20.00, Manchester £30.00. The inclusive cost. from Gatwick, is just £515.00". Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle £40.00, Edinburgh. •subject to single supplement Glasgow £50.00. Single occupancy supplement More Information. £141 .00. Prices include half board. all bridge fees. If you are unsure as to which holiday would suit you S'Aigar. airport duties, flights and transfers. best or whether you would benefit from both, do Bridge will be played in the comfort of an air car please give us a call. La Quinta is half board, S'Aigar Menorca ditioned room. There will be an enjoyable progranvne full board. Both holidays include all bridge fees, trans­ of duplicate bridge which will appeal to all. HOT£L S'ALGAR, MENORCA - 6th-20th Oct2006 fers and airport duties. Rights are also available from Prizes will be awarded to the winners of all events Manchester or Luton at a supplement Y~s. we'll be back at S'Aigar in October 2006. This including open pairs. Will be the 35th consecutive bridge holiday there • a . '!here will be a welcome cocktail party and a~ MAKE A SAVING Put into practice what you've te ~timony to the popularity of the event. Full board g1vmg ceremony. Excursions will be available as learned - combine these two holidays for just £919.00. pnce from £899.00 based on Gatwick flights. optional extras. Super Bridge Breaks at UK Hotel THISTLE HOTEL. CARDIFF New Year 2.00516 PRINCE OF WAlfS HOT£1.. GRAS MERE Three Nights: Fri 30 Dec- Man 2 Jan. Four Nights: Sun 12 -Sat 18 March 2006 THISTLE HOTEL. CHELTENHAM Fi~a nights 24-29 July Man 2- Fri 6Jan. Seven Nights: Fri 30 Dec - Fri 6Jan. We return for our fourth consecutive visit 10 Th p · 2006 What a choice! Three nights over New Year; the fol- of Wales Hotel. This six -

Doubles troubles Principle: If you ore sitting over the opening 6idder and you pass on the fi rst 1 NOW turn my attention to the area of However, the main purpose of our princi· round and then double on the second doubles. One of the biggest sources of large pie is to cover the thousands of auctions round (o delayed double) when your minus scores is when one partner makes a where it is simply not possible to discuss the partner has not bid and your opponents and the other thinks it is for exact meaning. These East· West hands hove not found a fit, you ore showing o penalties, or vice versa. The EllU's laws and demonstrate a well-controlled auction that good hand with values in their first suit. ethics committee has decided (Omugc Book led to the right contract. page 19) that in the absence of an alert, (g) South West North East double is for takeout if it is the double of a 1¥ Pass 1NT Pass suit bid naturally at the one, two or three level • 3 2+ Obi ¥ AQ52 when your partner has not had a chance to HJ754¥ J864 l W N E • Q3 1+ A K 10 9 6 2 {h) South West North East call, or has passed without indicating values. • 2 s • 84 1¥ Pass 2+ Pass Othmvise, double is for penalties. 2¥ Obi I am sure you do not play that, but it is an excellent starting position. From there you South West North East Why should West want to interfere in (g) or need to agree exceptions, for example negative 1+ 1+ 2+ 2+ (h) when he could not bid on the first round? doubles, Lightner doubles, perhaps support 3+ Pass Pass Obi In (g) West should be well aware that South doubles etc. Many of the conventions you play Pass 3¥ Pass 4¥ theoretically could have 18 points and North will be covered by my next batch of principles. Pass Pass Pass could have nine, and in (h) North is com· pletely unlimited. Entering the auction is far The dominant feature of East's hand is dia· from safe and will be comparatively rare. I r Principle: If your opponents have I monds, hence East prefers 2+ to a competitive think West should have a hand like this: bid and supported a sult at or below the double. When it comes round to him again he +A} 9 6 . A J 9 2 +A J 8 7 3 ~- three level, a double of that suit is not for doubles for takeout and the 4·4 heart fit is In each case West passed on the first round penalties found. because of length in hearts. West is likely to have shortage in the suit that opponents have This is highly logical. Lucrative doubles of Are there any exceptions to this principle? If introduced since his last bid, ie clubs. Often low-level contracts rarely come when a fit has you spent a whole month writing down this will lead to East-West competing in one been found. If your opponents are bidding sequences that are covered you may find quite of the unbid suits, but sometimes carnage can and raising an agreed suit they are hardly a lot where you might feel that your double is develop as shown here: afraid of being doubled. Once in a blue moon better played for penalties. However, the task the trumps might be breaking very badly for of pinning down exceptions is awesome. I • 106 4 them, but for every one hand like that there suggest you don't even think about itl +AJ96¥ AJ92 r-N ¥ K6 are 10 where you want an economical way to l • 9 2 JB 7 3 :-S E- compete. Some of the situations covered by I p . . ~ ~ + AJ9862 this principle are simple enough and common nnctp1 e: A double of a Is not for penalties enough that you can discuss the exact mean· West North East ing with your partner. Pass 1NT Pass (e) South West North East Obi 2¥ Obi {a) South West North East 1¥ 1~ 2+ Obi Pass Pass 1+ Obi 2/3+ Obi (f) South West East {b) South West North East 1+ Dbl Obi The defenders took eight tricks for +800. 1¥ Obi 2/3¥ Obi In (e) East's double is competitive. He has a Don't confuse this principle with In both sequences East is making a respon· hand like this: protection. ~Q 7 . 4 3 2 +A Q 10 7 5 ~7 4 2 sive double. In (a) East should be showing (J) South West North East four cards In each major. In {b), where there is l think this principle does need an excep· 1¥ Pass 2¥ Pass only one unbid major, my view is that if East tlon. In (f) West has made a takeout double of Pass Obi has spades then East should bid spades. West 1+, so East should initially assume West has will therefore assume that East has the minor something in each major. Then North bids (k) South West North East suits. one of the majors. This is one of the best· 1¥ Pass 1NT Pass known psyching tactics in bridge and you 2¥ Obi Pass Pass {c) South East North should certainly be suspicious if }'OUr side is Pass 1+ 2+ Obi vulnerable, but they are not. Suppose North Auction (j) is a protective sequence. {d) South West North East has a weak hand with two small spades and North-South have found a lit and this is cov­ 1+ 1+ 3+ Obi length in his partner's suit. Are you going to ered by the first of today's principles. Double be conned out of your spade fit? A common is for takeout. West has a weak hand and I I ere East in both cases is making a com· agreement here is that East doubles with four wants to compete for the part score. petitive double. In (c) West will assume that spades or bids 2+ with five spades. How about (k)? North-South have not East is showing the other two suits, while in found a fit. This is a delayed double. You (d) there are two possible uses for East's dou· \\~miug: Beware of a pst'Che when }'OUr might want to play it for takeout, but most blc. East might be showing the other two partner has suggested o major suit with a experts play it as suggesting penalties. Jf part­ suits. Alternatively East may use the double as takeout double and the next hand then bids ner looks at his hand, the number of hearts he a so that he can bid 3+ competitive· it. You need appropriate ammunition with holds will give a strong indication of whether ly. Discuss this with your partner. whldt to expose o possible psyche. West's double is for takeout or penalties.

n --..t.-_200S EnoUs.b Bridoe 19 _T_H_E_B_E_D-=F:-::O~R-=D:-:H:-:O:::T:::E ~ ~ friend~ five Star 'Bridge rours ft Tel 01253 724636 Clifton Drive, South Lytham, St. Annes CYPRUS (The town centre hotel with a country house atmosphere) The one and only, 5 star de luxe, Amathus Beach Hotel/ (a member of "The Leading Hotels of the World") Umassol- December 21st-January 4th £1475.00 Basic cost Includes Gala Dinners at Christmas and New Yearl ANTIGUA Dickenson Bay, Sandals Antigua Resort & Spa (4 star deluxe) January 20th-February 3rd 2006 £2325.00 for this stunning 11all-inc/usiven holiday/ Scheduled flights with VIrgin AUantlc Set on Antigua's finest beach, this Is an exceptional venue tor some guaranteed winter sunshine 2006: MAR19 5 nts £205.00 LANZAROTE JAN 2 5 nts £200.00 APR 17 4 nts £190.00 Costa Teguise, Hotel Melia Las Salinas (5 star JAN 27 3 nts £135.00 MAY29 4 nts £190.00 AUG 28 4 nts £200.00 grande deluxe) March 2nd-16th 2006£1475.00 FEB 19 5 nts £205.00 Voted by our guests to offer the best food of any hotel of their Director John Wilcox assisted by Tony Hutchinson experience. Truly fantastic value - check brochure prlcesl Partners found. All rooms en-suite. Bridge 2-4.30 and 7-10.30pm. Sherry reception Spm on day of arrival. Dinner ITALY served from 5.30-8.30pm. No single room supplement. limited number of double rooms for single occupancy + £5 per nt. Lake Garda, Hotel Grand Gardone Superior rooms+ £3p.p. per nt. Club Class + £5p.p per nt. (4 star de luxe) May 6th-20th £1225.00 Bridge licensed by the EBU Breathtaking views of the lake from each of our chosen bedrooms www.bedford-hotel.com email: [email protected] (no extra cost!). This elegant old-style hotel remains a finn "Five Star" favourite. RHODES Hotel Rodes Palladium 17th-31st May Excel Bridge (5 star de luxe) £895.00 An opportunity to get some Spring sun at the best 5 Star hotel In & TPAVELSCOPE Rhodes. All rooms have excellent sea views at no extra charge. are delighted to offer a wonderful AUSTRIA cruise on board the 4* MV Athena Lake Worthersee Parkhotel Poertschach (4 star de luxe) May 24th-June 7th £1075.00 Wonderful location; excellent food and service - not to be missed! ITALY 30 day cruise to the Abano Terme Hotel Bristol Buja June 1st-12th, 11 nts F/B AND June 20th-July 1st, 11 nts F/B Caribbean and back! each holiday £1135.00 Departing: 5th January 2007 This recent addition to our programme has taken over the number one 12 porta of call· u eo spot for popularity! Fantastic food, In an elegant family-run hotel. Guadelou s ' runa, the Azores, Antigua, SL Kitts, Evenings at the Verona opera will be organised during the second Madelre :-vi;ol Lucia, Bequla, SL VIncent, Grenada, Barbados, of these two holidays; cost upon request. • 4* plus Ship Each of the above holiday costs represents excellent value - check brochure prices/ : ::::o~s Cabins all with Bath & Shower Except where shown, prices based upon 14 nights shared • Free g rom Falmouth • No Flying occupancy of a twin/double room, on a half-board basis. • Brtd coach lnlvel/partdng Really fantaau::run by Ralph • Lesley Smith Tour organlser for each of the holidays above: (ll\ Suites- £2,989 Five Star Bridge Tours ~ ~lue l prices PP from only: Inside • £1 848 utalda • £1 ,998 ~~ Full col011r ~um for 1/1 ol tile •lion llotiO,S ~nltult on "'"'' fro.1 Roy and Lyn Dempster at Tan-y-Martan, Bryn Haldd, Almost ch' eape tEhven 3 or 4 ahartngl • £1 '149 ~fJ Uanarmon-yn-lal, Nr. Mold, Denblghshlre CH7 STF r an staying at homel ~ Tel: 01824 780 530 Fax: 01824 780 830 Tel: 01275 872575 ....._ www.flvestarbrldge.co.uk email: LRDempsterOaol.com ..A. New Website· Ib . uk !J! Bridge licensed by the EBU ...... Gataoua rrtza ., • uru....•• "' n..ex ce n dge.CO. &c:tl for Excellence* Bridge . Uc~ by tht 20 English Bridge December 2005 Lederer stays with the Irish THE Irish have done it again. Fielding the same team that last year wrested the Lederer Memorial Trophy from Zia Mahmood's All Stars line-up, Ireland's Tommy Garvey, John Carroll, Hugh McGann and Tom Hanlon clung on to their title as the 59th contest for the coveted trophy went right to the wire. With the inclusion of top German players and the event attracted its most glittering field yet and the organisers will surely find it difficult to go one better for the 60th Lederer next year. 1\venty of the players in action were on their way afterwards to play in the World Championships in Estoril. Played once more at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club, the gathering of top players drew spectators from as far as Devon and Yorkshire, who packed the room to be The winning team, from left: Tom Hanlon, Tommy Garvey, John Carroll and Hugh McGann thoroughly entertained by the play and by David Bird's commentary. The 2005 Schapiro Spring Foursomes Held over two days, eight invited tflams winners included Valio Kovachev and Vladi 'It's great for played 12 board matches against each other, Isporski from Bulgaria. with victory point scoring (part imps and part Bernard Teltscher, president of the London spectators to see point-a-board). Metropolitan Bridge Association and the Auken and von Arnim were linked with main sponsor of the Lederer, had three Scots so many top class Mahmood and his Estoril partner John in his team, while Janet de Botton's team Mohan from the USA as the All Stars team included two Swedes and a Pole, as well as the players in action' eager to recapture past glories in the event for Hackett twins, Jason and Justin. their leader. The All Stars moved into an early lead, but a big loss to the Irish in the last match on Result: 1 Ireland (Tommy Garvey, John Saturday saw them drop to fourth place. The Carroll, Hugh McGann, Tom Hanlon) 273, 2 position overnight (after four matches) was All Stars (Zia Mahmood, John Mohan, Sabine England and Ireland tied on 156 ahead of the Auken, Daniela von Arnim) 266, 3 Spring The maestro Spring Foursomes team on 139 and the All Foursomes winners (Geoffrey Wolfarth, Brian deep in Stars on 134. Senior, Vladi lsporski, Valio Kovachev) 236, 4 thought: but England beat Ireland 32-28 on Sunday England (Tom Townsend, David Gold, Colin Zla Mahmood afternoon, enabling All Stars to close the gap. Simpson, David Price) 229, 5 Australia (Sartaj could not The All Stars then went on to beat England Hans, Tony Nunn, Phil Markey, David figure out a heavily in the last round and the result of the Horton) 180, 6 Young Chelsea Champions way to get Lederer depended on the Irish winning their (Janet de Botton, Gunnar Hallberg, Nick his All Stars team to finish last match by a big enough margin. Their 48- Sandqvist, Artur Malinowski, Jason Hackett, ahead of the 12 victory was enough and so Ireland retained Justin Hackett) 178, 7 President's team Irish the trophy. (Bernard Teltscher, Tony Priday, Willie Coyle, John Matheson, Victor Silverstone, Chris Dixon 163, 8 Ladies (Nicola Smith, Heather Dhondy, Sally Brock, Kitty Teltscher, Michelle Brunner, Rhona Goldenfield ) 155. The winners of the Teltscher Cups in the Play with the Stars event, competed for by clubs playing the same first 24 boards as in the Lederer, were: North-South (scoring with Sabine Auken and Daniela von Arnim) Neill Harcus and Sophie Levi (Acol Bridge Club); East-West (scoring with Zia Mahmood and John Mohan) Danny Gesua and Marion Tamblyn (Roehampton Bridge Club), equal with Maurice and Bertha Bechor (Hurlingham Bridge Club). Tournament manager Simon Cochem~ was delighted with the success of the weekend: 'It's great for the spectators to be able to see so many top class players in action and we cer­ tainly had a gre~t field again this year,' he said. 'The Lederer also has a wonderful history, with early winners like Plum Meredith, Bernard Telt.scher, LMBA president, left, with Telt.scher Cup North-South Maurice Harrison-Gray and Ian McLeod. For winning combination Sabine Auken and Daniela von Arnlm (All Stars), the 60th next year we hope to dra\V another and Sophie Levi and Nelli Harcus (Acol Bridge Club) glittering array of stars.'

December 200S English Bridge 21 BRIDGE CRUISES 2006 on Fred Olsens Black Watch In a ref~/ ana frilnl(rj atmosplitrt CHRISTMAS & NE\V YEAR Newly refurbished June 2005 BARCELONA, SPAIN s• llotcll\l~estlc n Dec 7nts £795hb OS JANUARY 2006 - 22 nights to Sout ~ America. Inc Ots fmm most regional airporu• Umited spaces available. Don't delay, book today! Satl f~m \VORTIIING, SUSSEX Berkeley llotel Southampton and fly back from BUENOS AIRES (or optton to stay 24 Dec 4 nts £.399, 30 Dec 3 nts £299 full boanl, 24 Dec 9 nts £759 on for other sectors). Sensational value from only (1770 per person. No single SU JIPi m~C:n l NEW CRUISE 21 September 2006 - 23 nights to Gonville Hotel £175 hb Canada. This is a glorious cruise sailing to/from Southampton and Hotel Sumba, Cain Millor £479 hb• visiting the Maritime States of Canada and beyond. Our first stop is Inc jlights-supplnnmts may apply from somt olrpom historic STJOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND before heading into the interio r. We cruise the SACiUENAY RIVER, nestling in the majestic Laurentian Mountains where the autumn colours will be at their optimum and there is a very strong possibility of spotting whales Onwards up the mighty STLAWRENCE to the walled city of QUEBEC for a 2 night stay and then to MONTREAL - a vibrant and cosmopolitan centre and the world's second largest French speakmg Hydro Hotel £189/£249 fb city. Homeward bound via the ports of CHARLOTTETOWN, Berkeley Hotel £229 hb SYDNEY and HAUFAX, each offering a choice of interesting Queen Hotel £179 hb excursions. Last port of call is CORK before disembarking in Southampton on 14th October. Prices start at £2230 per person. 5-7/8 \VORTIIING (singles) Berkeley Hotel £159/£209 hb Our Special Prices, hugely discounted, include a package of extras for anyont on thtlr o,..n, ofany 08t and savings. A very full p~ckage of seminars, playing sessions and EBU 19-21 LLANDRINOOD WELLS Metropole Hotel £175 hb Master Points is operated by the AVENUE BRIDGE CLUB - JU UAN 19-21/n EASTBOURNE Hydro Hotel £189/£249 fb and SARAH MITCHELL to South America, and NEIL WAlTS and .JUNE-NOVEMBER SUSAN TALL to Canada. Rubber bridge aficionados are welco me!! Wonhing, Ll411drindod Wells, Eastboume, Shrewsbury, Chester, BuJtton, Thorpeness (Golf/Bridge), Jronbridge, Stow-on-the-Wold, Jersey nnd Cambridge Phone ROS WOLFARTH at ANDERS TRAVEL on 01273 for full details of both or either For rull detnlls please telephone 207422 Cruise. Susan Levene (01273-734305) or Philip Dunn (01902-717761) Andm Trilvtllld. & Fred. Olsen ire both membtrs or ABTA. The Oy-cruost II BRIOOE UCDISED BY TilE OIU PAR'll'IEltS GUARANTEED- PIIIZES - MASTER POII(IS Opel'llltd under Fred Olsen's AlOL No. 5016. Bridge licensed by tht EBU. • A1tnt fOf wcr pic ATOI. 0749

AVON CBA & EBU GREEN-POINTED SWISS TEAMS Sunday 12th March 2006, 1 pm The Castle School, Park Road, Thornbury, South Glos. BS35 1HT.

7X7 board matches (dupllmated boards) £20 entry per player. Food & drinks available. Details and entry forms from: Mrs Sue lowe (Tel: 0117 9685549) email: [email protected] or via our website (www.avoncba.org.uk)

a. 4u5 Friendly Weekend Breaks 2006 Pates --=--..-.. with John Taylor & Roger Chappel 4 The Green Braff rt . 15th • 20th January only· £150 per person e on Darlington Co. Durham DLl 3LB Price lower than 200511 Jan 2nd 2006 26th Feb- 3rd March- £170 27th Aug -1st Sept- £240 March 3rd ~e George North Yorkshire 23rd • 28th Apnl- £235 24th - 29th Sept - £240 March 31st The New Bath Peak District 11th -16th June- £240 5th ·10th Nov- £185 April 7th The Esplanade Scarborough No Single or SU VIew Supplemtnll April 21st The Undum St. Annes Single CICaiJ*ICY of I double room llaubjad ~ I IUrdlarge tom £5.00 per night All holida e Old Stone Trough Skipton Bridge (3 y~g~t~~e ri~w Price of £169 for 4 day_s of 63- 67 South Promenade. St. Annes on Sea, l ancashire FY81ll - Partn • nner, Bed & Breakfast - Pnzes Tel. 01253 721534 Fax : 01253 721364 Wri ers guaranteed Br.~ge ..,._by ~~~e EBIJ email 1nfo~! lmdurnhotel co uk WNW l1nclumhotel.co uk teo~' Phone for a new 2006 Brochure: 325 315741 or 0161 7245670 22 English Bridge December 2005 Oxfo"rd day a sell-out success 'AN inspired choice' - that was the unanimous verdict of those who attended the EBU's most recent joint venture with counties. Hopelessly oversubscribed three months prior to the event, Bridge in Oxford was hailed a huge success by all. Participants from all over England (including a coach load of 22 from the County Bridge Club, Leicester) began the day with a pro­ ·fessionally-guided walking tour of the city, listening enthralled to the fascinating stories of secrets hidden within the medieval walls. The various tour groups then met up in the gardens of Wad ham College to view its chapel, hall and quad and learn about their various histories. Lunch was served 'in hall: after which everyone settled down to enjoy the friendly duplicate pairs session under Peter Jordan's excellent direction. This was also held in Wadham, in the Old Refectory, with its French windows overlooking the lovely quad. Peter designed the gold-coloured hand records of the pre-dealt boards in book form, with aerial views of the college and So much to take In on the Oxford dty walkabout its grounds on the covers. Many non-EBU members were present. Lynda and Andrew Matthews, 4 Maureen Almost all joined the EBU, signing up and Williams and Madeline Fringe. On departure, paying on the spot even before the results were everyone was given a complimentary guide­ announced! There were prizes galore, including book on Oxford. four special ones for best non-expert/non-EBU Not wishing to disappoint all those who pairs. missed out, the organisers have arranged a The day concluded with prize giving and repeat event for March 27 next year. This is refreshments, enjoyed in the warm autumn currently two-thirds full, in part due to sunshine around the quad. The leading players several players booking for a repeat visit. The were: north-south 1 John lson and Eileen charges are being kept to £22 for EBU members Cooper, 2 Ivor Francis and Frank Shaw, 3 Ian and £27 for visitors - outstanding value for Brenda Harris, centre, who organised the Pearson and Doreen Sorley, 4 Sheila Barker and money! day, congratulates Gee Emms, left, and Roy Andrews; east-west 1 Val Scott and Brenda To ensure your place you are advised to call Freda Gerhardt, non-expert winners and Coltman, 2 Roy and Dorothy Pennington, 3 Brenda Harris on 01865 511136 asap. newly signed up members of the EBU a Latona Leisure Hotels Bridge Breaks 2005/06 Hosted by David and June Brown

Lunch 'In hall', then on to the Old Refectory for bridge

To book your 4 night Bridge Break please phone the hotel of your choice quoting 'David Brown's Bridge Brealc'. Bridge licensed by the EDU Vish our website www.bton:thotels.co.uk

December 2005 English Bridge 23 CALENDAR After Luxor it's ~ SPO!r OF EVENTS TH E IIIU's y~ I London and Bl<; :ong Cesme's Golden ~;)~ excellent opporr:, I pn DECEMBER Christ mas-s ":lr so eal(• 'd London evenr II.. rt Sl 9-11 SBU Congress, Dolphin in Turkey days (December · Jc.e c Peebles National H ... "1at t THE five star Golden Dolphin Resort Hotel at Cesme on the Aegean coast of Turkey ~s O

Bl FEBRUARY 4-5 Women's trials stage II B 7-12 EBU Overseas Congress, luxor, Egypt 11-12 Tollemache Cup final, Kettering 12 G W Amott-Davidson Trophy qualifier, london , Sheffield 17 •19 National women's teams, Bromsgrove 18-19 Open trials stage IV B, london (provisional) 1 8-19 Junior Camrose and Peggy Bayer Trophy, Scotland 24-26 Spring Congress, Harrogate 25 GolfPrint regional finals, various

24 English Bridge December 2005 FOR YEAR-END CHOICE

:rcsses in and Leicester Square are all within the final day is devoted to Swiss ovide an easy walking distance. teams (seven rounds). 1megood Special three and four-night The hotel has a fully licensed bar, :e. The packnge deals arc available at either nightclub (for all your post-bridge over four the Royal National (twin disco dancing needs), swimming the Ro)..U accommodation only) or the pool and free parking. And if you I Square, nearby Imperial Hotel (part of the want to explore further afield it's between same group). For reservations just a short tram ride to Blackpool's t:.\1.1-:\IJ.\H ~tliHi Eve. contact Imperial London Hotels major attractions. ominated Ltd., Central Reservations Office on Good rates are available at The irs event 020 7278 7871. Hilton for a dinner, bed and omen's or At Blackpool the congress takes breakfast package (Telephone Stocking filler congress place over three days (December 01253 623434). HERE'S a nice little buy, available to members at a lay with a 28-30) at The Hilton Hotel on the To book your congress place at special price from the EBU Bridge Shop (01296 contest. town's North Promenade, either London or Blackpool call 397851 ). The Bridge Players' Calendar, ' e time to overlooking the sea. The first two 01296 317203. More details attractively presented, carries a recommended 1 ·d Street, days are occupied mainly by a nine­ available on both events on retail price of £7.99, but a 20% discount means t Garden match Swiss pairs competition and www.ebu.co.uk members can buy it for £6.39. -- --______.1 Brainwave brings in more newcomers MORE people have been devised to attract complete attention and left armed with that they all left with a real drawn into the world of novices to the game and to full EBU information packs enthusiasm to Jearn and play, bridge thanks to the ProBrain promote ProBrain, a Seven and guidance on finding a which can only be good for Bridge Month roadshow that Seas new brain health tutor and details of local the future of the game.' featured free-to-learn bridge supplement. clubs. ProBrain Bridge Month days at 10 venues close to At each venue, EBU Said John Pain, the EBU visited Exeter, Manchester, major English towns and teachers and local bridge education manager: 'Most Leeds, Nottingham, cities. tutors were on hand to help people who came to the events Cambridge, Bristol, A cooperative ven ture anyone tempted to learn more had been interested in Southampton, Birmingham organised by the EBU and about the ga me. Three walk­ learning bridge for some time, and London (Putney and 1d beginner sponsored by health in sessions were scheduled on but were unsure what to Croydon), achieving extensive the Bristol supplement company Seven each day and everyone who expect and how to start. From media coverage in the regional Seas, the roadshow was attended received individual their responses I would say press and on local radio. hy Bridge Overseas Edward Kelly of Bridge ' our partner Overseas SE readers who can recall the travel company's friendly and efficient that the programme should be extended to Jems associated with the 2003 congress administration service; and then, vitally, was two congresses each year. adelra will not be surprised to learn that the protection that existed to secure advance The Idea behind this is that to get the best ; was a big question mark hanging over payments made by members. weather the February congress will be ' uture of the EBU's overseas excursions. It Is clear from Its advertising In English staged outside the Mediterranean zone and nately at this time Edward Kelly of Bridge that Bridge Overseas Is a successful the October event inside it The result is that e Overseas Ltd was discussing with the company with an impressive programme of In 2006 congresses will be in Egypt (luxor) general manager the union's recently holidays at home and abroad - a situation in February and In Turkey (Cesme) In . uced development plan, which stressed achieved through providing a dedicated October, while the search Is already on to •mportance of working In partnership service over 12 years of steady growth. The find new and exciting places to play bridge the commercial sector and the need to company is also a member of the Travel Trust in 2007 and 2008. effective partnerships for the benefit of Association, which holds all the money The EBU believes that the partnership with bers. received from members until after their return Bridge Overseas is the most efficient and oon became evident there were strong from the congress, thereby guaranteeing effective way of ensuring that members are ons for establishing a partnership delivery of the service purchased. offered the best value for money on these een the two organisations that would While the EBU was committed to the 2004 ventures. Remember that guaranteed congress in Estoril it began exploring options bookings for up to 300 people are being b ~e EBU t~ concentrate on delivering delivered, so those in the business of trying ~ ge servJces, while Bridge Overseas with Bridge Overseas and ultimately decided h after travel and booking on Tunisia as the destination for the excellent to grab last-minute bargains are on their r.igements. congress in February this year. Such was the own. what led to this realisation? First the success of this event it was agreed the ~t • If you wish to be added to the overseas w~s Impressed with the Ideas and question mark over the future of the overseas gest ons freely given; next was the congresses should not only be removed, but mailing list call 01296 317203.

December 2005 English Bridge 25 Spend Christmas playing ~ridge with Hilton I • • Take your pick from our full range of Hilton bridge events for the festive penod. . . At each event. indulge yourself in the best of bridge with:

Expert hosts, professional organisation and a frie.ndly atmosphere Generous prize structure - free bridge weekend for overall winners No single supplements, comfortable 4 star hotels Bridge licensed by the EBU, partners for singles arranged by your hosts I . Christmas Bridge Party: 24th-27th December Hilton Cobham • I £336 each Hilton Bromsgrove £318 each Hilton Newbury Centre £318 each New Year Bridge Party: 30th December-2nd Jaf!uary Hilton Cobham £339 each

More Christmas Bridge! 22nd-24th December Hilton Cobham £155 each 27th-29th December Hilton Cobham £149 each 27th-29th December Hilton Bromsgrove £166 each 27th-29th December Hilton Newbury Centre £166 each 3rd-6th January Hilton Cobham £206 each 6th-8th January Hilton Cobham/Warwick £166/£159 each Dates for your Diary-Bridge Events 2006 ' Best of Bridge 20th-22nd January Hilton Newbury Centre £149 each 3rd-5th February Hilton Basingstoke £149 each 10th-12th March Hilton Bracknell £159 each'' 14th-17th April (Easter) ' Hilton Newbury Centre £234 each Houseparties . 17th-19th February Hilton Cobham £170 each 24th-26th March Hilton Warwick £177 each 14th-17th April (Easter) Hilton Cobham £255 each · Bridge -'Starting Out' 3rd-5th March Hilton Bracknell £160 each Bridge Teaching 31st March-2nd April Hilton Basingstoke For further information or a bro.chu~e please ~a~avia:fon~s on 024 76461511. For bookmgs only please call 08705 201201. For details on all Hilton Bridge events hilton co uk/b ·d , see: www· . . n ge • I ;#~'•· do ::r Just what does an NPC do? LET's be clear, I didn't a.sk to write this. I suspect I'm a guinea pig, is provision to pay a scorer by the session. But landed with a pilot artrcle for a possible series taking the lid off most NPCs enjoy the opportunity to support unusual jobs in bridge. ~atch out for more - Cormting Master their players in the best way possible, which is Points tire Easy Way by Cohn Porch, Members/rip Statistics for l'cm by by being at their side.. Eileen Maunder, and so on. However, the trouble with being asked The final duty of an NPC after the event is to reveal secrets is that you not only wonder who might then steal the writing of an official report the selectors them, you suspect people wiJI realise that there's no magic anyway, need reliable feedback on the performance just cheap tricks. and potential of all involved, because their NPCs should not be confused with NCPs, which are large empty concerns are ongoing. spaces available for hire by the hour. Well, perhaps not. To understand why NPCs (it stands for non-playing captain, but non­ paid captain also fits) are a rare and protected species you need to We get it right! know a bit about major bridge internationals like European champ­ In Maastricht for the 2000 World Teams ionships and olympiads. They are Olympiad, the England open team mostly teams of four events that last was possibly the least fancied ever. for two weeks, whether they are But we steamed through the group knockout, all-play-all or a john Williams stage to qualify for the knockout combination of the two. They • stages, where we disposed of involve playing from early-ish Belgium (after a scare) and then morning until mid-evening pretty g1ve us some Norway (with ease). much every day, with modest breaks It took the best team in the for meals. They're usually abroad, World (Italy) to defeat us narrowly involving substantial travel costs as in the semi-finals. How come? well as hotel and subsistence. In of the answers Well, because we were well other words, they're expensive and prepared, the players were on a roll demanding. The preparation period for a major having won everything they'd entered in Experience has shown that the minimum championship will cover several months. It recent months and, above all, we were effective number for a team is eight, ie six will gain pace towards the end, of course, determined to enjoy ourselves. You might say players (three pairs), a captain and a coach. which is where the coaches come into their we staggered into the zone, wearing slightly There are a number of key functions involved, own. Exchange of system information is well silly grins: still, once you've arrived, does it some performed by the parent body (EBU), regulated these days: teams are required to matter how you got there? some by management (NPC and coach) and make the convention cards of their pairs I've concentrated on major some (critically, of course) by the players. available well in advance (usually championships, but there are domestic events The EBU provides the infrastructure of the electronically) and once the draw is known aswell, such as the Camrose, Junior Camrose game, which can include specialist coaching the coaches can start studying the methods of and Lady Milne. These tend to involve no and training for players identified as being known/likely opponents and preparing notes more than a weekend, though the representative material, as well as trials. It for the players' eventual use. preparation time can be just as long. All the also provides essential funding (to take two same criteria apply for exchange of systems teams of eight to a European or World Now the game plan etc, though the volume is obviously less. And championship costs upwards of £35,000) and it's normal to dispense \vith the services and administration. Participation in these events After arrival at the location there will be costs of a coach. is overseen by a selection committee and by about a day-and-a-half (some of this taken up You might think the poor old NPC has an Aylesbury staff. by opening ceremonies etc) to get easier time of it in home internationals. In advance of an individual event the EBU acclimatised and establish routines for meal That's not my experience. I remember a will make arrangements for travel, hotel and times, arrival at the playing centre, familiarity Camrose match away against Northern entry fees. However, once the essentials are in with playing and organisational facilities, and Ireland some years ago, when I was under the place the NPC takes over responsibility for so on. weather with a heavy cold and had among matters of detail and for liaising with the rest The NPC and coach will attend a meeting my charges the late, great John Collings. o.f the party to ensure that they aU arrive in the at which the organisers go through the rules, (Actually, contrary to what one might rrght place at the right time- and hopefully in regulations and procedures covering the event expect, he was a pussycat - away from the the right frame of mind. - everything from stationery to anti-doping. table..) The team will be made familiar with these and a game plan will emerge. The players will Getting in the zone come to appreciate who are their anchor Alarming moment A brief diversion here. It is not unknown pairs, who enjoy playing against stronger or The cold had left me with blocked ears, to for a team to consist of nine people rather weaker opponents, and so on. the extent that I couldn't hear much at all than eight, the extra one being a sports The objective of the team is to become before mid-morning. On the Saturday we psychologist. It's happened in the past nnd more than the sum of its parts. This can't be performed well in the first and second 30- board matches, so having agreed the line-up may happen again, but in the absence of a achieved without honesty and openness. for the following morning with the team, I set specialist, it's down to captain and coach to Another prerequisite these days, especially the alarm and went to bed happy. add this extra ingredient to team hard for the players, is the surrender of mobile phones before entering the playing The next thing I knew was a faint ringing management. All sports players rely for noise. Having picked up everything that IUccess on a combination of ingredients - rooms. Once play starts the NPC is responsible for might have bells on I dimly heard Martin technique, flair, training, form and luck. deciding which two pairs feature for each Jones's voice down the bedside line, saying There is a zone within which all these things stanza/match and which is rested. It's normal 'Well, that was OK, we've put on 20imps in come together easily, a magical combination for this to be a consultative process (it's no the first set. The thing is, what do we do of concentration and relaxation, when the good pitching in a pair who don't feel right for now?' So my NPC record reads: boards ga!'le seems easy and players do the right any reason). Captains these days need to be at played by the team 5,000 (approx), boards t~rng without undue effort. We've all been the table to keep an official score, unless there watched 4,990. 1 ere (however briefly in most cases!). December 2005 English Bridge 27 itt BLUE CHIP BRIDGE "" lrilftllmMI 'r ,. flU '!IIIII Maltr l'olnh f The Intelligent Bridge Program CYPRUS 14th .Jpn 2006 Paphos Phaethon Beach 14 dllys "The best available sottware ... will certainly give you ALL JNCLUSI.VE £585 u Gal\\ lc~ (Bridge .£~0 ) emenL Also Luton, Blnrungham, E. Mtd & MIIIChester FREE Sing Ie rooms - n0 Suppl a good game ...good fun and excellent value" TUNISIA 5th Mpr 2006 - British International Port El Kantaoul 14 days llalf Donrd £429 (Includes Brl~gc fees) . . • Includes Acol. 5-card Majors and Standard Sin Je Supplement only £56 (limited number) Regionalauporu subp:t to avallabolity English bidding systems 8 Book via Panonuna. 08707 50.50-W TURKEY Mprmaris 16th Oct 2006 . • Bidding Practice feature - covers a wide range Pnsabey Hotel 14 days llnlf Boord £.519 ex Gntwlck (lndud':S Dmlgt· ll'l"'>) of standard and conventional bids Also Manch/Birm/Newc/BrisL Single Supplement only £56. Book v1a Panoran1J • Bidding and Playing Tutors offer tips and advice Club Bridge- 01553 768236 or 01485 600522 as you play www.clubbridge.co.uk • Random or biased deals. or specify any or all four hands JEPSON'S BRIDGE HOLIDAYS 2005/06 • The Ideal bridge program for players at all levels 24 Greystones Avenue Sheffield 811 7Al. Cost £65 (Inclusive of postage & packing) DEC 29·1 JAN 06 MOUNT HOTEL, SCARBOROUGH £315 DOWNLOAD A FREE DEMO VERSION FROM OUR WEBSITE JAN 27·30 MICKLEOVER COURT, DERBY £218/238 213 nts FEB 17·20 MONK FRYSTON HAU., NR SELBY £167/218 213 nts (+S.Sp) For further Information APR 20·23 BELVEDERE HOTEL. BOURNEMOUTH £222 3 nts please contact: APR 23·28 VENTNOR TOWERS HOTEL. ISLE OF WIGHT £215 5 nts MAY 12·15 MOUNT CONFERENCE HOTEL. TETTENHALL WOODS, BLUE CHIP BRIDGE LTD Nr WOLVERHAMPTON £123/£162 2/3 nts (+S.Sp) P 0 Box 167 Waltham Cross JUN 26-30 UNDUM HOTEL, ST ANNES, NR BL.ACKPOOL £193 4NTS!+S.S!ll Heru EN7 SGB JUN 30·3 JULY OLD STONE TROUGH, NR SKIPTON £205 3NTS (tel. 0 1992-636074) JULY 30-2 AUG SWAllOW STGEORGE, HARROGATE £1851£256 213NTS AUG 6-9 DUNCHURCH PARK HOTEL. NR RUGBY £189 3NTS Excellent prizes. Bridge Ucensed by the EBU. For a 2006 brochure, please write or ring 0114 2686258

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28 English Bridge December 2005 ~= Tmscott proof that bridge Bob Rowlands rules are made to be broken DOUBLES QUIZ Answers from page 9 THE death of removes yet one more link between the current bridge players Dealer West North-South Game and the world-championship winning era of BARRY British bridge of the 1950s. Alan is best West North East South known as a newspaper correspondent for 40 RIGAL'S 2t 7 years, but as a player he represented Great (5-9 points) Britain regularly before he left for the USA, What do you bid with: winning a bronze medal in the Bermuda DEAl Bowl. (a) t 2 • K 10 7 4 + A 9 8 3 Alan was a good friend to me for the last FROM • Kj 8 6 decade since I moved to New York. Always a Double- You would like more, but if generous host, he was highly entertaining you pass it is unlikely that partner, company. His work for the New York Times, AMERICA who won't have a singleton spade, International Bridge Press Association and s~ould try to ~uard against the bad club splits, will be able to bid. bridge in general will make him a hard act to wath West bemg short. lf the club suit is 3-2 (b) t K 9 3 Y 6 +A K Q J9 6 5 follow. He leaves his mark in so many you are in no danger whatever you do. •A3 different areas of the game-not just in giving Alan saw that the best way to guard against 3NT - The most likely game. Should his name to a number of conventions, but the bad split is to go against all the rules and West find a heart lead partner is likely also for his inventions such as the Truscott lead the •J from dummy! If this is covered, to have something in hearts. card, always used in America to prevent pairs win the trick, go back to dummy by drawing (c) t 3 • K Q 10 9 5 + A 5 sitting the wrong way round in a team game. the last trump and play a club to the eight If •AKj92 Alan was declarer on the following hand, this loses, then the club suit is behaving and 4• - , showing the while I was North, and it is an example of 10 tricks will be easy. If it wins, unblock clubs, bid suit and the other major, at least what makes bridge continue to be so cross to the • A, and give up a club. As the 5-5 shape. Here a cue bid should fascinating for me. Bridge cannot be played to cards lie this line holds your club losers to one show a hand like (b), but without a a strict set of formulae; the rules are made to and in either eventuality you have enough guard in the enemy suit. be broken, and those people who play the entries to establish the club suit comfortably. (d) t A Q 6 Y K Q 3 +A K J 5 game by rote would have little chance of But, you may say, what if the •J had lost to •A 104 spotting the winning play on a hand like this: the singleton queen? Then at least you would Double - If partner makes a jump have a hand on which to complain justifiably response you can bid a slam; about your bad luck for the rest of the week. otherwise rebid 3NT. t K I 10 s Y A4 • Q2 +17653 !Announcing two of a suit • Q92 • 7 3 l Y KISS • 106 By Martin Pool and David Stevenson + AK96S • I 10 s 7 3 ... .. Q 109 2 NEXT year a new version of the Omnge to five: they can ask if they want further I Book will be produced. We continue with details, such as point count or suit length. t A864 our series of articles to explain the changes 3. If it is Acol, or any form ofstrong, natural • Q9732 that the EBU laws and ethics committee is and forcing bid, then you say'strong, forcing'. • 4 undertaking to make our bridge-playing Some people play an 'Acolish' two opening + AKB lives clearer and easier. which is not completely forcing, so their I Last time we looked at the new idea of partners can pass if they hold a hand with few West North East South announcements, which are to replace some or no points. In such a case their partner says j ,. of the current alerts. We need to understand 'strong, not forcing'. 2+ Dbl(i) 4+(il) 4t when we should use an announcement, an 4. If it is not a weak opening, showing less Pass Pass Pass {i) negative alert or do nothing at all. than a normal opening bid, nor a strong (ii) pre-emptive Let us this time look specifically at opening, but in between, then partner says announcements in relation to opening two 'intermediate~ For cnmple, a Precision 2+, Having followed a mildly ambitious route bids. These will be easy once players become showing an opening bid with clubs, is natural, used to them. The key points to remember so partner says 'intermediate~ to ~each a very reasonable contract, you are that when two of a suit is opened, if it is There are a few people who play receave the lead of the +A and • K and ruff the natural it will be announced as 'weak', ~termediate openings in other suits. As always, second round. You then play the tA and a 'intermediate', 'strong, not forcing' or if you want to know more details when an second spade to the jack, all of which pass off 'strong, forcing'; otherwise it will be alerted. opponent announces, you ask. Some Precision peacefully enough. Suppose your partner opens with two of players ha\-e quite specific rules as to when they What next? If you simply draw the last I a suit: open 2+ and when they do not. Note that ifan trump then lay down the top clubs, you will 1. If it is artificial, like an Acol 2+, a opening guarantees a second suit then it is go quietly one down when the suit fails to behave. Benjamin 2+ or 2+, or a multi 2+, then you artificial, not natural, and must be alerted. I alert, as now. Simple! If your opponents If there is no alert or announcement it . It_ is not easy to see that taking the top clubs 1 want details they can ask. means your opponent is not yet up to speed as slaghtly inaccurate play- although it would 2. If it is a weak two, then you say 'weak' with the new rules! :=j ~enerally have gone unpunished. The reaso? and it doesn't matter whether it shows five Next time we shall look at some more new at approach is wrong is that since West as to nine points. seven to 12, or even nought rules for announcements. "!arkrd with at least eight and quite possibly nane cards in spades and diamonds, you December 2005 English Bridge 29 Following the successes of the 2005 events at Castle Howard and Chatsworth, the English Bridge Union and Hilton are delighted to bring to you the 2006 series of 'Heritage Bridge' events, offering you the chance to play the best of bridge in the finest locations.

Your Bridge Programme: You play three sessions works of art including panelling from Henry VIII's of duplicate bridge during your stay. Arrive 2pm Nonsuch Palace. Bridge is in the stunning 17th on Sunday at your hotel for coffee followed two Century Tithe Barn. sessions of duplicate bridge, dinner and overnight Penshurst Place & Gardens: Described as the accommodation. Monday at the heritage property grandest and most perfectly preserved example includes tea and coffee on arrival, visit (majority of a defended manor house in England. Medieval in private tours), lunch, full duplicate bridge session, origin, it has been home to kings and noblemen and and afternoon tea refreshments. A coach transfer the ancestral seat of the Sidney family since 1552. is included to all venues, except The Royal Pavilion, Bridge is in the Sunderland Room in the East Solar Brighton due to its close proximity to the hotel. of the original 14th Century Great Hall. Prizes: Session prizes of wine for bridge at the Highclere Castle & Gardens: A soaring pinnacled hotel. The overall prize for the winning pair of the mansion designed by Charles Barry in the 1830s at session in the heritage property is a free stay at a future Heritage Bridge event. or two-night Hilton the same time as he was building the Houses of Bridge weekend up to the end of 2006. Parliament Extravagant interiors range from church Gothic through Moorish flamboyance and rococo Your heritage locations include: revival. You are welcomed in the magnificent Saloon, Arbury Hall: Exclusive opening of this lovely which was completed in the 1860's in extravagant Elizabethan mansion house with its 12th Century Gothic style. monastic origins Gothicised by Sir Roger Newdegate during the second half of the 18th Century. With The Royal Pavilion, Brighton: Famous seaside soaring fan vaults, plunging pendants and filigree residence of King George IV, one of the most dazzling tracery, it stands as a breathtaking example of and exotically beautiful buildings in the British Isles. early Gothic Revival Architecture. Bridge is in the King William IV Room, featuring hand-painted reproduction Chinese wallpaper, with Lose ley Park: Built in 1562 at the request of Queen a buffet lunch served in the Queen Adelaide Tea Elizabeth I, Loseley Park is a classic example of Rooms and on the Balcony overlooking the restored Elizabethan architecture, featuring many fine Regency Pavilion gardens, if fine.

Bridge licensed by the EBU No single supplements

TO BOOK CALL 08705 201201 (Unes open Mon-Fri 8am-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm. Terms and conditions apply)

If you would like further details please call David Jones on 02476 461511 For information on all Hilton bridge events see www.hilton.eo.uk/bridge PRIZE DEFENCE ANSWERS QUESTION master Andrew Kambites gives his view of the best line f d (I • • • ~~---1 · priztS in three categories. Prizes kindly donated by PlATNIKo ekencc mf olur.Octobcr ~mpetJlio n and __.... , rna crs o p ayang cards smce 1824.

A65 3 + t K QJ 8 • 10 7 4 t 76 • AK5 A97 • K 63 + KQ3 + A8643 + + K Q J 10 7 t + KJ 9 + KQ3 tKJ32 t Q94 t 4 3 t A 10 6 5 t A985 3 t QJ 10 • Q986 • 83 2 ~ 'KH2 • Q 10 9 7 • 10 9 8 •QJ72 • Q86 • 98 76 • 153 2 • 4 2 + A • 654 • Q 10 s • 8 7 2 t2 s + 64 3 + 9 742 + 1085 E3• 108 7 • 9 7 2 + K42 i.. • AI s • 16 4 • A54 + K 104 + A J 10 S • 983 2 + KJ 9 7 + AQ 10 + AJ6

South West North East South West North East South West North East lNT Pass 3NT Pass 1NT Pass 2+ Pass lNT Pass 3NT Pass Pass Pass 2+ Pass 6NT Pass Pass Pas~ Pass Pass No lead is particularly safe, but you will sec Your partner leads the t 5.lt seems automatic that a spade is the only lead to avoid giving West leads the +8. Declarer wins in his hand to play the +10 third in hand, but a litde dcdmr his ninth trick. Leading away from a with the +J and leads the +2 to dummy's +K. thought is needed Assuming the +5 is a fourth­ holding headed by the K J (or even the K 10) is Partner plays the +4. best lead, the Rule of Eleven tells you declarer &r more positive, and less likely to give away a Declarer has every missing point. He also has has only one card higher than the +5. Look at trick, than from a holding headed by the king at least one four-card minor suit (because his the layout shown. without the jack. Leading from a jack is not safe. answer to Staytn:m shows he has no 4-card If you play the t lO declarer will win the +K. You will see here that it opens up the frozen major) and that gives him eleven tricks: seven in How are you going to persuade partner it is safe diamond suit to declarer's advantage. the minors, the • A K and two spades. You must to continue spades? If you had +J 10 x and an The layout above is interesting in that partner hope he has a 4-3-3-3 distribution as shown. outside entry he would need to put you in with has the queen of each suit, so you can compare If you win the ~A now, or when he next leads that outside entry to lead a spade through the effect of leading each suit opposite the sort a spade towards dummy, he will find it easy to declarer's t Q. of holding that you would expect partner to unblock • A K, cash the rest of his minor suit The correct play to trick one is the +J. Now hr.-e. If you are going to lead a fourth-best card tricks ending in his hand, and squeeze you in look what happens when partner gets in with away from broken honours do it positively, the major suits. You must withhold your +A for the +A. He 'knows' declarer has the +10 from assuming partner has a useful high card, and the first two rounds of the suit. Then when he your play at trick one. If you have the +Q it is tbtn ask which suit will give you best prospects. leads a third spade towards dummy you can correct to lead a spade to your queen. If declarer take the ~A 10. No squeeze can operate as long has the +Q 10 then playing the +9 is safe as as you hold on to the ~A. declarer's t Q 10 give him one trick anyway. 2 • QJ 5 • K4 • 85 +AKQJ87

Heard at the bridge club ... by an EBU member who wishes to incident, two tricks are dutifully remain anonymous: transferred. As North reaches for the traveller, IP (who is now much more INEXPERIENCED player: 'Director please!' cheerful) innocently asks the TO in his TO: 'Good evening. How can I help?' normal voice, audible to everyone in the IP (quietly, nervously) 'I've revoked - but on room: 'What would the penalty have been the wrong trick.' had I revoked on the trick I intended to?' You lead the • J to dummy's • K and your Stifled laughter from players at nearby Pinner wins the • A. He then continues with .•• and there's this one sent In by the • Q tnbles. like TO informs IP that it looks a two- Uonel Acton from Chlgwell, Essex: ~ to his own devices partner will surely trick transfer at the end of the hand, when ~tch to a diamond at trick three, nnd declarer the matter will be finally resolved. Before Dr X, an eternal pessimist, faced with a Will gratefully take his nine tricks. You must give leaving, TD tells IP to be car_eful n~~ to choice of whjch way to fmesse for a missing ~))ectacular McKenney at trick two: play on the trick he was planmng to. ore queen, took it the wrong way. 'Why didn't ~ 10 under the • Q to unambiguo~sly stifled laughter. . you take it the other way: said partner. 'It sw· nd the higher ranking of the poss1ble At the end of the hand, w1thout further would still have been wrong: said Dr X. .~tches partner could make. A spade to your thtn allows the defence to take the first ~tricks. December 2005 English Bridge 31 by John EBU Ed ucatl~Paln~l Manager Teach-in a treat for mums and dads as well ... MORE than a hundred youngsters and 45 young-at-heart bridge enthusiasts descended on Loughborough University for the annual junior teach-in. The youngest was just five. For this popular event the young people are divided into six groups, depending on their bridge playing abilities, so we start with the Raw Rookies- those who have never played any sort of bridge before. There were more than a dozen of them and they learned over the weekend and played in their own tournament on Saturday evening. Going up the scale come the Fearless Fledglings - those who have played MiniBridge and are ready for the real thing - followed by the Eager Beavers (some bridge experience), the Flying Foxes (know quite a bit), the Ace Experts (think they know a lot) and the Top Guns who ... well I will leave it to you to complete! Some of the children have been visiting Bernard Kaye, EBUTA teacher from Manchester, has the Loughborough for a number of years - one full attention of eager young students told me it was her eighth ffl and she would be eligible for another five. Duckworth in her well-known role of'Mother carry on and become the stars of tomorrow. Although there is a kind of upper age limit of Hen'. Roll of honour. MiniBridge pairs 1 Sephi 21, several of the English juniors who are over There is something really special about the Fawcett and Mel, 2 Nat and Felix; Friday night 21 put in an appearance for part of the time or m weekend: you see adults in a completely pairs 1 Laura Perryman and Dom Maloney, 2 turn up to help. I was really pleased to see different light, whether it's panel tournament Doreen Simpson and Mark Tilley; Saturday Susan Stockdale, although she was unable to directors with a brood offive children under 10 night pairs 1 Joshua and Colin Whipman, 2 stay because she was taking part in the England in tow or members of the England ladies' Tom Dessain and Ed Jones, 3 Steve Raine and ladies' trials the next day. national team sitting in the MiniBridge class, or Anthony Cowan; Saturday night speedball 1 It is a very full weekend, with six instruction players you see week-in week-out on the Tom Rainforth and Tom Copeland. sessions, each lasting about an hour-and-a­ tournament scene making a complete fool of There were many other prize\vinners from half, play sessions on Friday evening (22 themselves in the rounders match. each of the groups - full details in the next tables}, Saturday evening (28 tables, plus four I am thinking of suggesting to Max Bavin Uubiddnble. tables of MiniBridge) and a late night Saturday that all panel tournament directors should have The next national event for juniors is the Speedball (16 tables). Add in a choice of either to attend a JTI in order to be promoted to the Young Bridge Challenge on March 18 at swimming or the rounders competition on next TD rankl If this weekend doesn't broaden Lough borough Grammar School. This features Saturday afternoon and you can see why your bridge horizon then nothing will. the Schools Cup, Schools Plate and Harry Scully everybody goes home exhausted on Sunday. Swiss teams - and there is a MiniBridge Adults mostly take an active role- certainly PASS THE WORD tournament as well playing in the competitions, but also in the If you missed it this year you missed a real If you play bridge at school or university then instruction groups. I spotted many parents and treat and I ask you to make a note of next year's don't forget to persuade your teacher I club grandparents sitting in on the lessons, with event in your diary -September 1-3. Everyone secretary to enter the simultaneous pairs run by quite a few saying things like 'Ohl I never knew must know someone with a child of the EDU education department. The rules are that' or'That's how you play transfers properly'. impressionable age who would love to learn the less strict than a normal sim pairs in that you I want to send a big thank you to all the best game ever. The future of the game depends can play your heat any time in a three-week tutors who gave up their time free of charge to on events such as this. Many of the children will period. Unfortunately a schools one has just prepare the lessons and run the groups and I find other interests in the next few years, but passed and a university one is currently in was especially pleased to welcome back Chris may come back to it in later life - a few will progress- but there will be more.

.. . Women, actually. For the first time ever on a walking holiday my rallying cry of 'Anyone for bridge?' was met with acquiescent Of mice and ... mumbles, Instead of daft-old-bat blank stares. Unfortunately the mumbles were only two In number and many blandishments were needed to persuade Patricia, the wife of our New England innkeeper, to make up a four. Ah but there was a price to be paid. ' It was early fall, and preparations for Thanksgiving were well under way In Massachusetl;S. Diligent Patricia (the one looking puzzled) w~s Immersed in kntt~ng, com dollying and doing arcane things With pu":lpklns for an Imminent fund-raising event In the locality The pnce she stipulated for diverting her efforts f th · d Works to an evemng· •s bndge · was that we h d krom ese goo white mouse before • afte r, or d urf ng play a to nit at least one En~ae~~~~~~fas~ plea~rfedd jet lag, I pleaded Insanity, but clever • . , P ays ge In leafy Bookham ·rose to the ~f~"%0~~ro~~~l P::t ~e e~~· she said, 'it was all pl;in sailing.' She D~reham, Norfolk e ge, too. - Alain~ Hamilton, left,

32 English Bridge December 2005 ., : .•••1 .__ ~::. · ~·- ' ...... • ._ "!. 0 . . . . \;'il!l ~ ;'.. . YOU QUE~IDtQJSJ \ -· ~- ,: ... JEREMY DHONDY ANSWERS · ~ I DP of West London asks how he should play How long can I think Q J 9 x x opposite Ax The answer depends on how many tricks are needed. For four tricks tl1e best after 1¥-Pass-Pass play is to cash the ace and then play to the queen. This gives you a 59% chance of success. If you want a play to gi~-e you your best chance of at least three tricks SM of North London asks if the agreed trump suit were hearts then then cashing the ace and then playing 'I WAS pla}ing in o duplicate recently and 5~ would ask for the queen. low to the nine gives you a 94% chance of the audion went 1¥ -Pass-Pass to me. I It follows from this that if you go above making three tricks. The web site thought for some time and eventually 5¥ you must have some grand slam www.greatbridgelinks.com/gbiSOFf/ passed_. Declarer now turned to me and told ambitions. If you ask for the queen you has a suit play combination piece of me off for hesitating before I passed. I am must know which bid denies it. I suggest software that is free to download, plus not sure what I was supposed to have done that five of the trump suit always denies Hnks to a lot of other software. that was wrong. Can you clarify?' the queen of trumps, so an auction where you have agreed spades and partner bids JG of Lancas hire asks ' How should I answer You ha\'tll't done anything wrong at all 4NT will go something like a question about the bidding when I can't unless )'OU were pausing just to put the 1¥ 2~ remember what we are playing?' opposition ofT, which I am sure you were 4NT5+ noL The first thing to say is that you may St (i) St (ii) If you alert because you believe your think for as long as you wish and you are (i) Have you got the spade queen? partner's bid is conventional, but you not (subject to the sentence above) (ii) No can't remember what it means then it is mmmitting an infraction. There will be There are some players who play the important not to say 'I am taking it as.-' times when you convey information to next bid as denying the queen. Oearing This simply tells partner how }'OU propose partner that will be unauthorised to him. up this source of confusion is well to interpret the information and leaves If, for example, it goes 1NT on your right worthwhile. him in receipt of information he should and you ask questions, pause fo r some If you do have the queen then you can not have. A sound alternative is to call the time and then pass, partner knows that also show some additional information. director and explain that you have )'OU are likdy to have some values and he In the auction above if you jump to 6t alerted, but cannot remember what the must not bid in the protective position then you have the queen, but many also bid means. The director can then send unless he has a clear action. play that you can make other bids, so that you away from the table and allow your The usual test is an action that would a bid of 6+ or 6t would show not only the partner to give an explanation of your be found by 70% or more of his peers. trump queen, but also the king of that methods without you hearing what is Unfortunately there are muddle­ suit. If you did bid 6t then as weU as said. If your partner gives an explanation headed players in clubs who have their showing the trump queen and diamond in your absence he should only say what own, usually wrong, idea of the law and king you would be denying the dub king your agreement is. Secondly the fact that an: very fond of telling you that you may as you bypassed 6+. If you have a regular you can't remember is unauthorised to not hesitate or that you may never bid partnership it is worth going through the him because he only knows of it through after your partner's hesitation. various continuations after a 5+ or 5t your uncertainty and answer to the In the situation you describe it is response to RKCD. opponents' question. possible that your partner may have One last thing is to discuss what to do FoUowup information that you had a marginal if someone is mean enough to double. I like to double a 5+ or 5+ response not just About a year ago JW wrote :and asked why hand for bidding and he may not base his the EBU did not have a guide to eating places defence on this information. The real test to get the lead, but also to find out if the near to venues. I said I would fonvard this to is 'Do you know something only because opponents know their methods. It is ~ost effective against those who are stud1ous, the tournament committee. Well, these things of the hesitation: If the answer is 'Yes' take a long time, but on the web site there is either in the bidding or the play then you but went to different bridge universities. If you don't want to spend yo~r time now a guide to eating places near to the new mould not use this information, as you venue at Kettering. let's hope some others came by it through methods other than discussing this then the s1mplest recommendation is to ignore the double. follow. those aUowed to you by the rules.

JRB of Birmingham enquires via email about Roman Key Card Blackwood. 'I play RI

December 2005 English Bridge 33 I l Eliminating the luck of the cards more than 90% of hands nothing else A NEW SCORING SUGGESTION is required. This simplicity is in CLIFF Hancock lras been a semi-serious, but mainly social bridge It is based on the idea that there are contrast to an alternative approach, pla)'CT' for tlte last 40 years. He ti~·es in Saltford, a village behvcen only four different types of contract Russian scoring - a process involving Bristol and Batlr, and works for the Higlrer Education Funding It sets out high card point (HCP) par complicated arithmetic and two look­ Council for England. As well as a bridge player he is a keen nmner scores for each contract and then up tables. and /tome brewer. simplified points (SPs) are calculated The full system explains how to Earlier tit is ycnr Cliff set about devising a simplified scoring dependent on just two factors: the apply it to all contracts and takes into system as an antidote to tire [tiCk of tire cards in mbber bridge. total number of HCPs held by the account distributional strengths in 17tis is wltat lte came up with: declaring side and the result of the trump contracts; vuJnerability; contract. doubling and redoubling (including HAVE you enjoyed the experience of Although there are minor doubling into game); sacrificing at pairs bridge at your local club and the adjustments for different situations favourable vulnerability; contracts comparison that it gives you with the system is simply stated: made or lost with fewer than 20 HCPs others' efforts on the same hands, and restrictions on SPs for overtricks instead of the luck of the cards Contract Part Game Small Grand to discourage defensive bidding. It inherent in rubber bridge? Have you Score Contract Slam Slam aJso has a neat twist to deal with passed out hands. AJJ aspects of • then been frustrated in the one table HCP 23 27 34 38 situation that no comparison is par are retained, but possible? score recording the score is a piece of If the answer to both of these elementary mental arithmetic and the questions is yes then you might like to A contract made scores + 1 SP for result scored is an accurate reflection Cliff Hancock try this new simplified scoring system. each HCP (held in total by declarer of how you have performed against a and dummy) under the par score and fairly precise par score. - 1 SP for each HCP held over the par For more details please contact the score. Undertricks score -1 SP each author, from whom an explanatory If Life's a Game 1 and overtricks score +1 SP each. (So booklet setting out the full system and 3NT made with an overtrick with 26 a set of scoring sheets are available. ANWEN Lewis, from Manchester, writes: 'Thanks to HCP scores +2 SPs, 3\' making seven Cliff can be emailed on another rainy weekend I spent some time penning the tricks with 24 HCP scores -3 SPs). For [email protected] attached poem. I thought you might like to consider publishing it in the next issue.' If life's a game, then let's play Ludo Stripe-tailed gorilla With a throw of the die we'll roll on through, though It's easy to move So there's little to prove, on the Isle of Man! r It's hardly a game of Sodukol RECENTLY back from the hugely black suits, 6+ is booked for one If life's a game, then let's play Monopoly enjoyable Isle of Man Congress and l down, but there is no defence to 6• Wherever we land, it's a money-fuelled lottery thought this hand from the teams (Partner usually drops singleton kings We'll pile up the cash would interest, writes Dill Taylor, of when he has a 12-card fit!). l But mind you don't bash Hayling Island. At the table the diamond lead was Through the best bits 'n bobs, like a bull in a pottery! ruffed and when declarer played a t QJ875 low spade from table East played the ~ Iflife's a game, then let's play Pictionary, • AJ 4 king. This allowed partner to ruff, We'll draw our way through and won't need a dictionary .- return to dummy with the \'A and But with symbols and signs +98764 take t~e ruffing finesse in spades for a It'll be hard to define dub dtscard and 13 tricks-a score of Which tracks are the facts and which are pure fictionaryl • 10 6 4 2 t AK93 1960, • K U life's a game, then let's play Scrabble • K96532 +AQJ74 At the other table, events were more We'll dip and we'll pick our way over the rabble ·+ -Q5 3 + KJ 2 mundane, with an auction of: We'll shake up the letters To see who can better - West North East South .• Q 10 9 8 7 6 53 2 Make sense of it all on a board full of babble! Pass Pa.ss 2NT 4• • 10 8 Pass Pass Obi +A 10 Pass If life's a game, then let's play Poker Pass Pass We'll Jay, raise and throw on this roller coaster This conceded two doubled But at a tum of the deck The bidding at our table was: We'd be up to our neck vulnerable overtricks, which scores If you try to bluff with a cuff full of jokers West North East South only 1190-a 12imp swing. Pass Pass ,. 4• 5+ 6+ ( If life's a game, then let's play Bridge, s• Pass Bridge addicts will know that a Pass 6. Obi Pass . For it taka many years to build the knowledge double that persuades opponents to Pa.ss Pass play in the doubled contract rather JFor a partner who knows than bid a slam is known as a stripe­ How your bidding goes Having seemingly no defence to 6+ tai~ed ape ~ouble. With 21 high card Is worth more than the core of any other marriage! l decided to in 6\'. In fact, _j po~nts £:1st s double of 4\' is surely a I because of the duplication in the stnpe-tatled gorilla! 34 English Bridge December 2005 NORFOLK Broads Yacht Club in Wroxham was the delightful waterside setting for three hours of afternoon bridge followed by a celebratory black tie dinner for members and I . guests of Horning Bridge Club to mark the fifth anniversary of the inauguration of the club. There were 14 full tables for the afternoon event and then later on numbers were swollen to 80 for the festive anniversary evening. The dinner was admirably compered by member Sean White who regaled each and all with Irish and other anecdotes, but the early highlight was the arrival of James Bond in person to partner unaccompanied founder member, Ann Love, for the evening. James - stage and film actor Glenn Beck in disguise­ is a lifelong friend of one of the club's newest Pictured at Homing Bridge Club's anniversary dinner are, from left, Tessa Shingler (club members. Everyone was delighted that he treasurer), Sean White (MC for the evening), and Suzanne Gill (reUrlng chairman) could attend, just ahead of taking a part in a new horror movie. It is, perhaps, surprising that Homing Bridge Club has seen remarkable growth since Case of the rn.issing aces inception, having been established substantially by a group of novice bridge players who bad PETER Clark, from Hertfordshire, tells us of a couple of lively hands that turned up on just completed their bridge tuition during 2000. amsecutive boards at a Wclwyn Garden City Bridge Club competition. He writes: The club has been meeting each Monday 'It was our Turnbull Cup, which has qualifiers from our novice evenings as well as from club evening for dupliC:lte bridge in the village hall. nights for more experienced players. These hands were played by four so-called 'expert' players! Its popularity has amazed everyone, with chairman Suzanne Gill delighted to report at 'My partner and I sat in the hot seats for the 'On the very next board it was our opponents' the dinner that membership had just touched fust board: tum to display their slam-bidding skills. the 100 mark, 'vith bridge skillle\'tls continuing to move upwards, as instanced by exoillent successes in two national simultaneous pairs t Al6 t 198 • 1103 2 events this year. • I 3 Suzanne used the occasion to make her • 93 t Q5 + 10 7 6 5 AGM address slightly in advance and +AK1732 reviewed the past year, awarding the club's t K 108 3 t 10 7 6 2 t KQ543 prizes for the winners of competitions and t Q7 52 • A6 'A762 . • 985 4 • Q84 thanking the committee for its support t AKB73 t 1962 during her five-year term of office. •17 • 10 2 + AK +1064 • 985 +Q One of the key successes of the club has been attracting Ron Klinger, the eminent Australian t A t 94 bridge pl3)"er, author and teacher, to the village • K9 7 5 • KQ 10 hall on three occasions to present a master class • 104 evening on bridge play. The latest visit was in t AKQB654 +J98432 +Q November and the evening was a complete sell­ South out well before the event. West North East There is no doubt that the club owes much South West North East 2t(i) Pass ,. Pass of its phenomenal success to the dediC:ltion 2t (Q Pass 3+ Pass Pass 4+(11) Pass lt Pass 3t Pass and strength of ch:~racter of Suzanne Gill as 4NT(Ii) Pass 4t(ll) Pass 4•(1i) St(iii) Pass 7NT(iv) Pass Pass 6+(111) Pass its key founder member and guiding light, as Pass Pass (v) St(ili} Dbl(v) 7t(iv) Pass Pass well as to the hard-working and energetic ~ ~inks we are playing Benjl Acol and committee members who have given the s OWing eight playing tricks. (I) Jump fit young club the real support and (ii) Cue bidding aces encouragement needed. Ron Hunt, incoming ~) Roman Key-card Blackwood. (Ill) cue bidding kings (ni) Two key cards and t Q. chairm:~n, paid tribute to Suzanne and in (iv) All present and correct. .. ~)We are playing Ben)l. Partner has {v) ... except the trump acel particular to the invaluable role she has played haow~ game In his own hand so surely he in furthering bridge eduC:ltion throughout 5 giVen the wrong answer to RKCB. Either 'Th !.so reached a grand slam without an North Norfolk. way I can't chicken out of the grand. At the AGM Ron announced that members (v) When I double my partner never finds ace, b:uanfortunately for them it'~ ~e rather my acel more fatal trump ace that was mlSSrng and had awarded Suzanne the ex officio position ..._ . declarer eventually went three down for- 800. of life president within the club. 'G' ~ boost from these two hands my Homing remains, above all, a friendly yet enough East did not find a heart lead tven.. . d db vibrant club-visitors and new members of all 1 ~ure artner and I eventually fimshe sec?n 'h ~~ abl when clubs divided 3-3 my partner was P . 'dence I think our club novtces ave abilities are always welcome, despite 17 tables on t hIS eVl • h I' an evening being not an unusual feature! lh e to overtake +Q and rack up +2220 for a little to fear when mixing wtth t e experts oroughlY undeserved top. December 2005 English Bridge 35 Give it a try yoU will enjoy! EBU chairman Denis Robson took part with his wife Val in the EBU's second golf and bridge event at Woodhall Spa, home of the English Golf Union, and this is what he had to say about the experience:

THE National Golf Centre is based at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire and is a little off the beaten track, but my wife and I arrived on a Thesday lunchtime to enjoy a buffet meal prior to an afternoon game of bridge­ not golfl Philip Mason, EBU vice-chairman, was our genial host and director as we played n 27-board duplicate, with three boards against every other pair. As expected the organisation was ultra-smooth, with barely a cross word, except when I freely bid to 7'1, only to find the opponent on lead cashing the +A. Six would have been perfect! The winners were announced at dinner that evening and a dear first place was taken by Ian and Liz Cottman from Northamptonshire, with Denis and Val Robson Jagging some way behind. Wlnners of the golf prize, Chris Stableford (left) and Alan Board six proved more difficult to bid when East opened than when Cadge (second right) ready for their round against Frank East passed: Travers and Peter Halford (right)

East-West - game. .• KQJ 10 65 Dealer East • J7 43 [THE JUNIOR SCENE + K85 By Michae / Byrne something we dominate • AK6 54 Q98732 every year, almost always • A98 42 .•7 emerging triumphant. THE current junior squad system runs on a t K6 • Q 10 two-year cycle and that cycle is now starting In more recent years the English team has + J + A Q 73 again. Every two years in the summer a jun­ also had an invitation to the much-loved E3 ior European teams championship is held Carousel Cup, an event held in Holland and • J 10 I where, just as in the open event, the aim is to scored using teams of six, (one pair playing • 3 t A9852 finish in the top three and win a medal or, at N-S scoring up with two E-W pairs). Have a + 10 9 6 4 2 the very least, in the top five and qualify for few bad boards when you are 'in the box' as the Junior World Championships. it is called, then the team really suffers! During the two years the squad will attend So what do you need to become a success­ Our opponents finished in 4~. because West a series of training weekends designed to ful junior international? Well, apart from a worried about two diamond losers, but when sharpen their game and prepare them to do natural card-playing ability, patience and a East passed and then raised his partner's 1~ to battle with the finest Europe has to offer. In willingness to learn and accept help are use­ 4t West usually was able to bid on to 6+. recent times guest lecturers have included ful Most members of the squad are normal The next day we did play golf- on the cen­ internationals David Burn (defence to conti­ players who learned the game at home or tre's Bracken Course, with a four ball better nental bidding systems), John Armstrong university and were invited to join the squad ball Stableford scoring for pairs off full hand­ (competitive bidding), Sandra Landy (slam following the junior trials, which are held icap. The course was in excellent condition bidding) and Chris Dixon (). most years in September. All pairs in the and we brought home the winners, Roger and Surprising Is the diversity of players that trials, whatever their level are invited to I Pauline Parker from Wakefield, who com­ emerge from the squads. Each has different attend at least one training weekend and bined beautifully for the top score of 47 strengths and weaknesses and tries to invariably everyone gets something out of it. identify the areas of the game where work is points. One player who typifies the ideal junior is 1 Because the standard scratch score for needed. For some the bidding comes Andrew Woodcock from Lancashire, who ladies was two more than for men, the ladies naturally, but they struggle with declarer has represented his country over the last 10 were awarded two bonus shots each and play. Others are at home with a deck of cards, years with many different partners in a host Pauline Parker in our game made the most of but the auction is a strange and frightening of ev~nts, including three European champi­ her opportunity on her first bonus hole by I thing. ?nS~Ips, ~vo World championships, a World ' chipping in for a gross birdie, which rewarded Then there is the particularly difficult task JUmor pa1rs, two Lederers, three Carousel her team with five points - equivalent to an with juniors of convincing them that the Cups and no less than seven Channel tro­ albatross for a scratch player. person sitting opposite them, their partner, p~ies, as well as many Junior Cam roses. With Second in the golf were Ian and Liz should be trusted and treated as an equal, h1s pleasant table manner and friendly atti­ Cottman, who therefore became the overall and that they should not try to mastermind tude, to t~e opposition as well as his partner, winners of the combined bridge and golf everything themselves. 'Honour thy partner' Andrew !s a role model for all juniors who 1 event, with Roger and Pauline Parker is a maxim all juniors should have drummed are loolcing to reach the top. He has twice runners-up. into them! received ~e EBU:s Young Player of the Year Because everyone was limited to only one Incorporated into all this activity are the award. ThiS year 1s Andrew's last as a junior prize per pair the remaining prizewinners two main internationals held every year: the and he will be sorely missed by the rest of the were: Channel Trophy, between Holland, France, team. Bridge 1 Denis and Val Robson, 2 Colin England and Belgium, to be held in a few But perhaps there are some young players Porch and Amy Cherry; golf 1 Chris weeks time in Antwerp, and the Junior out there who, having read this article, might Stableford and Abn Cadge, 2 John and Jenny (Peggy Bayer for under 20s) be tempted to apply to join the squad and try ~ Childs. which this year will be held in Scotland. to become the ?ext Young Player of the Year? The 20 individuals who took part all Amazingly England has never won the If you are mterested then email squad seemed to have a very agreeable time and I Channel Trophy (a Great Britain team won it leader Paul Bowyer at would recommend more members to give the in the early 1990s), whereas the Camrose is [email protected] for more details. event a try. You will enjoy!

36 English Bridge December 2005 GET EVEN WITH THE ODDS

South on his play (this was a friendly match, really be criticised when it is revealed that after all). only three out of the nine expert Souths made So~e of y~u will be thinking that this is all the deceptive play - exactly the critical one in THE hand that features here occurred in the very mterestmg, but what on earth has it to do three referred to! At this level of play, there­ annual friendly match between Yorkshire and with 'the odds'? fore, it has effectively become a 50-50 decision Manchester: Well, everything, as you will see. as to who might hold J x x L First, regular readers of this column will Declarer Dummy I should report that at least one declarer • 7 appreciate that for every time an opponent is made it quite difficult for South to execute the t A KJ dealt the singleton t 9 there will be three times • AQ743 • KS deception, by crossing to dummy in another t K 104 3 t AQ87 that he will be dealt a small, insignificant, sin­ suit and laying down the t A, thus preventing +6 +A K Q 10 7 4 gleton. Hence, a priori, t J 9 x x with South is South from seeing his partner's card in three times as likely as the singleton +9. advance, a fine anti-deceptive play. Perhaps on 7NT is a good contract. It is cold if the +J So, if the opponent sitting South would frequency grounds South should still drop the drops doubleton or the suit breaks 3-3, about always drop the nine from J 9 x x one should nine, but then he would have presented a SO% chance. If that fails, it is sufficient for refuse to be put off and continue as planned declarer with an impossible contract if his hearts to be 3-3, a 36% chance. by cashing dummy's other diamond honour. partner's singleton had been the 10, rather If neither of these chances materialises then However, can we be certain that the player than a small card. diamonds need to come in and the spade would make this deceptive play? The message from this article is becoming finesse needs to be right, which combine to John Hassett's partner, Bill Hirst, said it was dear: not only must the starting odds of any give about a 40% chance. completely automatic. However, had South particular holding be reassessed in the light of So, overall, 7NT goes down only when aU been an average player, assumed to be unfa­ the bidding or lack of it and the play to date, these possibilities fail, giving about an 80% miliar with this particular deception, I'm sure but the possibility that an opponent might chance of success. that both Bill and John as declarer would have have played a deceptive e1rd must also be Anywa)'• aU this turned out to be quite irrel­ taken the nine as a genuine card. So, it all allowed for. evant, as not one of the 12 E-W pairs man­ depends on what one means by automatic. There are many situations in which this aged to reach 7NT, ten reaching 7+ while two Automatic for the expert, maybe! type of false card is the only way to divert subsided in the safe, but somewhat timid, 6+. This particular situation was, I believe, first declarer from his normal, winning line, some In 7+ one has to concentrate the mind on examined by the late Alan Truscott, who came of which e1n be found in the relevant section not losing a diamond trick when they break to the following interesting conclusion: of 17re Official Encyclopaedia ofBridge. 4-1. Textbook play is to cash the +A and the If an opponent could be expected to drop Tire Tlreory of Garnes and Human tQ, aiming to pick up South's jack if he start­ the deceptive nine from that holding at least Belrm1iour, by J von Neumann and 0 Morgen­ ed with four, and this would have succeeded, once in three times, then one should refuse to stern, is a classic of its kind and might appeal the full deal being as follows: be diverted from the planned line. If it is to the more mathematical among you who viewed as less likely than this, then one should find this kind of thing interesting. Its ideas change tack. were glamorised in the film A Benutiful Mind, Dealer West • Q6542 So, it is perhaps surprising that all three Russell Crowe starring as the ill-fated games N-5 Game • J98 declarers fell for the deception, but can they theorist John Nash. • 2 + 9852

'tAKJAQ743 EJN •t Ks7 A grand holiday in Austria t K 10 4 3 W E t A Q 8 7 t 6 5 + A K Q 10 7 4 HAVING seen an advertisement by Accolade cave. There were also taxi trips to mountain Holidays in Errglislr Bridge I contacted Harry tops. • 10 9 8 3 Smith the organiser and as a result We played bridge each evening, which was • 1062 a group of 22 members and friends of well organised. Most days we enjoyed bril­ • J 9 6 s Pembury Bridge Club went on a bridge liant sunshine and on the two days it was wet • )3 holiday to Austria. bridge was available morning and afternoon . After a smooth coach and air journey we Some played table tennis, some played Scrabble, some swam in the pool, had So, no problem, you would think. Well, arrived in Filzmoos at about 10.30pm and were pleasantly surprised to find a meal massages, hairdos and used the sauna. would you believe that four declarers man· Small prizes were given to the bridge aged to go down, one of them having a brain­ waiting for us in the dining room of our winners each evening and on the final storm when he started on the diamond suit by hotel. We woke the following morning and evening the top six Master Points winners laying down the Icing? each received a cut glass vase. The food was The other three started off by playing a dia­ opened the cur!ains .of o~r l?vely rooms to see wonderful vtews, JUSt hke m 17re Sound of very good and the atmosphere most friendly. mond to the ace, but were diverted when the Music-a long valley with mountains sweep­ We aU got on well together and there was South players, Yorkshire's Robin Jepson and ing up in each direction and houses with always laughter ringing around. Richard Pike and Manchester's John Hassett, balconies full of flowers. There was a pageant in the village to mark dro~ped a deceptive nine. We met Barrie Partridge our bridge bringing down the cattle from the high Gtven the vital t 8 in dummy all three director from Sheffield, formerly manager of pastures- music played in the square all day declarers now changed tack and played for the EBU online bridge club. We also met and the cattle, suitably decorated, came North to have started with t J 6 5 2. When they Anna our tour guide, a lovely, helpful per­ through the village, together with floats, played a second diamond towards the king son who arranged lots of trips for us. pretend animals and horse drawn carts. an.d ~outh followed low, they must have had \Ve all did some walking and visited The 12 days went very quickly and we mt~gtvings, but could not afford to finesse the enjO}'Cd every minute of it Many said they 10 restaurants up in the mountains: There were m case South had started with 9 x x or 9 L trips to Salzburg, to a lake area m Germa?Y• had ne\•er been to a better bridge holiday. When they went up with the Icing and it was to a dramatic gorge and lake and to an tce GeoffPlumm er, Pembu ry; Kmt North who showed out they realised the error of their ways and, hopefully, congratulated December 2005 English Bridge 37 Malton celebrates its 50th with the master SE PTEMBER ma rked the 50th anniversary of Malton Bridge Club in Yorkshire, and to commemorate the occasion the committee was delighted that Andrew Robson was able to accept an invitation to present two master classes to club members. The event was also open to other players from the county and each class was attended by around 80 players, including three of the club's founding members. The classes were greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all, from relative beginners to experienced tourn­ ament players. Said club secretary Richard Hilton: 'It was a splendid way to cel­ ebrate our first 50 years and to set us on course for the next 501' Among those at the event were Philip Mason, EBU vice-chairman, and his wife Janet. Pictured is the Malton committee with Andrew (the tall one at the back). Margaret Armstrong, who has retired from the board of directors of West Midlands Bridge Club, receives a bouquet of flowers from club president Michael Fisher in recognition of her many years of service. See Warwickshire news on page 45.

lliE EBU website address for all the latest bridge news and competition results Is l www.ebu.co.uk All the winners at the excel­ lent 46th Kent Congress. See Bulgaria bound report page 42.

Liz and Jan Cottman, overall winners of* the EBU golf and bridge competition at Woodhall Spa, with EBU vice-chairman Philip Mason, left. See report of the event on page 36. IMPORTANT NOTICE

CIIRIST~1AS comes between now and the next edition of En lisl1 Brid . . for the county news pages need to be with the editor earlier &at u lg~so ~tnbuuons the receipt of copy for the February issue is December 20 Bea~u~~· ;' e date for relaxing festive season! • at ate and have a Photographs are always welcome, of course, but if emailed (which is th . . now) must be high resolution or they are not likely to be usabl .. ~gre:'t maJon~ y Scunthorpe couple Chris and Martin the post are still perfectly aU right. . e. 0 ngtn pnnts sent m Taylor are heading for a new life in Best wishes to all for Christmas and the new year: Brian Cook d' H'U . I R d Ki' b . ·' D ., • e ator, a Crest 8 Bulgaria. See Lincolnshire news on Kings ey oa , ngs nuge, evon •Q7 lEY (englishbridge@intemet-toda)•.co.uk). ' page 42.

38 English Bridge December 2005 Avon and Rita are an established successful part­ all events and loation maps can bc found Grand Master nership, which is regularly selected for the on the county website. www.avoncbLorg.uk Eastern Counties League. Both recently promotions LINE-UPS in the league for the 2005-06 achieved the ranking of Grand Master. Mr c p Dixon of Wiltshire season are as follows: division one R Covill, However, the Dimmie Fleming recognises Berks and Bucks Mr M G Scoltock of Surrey R Dunn, G Evans, P Gagne, D Hamper and how much both women have contributed www.berks-and-buck.Hba.co.ult P Ti~ley; divilion two S Cooper, M Davies, over the years to bridge in the county. They CONGRATULATIONS to the New D N1choll~, M O'Brien and E Page; division continue to be actively involvtd: Monica a.s Amersham DC team on winning the Master Point t~ree C BtckerstaiT, B Dury, G Gowling, M the founding organiscr of the Brickhill NICKO final by eight imps. The team was promotions l1hou, S O'Hara and M Reeve. dub in lkdford, which successfully attracts Richard Palmer, Dick Davey, Ed Scuri and Fourteen teams have entered the knock­ new players to competitive bridge; Rita as Stn-e Moss. Advllllftd Masta- the Bedfordshire Congress secretary. A~IMtft' t.tr P AAndrews out, so the I Rickard and D Jones teams In September the county ~nt a similar ~WRCovill t.trM.PBell have been setded and given a bye in the This year's Bedfordshire Congress ran team comprising Richard Palmer, Dick ,...... Nadollal Dr J Keyne first round. smoothly as usual under the direction of Davey, Ed Scerri and Chris Burley to the Ml*r MrNP1per Mike Elliott and Tim Brierley, Robert Jim Proctor, misted by John Probst. There Midland Circle Cup in Warwickshire. Our Mrs J ETmy was a good turnout for the pairs (31tables) team won the event out of the nine Mr J Mr M BThson Glm and Jeremy Rickard, David Jones and DmiiRcateuJ and almost a full house (63 tables) for the Midland counties entered. Mrs T R Thson Duncan Cairns, Graham Hartley and Da · Master Richard Dunn and Robert Covill and Green Pointed Swiss teams. Computer Players are reminded that both the = Mr AAubrey scoring was introducrd for the first time in county and leading dubs in the are:~ offer ~S:,..;:.... Aidan Schofield have been selected to rep­ Ml*r MrRLcwis resent Avon in the EBU Tollemache. Andy the Swiss teams; there were some minor teaching facilities for improving pl.lyas. Mn llodea Couaty Mutrr 5 and Cathy Smith are first reserves and teething troubles and useful lessons Details can be found both on the main and II Masler Mrs C J Barber learned for future events. club websites. ::'00 nrm Mr CA am Dave Cropper is the non-playing captain. Mllllr Mrs JAOuk Congratulations to Peter Sherry and There was success for several Flitch for married pairs I Katherine and Mr p Kcipdey Mr J L C\arle Andy Smith on their promotion to Grand Bedfordshire players at the congress. In the Nick Dot. 2 David and Renee Beever, 3 Eric c..ey Jl181kr Mr J R Crook Master. pairs, lain Robcrts and dual membtr Dave and Gill Vickers, 4 Erica and Ouistopher MrASdlafltld Mn LGIIIagher Dicksnn were third, Jon Williams and Sheppard; Jarrett Cup for mixed teams I l*rtd r.t.ler MrS D llancb Wdl done to local players Margaret Harris and Richard Kendall on winning Malcolm Harris fifth, Ron Davis and Gill3 Margaret Hatch, David Charteris--Whiting, MrLAlvis MrRJLon Dunn eighth, and Brian and Rita Kcable Richard Shericbn and Max Davis, 2 Steve Mr C J Joacs Mrs MC Sanna the ACBA/EBU Swiss pairs. Gordon lith. The Swiss teams won by Jon 0111 r.l8lkr Mrs 8 Sawyer McBride and Eric Cumminss were second was Johnston, Mary Hughes, David Owen and Dr G MAllla Mr J C Terry Williams, Malcolm Harris, Celia and Derek Bill Godenzie, 3 Rex Avery, Chris Mooney, and Sue Lane and Jimmy Ledger third. MrR Walther Oram, with lain Robcrts, Dave Dickson, David Perkins and Carole Mueller. · Bedfordshlre Dlstrkt Muttr The first Western League match of the JSWilf&l-al MnMCarver Eddie Luciani and Dianne Rogers equal Swiss pain for the Dtnys Jenkins Trophy season has been played against Dorset. second and Steve and Julie Abley, Sheila I Addis Page and Nigel L:mc:aster, 2 Alan ,...... Mrs M PGent Brian Goalby, Tony Gammon, Brian Dyde Mr D AWoulds Mrs P A Jennings Evans and Bill Blackman lOth. Prior and Richard Brodie, 3 Paul Gibbons ISIIr llfPiul Mn 0 Langley and Peter Sherry won the A division match The county competitions programme is and Tim Randall, 4 Pat and Bob M.- Mn M Munagh 18-2, but Marc Lee, lewis Morton, Gareth well under way, with a disappointing Dowdeswcll, 5 Jean and Mike Patdicld. Mn G Dunn Club Muttr Evans and Andrew Urbanski went down turnout for the pairs events. We hope to see Diary dates: January 8 county pairs 2SC.M811cr Ms LAmor 15-5 in B division and Mark Reeve, Mark MrCR Hupa Mrs R Lenney more players taking part as the season pro· qualifier; January 15 friendly Swiss pairs; I SUr r.181kr Mra A Marchetti Peers and Jan and Margaret Mundy lost gresses. February 5 county pairs final and plate; Mr 5 Gibbs MrS Mattinson 12-8 inC division. Opening pairs I Terry Pearce and Lcs February 12 mixed pairs. Dttails of all cur· C.., J1181kr Mn E Pratt The championship teams was won by Calver, 2 Tim and Erica Sharrock. 3 David rent events and location maps can be Mn L S Fnncis Mr J P RoboiJwn Robert Glass, Jeremy Rickard, Robert Harris and Jon Williams. found on the county website. The calendar Dillrld ,...... b d MrJOBeD Cam san Covill and Aicbn Schofield. The Swiss pairs was won for the third for the current season has also been Hunts At Brighton Summer Congress Mike year running by Ron Davis and Roger included. ~':,. 2 Star Master Elliott and Tim Brierley came equal sev­ Edmonds, with Alan Oddie and Jon MrT L Lusty Dr OE llodgson enth in the Swiss pairs in a field of 513. MrTManin Williams second and David and Jane Channel Islands Berks and I Star Mastrr Steve Tomlinson won the Brighton Bowl Jensen third. llucb Dr o A am along with Steve Thrner, Miles Cowling There was a different story at the inter­ www.gtonlinii!Jtct/mmmunity/ciba ...... , Life Master and jon \V'illiams • club teams of four, when a record IS teams THE Guernsey Congress was well attended ..._, MnJIIart At Cwmbran Brian Dyde and Peter competed: I Milton Keynes (Bob Brown, and directed as usual in a pleasantly effi­ Mr P S Gipsoa County Muter Sherry came fourth in the Swi~s pai~s, · Mr J H Greenhalgh Mrs R Z Mattick Peter Coles, Anne and David Gilling), 2 cient manner by Malcolm and Barbara Ue llbller Dlstrkt Muter while in the Great Northern Sw1ss paus Bedford (Maureen and Brian Stairs, Carey. Mn MIbid! Mn M E! Cooper Andy and Cathy Smith finished I Oth of 146 Barbara and Brian Taylor), 3 Wardown The Swiss pairs on the first weekend was ...... , NaliDul Mn C G DuMey pairs. (Angela and Richard Chester, Jon Williams won by Guernsey's Rune Hage, playing Jobller Mr J B Tlylor In the Autumn Congress Andrew and David Harris). with one of his Norwrgian team, but the Mr AD Klltridce Club Muter Urbanski, Mike Davies, Alcb~ Schofi~ld We are pleased to report on the success­ Mn J ~urphy Mr D Green top all-Channel Islands pair was Sue lbl'rmller Dr J M Smith and Eva Turner came second m the Sw1ss es of Brian and Maureen Stairs, Alan Rankin and Brian Youd in 12th place. fohn teams main final. Cooke and Maris Sheppard at the Robert and Doug Child took the non­ ~::!elaster Channel There were two successes in the West.on 2 sc.r Pn.ler Islands Guernsey Congress. They delivered consis­ apcrt prize in 23rd spot...... _. lllaster Prtmltr National Congress. with David Jones and Janme tent results all week - mixed pairs ninth In the midweek n'tllts Robert Plumley, Mri S M Dicken~ 1\I..Ur Griffiths-Saker taking second place in the and lOth respectively; Swiss pairs ninth Susie F3rnon, Lyncb Mildon and Colin IISC...... I Mr DJ Yowl championship pairs and Sim.on _Croucher and 12th; seniors' pairs sevtnth and eighth; Tost evin were outright winners in the pivot ,...._ Natloaal Muter and Keith Rayford wmnmg the playing as a team fifth in the seniors' teams, teams. Jan Monachan won the men's pairs Mr R 5haidaD Mn 0 A Burnell fifth in the multiple teams and ninth in the with Victor Silverstone and the mixed pairs ib...... MiuRAPallot newcomers' pairs. ..._, Repoul Muttr The last two West of England BC Swiss teams. Congratulations to them all with his wife Noi. Lynne \V'illiamson and Dr G s-,yille Mra CEV Alder Monday handicap leagues have been won and a special pal on the back for Maris, Barbara Hunter were third in the ladies' 4 SC...... Master by Dorothy Hoyle and Sheila Hodges, winner in the women's pairs. Also Alan wu pairs and Rudi Falb and Dick Langham ...... MnMABreuilly while the last two instalments of the Brbtol seventh in the men's pairs. fourth in the men's pairs. Mr DA l!.dmuncb Couaty Jlt..ur Bridge Oub premier pairs have been won Other results for Bcdfordshire pb~n The multiple teams brought another . 2 Sllr...... Mn S I! O'Brien .._, Dlstrkt Masttr b Cathy and Andy Smith (August) and include: Ron Davis and Bill Taylor lith in sucCtSJ for Robert Plumley and Susie Mr DR Small Dr R Endcan Jike letts and Mike Davies (_Septemlxr): the two star pair fmal at the Autumn Famon, this time with Richard and : ~ Club Jlt..ur Players wishing to oontnbute to th~s Congress, Ron Davis and Alan Oddie ninth Christine Ray a.s their team-nutcs. Miller MnVLRose Avon news roundup should email in Gre:1t Northern pairs and Brian and Rita The congress ended with the Swiss Mr NIL Dnpkin Com wall [email protected] • d . I Keable ninth and Moniq Lucy 12th in the teams, which was won by Rune HBge and ·= ~'=' National Muttr Diary dates: December 11 mile p1VO Hertfordshire teams. his Norwegian compatriots. The top Mnco S m ld JllnJI Brown 3 teams and junior pairs. Bristol DC; January There was a double interest for Channel Islands team was Robert Plumley, 5 511r wa 1C Star Pftmltr 8 Western League match v East W~les, Bedfordshire in the Crockfords Plate. Jennifer Monachan, Colin Tostevin and IMrs Rfllonal Master I Garden Cities quahfier, .J::::; home: anuary 15 Congratulations to Jon W'tlliams and dual Lyncb Mildon in fifth place. 4SC.M.~er MnJAPutnarn I memlxr Dave Didson, who were in teams :Mrs e IIGIIwiclt 5 Star Jllasttr Bath BC. The SheU Trophy, for the best perform· , Mn UA Sida Mr p !'olden that got to the semi-finals_of.this '-e:Y co!"· ance by Channd Islands pla~rs in the two l&tarM.eerway 4StarJIIasttr Jl(titive e\'tnt. However. 11 IS DaVId (wtth main cvenu was won by Lyncb Mildon and Mr It Al'ancr Mr B Colvin Bedfordshire Norfolk's Dave Newstead) who will pby in Colin TostcviiL 211w M.ler Mn JM Confdon the fill31- good luck guys. In Ieney domestic competitions the Mn t.tA ~-- AdY!IIIml II asttr r nlshi~Bridge-AJsoe.to.Uk www.B~·o d Rit Keable reah-e Diary dates: January 12 inter-dub mixed p3.in was won by Marion Miles and Mrs B w:.::- Mra PR Cavell AS Momca Lucy an a . h I &tar...... Jlt..ur D' ·e fleming awards thiS year, I ere teams of eight, W"tlstead 7.30 pm; David Hole (again!), with Kay Johns and Mr SV Bedfanl Miu T Beard lmml ral delight across the oounty. Well- February 16 men's and Lldies' pairs, Douglas Ronuin sm~nd and Jane Watts­ MIS~ MrO Booth was gene__ .... recognition sums up Ih e gen eral. \V'IIstead 2 pm; March 12 BRA/EDU Green Wahham and Harold Walden third. Mrs Mila Mr CN lbnlinc dese~ bcrs. Mon1ca Point Swiss teams, Luton 2 pm. Drtails of Mrc~ MraOB feeling among oounty mem --·-- Lovecruve December 2005 English Bridge 39 and leagues, together with the main club Our new secretary is Peter Ford. In Gue.rnscy's county open qualifier the. competitions, has been well received in its Our match against Manchester resuhrd Master Point leading positions were I Colin Tostevin new format. Many thanks to Terence and Andy Hall, 2 Kath Dolt and Sue Sluw, in a win for Manchester 189·131. Trreby, the h;trd\YOrking c;oun~ secrttary. promotions ) Martin Jones and Hugh Baron. Det"On Air Ambulance IS bemg support. Cornwall cont County Masino The qualifying round for the county ed by De\"On Bridge by way of simultane­ Dhtrkt Masttr Mr D F Manhall optn pain was won by David Hole and I Der~~shire J ous pairs events and the first (of five) WiJ Mr C L Kempton Dorset David FriseweU, with Muriel Holmes and ~ drrb)•shirunntractbridg~w.uk held in September with 1~0 pairs from six Mrs V Mably Ufr Masttr David Humpleby steond and Norman Le THIS year's ll·session summer Swiss clubs taking part. The wmncrs were Fred Mr W F I'Thomson Mr C Runcll Cocq and Rosemary !'allot third. teams competition was ronvindn~y won Trtrwnan White and Tom Wood1vard from the Mr N J National Masttr by David and Mary Marshall, ~hck and Cumbria Miss J S ltumphries Oldway club. This worthy charity was also SStarlnmlrr Sheena Haytack, Pym Derry and Steve Mutn R-lonall\lastno Cornwall Cave. They accumulated 409vps, 30 more the recipient of £.350 raised from a rome Mrs E Rltson .,. held during the Swiss tams event run by District 1\lastno Mr WR Oddy AT the county's AGM Harold Payne was than Ron McEwen's tern in second place. Kingsbridge Dridge Club. Twenty-six teams Mrs ED Shaw 6 Star Rrglonal elected to succted Jim Baker as chainnan. The flighted pairs, playtd over five scs· Masino took part and the winner was a team from We welcome Harold to the hot scat and sions, with pairs counting their best three Derbyshire Mrs R Durkin Plymouth aptained by Ann Husk, the l'rnnltr l.lrr Mrs C lllllyanl wish him good luck during his tenn of scores, was won by Arnold and Sandra Mastno l Star Krglonal office. Jim was thanktd for all his hard Chandler, who arne through in the last county's tournament secretary. Mrs M Marshall· l\lastno work, not only as chairman, but also in round to ovcrluul Don Smedley and John Congratulations to Sieve Quin, who Unitt Mn D L D~itz promoting bridge and the art of directing Griffin, Derbyshire's most renowned directs at all Devon's top events. on his Ulr 1\lastno I Star marriage to Sandra E\Oins. Health and !up· Mr R A McEwan 'Jbumammt within the county. All other committee bridge duo. l'mnlft' Natloaal Masttr members wtre elected for a funher year. The Vic Morris Cup, a pivot teams piness to them both. Mastno Mrs J ltatch II was nice to sec that Rod Bell \YOn the knockout compttition with aggreg;~te scor· Please note that the hat of the Portbnd Mr KA Smath Mr JS Manhall Norman Woodhouse Trophy (individual) ing, was won by David and Mary Ma11hall, Pairs on March 19, advmised in the EDU Miu J Stars~ Toumamtnt diary as being at the Bridge Centre, Poole, lNational Mastno Mutno this yc11. He directs the event every year, Pym Derry and Richard Edwards, who beat Mr M Orimscy Mrs M C along with numerous other events. Our Dave Driggs, Maggie Deale and Pat and has been moved to the lSCJ Cmtrc in l Star l'mnlft' Fenn-Snuth thanks go to Rod for all his services to the Alan Smith after a last 10-board round of Exeter. Rqtloaal Masttr 4 Star 1\lulft' highly distributional and difficult hands Mrs A M Morton Mr P ASayer county. 1 Rqloaall\lutrr 3 Star 1\lastno Cornwall Green Point Swiss teams: I Mr that brought several big swings. Essex Mr J lt:uris Mrs GP 811110n and Mrs Dilworth, C Nonnan and R Sweet, The Vic Morris Plate, a handiap com· 4 Star l\lutno Mrs S I Row land 2 J Derd, J Grant, S Lindfors and n Lawy, petition for those knocked out in the first www.essabridg~w.uk Mr A Kenny l Star Masino 3 P Bowles, R Slapt, R Edmondson and D round of the cup, was won by Pat Hobson, TOP scorer for Essex in the 2005 Master Mrs M Kenworthy Mrs V G Seldon Mrs MV I Starlllastno McElroy. Dorothy Suter, Margaret Watson and Sue Point ranking list was David Cooper, who Vinecombe Mr 0 Rowland Oarke Windmill mixed pairs: I Mr and Warr, a group of comparative newcomers was in 38th piau nationally with 15,532 3 Star 1\lutrr Ad\'llllc:ed 1\lasttr Mrs Dickerdike, 2 Mrs J Heth and I' Coad, fresh from a Derbyshire teams champi· points. wding places for Essex at level 1\tr 8 CunninQlwn Mr J Bourke 3 Mr and Mrs Relton. onship victory over a quartet of experi­ four (Star and Tournament Masters) wm l Star 1\lastrr Mr T D Macfarlane l'mf v Darnell Mr 0 Wilson Diary dates: January 8 Star Masters and enced county players. I John Williams, 2 Peter W"illi.1mson, 3 1 Star 1\latu County 1\lasttr Tredova Cup, Laddock 2pm; January 14 Brian Elliott had a massive score to win Richard Perryman; 3t level five (County lllr J D Reavy lllrs IIW Paper Falmouth Salver, Falmouth DC 2pm; the 2S·pair DCDA individual compttition. t.lasters. Masters and Advanced Masters) 1 Dbtrkt 1\lasttr January 22 Hilda Higman Trophy and The men's ~irs was won by Derek George l.:lura Perryman, 2 Dennis Mrs L Devon Mrs JL Beckley Hicks. ) Ulclllutu lllr M PCripps Ryley King, Laddock 2pm. and Peter Dobson and the ladies' pai11 by Moran; at level six (Unranked, Club and MrsJO Aood Mr D A Findley AJ always our thoughts go to all our Mary Marshall and jennifer Aouticr. District M;~stc:rs) I R Lewis, 2 Mrs J MrA II Foan MrD V l'rinll friends who are sick or infirm. Get well The Derbyshire county teams have been Wallace, 3 Mrs E Johnston. 4 Star l'rnnlft' Club 1\lutft' soon. doing well this yer in the Midland There have been some very good results Rqloaal Mula' lllrPCraven MrsBMartin Counties Championship. In the Dawes by Essex plat~rs recently: l Star PmDier Essex [Cumbria league our first tern has won its first four John Williams, Neil Dresler, Simon Rqloaal Mula' ure !\laster matches and has four more to play, having t.loornun ;~nd David Cooper were joint MrMABall MrDOark accumulated 58 points from a possible 80. l'rtmlft' National www. OJmbriabridg~co.uk winners of the Hertfordshire one wy Swiss l Star Rrgloaal However, Leicestcrshire hold the strongest Mastno Muttr WE unfortunately missed our copy date teams, with R.3y Cornell, Alan Grren, Mn S E Gregory MrOChadha for the October magnine and were unable position with 57 points out ofT 60. In the David Onk and TCSS3 Deer finishing fifth. 3Star Mrs LAcet to report the sad death of Sue Courchee, Porter Trophy Derbyshire share the lead Mr D Valudans In the Surrey Swiss pairs John \V"illi.1ms Toui"'WMMII our county secretary. Her enthusiasm for with Oxfordshire, both teams having 53 and David Cooper were se\•enth and 1\luttr l Star Regional !\Iuter bridge and its organisation at many levels points from 80, with Staffordshire third Michael Wren and Andrew Mundy equal MrJANowill {4l from 60). In the Markham league I Star t.lrAMundy in the county will be sorely missed. 20th. Laura Perryman and her partner won Tournament Dr J C Williams The autumn simultaneous pairs Derbyshire have 62 out of 80, a signifiant the Friday evening pairs at the junior SStar !\Iuter attracted an entry or 105 pairs. Tile win· improvement on the previous )'C:Ir when teach-in in Loughborough, and the team of Mr Mil Saunders Tournament they finished bottom of the league with 1\lastrr ners were Tony Aldred and Raj Rathi, with Alaric and Nigel Cundy, Chris Mcgahey 'Jbumarnmt only 40 points. Woreestershire are also well I!\laster Mrs M A Perkins Alan James and John Matlachan second and Roger Tattcrsficld arne sixth in the Mr 0 Elber!l SStarlllutcr and john Garret and Teresa Murehouse placed with 53 points from 60. Dedford Congress Swiss tams. Mr LR Fncry SStarlllasttr third. Derbyshire also did well in the three In the EDU autumn sim pairs Alan and MrTIIirst 4Starlllutcr counties event against Lcicestershire and MrD Ross The championship teams qualifier pro· Jan Green finished third nationally in the 3StarMasttr duced a turnout of only six teams, of which Nottinghamshir~ The et·ent is playnl over MrR Unllham Mrs P. Wahers Monday event, while Laurie and Stephanie lStarlllastno J Star lll11ttr four qualified for the final. Although only three sessions. with thrte graded sections D~rtl won the Tuesday event, with Arthur MrCAUe MnDADanll in fourth place Dabs Matthews, David of nine teams ant.! a series of four-board Mr J J Buckley Ftficld ;and Leon Lewis fifth and l.indJ MrsSFUe Strawbridge, john farmer, Dave Mullaney, matches. The final tally of imps was 302 to Seymour and Irene Mamelok ninth. 1 Star Masino Mrs C Wallace l Star Muter lim Matthews and Peter Ford went on to Derbyshire, with Nottinghanuhirc minus At the EDU Brighton Summer Congress OrA Nicholls 19 and Leiccstcrshire minus 283. Mr L Spenttr MrRO Betts win the final, with Mary Cooney, jack Alan Mayo and Peter Franklin, with non· OrPTWood MrsEPCCraill Etchells, Manel Trepte and Colin Woods Mr DO llitks Essa team-mates, came fifth in the Adt·aaad 1\ltilft' just 5vps behind. Dnghton Bowl Swiss tt:~ms, with Mary Dr L llomcwood Ill in L E PeiT)'llWI Devon I StarMasttr Completing a busy month was the Pro· Ho~er, Tom Fox, David Cooper and John lllllltr Am, niiing an important place in our cal· www.det-onbridg~co.uk MrsDMWal.ley MrKSChikl \V"llhams lOth-very good achiet"m!mts. County l\llltno DrMMyen endar, but again with a small entry. THE onnual ph-ot tams and mixed pairs Rtsulu of recent Esse:x competitions are Mrs S Rid.Jie Winners were Rosemary jackson, Marjorie events took place in Excttr over a weekrnd Mrs Rc.ddy as follows: summer seniors' pairs 1 Michael t.lrsOWiscman Ad¥anc:ed !\Iuter Swan, 1sobd Moritz and jenny Carruthers. in September. Although neither et-ent was Mr J Deman! j and ~t Watson, 2 David Cooper and John District M11tno Runners-up were Janet Shep~rd, David as fully supported as had been hoped the MrJ LOarke MrO S Davies \Vilhams, l lionel and Faye Wernick; MrD Kirkncu Mrs C J Davits Sheppard, Joan Ta)·lor and Steven Oldfield, mixed pairs was won by Alison Pollock and 1\lr K Wallat'C netcher Trophy I Hulton DC (Tessa Dctr, MrsDMilkr who had the additional ronsolatiun of Bob Blackmore (frequent winntrs in the Joan Curley, Maureen Vede, George Vede, Mrs T RalciiiTe County 1\lutrr being unbeaten. past) and the ph·ot te:tms by Ann and Mrs B MSimmonds lllrs EJ Burch IUy Cornell, David Oark, Alan Drew and Mrs M L Wade Mr D Drytr Following on from this suc:ctss 1\C are Kevin Slee, partnered by Doh Ray and Bob Len \Vill_iams), 2 Thorpe Day DC (A!Lln delighted that janet Sheppard has been Blackmore. Mrs M Waterfield Mrs JE Parruu GrrenstC~n, Y\"Onne Dias, George \Vilcnx, awarded the prestigious Dimmie Fleming The West of England Congress over the ' Club 1\lasttr Dbtrkt !\lulu Cohm •. Sid Prince, llob Hair, Roger 1\tr R T Shaw Mr FL llall award for her outstanding service to the first weekrnd in October w.u \\"On by Alan Al~n Dnght on.d Samon Moorman), J Iiford DC 1\tr p E Wade 1\trs J A Kettle pme in Cumbri.1. Mr LLapszya ant.! Jclle &iley and second piau in the (Sandy Rtach, Alan Stanle)', Cecil leighton, Obvious to all in the county and many Direct Mr D Maloney Swiss teams went to Louise and Warner Jacck Lapszys, Monty Krimgol~ Lawrence l'rtalkr Ktaloaal Ill rs J E Pamplin from elsewhere will be her role in Solomon partnered by a pair from R.n~n, Lauric Burtt and Steplunie Bunt); lllasttr Mr A J Rose organising the Cumbria Congress. l..t$s Somerset Hearty congratulations to them MrO llazel obvious will be other roles, including the all. ~ Ou~ T!""phy I Mountnc:ssing DC Ad"aaad 1\lastu (Uontl \\ermd., Faye Wernick. George encouragement of bridge for the young. The De\·on Bridge handbook for 1\tr JW Simptun lb~ce a~d Jean Rance), Colier Row A (Rob Well done! 2005/2006, detailing all the county n-ents Ellaott, Sad Cardy, Ann Savory and Marion

40 English Bridge December 2005 Lamo~ t ), 3 Lingwood DC (Judith semi-fin al; January 15 No Fear Cup; A\-ocet Cup Swiss teams I J Homes, I Master Point lOI•endge, Angela Clarke, E Johnston, February 5 county pairs final. l Johnston and Dob Allen). Holder, M Price and H Cleveland, 2 C promotions _Diary dates: Dectmber 4 Essex mixed England, I Thacker, 8 Britton and P Watts, 3 S Mathews, J Griffiths, Sand D Munday. lell cont 7 Star R~kmal paars; J~nuary 8 Essex Swiss pairs; January Es [ Hants and loW . I Diary dates: January 13 inter-dub Mastrr 13 National Pairs heat; January 22 Hdliar ('1111 ~tastrr Mr G R Fair Trophy. Hantsbridge.org teams round three, Ledbury 7pm; January ~lr A ~n,ht 1 Star Rrglonal AT the Brighton Congress a well-deserved 20 National pain heat, Bartestrce 7pm; Mrs P Cllrle Mastrr Mrs If Jones Mr CA Sllllden third place in the Swiss teams was gained February 3 No Fear teams (only one mem­ MrsCt.lllln. MrsAVTanner Gloucestershire by Jeremy Baker, Steve Auchterlonie, Dave ber of the team may hold a ranking above MIS G t.llllftlnl Tournament Huggelt and Steve Preston. County Master), Bartestree 7pm; February www.gcba.org.uk GJouUSlenhlre Mastrr Members had some good results at the 10 inter-dub teams round four, Ledbury __,_Life Mrs JSS Wall GLOUCESTERSHIRE players have a mtin­ Guernsey Congress in September. Chris 7pm; February 25 ladies' and men's pairs, r-:= 5 Star Master ued to achieve successes in the bridge r.-· sb Mr C R Drools and Richard R:ty won the pre-congress Tarrington 2prn. Mr A 0 Sci Y Mr KA Lamey arena. Pride of place must go to Roger pairs and, with out of county team· mates, l Star M~rr 4 Star Master Jackson who, with Tony Gordon, finished the multiple teams. They also joined Stuan MrRn1111111m fourth in the European open seniors pairs Strachan and Eleanor Rice to come third in IHertfordshire 2Starlllastrr Ms SC Fone Mr M A ~en 3 Star Master final in Tenerife in June. Roger and Tony the Swiss teams. Also playing with out-of­ www.hertsbridge.co.uk 1Star r.tastrr Mr G Conrad followed this triumph by being half of the county panners R:ty Crawford and Sola CONGRATUlATIONS to june Ball's team, ~~~ ~UG Jlmes 2 Star l\laster winning team at the EBU Seniors Congress Turpin won the seniors' teams. Mr JM Webb Mr OJ Sparkes which is through 10 the final of the Silver . AdfiiiCtd lll.ster I Star Master at Eastbourne. Perhaps the Gloucester-shire At the West of England Congress Sula Plate; also to Anne Flockhan's team, which ~lr M J Lewis Mr NO Diplcxk air is good for seniors, since Keith Stanley Turpin, again with an out-of-county part­ is through to the final of the NJCKO Plate. .laller Mr J D Eyre and Derek Rue, playing with Nissan Rand ner, came third in the championship pairs. In competitions around the country . MIS M M Gray Mr K F~~m~way of Israel and Goran Mausson of Germany, The county events for the season Hertfordshirt has had some good results in ~ p Wl'lr\.cs Mr M llolden won the senior C..ty Master Mr MH Mclhuish opened with the· ladies' and men's pairs recent months. At the Guernsey Congress ~~~ p Johnson Ms M Pile teams at Brighton and, playing with Bill events. Ladies' I Sheena Lanham and Sula Sheila Evans and Mike Wren wert ninth in ~~~ H O Wilkin50II Mr M V Rodney Hirst and John Hassett of Manchester, beat Turpin, 2 Lesley Lewis and Kathy Vaile, 3 the Swiss pairs; in the Isle of Man Congress IJlllrtd Master Ms J Turner John Rookwood's Gloucestershire team of Rosemary Spencer and Angela S-Ncwark; Sheila continued her good fonn by win­ ~~~ W Miles Adnanmll\lastrr Andrew Kllmbites, Joe Angseesing and Jim men's I Mike Fithyan and Dave Thornton, ning the Swiss teams with Tony judge, ~ N C MiiChc:ll Mr DR Murphy CIIIUiaster Mrs M Murphy Simons in the semi-final of the Gerard 2 David Berwitz and Roy Riley, 3 Sam Gerald Britto (Middlesex) and Ruth Barker ~~~ C p Acming Mr MF Wood Faulkner Salver, the seniors knockout cup. Speed and David Spencer. (Yorkshire), while Celia and Duek Oram, They then were unfortunate to lose to a Harrop mixed teams I Barry Tobutt with Barbara and Derrick Kime, were D J MclniOSb ~ ~~:'tfeook strong london team by only I imp. and Ros Concanon, Rosemary and David third. Celia and Duek Oram alro won the HanU and loW Mrs L Feldman Nldaul Master Mr D H Smilhcrs John Rookwood had good compensa­ Spencer, 2 Elaine and Ron Ewins, Jill and Swiss pairs. ~Irs T Adams Dr MTolaney tion for his defeat in the seniors when his Alan Hickman, 3 Helen Kinloch, Keith At the Autumn Congress in ~ H K Kinlath County Masttr team of Jan and Val Constable, Andrew Bennelt, Tracey Adams and Steve Tearle; Bournemouth Celia and Derek Oram wert ~IrS PO'Kcll Mrs S Early Kllmbites and John Atthey, representing Simmons Vase I Chris and Richard R:ty; third in the two stars pain final Tugrul J Star Prcm1cr Mrs J I Latham Chellenham Bridge Club, reached the final Simmons Plate I Deborah Berwitz and Kahan and Andrew Lee wue founh in the JleclaaaiAiaster District Master Martyn Hill-Jones, 2 Jenny Ashby and Swiss pairs. Celia and Derek Oram were ~~~ WM Kinsey Mrs J Gillis of the NICKO, where they will meet ~J Whildlousc Mrs M A Gooch Amersham DC. Rick Assad, 3 Mary Phillips and Brian fifth in the Eastboume Bowl and ALln Kay 4 Star RcaJoaa! Oub Master Turning to our somewhat younger Johnson; Wessex Swiss teams I Lesley was in the winning team in the Burlington • ..._ MrAHarris members, Paul Denning, Patrick Shields Lewis, Dave Thornton, Christine and Cup. ~Irs RG Kirby Mr RA Payne and two team-mates have reached the final Richard Ray, 2 Kathy Vaile, John Moore, The Club Winners Cup was won by Ken .&Star Master Mr J S While of the Crockfords Plate, where they meet a Jeremy Baker and Dave Huggelt, 3 Helen Barnett and Nona Moss, with Mick Barnett lt.trsBAMillcr Isle of Man J Star ~laster team from Norfolk. Ackroyd, Mike Organ, David Berwitz and and Steve Mossey, second and Jim Co!Tell t.trs J Benham I Star Regional There was also a good showing by Roy Riley. and Roger Dierrum thinl ~ R EviiiS Master Gloucestershire in the juniors under 25 tri­ Diary dates: December 4 Roll of The inaugural Swiss pain saw a run­ 2 Star ~laster Mrs C A Ellis Honour pairs, Andover (by invitation aW:ly success for Hden Robinson and Mike ~~~ K s Benjamin Mr J Stewan als, where John Anhey, playing with Greg only); December 5-9 Charity duplicated Aslett. Mike Hancock and Malrolm Harru • ~~~ D M~y Kent Owen, and Greg Moss, playing with "'rs A C \cmon Premier Lire Michael Bell, were first and second respec­ pairs, rome dubs (call 01489 784349 for were second and Francis Eddleston and Bill I Star Master Master tively. . details); December II Yuletide mini Swiss Thurlthird. ~Irs M Grasso . Mr M Prior Congratulations are due to our prest­ teams; January 8 Lincoln mixed pairs; The mixed pairs championship was won Mn OOM Momson Nallonall\laster dent, Pam Pearce, who has become the January 15 Midwinter mini Swiss teams; by Simone Gold and Uriah )arobson, with Adfallad Master Mrs C Goldsmilh county's second lady Grand Master: Pa~ January 29 Candlestick open Swiss pairs Peter Clark and Maggie Dawson second .~::-.~~her Mr E J Riclwt I pm; February 9 IBM simultaneous pairs. and Jan and Jane Osborn third. Jan and 4 Star Premier and Lesley Harrison followed up thetr wm Master some clubs (t:~ll 01489 784349 for details). Jane also won the flitch priu.. ~ p Fnnci Realonal Master in the Welsh Ladies' pairs by fini shing sixth DrH Meu 1 Mr R C King of I 16 in the Cwmbran Swiss pairs. Unless otherwise listed, all the above will Diuy dates: December 4 Humble Cup : ~ M J Morgan J Star l'rcmler 1 The Glouceslershirc Green Point teams be played at Romsey, staning at 2pm. lint qualifinal; January 15 championship C..t 1111111 ReglonaiMaster attracted a good entry and was won by Entries to Lilian Cnigan at 02380 254276 pain semi-final; January 27 Cadet pairs ~Irs C buvcr er Mrs J M Skinner Alison Pritchard, David Hauser, George or [email protected] and please final. "'rs M W Pa ne 4 Star Regional • note that entries must be in at least three To enter fonhcoming events please ron­ Darrell and lony Hill. It was ~ice to see. so l'lllb Mastel Master tact Mike Minting at 01441 833247 or ~Irs D D-en Mrs A McGregor many entries from ntighbounng counues, days before an event to ensure acceptance '"''f email mikt€'mintingm.freeserve.co.uk J Star Regional but those from Gloucestmhire were di~ap ­ and any cancellation must be notified. Herefordshlre Master pointing. In the Hereford Green Point Ifyou would like to report your Juccess­ Ule Master Mr B W Evlllls es, both local and national, please contact J.trs S E Mathews 2 Star Regional Swiss, Paul Ford, Guy Vandergucht, J~an Herefordshire and Geoff Peel a close second, havt_ng I Francis Eddleston at david.eddleston@ntl­ J Star Master Master t:~me world.com WJ.Cdr N Shorrick Mrs Y R Bowman lost thdr last match to the eventual wm- www.hertfordshirtbridge.co.uk I Star Master Rflllonal Master HEREFORDSHIRE pairs who have Mrs AC Mld:iiiiOSh Mr A Wilson ners. h" In the Midland League Gloucestrrs tre achieved good results out of the county · Adfallad Master 7 Star include Dave Weller and John Thacker, Kent J.trs S Prout Tournament beat Worcestershire 20-0 in the ~ai-.'CS. C..tJMIIter Master won 11-9 in the Porter, butlostl-19t~ the who t:~me lOth of 122 in the ~131vern www.kcba.org.uk Congress Swiss pairs. and Mike Ralph and WE start with notable successes at the EBU . Mr M GRICII Mn A Kearsley- Markham. The team of Lesley Harn~n , J.trs J Priestman Jones Ben llrillon, who wue 29th of 146 in the Autumn Congress. Michael Prior and Cynthia Moore, K:tnwar R:thim and Mtke blstrkt Master Tournament Great Northern Swiss pairs. Catherine Draper wert second in the main Wignall won the Healey ~u~, !he •tn 0 g.cary Master Ben and Tom Pas~ continued their suc­ two st3rs pain, '~ith Jan Draper and Jeremy ~ RA Ellis Mr M Schofield Worcestershire inter-county tnvtlalton . Dr BTaylor 5 Star !\laster cessful ways in a recent England under 20s wmans third in the satellite pairs. The four event. . squad training session, winning the rom­ then rombined for the teams event, evtn­ ~~Williams Mi1s RV Ericson I GCDA events the summer patrs was r.~a~er Mn M !'hill ips petitive pairs eo.~nt during the wee~nd tually running out impressive winners over ..._ wo: by Wendy Angseesing and the su_m­ Miu J Dowdle Mr J D Walker 4 and increasing their chances of represent­ a strong field by 44imps. mer teams by Peter Waggelt, both Hertford h Star Master pla~g ing England in due course. At the Isle of Man Congress Crot IJre 1 Ire Mr OW Gibson with a number of other partners. e "'rs •~aster Mn MD Morgllll County competition results: Ace of Croswell, playing with Degsy Williams, fm­ men's pairs was ,.,.on by 13n Comtable and Spades (limited to pbyen rank.ed btlow ished third in the Swiu pairs before joining 4&.! ~~ Mr PM Wilkinson Ro er Jackson, the ladies' pairs by Norah ~- J Star Master Master) I Y Wilkrn and P Webber, 2 I Gavin Mackay and Ben Ritacca and finish­ · ~ ~~ MnAATrccn All~n and Joan Peel and the llredon f\~e ~~ Winney and K Ray, 3 I Crosland and N ing second in the Swiss teams. Also on the 2 8 Rr:a.,Kk 2 Star Mastrr ro, 1 the Cotswold Bridge ~ub team o ~~d lyons; Next Step pain (limited 10 plarers isbnd, Dill Gardner and George Pilcher did ~ ~~-- Mn J M llnrgraves Cook, Christian Flemmg. Alan Lamb rankrdJ• Master and below) I CRowberry the weekday double by winning both the I t.1Ji R Rodaey...... - Mn t.U Uliey Roy Wal~r. L- 4 inter-club and R Rossi, 2 V Archard and R Shutler, 3 pre-congress pairs and the open pain. Jill ltealoul Dimry dates: Decem""r . G Ling and B Meadows. Skinner and Jeremy Willans wert third in t;: teams of eight; january 14 county pms t.lrJVMannay

December 2005 English Bridge 41 Loughborough Grammar School (lGS); the pre-congress pairs In GuemKy. Eggington and Boubara Hawaoft, 2 John January II Stanley Trophy heat four, LGS; Master Point Denis O'Donovan and John Short won Fish and Bobby Fawcrtt Jantnry I 5 Midland Counties league v Found;~tion Cup 1 Giles Foster, Tony the Swiss pain at the Surrey Green Point Nottinghamshire, away; January 25 promotions McNiff, Fiona Drown and Hugh McGann, weekend in a field of 202 pain. Josephs Bowl round four, LGS; January 25 2 Mike Nicholson, Steve Haley, Paul Kent cont 5StarMuter At county ln'tl the mimi pairs champi­ Butterworth Trophy, Blaby; February 6 Mr RO S!lwt \V"illiams and John Morrell, 3 Don Cross. I Star Master onship for the D}'tr Smith Cup was won by National Pairs heat, LGS; February 8 4 Star .lllutrr Catherine and Ian Draper, with Marian Jill Entwistle, Bill and Liz Wattleworth. M11AADell M11 D Bulford Buckhy (men's) and Olga (ladies') pairs, M11 R M Dellord M11 M OibiOII Hunt and Brad Featherman second and Diary dates: December 3 ~VateTW?rth MrJWt.lilll Mr WE llctbcn Christine Kempton and Phil Jones third. Green Point pairs, .ll!erseys1de Bndge Darkby MrCAT1~lor Advanml Mutrr lStarMuter The 46th Kent Congress was, as always, Centre; December 4 L)1ham Rose Bowl N J Ill,.kiM M11 B I Cryer well run and organised thanks to Rachael final, Lytham Bridge Club; December 18 Mr Advanml Mutrr Lincolnshire Miller MD Lll111le King and Catherine Draper. Congress Santa Claus pairs, Manchester Bridge Club; M11 M Ambrose results: Leonard Trophy (open pairs) I December 28-30 Year End Congress, www.llnabridge.org.uk Mr M BlrtiCII Mutrr Mr C F J Foster Marie Hurlock and John Amor, 2 Norman Hilton Hotel, Blackpool; ]an11.1ry 7-8, WITH half of the originally invited pain County Muter dropping out and with two reserves called MrO 01yley County Muter Kincaid and Mike Pearson, 3 Chris MCBA Congress, New Century House, MrM KCorr Mr JJI Mu,.ell Balnham and John Murrell; Spurway Bowl Manchester; January 15 LCBA champi­ in the county's cloKd trials was down to t.hOWihon four tables. Drene and Alan Brown arne MrCDDrny District .lltaster (Champagne pairs) l Kay Preddy and onship pairs final, Lytham Bridge Club; M11IIM Drny M11 S Mulow Norman Selway, 2 Chris Bainham and January 21-22 Chester Congress, Deva out on top, with Maurice Ladlow and Mo t.b T Musp-.ve Parsons second and Nick D}'tr and Mikt Dbtrkt Miller OubMastrr Eddie Luciani, 3 Catherine Draper and Bridge Club; January 29 Lancashire MrJ Hanle Evening Post pairs, Preston. Perry third. Miss N Cahour MrPOison Michad Prior;lnvicta Cup (championship MrMJEaston pairs final) I Gerald and Stuart Tredinnick, At the AGM Mike Grant was dected OubMaster london 2 Malcolm J..rn.is and Clemency Schofield chairman, vice-chairman, MrCOwm l'mnlrr National (AIInut Cup - ~st mixed pair), 3 Karen I Leicestershire .: Glyn Elwick secretary, John Vicbn treas· Lancashire t.lutrr urrr and St11.1rt Knox competition secre­ MriOue and Malcolm Pryor (Gentry Cup - best www.leiabrldge.org.uk I Star married pair); Puddleduck Plate (best non tary. It was noted that the county made a Toanwnmt ProfJRH~ THESE notes were intended to open by t.laskr MrB McGwrc experts) Charles Francis and Brian Drew; reporting that subsequent to his election as fmancialloss last year. l'mnltr Rrglonal Ray White Trophy (championship pairs a life member of our association Ramnik AGM pairs I Shirley \V"unbles and Did MrM McCann Muter Tounwnnst MsLKOcry secondary final) I Giles Hargreave and Samani had, on our recommendation, Send.lll, 2 John Gaunt and Debbie Burton, Mastrr Min S P Oross David Davenport, 2 Tony Barker and Bob been presented with the highly prestigeous 3 Bill Parsons and John Vickers; mixed and MraRCNoble l Mr F ThomplOII MrC flail Bruty, 3 Christine Whyman and Bl'}'lln Dimmie Fleming Aw:~rd at the EBU AGM married pairs Adrian Underwood and Mr J M Pcmbenon Ping; Lukey Cup (Swiss teams) I Dave in October. However, sadly his wife Doreen Dickinson, 2 John Gaunt and 4 Star Malltr Mr J P Svendsen Mrll Muir Rrglonal.lllastrr McVey, Malcolm Lewis, Nicky and Stan Mangala died in late September and still in Debbie Burton, 3 Chris Taylor and David 3StarMIIIer MrAPatel Adamson, 2 (Owl Cup runners-up) Karen mourning Ramnik was unable to attend Caldow. Chris and Mike Grant finished MrDB McNab and Malcolm Prior, Christine Kempton l Star Master MnCMMWood for the formal presentation. fourth to win the Dean Trophy as the high­ Mr DL Hanley 1burnament and Phil Jones, 3 Tony Clarke, David Man gala will be fondly remembered as a est married pair. Due to a traffic holdup in Muter Graham, Mike Fletcher and Andrew MrMCLeww MraSCooper most charming and gracious lady, a gener­ Lincoln tlult brought the south side to a I Star Miller 3Star.lllutrr Thompson; Birkle Bowl (non-expert team) ous host, who always put the welfare of standstill, some pla~rs were unable to t.h Z Harrison Irene Thomas, Sue Percival, Ray Roper and Mr KC Pilcher Mr E AM Leatham fumily, friends and acquaintancies alike make it, which resulted in a smaller field Muter I Star.lllutrr Pauline Coates. before her own. Although enjoying a long than usual. Mr W N ThOibwn MrBPBrown Medway Towns DC, Tom Stacey Cup l and successful partnership with Ramnik in Only five pairs turned up for the County Mastrr Advanml Muter Mr P B Andrews Les Bain, Keith Godfey, John Merrett and bridge, as in life, she was always ready to restricted pairs event- three down on bst Mr J F Nelson Bob Edmund$, 2 Marjory Bleasdale, Peggy make up a pair or table on club nights or in M11 V Petrie Mr R II Carr rear. Since it is open to non-members and Mr M Panahpour Morgan, Keith Gravestock and Jean Stacey. local competitions, and only two years ago used to be well supported, }'Our committee Dbtrkt Master Ms S Rohan Many congratulations to Mike de won the county ladies' pairs. will ha~ as MsJ A Davies Mr 0 Slnl,.bridge to Kriously review this n'tllt it M11 B R VausJw! \V"mter, who h;u recently been preKnted Turning to other matters, another mu­ is hardly worth holding given the Lltest Oub Mastrr MrAWcbster with the Dimmie Fleming Award by the imum 20 • 0 victory was achin'td by our num~r of entries. Adrian Undemood and Mr 0 Parrinaum .llluttr Mr A E Blcl.mta.IT EBU. This aw.~rd is given to people who county first team, this time against Janet Paley were the winners. leltestenhlre MraJEmmen have made an outstanding contribution to Lincolnshire in the third round of the Fortunately, the heat for the National l'ranlrr NatJoaal Mr AD McMillan the development of bridge at county level. Mr R A Robertson 2005·06 Midland Counties League season. pairs was held at the same time. Four pairs Mastrr Mike has been a member of the KCBA for M11 SR Horn MrA TRoae11 With a total of 57 points from a possible 60 qualified for the region31 final: 1 Mark l'mnler RraJonal M11TSte\CM more than 20 years and has helped the team has excellent prospects of retain· Wardell and D01vid Stodcbrt, 2 Andrew Miller County .lllutcr numerous clubs in the county over the ing the Dawes league title. Unfonunatdy Green and Dennis Mellor, 3 Ted and MsCVBray MissS Dunn same period. The award is thoroughly well the second and third teams lost 0 - 20 and Mra PRapp Brenda Good.lcre, 4 Bill Parsons and John 3 Star Rrclonal deserved. 6 - 14 respectively. Muter MsLM Rubson Vicbrs. Mn B Sllldhu Dlltrlct Muter Diary dates: December 10 Swiss teams, Leicestershire players were well to the We uy a fond farewell to two memben Realonal Muter Mr C Freedman Thnbridge Wells DC 4pm (01892 530739); fore in the September Green Point from Scunthorpe, Chris and Martin Taylor, Mra C J Dn:w•tcr Miss M Molony December II Maidstone DC Swiss teams Congress at East Midlands Bridge Centre, Mrl Druce Mr P R Phillipson 1 w~o ha~ gone to li~ in Bulgaria. They are M11CWamn (01622 750789); Jan11.1ry 8 KCBA Fleming Spondon. Robert Northage, Brian wuhtd a long and happy retirement I Star Femina/Hunter Homines ladies' and men's Chamberlain, David Fletcher and Antony 1bunwntnt M11 E Y~~n~suchl Sadly Steib. Thompson, who \\'35 for Muter OubMuter pairs, Tunbridge Wells I pm; January 20 Marshall won the Swiss teams and Ben and MrR Bemdcs some years county treasurer, died on Mr R C Parker Larsky Cup heat, Farnborough; January 23 Joan Gibson, with Lincolnshire team­ October 23. 3 Star Muter Mr R 1l1111hclmer National pain heat, Beckenham DC; t.h C L McKenna mates, were third. In the Swiss pairs Tim MraRM Ronan January 28 National pain heat, Thnbrldge Diary dates: Janu01ry 8 B01inton Kmi· l Star Muter Miss C Robinson Johnson, with a Derbyshire partner, was final; January 29 Bainton final; February 12 Mr F C Williams MrM Rolcuk Wells DC; January 31 National pairs heat, third, with Antony M.mhaU and Brian M11 Y R Runeland Ashford DC. Please email details of results ran~om seeded teams (Pre-entry essential, I Star Muter Chamberlain fourth and Terry H)lle and closmg cbte February 3). Mn T A Jln'is Mr C N Whipman and forthcoming local events or anything Sylvia Hom sixth. MraA1\Imcr Mr J P Whipman M11M Yelland you would like to be included in this The Otto and Edith pairs, again pLl}'td MrRT1\amer column to a new address: Advanced Mutrr at Barkby DC, attracted an entry of 27 Manchester nmbennGhotmail.com pairs. Bharat and Jenny Grant recaptured Mr POCrols Natloaal Muter www.metrobrldge.co.uk Muter the Ldcestershire mimi pairs title. Brian Dr M Super CONGRATULATIONS to Gus Mr I Olo\er I Star Premier and Sheila Stockdale were 5CCOnd, Len Mn FLee RraJonal.lllutrr I Lancashire ~d~rwood, who \\'35 a member of the MrSO Pope Cla)1on and Glen Clelland third and John Mr PC Bect.,.ith www.lancsbrldge.ro.uk Lawson and Marjorie Boyd took the non· mnnmg team in stage two of the open tri· Mr 0 II Walker 5 Star RraJonal County Muter AN extraordinary general meeting amend­ apen prize. The top two married couples als, and to Espen ErichKn, who was in the Muttr 5CCOnd-pl3ced team. Also to J01n Pttter MraMToon MnEJRor2 ed the Lancashire Contnct Bridge the StoclWies and sixth-placed David and District Mutrr Association's constitution to take account Svendson for winning the Swiss teams at M11 S Dunne Star Rrglonal Julie Lashley, qualified to represent .1\lutrr of the change to English Bridge Union Leicestmhire in the final of the Midlands the Guernsey Congress and to Mike Club Muter Mn S M Reynolds Fletcher for coming 5CCOnd in the ume MraJOrcen 1 Limited. Copies of the new constitution Flitch. M11 V Robson event. Well ~one, also, to Marc Smith and MrMThonw 3 Star Muter han~ been sent to aU affiliated clubs and In the Stanley Trophy leading scores arc: members of council. ~ter Czemtewskl for coming Jta)nd equal Uncolnshlre Mr 0 Dl)lh heat one Jim Mason and Nick Stevens+ 78 111 l'rnnlrr Natlooal MrAMStoll I.CBA mimi pairs: I Hettie Sulton and Jan Druce and Mick Mahoney+ 31, Ti~ _the Surrey one d.l.y Swiss pairs and to Muter 1 Star Muter Stuart Cbrk, 2 Sue and Nick Woodcock, 3 Glo\'tt and Ptter Neville +2~; heat two Sht~n. Mohandes and Andy Bowles for MrS Quirk MrPWuku Marjorie Knowles and Johnny Langlands; Brian and Sheila Stockdale +58, Strphen thetr thtrd place in the Surrey A flight Swiss 2 Star l'maltr Ad ..aml.lllutrr teams the 1o1me wee~d. Dr J Bro"'n Pendle Witch pairs: experts I Michelle Barney and John Gale+ 3~, Tim Glover and R'lloaal Muter At the rescheduled AGM in October two Mr A Dro·an Mutrr Brunner and Rhona Goldenlield, 2 Da\•id Ptter Nnille + 28. 'IUunwntat Mr RJ Ste\·en50n Pennington and Eliubeth Roberts; middle Diary dates: December 7 Josephs Bowl new members, Chris Gidden and stef.mie Mutrr County Mutrr experts l David Ambler and Les Winters, 2 Rohan: were \'Oted on to the executh-e M11 0 f LandCI round three, BLlby; December 11 Midland MrNM Wilrt John and Julia Dearing; non aperts I Terri Counties league v Worc:estenhire, com~tt!ee. The primary officers of the assoctatton-chairman Michael Hill, secre-

42 English Bridge December 2005 tary Chris Duckworth and treasurtr Steve Master Point Egmton-were all re-appointed. Morris 0161·445·3712); January 7·8 Middlesex players nude up the bulk of The Udertr Memorial Trophy this )"tar Manchester County Congress, Rtnaimnce the team that won the seniors' knockout. promotions boasted one of the strongest fields ever and Hotel, ~nsgate, Manchester (Please send Victor Silverstone, Ian Panto and Tony • ,___._ter Mr R Wll.l.er the holders! Ireland, did very wcll to rttain )'our entnes to Jeff Smith 0161·702·3n3 Waterlow were in Ian Monacban's team --~· l Sw Master' ?r !l'obile 079760794390 or email that beat Ktith Stanley's team by I imp. tGfll Mr 0 R Olcll. the trophy m an c.xclting finish. Ste report ~nd ptctures on page 21. Results not )[email protected]); January 26 In the Hertfordshire Swiss teams (»)._.., Ad,..Dml 1\lasttr National pairs qualifier, Manchester Bridge )IrA~ MnSOonlon mduded there were: Best defence 1 Zia Norman Agran, Martine Rothchild, .lr Jlltlk COUIIIJ Alaster Oub 8pm (Enter via the club 0161-445· Michael ls;13cs and Robert Kane finished Mahmood and John Mohan, 2 Tom 371 ~lr RP l'rior Mr A Jefferies Hanlon and Hugh McGann; best bid hand 2: February 2 GolfPrint qualifier third. Mmevslde Mr M J Mitton Manchester Bridge Club 7.30pm (Entri~ Tony.Nunn a~d Sartaj Hans (Australia). Diary dates: janu;Jry 22 ranktd Masters l...,d Cfteshlre Dblrkt Alastrr to lefT Morris 0161·445·3712}; February 5 Mtxed pa1rs championship: 1 Ursula pairs, Pinner (Open to pla)-ers below the - rr-1rr Mr V Shaw Gazette Trophy teams of eight qualifier for !~•MIIItr Min B M Woodina Harper and ., 2 David rank of National Master}: February 12 ~ Club Master th~ Garden Cities Trophy, Manchester ladies' and gentlemen's pairs at the Acol. Gold and , 3 Brady and Dndge Club I pm. Clubs should enter their ~lllltr Mr A F.dwanls Je~nlfer Richter, 4 Andrew and Anne •lrRHSilad Northampton· Sumson. best te:~ms with Steve Mattinson 0161-439· Norfolk lUwllluta' shire 4318; February 26 Cantor Cup county I Diary datts: December 4 Daily event for newcomers, Altrincham Bridge I) C V.'llalcy 2 Star l'rmller Telegraph Cup inter-county teams, YCBC www.norfolkhrldge.co.uk • 5Cir Illata' Rralooal Master Oub (Entries to Darbal'll Uwis 0161·428 COUNlY chairman John Aspinall weJ. ~In WI 1bomploD t.fr C Ramamoonhy lpm (Contact Chris Duckworth on 4278). [email protected] or 020 7385 corned members to the AGM at Brundall MJdcllesu llfaloaal Alastrr Memorial Hall, a new venue. At the meet· ...... 1Jre Mr J Rhodes 3534); Janua.ry 8 London championship ..... ISw Merseyside & J ing the retirement wu announced of com· teams of four, YCBC Jpm (Contact Sati I Ches~ire petitions secretary Robbie Robenon, who Mr ESdllaiiiJCf 'l'bunlamfllt McKenzie on 020 7627 0977 or s.mc.ktn· ...... Nldliul Masttr www.mchLorg.uk rteeived liberal thanks from the chairman a11111r Mr 8 J Alston [email protected]); January 22 Palmer Bayer CONGRATULATIONS to David on behalf of Norfollc and its members for )lr JF Aasaia TounwDfllt Trophy simple system pairs, YCBC pm Stevenson on his third place finish in the aU the hard work he has put in ovn- the )lrJ H HolfmaD Masttr (Contact Chris Duckworth as above); Great Northern Swiss pain in partnership years. ,..._.lllllttr Mr P Double February 5 London championship pairs, Mr A 0 0 Brito ..Sw Alasttr with John Armstrong. The chaimun had this to say: 'I ha\-e Mr SA Mou Mn P Manh YCBC lpm (Contact Nigel Frtakt on 020 Ted Rtveley and Bill Niccol had an been a member of the county for nearly 25 all c Sale t.ln s Pulhouse 880 I 2884 or [email protected]}. excellent weekend at the North Wales GP years and cannot remember anyone else 5511rl'rBala' Mn A Wise event. They won the Swiss pairs by a mas· doing this job, although Robbie assures me .,._.alllttr J swl\laster' sive margin and then teamed up with Tracy that he has not been doing it for quite that Mn M H17- Mr 8 0 Churchill I Manchester •swl'rBala' Mr RG Hitches 1 Capal and David Adelman of Manchester long. Robbie, in his inimitable style, has ....._.lllasttr Mn S L Simpson www.lighton.btinternet.co.uk to finish second in the teams. Deva BC reg· very much made the job his own. In addi· •1r A LGrldus l Star !\Iuter WEll done to John Holland, who contin· ulars Darry Jones and Kevin Jones were lion, he was responsible for introducing •1r D~_111)111111 Mn I Richardson ued his gre:tt run of form by winning the equal second in the pairs and were mem­ the Duplimate machine to Norfolk. Robbie .JSIIr 11f11G1111 Mn J Sugden 1 ...... , l Star Master Great Northern Swiss pairs with Clive bers of the fourth-placed team. has rei uctantly decided to step down so he Mr ..lllua Mr RB Storr Owen from the North East. Out of the ISO· Major placing at the Chester Bowl will now bt able to spend more time with •tn E Root Advaaetd Master strong field Manchester had fivr pairs in (charity pairs} event at the Deva BC were his wife Freda and he will continue playing ...... lllllttr Dr M J Kennedy the prius. Bernard Goldenfield and Dill main final I Rekha Gatfield and Chris bridge. He will be a hard act to follow.' ~san. Mn HC Storr Hirst were second, Michael Byrne and Whaley, 2 Jeff Smith and Andrew Petrie, 3 The county is currently looking for :r ISCir Master David Stevenson and Richard Silcock: con­ new com~itions secmary. Please contact ,__ t.lr A BUilesl Michael Newman fifth, Rhona Golden field ...... MrOUpton and MicheUe Brunner seventh and Kath solation final I N-S Annie Mead and Bob John Aspinall or Olri.stine Buchan.ln for Join BT O'Coaaor and Alan Nelson lith. Ralph, I E·W Phyllis and George CL1rke. further deuils. ~ M Y-.b North East In the open trials Manchester pairs con· Merseyside DC Congress: championship Following the meeting, 13 teams com· ....._.. Premltr Ult pairs I Colin Nugent and Chru Whaley, 2 peted in the Swiss teams for the Howton ..... llbsltr tinue to dominate the field. John Holland, lin I Sc11ubat Mr OM Broadhead playing in a te:tm with John Armstrong Lit and Dill Wattlewonh, 3 Gill O'Neill and Trophy. Congratubtions to the winners, 5 5ar lllllttr Uldlaster' and Paul Hackttt, qualified comfortably Joan King; te:tms 1 Dill and Lit Roger Arney, David Newste:td, Michael lin S A\'lllb Mn J Edmunds for the second stage following a storming Wattlewonh, Nan Stephens and Anthony Whiting and Robbie Roberson. In second lin L Padmm Mr J Edmunds Butler, 2 Angus and Sally Oark, Mike Jubb pl.tce were Nigel Block, Ltna Taylor, Harry • 5ar lllllter Natloaall\luter comeback in the first stage. Justin and Jason Hackett, playing on a separate te:tm, and Dorothy Hislop. Fox and Brian Parkinson. Mr MJ Davis Mn ACunnlnaham Congl'lltulations to David Newstead MnJ~ MrNOn~y are also wcll placed. Diary dates: December 3 Waterworth Mn BK HiriJa Mn C Longley The annwl Pendle Witch pairs was won Cup Green Point county open pairs. MBC; who, together with a team of non-Norfolk .J Stir II IIIler Pranler Rtglooal by Rhona and M!chelle December II Merseyside Cup, MDC; players, has reached the last eight in the aiR S ~(.aye Muter I Golde~field Brunner, just beaung Dave Penmngton January 6 executive and council meeting, Gold Cup. lin 0 T1r11 Mr P Smilh Mort results: Robertson Cup handie~p and Junior international Elizabeth Roberts. LDC; January 21·22 Chester Congrtss, 2 Stir II!alter J Star RraJooal pairs 1 June and Peter Hummel, 2 Mr L lua 1\lasttr Michelle and Rhona finished third in the Deva DC: February 5 county trials, MllC; Christine Buchanan and Mark .W.....S Master Misl AC.ygill Lady Milne trials and were part of the February 19 Jean Keen Trophy county Undenvood, 3 Mary Smith and John •1n BDaniaaton 4 Star English team that reached the quarter· women's teo~ms, MBC; February 26 t.lr MLny TOIII'IIaJDfnl Bruter; YMCA Trophy I David Newstead finals of the Women's World Team Merseyside and Deeside Cup county ph'tlt lin 0. ~~ Master teams. MDC; March I 1-12 Green Point and Terry Noble, 2 Peter Oernens and ~ScUftl MrTPNuM Championship in Estoril. weekend, Risley. D~vid Gage, 3 Duoora and Mikt Hamden ·- 2Star Manchester County Congress returns to GabricUe Hubbard, the county prcsi- Mr L B1n1ca Tounwotot the popu13r city centre Rtnaimnce Hotel .. MrS PCq,e Muter 8 'ddl J dent, bad a busy, but enjoyable swnmer ~ llfaler Mr A LtSitr in Deansgate on January 7 and · 1L..:.;..;.:.; Ml ;.;;;,.;.;es.;.;;...e_x______. visiting dubs around the county and meet· ~l'lacb.nUa 5 Star I\laster Championship pairs will be played o\-er www.btinternct.com/-mc:ba ing members. As this will be the last coun· .._ U lllasaer Dr P J Prince two sessions starting at I pm on the MEMBERS will be saddened to learn ofthe ty news for the year the president, on -. I ~ 4 Star I\laster' Saturday and championship te:~~s on the ~~~=.. MnABell sudden d(;lth of Tony Go"-er. Tony put in a behalf of the county, wishes aU the mem­ J Star !\Iuter' Sunday starting at I lam. In addiuon there trtmendous amount of work on behalf of bm a \'fry happy Chrutnw and good ::N0 Grca\'fl Mn M Edwards will be novice C\"ents on the Saturday at 5 Middlesex. He joined the committte in health, happiness and enjO)-able bridge for E Holmaa Mr J Fail I pm and 7pm and on Sunday at II am :rnd 1991 and bCC:Jme seattary in 1992, a posi· 2006. ~~~~ Mn E Jenkins 4pm There may also be a schools e1·ent. tion he held until1995. In 1998 he became Diary cbtes: J;mu;Jry 22 Decdes Swiss - I Star 1\lastfl' t.ianchester has qualified for the last Norfolk Mn A Morgan chairman and held that post until he teams: )anu;Jry 29 Smart Trophy teams. ~ 111...... __. Advaaad 1\lasttr three ToUemache finals. The te:tm ~ccted mo1'Cd to Henfordshire in 2000. He will be ~ ·- MnCAAnnstronl to contest this year's qualifier was Mtchael sorely missed by his many friends through· Mr t.t Lnu Mrs E SIAinc:llfTe Newman, David Debbage, John ~olland, out . ~. Mutrr Michelle Brunner, john Has~lt, BIU Hirst, Mri NFa lasaer Mn J M !lorton Apologies to Denise Miller and Danny www.nebLco.uk I liar "lck Mr R P !Ionon Michael Dyrne (captain), Kat~ NelsoJ ff Roth, Jut )'tar's winners of the Middlesex YOUTH is to the fore again this month. T~ MnDRlvm David Adelman and county chlllrman e seniors' pairs, whose names were inadvrr­ Chris Owen, partnered by John Atthey, ~ County 1\lutrr Smith. ,.._ a1 d'd1 tently omitted from our member's hand­ won the English under 25 triab, thus Mr p Saaidt Air D Staolty David Adelman and Tracy .... p book in favour of the previous )-ear's win· gu.mnteeing Chru an under 25 e~p. The Dbtrkt 1\luter llllr• ..., well in the Cwmbran Green Poin! )-eat Mr BJ llrillei Mn D Goudie evr~:~ ners. The same e\-ent kided ofT this SC3· seniors' titles are out of his reach for a Mrit.IA"-'~ Mn L Orm110ell· finishing second in both the Swus p son's progl'llmme and was won by Pauline or two )"ttl Chris may be busy playing at •~t~r~ Bliu and the Swiss te:tms. lk Franks Cohen and Anthony \V"mner, with Jacqul top levels, and reading history at HuU, but 11 Mr.s~ 1\lr B Nicholls Dill dates: Dec:cmber n and Ptter Tobi.u second. he still finds time to viJit our MiniBrldge J~t~r•a..r Tto hyrycounty qwlifier for the Corwen At the Guernsey congress Victor sessions for seven·13·)'t3r·olds and Tro~hr. Manchester Dri~~~~~~ ;Jg'). Sil1-erstone, pl01ying with Jan Monachan, encourage the players. 2 We are delighted to welcome Tom ~~~ (Entries to Pat Claus pairs, was first in the men's pairs and second in B~~~a Dcss.tin and Nicola MacDougall to the ... J:::: December l~d Oub (Entries to Jeff the Swiss pairs. Manchester Dn ge ...______; December 2005 English Bridge 43 the championship pair$ by Peter Mileski North East, while they art at Durham Bridge Club 401 Mansfield Road 7pm (ucept for December 14, which is the and Let Collier. Master Point Uni\·usily. We art starting to devdop a Saturday's Gr«n Point Swiss pairs s.~w nucleus of good young play.:rs north of Christmas party). . Alan and Jette Dailey from Devon victori· promotions For enquiries concerning the GolfPnnt Watford. ous Steve Tomlinson and Ralph Smith Trophy heat (for golf dubs) contact Angela Club 1\lmtr l Star 1\lmtr A youthful Jan Rankin and Mike we~ ~«ond and Michael Whittaker and Mrs P Dal.er Mrs Ill Thompson Fullerton on OilS 9212035. Note the new Stanbury won the NEDA ~niors' title at St Gina Howard third. Sun!by's Grttn Point Mrs Ill Do"n I Star 1\lmrr Georges, with Davt Broadbent and Clive website address. Mrs C E Keilty Mrs I! Sims Swiss trams was won by David Parry, Mr NA Lancaster AdtanmlliiUitr Owen runners-up. The Newcastle Swiss Elizabeth Wright, Nick Wilson and Rosie IMrs Cllt l..anc:aslcr Mr KA C111go trams event was won by M Page, N Dailey, White from London and Reading. Mr R Maude 1\laurr T JGng and F Springen, followed by Nand Oxfords hire Mrs AM Young Mr C P Kni~ht The Bristol Trophy (runners-up on I Aiston, J Wooton and A Wardle. www.oxfordshlrrbrldge.co.uk Sunday) was won by Warner and Louise h blstrkt lllmer TitADJTJONALLY held as dub invitation­ NotUng am- Mrs A Ooill.in Congratulations to Peter Prince and Soloman and Gwynn Davis and Pat Davia shire Mr R Dod~in Alan Lester on winning the pairs at the al trams of four, the Hanvdl Cup has bern from Devon, Bath and Dristo~ John and Natlon~~llllmrr Cluh 1\lastn Wensleydale Mini Congress. Renal dialy­ restructured as an open Swiss trams event Mr D I! DaGley Mrs C A llannlltn sis, a cause close to Peter's heart, benefited This new format proved a winner, with Marjorie Dilworth, playing with Colin l'mnlrr R~lonal I by £200, as the winners nominate the entries flooding in. Tradition was never­ Norman and Roger Sweet, were third. 1\la~ter Staffs and Commiserations to Rob Lawy and his Mr A J Fisher Shrops recipient charity. The congress was a theless upheld by the accompanying heat­ l Star Rrgl01111l NatloiUIIIIIUitr smoothly· run affair, with Sue Hird at the wave that has followed this event from its team· mates, who were knocked out in the 1\IUirr Mr 0 Clarke helm, and the splendid tea was much original midsummer date to early autumn. si.Ith round of the Gold Cup and hence jwt MrOALee PrrmlrrRq:lonal appreciated. Last September players were forced to failed to go to Prrbles. I Star Rrglolllll lllaster In the Western League, the A tram bas lllaster Mrs J S Cnwfunl Over the first weektnd in Octo~r Clive move their tables into the garden. The Mrs AP Fullen011 Rrglollllllllastrr Owen and John Holland won the Great recent installation of an air-conditioner had a poor start, losing to both East Wales RraJonallllmter Mr J R llirst Northern Swiss pairs at Warrington in a and four extra fans at Oxford DC prt· and Hereford. The D team of Anne Mrs Y [)o.oson County Masttr display of great consistency, leading the empted the need for any such upheaval. McBride, Ktn Pye, Colin Simcoi and 5 Star 1\IMtrr 1\lrs 01 Do" ell Frank Cottman had a very good win Mrs EJ Ra..son Mrs M Hodgson field throughout the competition. At the The winners by a considerable margin J Star 1\laster Mrs C S Weston EDU AGM Clive w.u elected to ~rve as an were Nick Smith, Alan Wilson, Stuart against Hereford, while in the fJ.rSt com· Mrs M E Fox Mr JO Weston England selector. McPhee and Rob Proctor. petitive C match the tram of Sandra Lo\'e, l Star 1\lalter Club Master At the SGU Autumn Congress, the open Another innovation this season is the Ron Tapp, Sally Stuttard and Sue Wa)'Tmn Mrs M Mttchcll Mr I 0 Nimmo Ad,·anmlllluttr Prof A E Underhill pairs was won by lan Rankin and Rob monthly ~niors' pairs competition held on had an excellent 20·0 win against East Mrs SC Bat\cr Maude, while Fergus Marshall was in the the first Monday of tach month from Wales. Mrs J 111 Drool Suffolk winning tram in the men's open teams. October to March. Brian and Sandra Congratulations to Steve Tomlinson Mrs 0 1indale J Star Premier and Steve Turner for a terrific performance 1\lastu Rrglollllllllastrr The fifth Castle Morpeth newcomers' Claridge won the Octo~r session. Entry is Mil S A Ashtari Mr 0 Beeton teams of four event was won by Joan and open to ODA mem~rs aged 55 or more. in winning the consolation Swiss trams at Mr S Boden l Star John Sadler and Eric Lodge of St Georges Thirty-two boards art played, starting at II the Brighton Congress ahead of 250 other Count)' 1\lasttr Tournament DC, together with Lynda Dale of am and finishing at 3.30 pm, with a break trams. Dr R J Atkinson 1\luler Harrogate. Wari."Worth DC, repre~nted by for lunch. A trophy is awarded to the pair Other noteworthy performances Mrs p D~~tnfonh Mrs Y Micl Mrs N II Barren Thumamrnl Stan Styles, Mike Gulla in, Sally lynch and with the highest scores taken from four out include Eric Cummings and Gordon Mrs F IGrk lllaster John Sellars, came a close ~cond. The well· of the sii comprtitions. The cost is £6 McDride in coming second in the Avon Club 1\lastu Mr J London run event was enjoyed by all the participat­ including lunch and unlimited tea/coffee. Green Point S1viss pairs and Marjorie and Mr 0 Landon Advanmlllluttr Mrs J A Jlavanl· ing trams. The venue is Rokt Village Hall (home of John Dilworth with Colin Norman and Oxfordshlre Davies Whitley Day DC is celebrating its' dia· Wallingford DC). Please send entries to Bill Roger Swrrt in winning the Cornwall l'rnnltr Natloaal 1\lutrr mond jubilee In style this year with a din· McCarthy. Green Point Swiss teams. 1\lasttr Mrs E C Jeal ner at the Grand llotel Tynemouth and At the Doumemouth Congms Gillian In the DGD autumn simultaneous pairs Mr oW Bn~ott District 1\luttr several playing events. The mem~rs have lonsdale and Nigel Wilkes performed well 1\111 S J Nicholson Mr 0 WHudson Sheila Coda and Gina How:ud art present· J Star !'ranier Mr S lawer also installed a chairlift, which rather to reach seventh place in the Swiss pairs ly lying ninth o1=ill. RraJonaii\IUitr Club 1\luttr changes the role of the chairman! event in a field of 162, as did Phil Andrews Diary dates: December II ladies' and Mr 0 0 Carroll Mr W Kimberley Congratulations to all concerned. and Michael Graham, reaching fourth men's pairs, West Camel; January 7 Swiss MrS Elliott Mr R C Ro"e The annual bailie against York5hire was place in the nvo stars final from a field of Prrmltr Rt'lioiUII M r 0 S Stott pairs De Vdliers-Hart Troph)'• Taunton; 1\lasttr held at the ~ginning of Septem~r and 28 pairs. Jan\1.1ry 28 club teams of eight. Mr K Kazrnlera.ak Surrey NEDA came second in both the A and 8 The latest EDU/ODA joint venture, held Mr M L King Grand lllastrr matches. in September (which included a profes­ I Star Rrclonal Mr .M 0 Scoltock Diary dates: Decem~r 1-2 autumn sionally guided tour of the city, lunch and 1\lasttr Prtm~r We Mr C Cooper 1\laster sim pairs, clubs; Decem!Kr 4 Niman-lsrael bridge at Wadham College), elicited such a www.wolvtrharnptonbridge.org.uklsta!Ts 5 Star 1\lutrr Mrs M Moss miied multiple teams, St George's, huge demand for places that the organisers THE county simultaneous pairs 1\'35 a tri· Mr SB Powell Urr 1\lulrr Darlington. havt arranged a repeal for March 27 next umph for Shmvsbury with John and Pam J Star I\laster Mrs P Avril Mort detail on all news from the North year. Please see feature article on page 23 Mr MP llosking MrS J Fualc Cooper from Shrewsbury Newcomers first M11 B Morland M11 V l'rid:ly East, and the latest league results, are avail­ for the full story. and Sue Frost and Geoff Roberts from II Star 1\laster Prrm~r National able on the NEDA website, together with Diary dates: December 4 Swiu pairs Shrewsbury runners-up. Mikt Short and Mrs 0 Evans 1\lutrr some e.xaUentlink5. Give it a try! championship, Oxford DC; Decern~r 5 Mary Buckley from Newport were thin!. Advanced l\lasler Mr A B Bailey Seniors' pairs, Rokt village hall: Decem~r Mr M R Allen Mr I N Druce Other dub winners wert Peter Cartwright Dr J Mumy Mr A P lleatly II Dawes league v Staffordshire, Oxford and Pat Stacey Eccleshall), Jill Charles and lllutrr M11 I! LTanner DC; January 9 ODA management commit­ Liz Hodge (Severn, Dridgnorth), John Dr p BIICOII Mrs CA Tcllschcr www.nollsbridge.org.uk tee meeting, Oxford DC; J;muary 9 Seniors' Shepp« and Geoff Davies (Stafford), Jul ie Mr C AOidman Natloaalllluter IN the county match against pain, Rake village hall; January IS Deck Midwinter and Jane Reeves (Stone), Phil 1\lr W Mundy Mr JJ Munagh Wanvick5hire, the first tram lost 6-14, cup heat, Oxford DC; January 22 Friendly County 1\lastrr Dr 0 C Pinder Hanson and Roy Catmur (Tamworth), Mrs p Grant II Star Prrmlu while the i«

44 English Bridge December 2005 Master Point Suffolk The la!e't session of the Surrey simulta· form, the latest results at Nouinghamshire neous jlalrs was pl3)'td in clubs throughout www.suffolkbrldge.co.uk being 14·6, 0·20 and 4·16, followed by a promotions th~ county in S~tember. A total of 950 drubbing from Derb)'lhire, 7·13, 1·19 and ONE ~f the major events in the Suffolk at. ~- cont Sussex pairs plat·ed, an increase of 200 on 4· 16 in the Dawes, Porter and Markham _ ••,_...... _.. ure Mastn- endar IS the three-day Fdiutowe Co Febru~ry. A d . ngress. leagues respmh1:ly. JSW- Mr 1\1 II Denny tten an~ was slightly up this }'tar for the Diary dates: January 8 affiliated teallU lndhidually, however, results are beuer .a.-- Mr J Gins 25th anntversary of the congress Th of.eight, Richmond; February 19 Seniors' d Mr R S1m:ns and congra1ulations go to Margaret t.tra:;.UW l'rtmltr Natlo1111l Suffolk committee is seeking mea~s t~ p~1rs, Wimbledon and Yateley. Armstrong and Michad Allen, who won ,._., Masin- make the event more attractive to Suffolk Please note that the date of the ladies' members. the inaugural East Midlands Mixed Pairs :'~ Mr L T Northc.u1 tea~ s at Wimbledon has been changed to Cup, and again to Margaret and Michael ...._.: I Star l'rtmlu Popular winners of the Felixstowe Apnl 2 to avoid a clash wilh the Luxor who, with Dodo Georgevic and Robin atn J B ...... -na Rf!llonall\lastu champio,nship pairs were Doc lacey and Congress. Please book events on line via JSW Mn PLec Ogg, won the MacFarlane Cup at the ,_...,. 3 Slar l'rtmlrr Paddy 0 Shannahan. They are faithful sup­ the website if possible. Derbyshire invitational teallU event. Also ,tr._.RKJloolhnWI Rflllollllll\lasttr porters of Suffolk e\'ents and many con· congratulations to Harvey and Caroline a MrO l'ark grat~lalions to them. In second place were Brown, joint winners of the Green Point ISW l Star l'rtmltr Mane Coates and Mike Del· Do, with Maria Sussex ,..._. Rqlonall\laslrr Swiss pairs at the Malvern Congress. Allnutt and Debby Sutcliffe in third spot www.sccba.co.uk In the clubs the Moseley Bowl was lYOn :m"NcKimmic Mr MA Rounds _...... 9 Star Rrclonal The Swiss teams was won by Chri~ THE new season of competitions kicked by Dodo Grogevic, Robin Ogg and Sue and 1..... Mastn- Chambers (Jonathan Green, Paula J..cslie ofT with a successful Autumn Congress at Geoff Moriss, with Brian Cornelius, Paul tdn AC Dult MrJ II Woocbnl and Suzanne Sheasby), followed by Peter the preny Steyning Village Centre. Hacktu, Jwtin Hackett and Brian Senior tdr a Umbe Utar Rflllolllll Markwell (Claude Stokes, Darry Din Honours go to the following individuals second, while the Ann Ormond pairs was Ut IMkc Master Gudka) and Bob Hair (Sid Prince, Alan for their successes al the evtnt: No Fear led by Raf.tl Langowski and Andre Pacek, :.UJ l.ale Mn M Smilh Cohen, Alan Greenstein); the consolation pairs Barrie Cavell and Christine Dean; with Peter Oldbury and Brent Wormald Mr JS Nnia l Star Rqlooal pairs was won by Tony Shearman and ladies' pairs Tilly Hennings and Fran ruMen-up. 5511r Alaster Master tdrAEBroob Mn PCouhcr David Haig-Thomas; the Suffolk Coastal 'J'!lornlon; piYOI teams Harold and Cecily Result of the West Midlands bdies' pairs tdrCJI!\mst MnM DJones Shield by Peter Markwell and Claude Linfield, Geoff and Joan Kdlett; congress was I Jane Hall and Carolyn F-..sher, 2 Mary tdr R f1irbun1 Mr P V Smilh Stokes; the ladies' pairs by Maria Allnutt pairs final Jan lancaster and Gerry Andrew and Hylda Townsend. The men's 4511r Maller .a Star and Debby Sutcliffe; the men's pairs by Bob Stanford; secondary final Tun Greenhill pain was won by Adrian Knight and Leslie loin M AnasUon& 'l'ournament tdn JM Blake Master Hair and Sid Prince and the mixed pairs by and Chris Bainham; open pairs Brian Reece, wilh Peler Oldbury and Brent atn 5 l'eiaaascr Mn D Nicholson Brenda and Peter Howlen, with Sue and Loasby and Ron Duddery; Swiss teams Jan Worm;~ld second. atniP.Iordln l Star Chris Taylor second and Ann and Terence and Liz Lancaster, Dave Oifton and Chris AI the Sutton Coldfidd club, winners of Mr PS Naaacc Tounwnmt Clark third. On the Saturday afternoon Jepson. the Joyce Hare teams trophy were Margaret atn JTI)Ior Mastrr there was a Bridge for All section and the Duncan Curtis and Andrew Morris and Allan Bond, Nigel Argust and David tdnCYiadcuberJb Mn ETLBrooks Werry. lSIIrMaskr I Star winners were Dorothy J!adley and Vera came equal second in the Surrey Swiss atn BM Barter Tounwnent Roach. pairs, while Sussex Grand Master Geoffrey At West Midlands DC Margaret a~n m1111cm1n Maseu The Ipswich Swiss pairs was won by Wolfarth was third in the Swiss pairs in the Armstrong has relired from the board of Nr RA Collins Mn A IIIII I EDU Autumn Congress at Bournemouth, directors af1er many years of dislio· Mr JF Flower Mr R H Whiling Peter Gemmell and Peter Sutcliffe, who were jwt I vp better than Peler Markwell partnering Nevena Senior. Well done to all guished service, being a founder member Nrll'lllcr Tounwntnt Sussex players Dave and Armslrong of 1he club and dirmor of the Solihull Mn AI Ra1Jcns Mastu and Claude Stokes, who in turn were lvp Jill took a troupe of youngsters to lhe junior Bridge School. The occasion was marked MrO E Sarle Mn F Andrews up on Ralph Parish and Tony Shearman. teach·in at Loughborough. These were wilh the presentation 10 her of a bouquet 25llr •~aster .a Star M115tu The Frinton teams was won by Janet Mr JC Moore Mn J Shillinglaw grandchildren Felix ( 10), Lily (7) and Eric of nowers by president Michael Fisher. Mr M AO'DoancU 3 Star M115tu Gardiner (Roy Goddard, Tony Shearman (7), along with friends Nat Lawton {10) Margarel is a Grand Maslcr and remains ... AII'Iyae Mn M EtherinG~on and David Haig-Thomas), with Esther as enthusiaSiic :u ever about her bridge, MrJJSpriq Mn LV Ganliner and Alex Carr (6). When they arrh-ed at Wade (John Paterson, Reg Baker and their first lessons 1hey met another Sussex regularly winning C\'ents far and wide, as ISIIr • ._. l Star M115ter Norman Denny) second. There were Dr J Ba_]D Mr BE Slanden )'OUngsler, S1~hen , who was there with his illwtrated above. Mr .IF Flldc Mr R II Weir improved entries for 1he men's and ladies' mum, K:Jtie Ktnnedy. All had a thoroughly Wilh great sadness we learn of the sud· Mn SA Hcnlland I Star M115tu pairs. Rosemarie Mascall and Barbara inleresting lime, as all Sussex plarers will den death of Dr Morris Hughes, who g:J\1: MrAAWcbh M s SEbs~orth Barker were run·away winners for 1he have read in 1he counly newsleuer. II war· himself fully lo all his bridge activilies for .W... •~astu Mr D llowanJ. ladies, while Tony Shearman and Ralph Mn I M llamil11111 lluuston rants a mention hert because they all lYOn Wmviclshire, the Birmingh.un Business Mr J llowanJ Mr R Smilh P:!rish were 1he men's winners. prizes: Felix and Nat were the best Raw Houses, and the Arden, Shirley and Mr f K L)'IICIS Mn S J Webb The Suffolk club teams of eight for the Rookies in the MiniBridge, Eric and Lily Cadbury clubs. Morris was most enthusi· Miu CJ Malden Adnnml Alaster Abbeygale Shield was won by Ipswich, wilh were the besl improvers and Slephen and astic in encouraging new plat'trs to take up Mn HMist Mn 0 P Cowan Colchester second and Bury St Edmunds Alex the most enlertaining. We hope to bridge, being particularly active in the ~ MnGOCo~ell .,..LSBcancu Muter third. generate enough inlerest locally to be able Britlgt fur All iniliative and organising ~ AE Conslan1 Mn A Buaer Andrew Moore has held important to organise counly school bridge events coun1y malchcs for emerging players. - BM Colbeu Mr CO S1n1w offices for the last five years, including and hope to set all the )'Oungsters men­ Equally at home :u a tournament director MnCADavis MrSJThmcr treasurer and county captain. Business tioned here playing bridge again in the or simply pulling out countless chairs and MnRTFicucimlo Mn E Verheul commitment means that he will be hand· vtry near future. tables on club nights, his unstinting efforts County Mastu Mr J L t.lanchn Ms BA Bilker ing over these duties. The cou?tY ~ends The SCCDA wishes all its bridge pla)'en were made without complaint and inlcr· Mr RW Marlow Mn S M Baler many thanks for his contnbuuon to and 1heir families the best of 1he season spened with countless humorow ancc· Suffolk bridge. Peter Gemmell will be our and a happy, heahhy and successful new dotes. Bridge players of all abili1y levels ~~~ t',~~r county captain from the start of 2006 and year. See you at the New Year's Swiss learns lm-ed playing wilh Morris, as he took his ~ Masler Mn AM many ~rtners' errors with rquanimily, MrsVEAfnnklia Golcls~orlhv we wish him well. on January IS. Mrs aU-...:... _ I Diary dates: December II Suffolk Diary dates: December 4 SCCBA basic wually greeting an :tb)'lmal dummy with Nscu=~ MnCI'ran Mrs ,....,.ona Mr R Robens knockout teams, Stoke·by·Nayland lpm bridge pairs, Chichesler; December S 'Man·dlous!' or 'Excellent!' Just oa:asion· AM Mr II K Shirley (please nole start time); January 6 Su~ol~ mixed pairs heal, Wesl Sussex; December ally, when an C\'en worse offering was Mr Dr R Zijl 51nl singles, Colchester 2pm; February 12 F::U 9 National paiu heat, Worthing; tabled he would peer over the top of his Mrs Dlltrkt lllutrr teams of four, Stoke·by· Naylan~ 2pm. December II SCCBA Devonshire Cup spectacles and say, 'Hmmm, nry inlerC$t· Mr J~ Dr II A Beveridge final and plate, EaSibourne; December 12 ing...!'His bridge family has lost an irre· Mrs MrKCBohon details are on the Suffolk web Slit and ~ur competitions secmary, Jyl ~tarsh (OI.~ National pairs heat, West Sussex; placeable, openhearted and much·lo\-ed ~~md Mn B R Linfield son. Mrs& .- MrPThmer 322 546 and earlings11!btopenwor.ld.com December 13 mixed pairs heat, Avenue; DrPJ~ ClubMutu is available for entries and any advice. January 3 National pairs heal, Avenue; Diary dales: December 3 Garden Cilies MrsV~ MrVCole January 8 Sussex individual semi· finals, qualifier, Stralford DC 2pm; December 14 Mr 1 ~:-&las Mr A G Finch Eastbourne and Horsham; January 9·11 Warwickshire pairs round two, Coventry Mr EE IWIII Mr B L Koetser DC 6.SSpm; January 6·8 Midland Counties MrR Ni~hlingale Surrey DGB simultaneous pairs, clubs; January M.acf:: SCCBA New Year Swiss teams, Con11ress, R:lmada Ho1el, Dewdley (Don't t.trosGiU MrMCRead surreycountybrldge.org.uk he 15 www Henficld; January 18 SCCBA charity forget to reserve your place); January 10 :J Warwickshire SEVEitAL Surrey players di~ well at I t t!: lfln.ey simultaneous pairs, c.lubs; Jan~ary 22 Nationotl pairs heat, Moseley BC 7.1Spm; ~NSI~PriCtcn 5StarRraloiUII one d~y Green Point Swul t.ea~:,'t~ SCCDA basic bridge paus, East Gnmlead; January 17 Gol!Print heat, WC$t Midlands .., :--!'"1 )lutu Guildford. The of and ~!9lar Mn MM Innes w~nners ~he ~f~trd January 29 David Pavey seml·finals, DC 6.55pm; February II Omity Swiss Mike Eden, Carne Eden, ue VardJ teams, WC$t Midlands DC lpm: February ~ ch rd Mill~ rd. with Paul Shannon, A11:nue and West Su5SCX...... r:-nt Ri a. kson and Jane Morton 12 Doyle Plate mixed pairs, \\'C$t Midlands ~J~~ Mn MP Drown DerwJg, Rob Coo of the B flight "-ere BC 1.45. Entries for Wanvicbhire e-.·enu, atftJ- MrWGalts runners·up. Winners · d Graham please, to Darren Eveus at 53 Murcott .._ v~ ~ 3 Star Masttr d I d1· ~ loUIS an Rwd East, Whitnash, Wanvidshire, CV31 ·- MrACiiffonl Edmund an n '" . Frances Trebble, MnSLewis and Shirley Butler, w.lth nd Peter 2JI,Id 01926 .J29 039. Ad\Uced Master Barbara Warner, Sheila Brtnt a Mr ST Larnbtn Peterson runnen·UP· December 2005 English Bridge 45 and Cynthia 1\!oore. There was a tie for fine results at the Guernsey Congreu. Master Point Wiltshire second place between John Cattanach, They c;~me fourth in the Swiss teams and third in both the pivot teams and the sen. promotions www.wcba.co.uk Suzanne Griffin, Jimmy Ledger and David Thomas (Worcestershire) and D Smedley, iou' teams. Philip and Janet Mason won AITER the third match of the premier w.uwlckshlre J Griffin, M Young and T Pilklngton the seniors' pairs and c;~me second In the cont 6 Star RrJional league the position of the teams was as fol­ mixed pairs. Ted and Janet Latham were Masttr lows.: I Pat Davis, Chris Dimn, Gwynn (Derbyshire). MrTPillina MB Bllint County women's pairs I Sue Page and sixth in the Swiss pairs and third in the Masttr D~v1es, Valerie and Peter Austwick; 2 Bob Mn B 0 Nicholls Sharleen Weir, 2 Sue Lane and Marian seniors' pairs. In another combination, Mr P Edkins I Star Rrglonal Bannister, Andrew Law, Kathy Hodgson Philip and Ted were second in the men's Mn VKenlish l\lasttr and Geoff Jenkins, 3 Richard Samter, WilcoL The county men'• pairs w:u won t.IBWWon DrS EBmwn by David Thomas and Dennis Loynes, pairs. Dobbie Sissons and Dale Strawn County Masttr Norman Bolton, Andrew Parkes, Trevor teamed up with Louise and Warner JStar Purthes and Susie Gall. playtrs who had never partnered each t.lr RFBeet lbumammt other before. Who said that bridge was a Solomon to come second in the pivot MB VMWalker Master This year there has been a change to District Masttr game of experiencel Mih Theelke and teams. Mr A Jones the Western League, with a third team Heather Hobson and Roy Garthwaite MB E Bmhcnon 1Star brought in to play each match. This is to Paul Hooker were second and John MrLBmwn Sansom and Richard Jephcoltthird. won the mixed pairs at the Isle of l\lan Tournam~nt en.co~rage more people to take part in MnODOwlton Master The well-attended Green Point Congress. Angela Booth and Peter Ra dl ~ y MrM Edwards MrPJ Foster th." .mter-county c?mpetition. Anyone Mn V Sunnson wtshmg to be cons1dered for Inclusion Malvern Congress was a triumph for Sue were third. ICJubMasttr I Star Lane and Marian Wilcox, who won both Rob Turner and Mary Whyms were the Toumam~nt should contact Diana King on 01225 Mr D C Cardnell Masttr 774488. the Swiss pairs and the Swiss teams. They highest placed Yorkshire pair in the Grnt Mr N Eyre Northern Swiss pairs, coming fifth. MrN M Lewis AMS Bonka The Western League season began with tied for first place in the Swiss pairs with Tournammt Harvey and Caroline Brown. Third and Kath Grimoldby simultaneous pairs; 1 MrJ Ullyaop Masttr an away match against Cornwall. The A MrPOdey . MlssJ Bowie team won, but the B and c teams lost. The fourth places In a 122-pairs field were Raymond and Shirley Blamires MnASShah taken by Colin Wilson and Diana Avis and (Brighouse and Spen), 2 Sue Hird and t.IBCSmilh 5 Star lllasttr A team compristd Roger Karn, James MBWfreeman Dunlop, Danny Miller, and Colin Jones. Dennis Loynes and Sue Evans. Sue and Brian Richardson (Wensleydale), 3 Gl yn MrS Swift 4 Star l\lasttr The B team was Gayle and Colin Webb Marian teamed with Joyce Skelton and Foley and Gary Heane (Beauchief), 4 Westmorland MrMACooper Paul Hammond to win the Swiss teams D~d Hall and Carol Hall (Doncaster), 5 Mr D J Donaldson and Phil Bennell and Vic Holden and C I Star 1\luter outright. Second in this 63·team event MnMAPeden MrDLHaines team was David and Margaret Tnc1a Pearce and Sue Boag (Pic.kering). MrGNbon were Bill Gardner, Laurie Sedar, Irene The ladies' teams of four for the Nel50n WIIUhlre Thackaberry, Marion Cowley and Steve Mri'O Shaw Stafford. The second match was against Robinson and Robert Kane. The non­ Rose Bowl wu won by Anne Rowan Grand 1\tasttr JStarMuttr expert Swiss pairs was won by Judy and MrCPDixon MrD Butler Avon at the Nursteed Centre and the third Shirley Carter, Ruth Barker and Lesl~ Pnmltr National Mr M B Epstein Hereford away. The fourth match will be Michael Haines and the non-expert Swiss Bridson. Heather Hobson, Pearl Murphy MUla' MrR Hudson against East Wales in January. All the teams by Maggie Ellis, Sheila Cather, Bobbie Sissons and Annette Jackson we~ MnJGray MB OJ Mapstone Margaret Bridge and John Scurfield. At results will be announced in the next issue second and Janet Latham, Judith Biles1 MBGWebb MBJE Walker the congress the Dimmie fleming award 9 Star Rrglonal 1StarMuter of the maga1ine. June Manning and Sue Logan third. 1\tasttr MBA Dukes The Wiltshire knockout has got under was presented to John Cattanach by EBU The team of Stuart Davies, Derek Mr OR Wilmoct Mr J HA115011 way with eight teams entering. The event vice· president Keith Stanley. .Markham, Sheila Galloway and Alex I Star Rqlonal MrS Smilh is played in the players' homes around the Diary dates: December S mixed pairs, Ainsworth won the Huddersfield 1\tasttr Mr SJ Vickmlalf county, with 24 boards played during Holt Fleet 7:15pm; December 19 Examiner Rose Bowl. Ted and Janet Mr JN Corbett MrLWintm Christmas Charity Swiss teams on behalf 6 Star RrJionai I Star 1\lasur each round, and 32 in the final. The first Latham, John Hinton and Shelagh Flett Masltr MBMJones round was schedultd to be completed by of Parents Experiencing Adult Loss (All were second and Geoff Ken)-on, Carole MnSM Blandy Mr SPB Percival the end of November. standards welcome to play in one of hvo Kelly, Judith Biles and Stephen Pollard 1 Star Masttr MB M Rhodes sections- bener players or non-experts), third. Mr CR Baldock MBPSWameu Th.e Corsham pairs was won by Bob Banmster and Andrew Law, with Danny Holt Fleet 7pm; January 6·8 Midland .Garfortb Swiss teams: 1 Tony Mum)', I Star !\taster MBITYoung 1 MnDAdams Ad..-anmll\~r Miller and Colin Jones second and Colin Co~nties Congress, Dcwdlcy; January 16 Bnan Legetter, John o·sullivan and Ad.-anad 1\tasttr MrMO!apman and Gayle Webb third. National pairs heat, Holt Fleet 7.1Spm. Malcolm Robinson, 2 Alan Martindale MnJKStecr MrDV Hudson DrJ H Unle This year events remain at the ~chard Hilton, Roger Taylor and Richard Worcestenhlre MBKOgilvie Nursteed Centre in Dcvizes. Remember if Yorkshire Pike, 3 Don Cravtn, Neil Paterson, John Pnmltr Natloaal MB P Stanford you bring along a newcomer to cou~ty Hanson and Derek Atkinson. 1\lasltr Dr K D C Stoodlcy events your own entry is waived, so check www. ytba.freeserve.co.uk Diary dates: December 4 Yorkshire Mn PJ Crisp Prof A Wren CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah Teshome 1 Star Pmnltr l\laster the county programme, or visit the web ~gue; December 18 Yorkshire mixed Rqlonal Muter site. It is now very easy to book for an who, . with. Catherine Jagger of pivot teams; January 8 Yorkshire League· 1 Mr J Appleyard MsSSiwp MrTCrabt= event on line. )wt visit the Wiltshire web Cambndgeshue, won the trials for the Janua~ 15 Yorkshire pairs; January 2Z 1 Star 1\tasltr MrJ KDavis page shown at the start of these notes. Lady Milne in fine style; also to Hugh Yorkshire League (division 12 only); Mrl R Lealc MBA E Kimberley Bridge teaching is being undertaken McGann, a member of the Irish team that I Star ~taster County Muter January 29 Doncaster Swiss pairs; this year, in Trowbridge by Diana King succeeded in retaining the Lederer February. 2 Margery CartWright simuha· MnH Efarmer MBO EAnaell Trophy. AdYanmll\tasttr MtA~Iand and Phil Green and in Swindon by Keit h neous pa1rs. MrDEHayrox MBKGtll Sharp. Check the Wiltshire web page Congratulations as well to the mem­ . Please send results or other items of Mn S Mdkttipn MBMB Phillips above for details. bers of l\lalton Bridge Oub, who celebrat­ toterest for indwion in this column to Bill MnBNicholiOn Mn J Pnchfork ed their golden jubilee in September the Masttr MnODShovlin Diary dates: January 8 Butler p~irs; Townsend at billt~btopenworld.com MrO B Ifill Mr J S Thrower January 14 Western League match against proceedings being enlivened by the a;ten­ County Master MB M Woodford East. Wales; January 22 National pairs dance of Andrew Robson, who gave mas­ Mn 0 J Solomon Dlstrid 1\lasttr qualifier; February 26 mixed pairs; March ter classes to an audience of around 80 THE EBU website Dbtrld 1\tasttr Ms JE Ballans people. MrCDRyckr MrREBmwn 18 \~estern League match against Dorset; address for all the latest Mr D C Slainton Mr J Comlhwaite 1 April I Western lngue match against The team of. Tom Gisborne, Sandy Club !\taster MrPADaw10n Devon; April 9 championship pairs final· Davies, Dave Robmson and 1\fike Pomfrey bridge news and lllnEM Rowley MrMCDmain April 23 mixed teams; May 7 AGI\1; /Ita; has reached the final of the Silver Plate. competition results is Yorbhlre MnS LHoyle 13 Western League match against The quartet of Philip and Janetl\la50n MrJ Key Ted and Janet Latham produced a set ( 1PmnltrUie Mr P J Londtsborouah Some net. 0 www.ebu.co.uk !\laster t.IBASuckall l\lnS Pell MrDWomll 4 Star Pnm1tr CJubMasttr IWorcestershire ' : ' ' ' R~ Muttr MrS J Blackburn t.l1ss AM Bamforlh MB A M Bright www.wcbLfreeserve.co.uk Aussie bridge travel facts 1 Star Pmnlrr Mr J D Bright The Stourbridge one day Swiss teams was IN the October Issue of English Brid e Mi h Rflloaal Masur Mr J B Fomst won by a group from Warwickshire, John Mr A P GouldinJ Mn 1 lloh his experience of playing in the W~ld J c . ael Byme, writing on II Star Pmnltr Mr F AJ Isue Illingworth, Terry )ones, Peter )upe and Australia, blamed England's poor perf umor Championships In Rralonal Masttr Dr s l..allf Mike Thorley. They beat local horses Mrs J Leach Mr A M Plan Georgina and Jan Uneker and Brian and argued that if the team is to hav~rmance largely on jet lag Pnmltr RraJooal t.IB A C Piau and Jan Gillins into second place by 8vps. must be given several days to acclim ~y chance of success it Master Mn MA S1n1 pt~ The Worcestenhire heat of the Mn 0 Copeland Mr P Swlrldetfs three eight-hour flights and that pi ab e. He said there were t.IBJSTaylor National newcomers' pairs was won by team arrived. ay egan the day after the Stan Armstrong and Belly O'Donnell, with Andrew Tryndie and Paul Webley Richard Fleet, In his capacity as actJ . second. selection committee has asked Engr h ~g.dchatrman of the EBU The Worcestershire invitation Swiss as follows: 'The tea~'s travel comm's ~ ge to clarify the facts teams event for the Healey Cup was won noon; they arrived on Saturda am enc on Wednesday after­ by the Gloucestershire team of Kahar and play started on Monday a~.' after a stopover in Bangkok Rahim, Mike Wignall, Lesley Harrison

46 English Bridge December 200S MEMBERgMEMBER

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