Heather’s Breaking Bad

A little eggstra to pre-empt 4th Robson’s hard-boiled bidding Easter Pairs are coming up Mould’s eggstremely good leads

The EBU members’ magazine – April 2017 – Issue 270

English Bridge INSIDE GUIDE

© All rights reserved From the Chairman 5 n ENGLISH BRIDGE Heather’s Hints – Heather Dhondy 6 n is published every two months by the Double, Bid or Pass? – 8 n Bridge Fiction – 10 n Broadfields, Bicester Road, Ask Frances – Frances Hinden 12 n Aylesbury HP19 8AZ Kokish, Part 3 – 14 n ( 01296 317200 Fax: 01296 317220 Beat Today’s Experts – Bird’s questions 16 n [email protected] Traps for the Unwary – Michael Byrne 18 n Web site: www.ebu.co.uk Prize Leads Quiz – Mould’s questions 20 ______n Insurance Plays at Teams – Simon Cope 22 n Editor: Lou Hobhouse Sleuth’s Quiz – Ron Klinger 24 n Raggett House, Bowdens, Somerset, TA10 0DD Add One Thing – Neil Rosen 26 n ( 0790 5038575 Great Bridge Disasters – David Burn 28 n [email protected] Club Bidding Quiz – Pottage’s questions 29 ______n Bridge with a Twist – Simon Cochemé 30 n Editorial Bridge Ha Ha & Caption Competition 32 n Jeremy Dhondy (Chairman), Ask Gordon – Gordon Rainsford 34 Barry Capal, Lou Hobhouse, Peter Stockdale n Beat Today’s Experts – Bird’s answers 36 ______n – David Bird 40 n Advertising Manager October Prize Leads - Mould’s answers 42 n Chris Danby at Danby Advertising Junior Camrose – Kyle Lam 44 n Fir Trees, Hall Road, Hainford, Calendar and EBU news 46 Norwich NR10 3LX n Overseas Bridge in Lisbon – Veronica Petrie 48 n ( / Fax 01603 898678 News of Young Players 50 [email protected] n ______Letters to the Editor 52 n County News 55 Printing: Wyndeham Group n ______Landmark Promotions 60 n Club Bidding Quiz – Pottage’s answers 62 n English Bridge is also published online in the Members’ Area at www.ebu.co.uk ONLINE EXTRA

Bridge Club Live 65 n ARTICLES IN ENGLISH BRIDGE Byrne’s 4th seat pre-empt extra quiz 66 n ARE COLOUR CODED Rosen’s extra quiz 66 n Instruction EBU News County Local Results 67 n In Memoriam 71 n Featuresn Laws & Ethicsn Reports click MEET OUR AUTHORS link Click the ‘link’ icon in the title and you will be n n n taken to the writer’s biography www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 3 4 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk From the Chairman Keeping bridge at the forefront by Jeremy Dhondy click link

n January the EBU was denied permission by is some evidence, but not yet enough, that activities the High Court to appeal further concerning such as Bridge keep the mind working later in life Ithe matter of whether Bridge is or is not a sport. and help ward off dementia. Bridge is also an That is, realistically, the end of the road for now – activity which promotes social inclusion. These are both because it would be too expensive to go further all reasons why a government should wish to and there would be little chance of success. promote and help the game. EBED are working The campaign has produced divided opinions with academic institutions to provide robust with some saying Bridge is not a sport and others evidence that can be put before such organisations. arguing that while it may not be physical it does The end of legal action does not mean that we have some of the attributes. Perhaps a category such shouldn’t continue to campaign and seek to as ‘Mind Sports’ would help. influence people. Here, our contacts with the All The EBU Board and, I suspect, many members Party Parliamentary Group for Bridge is welcome. Among their work they invite schools to see would like to see Bridge have a higher profile. The Parliament and play Bridge against them. They are court case has seen it get some more but it is a sad visits which have been much appreciated by the fact that Bridge columns in a number of periodicals schools that have taken part. have disappeared in the last ten or so years. Gaining a higher profile means capturing the ATTEMPTS TO CUT VAT attention of the widest possible audience. And we The other strand of our legal challenge is against should start with teaching the young to play Bridge the imposition of VAT on our competition fees. A hearing was held in Luxembourg in early or mini-bridge, getting into schools and making March and we expect to get a preliminary recognition easier. A number of clubs and counties judgement in late June. Even if Article 50 has been do valuable work here but that number needs to invoked by the time you read this it won’t affect the expand. Many younger players learn the game and judgement! need to give up for a while as they get demanding NEW LAWS jobs and/or families but come back to the game in Once every ten years or so the World Bridge later life. It would be good to come up with ways of Federation produces a new set of laws and they sustaining their interest for the game through this intend to do so again this year. They are likely to period so as to optimise the numbers who do come into force in September 2017 and we will return. produce a summary of changes. Not many will FAST ROUTE TO LEARNING BRIDGE greatly affect players in their weekly game. There Others only decide to learn to play later on, and will also be training offered for directors. See page that number might be partly determined by the 46 for further detail. profile Bridge has. Learning to play traditionally SOFTWARE CHANGE AT AYLESBURY takes a long time, and is perceived by some to be too y the time you read this major changes, onerous, so we welcome EBED’s project to produce planned for some while will have been made a fast track product to be introduced later this year Bto the software that runs all our systems at where the game can be learnt quickly and you can Aylesbury. The most obvious effect for members get to the table playing in a shorter time than many will be the removal of the old membership area and do at present. I think the patience required to take a the enhancement of the new one that has been a lot of lessons before you actually hold cards in anger beta edition for some time. I hope the changes will is not there as much these days as it once was. There provide an improved service for our members. r

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 5 Heather’s Hints Discovery Plays by Heather Dhondy click link

Game All. Dealer South If you simply play out the queen and king and ´ K Q 8 3 2 discover the bad break, you will be too late since the ™ Q 6 defence have diamonds to cash when inevitably they t 10 gain the lead with the jack of trumps. ® Q 5 4 3 2 Our declarer found a neat solution to the problem by running the ten of hearts at trick three. N W E He did not mind if it lost to the jack since there

S would still be a in dummy to the second

´ A J 10 diamond, should the defence take this route. In the ™ A K 10 9 8 7 event his was well rewarded when West t J 7 5 turned up with four trumps. The ten held, and he ® 7 crossed to the queen, and was able to ruff a club back to hand to draw trumps, eventually ending up with an overtrick. The full deal is shown opposite. West North East South 1™ Pass 1´ Pass 3™ ADVERTISEMENTS Pass 4™ All Pass ALTHOUGH staff of English Bridge and the staff of his issue’s hand comes from a recent teams Danby Advertising (Advertising Agent for English Bridge) take reasonable precautions to protect the match. At both tables, South opened 1™ and interests of readers by ensuring as far as practicable TNorth responded 1´. What rebid would you that advertisements in the pages of English Bridge are have made? bona fide, the magazine and its publisher, the At one table South simply rebid 2 , as I confess I ™ EBU, cannot accept any undertaking in respect of would have done, and played there. At the other claims made against advertisers, whether these table South found the aggressive 3™ rebid, figuring advertisements are printed as part of the magazine, that his spade fit and shortage were worth or are in the form of inserts. Legal remedies are upgrading, and thus reached the excellent 4™ available if redress is sought, and readers who have contract. complaints should address them to the advertiser The lead was the ®J, followed by a second club, or should consult a local Trading Standards ruffed in hand. How would you plan the play? Office or a Citizens Advice Bureau or their own You have reached an great contract that is only at solicitors. Members should ensure when risk if there is a bad break in either spades or hearts. booking holidays they take suitable You should be aware that, at the other table, the precautions to protect their booking: check opposition may not have reached the contract, so the company is part of a relevant organisation you should be careful to play as safely as possible. A (e.g. ABTA); take out suitable travel insurance; 4-1 trump break is much more likely than a 5-0 pay at least £100 by credit card. Readers should note that prices advertised may not be spade break (in which case the defence may well accurate due to currency exchange rate have been able to cash you down at the start), so you fluctuations or tax changes. should concentrate on how to tackle the trumps.

6 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk ´ K Q 8 3 2 ™ Q 6 t 10 ® Q 5 4 3 2 ´ 9 6 ´ 7 5 4 ™ J 5 4 3 N ™ 2 W E t A Q 9 8 S t K 6 4 3 2 ® J 10 9 ® A K 8 6 ´ A J 10 ™ A K 10 9 8 7 t J 7 5 ® 7

Heather’s Hints • Your hand can sometimes improve in value depending on partner’s response, and this may affect your rebid. On this deal, the South hand improved after the 1´ response and made the aggressive 3™ rebid more tempting. If South’s spade holding had been that of either minor – Jxx or x – the hand would not have looked so useful, and a two heart rebid would have been normal. • Playing teams, always look for the safest way to play your contract, catering for a bad break even at the risk of an overtrick. This is especially true if you think your judgement has enabled you to reach a contract that may not be replicated at the other table. On this deal, taking the safety play gained you 16 IMPs (winning 10 against the part-score in the other room, as opposed to losing six), whereas giving up an overtrick (if your heart had lost to the jack and the suit was dividing three- two) would have cost you at most 1 IMP. This seems like a good investment. At pairs, if you have reached what you consider to be a normal contract, you should not consider the safely play if it risks an overtrick. However, on this hand, you have reached game on 22 points so you will be competing against pairs who failed to reach game. As long as you make the game you should score well, so the safety play would still be appropriate. r www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 7 Double, Bid or Pass? Sacrificial slams click by Andrew Robson link

his issue we consider when to over strength and no defence, he may already have saved. an opposing slam contract. Best is to pass – they haven’t made 6™ yet. Put T yourself in North’s shoes – he’ll be very happy to You are West, playing matchpoint pairs, and are hear you save, for now he won’t have to worry green (n/v) vs red (vul – unsurprisingly – or there’d whether 6™ can be made. be no story). The auction has proceeded: Hand B is exceptionally shapely. You appear to have little defence to 6™. Also, your powerful shape West North East South suggests that 6´ will be very, very cheap: perhaps 1™ 1´ 4™ just two down and probably just three down. That’s 4´ 4NT Pass 5t1 cheaper than their game. So if you save and go for Pass 6™ Pass Pass -500, you do not mind if the traveller is littered with ? 650s and 680s at other tables, when the other N-S’s 1 1 or 3 key cards missed slam. For you have beaten their score. Even Here are three possible hands for you to hold and if slam would not have made, meaning you have my question is: made a phantom sacrifice, you will still score quite OUBLE ID OR ASS D , B (6´) P ? well. Bid 6♠. Hand C is a different beast altogether. 6♠ could just be cheaper than the value of their game and will Hand A Hand B Hand C ´ Q 8 5 3 2 ´ Q J 10 7 2 ´ J 7 5 3 2 certainly be cheaper than their slam. But will they ™ 2 ™ – ™ J 6 2 be making their slam? The answer is probably yes t Q J 3 2 t J 10 9 4 3 2 t J 9 7 4 3 on an opening spade lead, but probably no on an ® 9 7 3 ® 5 2 ® – opening club lead, which you will ruff. This is a perfect hand for a , requesting an unusual , normally based on a . Before we answer the exercise, it is important to This is not without risk. Partner may not find the stress that in general, you should not sacrifice over club lead if, for example, he holds more diamonds an opposing slam, particularly at matchpoint pairs. than clubs (possible if improbable); perhaps more Say you do save in 6♠ and go for -800. This is a likely, partner may find the club lead but your ruff good save – assuming the opponents were making may be the only defensive trick and the (doubled) 6™. But consider this: it is no use losing 800 if no slam makes – the club lead only served to restrict other N-S pairs are bidding and making slam. Your the overtrick. However, it’s worth a shot, because 800 will lose out to the -680s (4™ plus two) at the conceding 6™ is likely to be a near-bottom whether other tables. The general principle should be only to doubled or undoubled. save against a slam if you think your save will cost Let me stress again the main point. Saving against less than an opposing game. opposing slams is normally unwise, dooming you to Okay, back to the exercise. a poor score (unless you go down less than the value Hand A is a classic middle-of-the road 4´ bid. of their game). Most of the time, you should hope There is no reason to save in 6´ over 6™. If saving is that the opponents have misjudged and will not right – because partner has lots of playing make.

8 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk One layout proves little but look at this deal First of all, there is only one other score to worry featuring Hand A. about – at your teammates table. Assuming teammates are decent players, they’re far more likely to bid and make slam than in a random pairs field. N/S Game. Dealer North. That’s one factor. The other factor is that losing ´ A 6 (say) 800 rather than 1430 is a BIG deal, whereas ™ A Q 10 6 4 losing 800 when teammates missed the slam and t A 9 7 6 made 680 is no big deal. Saving is far more ® K Q appealing at teams. ´ Q 8 5 3 2 ´ K J 10 9 4 Tip: Only sacrifice over an opposing slam (at ™ 2 N ™ K 7 W E pairs) if you think your save will cost less than t Q J 3 2 S t 10 4 the opposing game. ® 9 7 3 ® J 8 5 2 r ´ 7 ™ J 9 8 5 3 t K 8 5 ® A 10 6 4

West North East South 1™ 1´ 4™ 4´ 4NT Pass 5t Pass 6™ Pass Pass ?

6♠ would go six down(!) – a large number but still a good save (-1400) against 6™ making (-1430). But will 6™ make? East leads ♠J. Declarer will win ♠A and will likely ruff a spade and run ™J. West will win ™K, exit passively in a minor, and declarer will try to drop ®J in three rounds. When it fails to drop, he will have to concede a late diamond. One down. You may have spotted that declarer can make 6™. After winning ´A, he cashes ™A. This is not the correct percentage way of avoiding a heart loser but he has good elimination and throw-in chances. He cashes ®K-Q, ruffs ´6 and cashes ®A, hoping for ®J to drop and an easy ride. It does not, but he now crosses to tA, back to tK, ruffs ®10 and finally exits with a second heart. West wins ™K but has no more diamonds. His forced spade exit enables declarer to discard dummy’s remaining diamond and ruff in hand. Slam made. Saving against 6™ may be right in theory but it certainly won’t be in practice. With most pairs playing 5™ or defending 4´ doubled, saving over 6™ will turn a top (6™ down one – in the real world) into a big round zero. DECISIONS AT PAIRS AND TEAMS Before we finish, a few words about sacrificing v slams when playing teams. This is quite different.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 9 Bridge Fiction The Promising Newcomer click by David Bird link

oodness me!’ exclaimed the Matron. ‘It wouldn’t be worth an opening bid but I’ve got ‘Dave Bowles is playing again tonight. seven spades,’ Bowles informed her. ‘GI thought his 31% score last week ‘I don’t want to look at your cards,’ continued the would have put him off.’ Matron, ‘but it sounds like a 3´ .’ The Matron delivered a welcoming smile as the Freddie Fox, the bald-headed senior economics woodwork master took his seat. ‘It’s good to see you master, surveyed his hand in alarm. ‘No, no, no,’ he here again,’ she said. exclaimed ‘You might lose a huge penalty if you bid ‘It’s only the second time I’ve played,’ replied that high. At your stage in the game, you should bid Bowles, who was still wearing his brown woodwork one spade at the very most.’ overall. ‘I may need a bit of help with the bidding.’ The Matron’s raise to 4™ concluded the auction ‘Just open your longest suit,’ replied the Matron. and the ´K was led. ‘Ace, please,’ said Stefan Götel. ‘You won’t go far wrong with that advice.’ East ruffed with the ™2 and returned the ®Q, his This was the board before them: partner playing the ®6. Stefan Götel was faced with three black-suit losers and the ruff that the defenders had already scored. What could be done? N/S Game. Dealer South. Perhaps he could Freddie in clubs, forcing ´ A 10 5 him to give a ruff-and-discard. In that case, it was ™ A 10 9 3 essential to this first round of clubs to keep t J 6 West off lead. ® A 8 7 3 When the club queen won the trick, East ´ K Q J 9 8 7 3 ´ – continued with another club to the king and ace. ™ 6 N ™ 8 5 2 W E Götel ruffed a third round of clubs with the jack 10 7 5 Q 9 8 3 2 t S t and drew trumps in two rounds. He eliminated the ® K 6 ® Q J 10 9 4 diamond suit, ruffing the third round in dummy, ´ 6 4 2 and this was the end position: ™ K Q J 7 4 t A K 4 ® 5 2 N/S Game. Dealer South. ´ 10 5 ™ 10 t – West North East South ® 8 Dave The Freddie Stefan Bowles Matron Fox Götel ´ Q J 9 8 ´ – 1™ ™ – N ™ – 1´ 4™ All Pass W E t – S t Q 9 ® – ® J 10 Stefan Götel opened 1™ and the woodwork ´ 6 4 master thumbed through his cards uncertainly. ‘Am ™ Q 7 I allowed to bid something when you’ve opened?’ he t – enquired. ® – The Matron leaned forward helpfully. ‘Of course you are,’ she replied. ‘What sort of hand do you have?’

10 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk ‘Eight of clubs, please,’ said Stefan Götel. East The Headmaster ruffed the next diamond and won, declarer throwing a spade loser, and had to played a trump, the king and the ace falling give a ruff-and-discard. Away went Götel’s last together. The contract had been made. spade and the contract was made. ‘Wonderful play, Headmaster!’ Bowles exclaimed. The Matron unwrapped the scoresheet. ‘Plus 620 ‘Do we have time for me to write down the deal? I’d is excellent for us!’ she exclaimed. ‘The other two like to show it to my wife, Evelyn.’ tables played in 4´ doubled. It’s only 300.’ The Headmaster nodded his consent. It had been Dave Bowles returned his cards to the board. Left rather a clever play, ruffing the ace and king of to his own devices, he would have bid 4´. He clubs. Mind you, it was surprising that a mere wouldn’t ask for any advice next time. woodwork master had been able to follow the play. On the last round of the session, the woodwork There was more to Mr Bowles than most people master arrived at the Headmaster’s table. appreciated. r

E/W Game. Dealer South. ´ Q J 8 6 5 ™ 8 6 3 2 t J 9 5 2 ® – ´ K 3 ´ A ™ 10 7 4 N ™ K 9 5 W E t 10 7 3 S t A K Q 8 ® J 10 9 8 4 ® Q 7 6 3 2 ´ 10 9 7 4 2 ™ A Q J t 6 4 ® A K 5

West North East South Dave Rev Freddie The Bowles Benson Fox Headmaster 1´ Pass 4´ Dble All Pass

The ®J was led and down went the dummy. The Headmaster glared at his partner. Raising to 4´ on that rubbish? Four certain losers in spades and diamonds and a heart to take too. Did Benson not realize that they were playing against a complete beginner? ‘It’s you to play from the dummy, Headmaster,’ said the Reverend Benson. The Headmaster ruffed the opening lead and finessed the ™Q successfully. Grateful for small mercies, he ruffed the ®K in dummy and repeated the heart finesse. When all followed to the ™A, a glint came to the Headmaster’s eye. Might he actually make this absurd contract? He returned to dummy by ruffing the ®A and called for the ™8. East discarded and the Headmaster threw a diamond loser. Bowles ruffed with the ´3 and switched to a diamond. ‘Too late, partner!’ exclaimed Freddie Fox.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 11 Your Questions Answered An elusive slam by Frances Hinden click link

The auction thus might well start arion Hebblethwaite wrote in to ask West North East South about a hand that had come up in 1® Pass 1t 1´ MWitney and wanted some expert Pass 3´ ? advice for how E/W could get to 6™. The hand is below. West could rebid 2® over the 1´ overcall, but assuming the 1® opening showed a real suit there is less benefit in bidding them again on a minimum hand. Game All. Dealer West. North’s 3´ is usually played as pre-emptive (he ´ A 10 7 6 5 might bid 4 if non-vulnerable against vulnerable, ™ 10 8 2 ´ or with a singleton somewhere). t 7 2 ® J 8 4 East now has a real problem. She needs two out ´ 8 2 ´ 9 of three specific cards (´A, ™A, tK) to make slam; ™ A 9 5 N ™ K Q J 6 4 either ace would put slam at worst on the W E t K 3 S t A Q J 10 9 6 4 diamond finesse. ® K 10 7 6 5 3 ® – It would be nice to ask for aces, but with a club ´ K Q J 4 3 void that isn’t possible (any club bid now is ™ 7 3 supporting partner’s suit). She really has to guess t 8 5 what to do. Opposite an opening bid I would judge ® A Q 9 2 that a slam is likely, and jump to 5™. This just shows a very good hand with diamonds and hearts; partner could (just about) pass it, but it’s close to slam forcing as with more diamonds and hearts This is not an easy hand to bid to a slam knowing West will have to give preference to diamonds at the that partner has the right cards to make exactly slam level. twelve tricks, because N/S are likely to get in the way So my recommended auction is by bidding spades. West North East South The first point is whether West opens or not. 1® Pass 1t 1´ Playing or a similar system, I would open 1® Pass 3´ 5™ Pass on the West hand. It’s only 10 points, but it has a 6- 6™ All Pass card suit and the 10 points are A, K, K which is a There is no certainty, but in a competitive auction much better holding in terms of playing strength you have to go with what you think is the than (say) K-Q, Q-J, Q. Once West opens, East will percentage action. r immediately be thinking of a possible slam. With a , the usual advice is not to make a strong EBU DIARY jump shift, because that takes up too much room If you do not require a copy of the diary, when the partnership needs to explore both the best please let us know by updating your suit to play in and the right level. South has a preferences in the ‘My Details’ section of normal 1´ overcall, and North will raise. your member’s area, or ring 01296 317200.

12 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk

Bridge Tips Loosen up a little! Kokish Part 3 click by David Gold link

he first two articles involved some rebid 3´ showing a 6-card suit but with less than specialised rebids for opener after the two of the top four honours (otherwise we would Tauction 2®-2t. In this article I suggest a have bid 3´ in response to 2®). possible responding structure to a 2® opener. If you respond 2t in a traditional waiting These continuations work better opposite a game structure, and opener rebids say 3®, then 3´ next force (GF) or 23+ and balanced, hand. I have never could be anything from 10 x x x x and no points up found anything close to perfect but this structure to this hand or even a little more. has the advantage of separating some of the important and tricky hands to show and it is easy to ´ 3 play. ™ K 8 7 4 3 When I was first taught how to respond to 2® I t Q 9 8 7 2 was told that to bid something other than 2t I had ® 6 4 to have an Ace and a King, then I was told I had to have that and a suit with two of the top three honours, then… I got tired of waiting and loosened Partner opens 2®. Here the system response is up a little… So, here is what I suggest: 2t, promising 4+ points. This hand is not quite good enough to respond 2NT showing a heart 2 = artificial, 4+ points, not suitable for t positive. Opener rebids 2™ showing hearts or 23-24 anything else balanced (this is explained in the first article of this 2™ = artificial 0-3 points (2NT next is non- series). Now bid 2´ the almost forced relay and forcing) opener bids 2NT to show 23-24 balanced. Next we 2´ = natural, 5+ card suit, 7+ points (plus some bid 3t – a transfer to hearts and opener bids 3™. upgrades) Over 3™ we can safely bid 4t without overstating 2NT = 5+ hearts, 7+ points (plus some our values. Opener will expect 5™/4+t and 4-6 upgrades – use your judgement!) points. To justify going past 3NT we are likely to be 5/5, with points in our suits. Opener is now in a 3®/t/™/´ = at least a 6-card suit with two of the good position to judge. Here is a possible hand for top four honours opener: 3NT = any solid 6+ card suit

´ A 9 8 Here are some examples: ™ A Q 2 t A K 6 5 ´ K 9 8 7 5 4 ® A K 3 ™ K 3 t J 7 3 ® 9 2 The auction so far has been: 2® 2t 1 2 This hand does not fulfill the requirements for a 2™ 2´ traditional positive, but I believe responding 2´ 2NT 3t works much better in the long run. 3™ 4t 1 2 Let’s say opener rebids 2NT or 3® next (the most Shows hearts or 23-24, balanced. Relay asking for likely and perhaps second most likely bids), we can clarity Reaching at least 6t is easy. Reaching 7t requires

14 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk only some bravery or some reasonable agreements from this point in the auction. THREE-LEVEL RESPONSES Here is an example of how valuable 3-level responses to 2® can be:

´ A K 3 ´ 8 7 2 ™ A 2 ™ 9 7 6 W E t A K Q 7 6 5 t 9 ® K J ® A Q 8 7 6 3

You open 2® and partner responds 3® showing a 6-card suit and two of the top 4 honours! Not difficult to get to a grand slam now is it? Traditional positive requirements would see this auction start 2®-2t-3t and responder having to guess if it is safe to go on with 4®. Lastly:

´ 3 ´ A K Q J 4 2 ™ A K 2 ™ 5 3 W E t A K Q J 3 2 t 7 4 ® A J 2 ® 9 8 3

2® 3NT (any solid 6+ card suit) 7NT! 2018 I am unable to write an entire system to deal with The premier British teams event responding to 2® in an article, but in my experience people respond 2t on too many hands because the Closing date for this year’s competition: requirements for other responses are so strict. Monday, 5th June 2017 Hopefully this gives you some new ideas. r The schedule for the 2018 Gold Cup will run from the end of June 2017 to the Finals in October 2018. The Silver Plate, open to English and Welsh first and second round losers and administered PREMIER GRAND MASTERS by the EBU, will commence in early Congratulations to December 2017. MR STEPHEN GORE OF BERKS & BUCKS Entry fee: £84 per team AND (half-price pro-rata for players under 25) MS ANNE CATCHPOLE OF LONDON The entry fee includes the fee for the Silver Plate

on becoming Premier Grand Enquiries to Sandra Claridge Masters, the English Bridge [email protected] Union’s highest rank, requiring a minimum 1,500 Green Points Entry form at www.bridgegreatbritain.org

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 15 Beat Today’s Experts Beat Today’s Experts

These hands are all from modern events These hands are all from modern events and David Bird points to some useful lessons and David Bird points to some useful lessons to be learned from them. Bid them with to be learned from them. Bid them with your partner and then see how your efforts your partner and then see how your efforts compare with the experts’ bidding. compare with the experts’ bidding. APRIL 2017 APRIL 2017 WEST HANDS EAST HANDS (IMP scoring on every deal) (IMP scoring on every deal)

1. N/S Game ´ A 9 7 1. N/S Game ´ K Q J 8 2 Dealer East ™ K Q 8 Dealer East ™ A 10 6 3 t 8 6 t A Q 10 3 (Hinden) ® A 10 6 3 2 (Osborne) ® –

2. E/W Game ´ A K Q 2. E/W Game ´ 9 8 5 2 Dealer West ™ A Q 10 6 3 2 Dealer West ™ K 8 7 t A 8 4 t 5 (Preddy) ® 8 (Selway) ® K Q 7 5 2

3. N/S Game ´ 10 9 6 3. N/S Game ´ A Q 7 5 4 3 Dealer East ™ – Dealer East ™ A K 7 6 t Q 9 5 3 t – (Allerton) ® K Q J 8 6 4 (Jagger) ® A 9 2

4. N/S Game ´ A K Q 10 7 4 4. N/S Game ´ 2 Dealer West ™ 8 6 Dealer West ™ J 7 3 2 t A Q 7 2 t J 6 5 4 (Livgård) ® A (Aa) ® K Q 6 4

5. E/W Game ´ K Q 5. E/W Game ´ A 9 Dealer East ™ 10 6 2 Dealer East ™ K 7 5 4 t A K 5 3 t Q (Grøtheim) ® 9 7 6 4 (Tøndel) ® A K Q J 3 2 * South 2t (5-5 majors), North 3´ * South overcalls 2t (5-5 majors), North 3´

6. Game All ´ A 8 2 6. Game All ´ K 7 Dealer East ™ 8 5 2 Dealer East ™ A K 10 7 3 t K Q J 10 9 2 t A 8 7 (Aa) ® K (Livgård) ® Q 8 6 Did you beat the experts? – Page 36 Did you beat the experts? – Page 36 16 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk

Traps for the Unwary Pre-empting in the 4th seat by Michael Byrne click link ast issue we looked at opening the bidding in do, it is probably better just to shut your eyes and 4th position, taking into account how many open at the four level, assuming your suit is a strong Lspades you had and the likelihood of you one. (If your suit is poor then open at the one level, bidding and making a part-score, against how likely since you will be playable in other strains.) it was that the opponents would steal the contract in spades. Hand D Hand E Hand F This time we are going to look at opening with ´ A Q J 9 8 6 5 ´ 4 ´ A 8 7 6 4 3 2 higher pre-empts in the 4th seat, and how they ™ Q 4 3 2 ™ K Q 10 9 8 6 4 ™ K Q 10 4 change. By definition, a pre-empt is an attempt to t K 3 t A Q 8 6 t – steal the contract and mess up the opponents’ ® – ® 4 ® Q 3 bidding, getting hold of the auction first before they have a chance to bid. When both opponents have passed however the Hand D might as well open 4´. Even if partner constructive reasons for opening must come first – has a singleton spade and ™K-J-x-x-x it will still you can always throw the deal in and accept a score play better in spades, which will give greater of 0 if you want! protection against a club force. If you open 3´ it will Hence opening at the three level in 4th position be hard for partner to judge that points in shows a hand that can reasonably expect to make it, diamonds and hearts are invaluable whereas points assuming partner has the 8-11 points we expect. in clubs are wasted. He may be put off by his spade When you pre-empt in 4th you say to partner, ‘This holding but you have those under lock and key. will be a sensible contract if you have an average Hand E has loads of playing strength, and the hand for this auction, feel free to raise me if you danger of missing a slam (which would be a reason have good support and an outside shortage’. not to open 4™ in 1st or 2nd) has passed, so bid 4™ Obviously when you pre-empt in a minor partner and keep the opponents quiet. should be angling towards 3NT if he has suitable Hand F has plenty of playing strength and a poor stoppers and a partial fit. suit, so 3´ is not appropriate. Having said that All of these hands would be suitable for a 4th in opening 4´ would be ridiculous, since your suit is hand pre-empt: very poor and will not stand up to a 4-1 trump break. 1 is correct, keeping open other strains. Hand A Hand B Hand C ´ Now if partner has a singleton spade and four or ´ 6 ´ K 7 ´ K J 10 7 5 4 3 ™ A K 10 9 7 5 4 ™ 8 ™ Q 3 2 five hearts then the hand will play very well, ruffing the spades good and enjoying them later. t A 3 2 t A Q J 9 5 3 2 t A 2 ® 6 5 ® Q 3 2 ® 4 A four level pre-empt in a major suit made in the 4th seat indicates you expect to have a good play for the contract opposite a few general values and that you are confident of not missing a slam. You will In each case they have fair playing strength and often make the bid to stop the opponents finding a can expect to make a 3-level contract, and with a bit cheap save, or perhaps to avoid tipping them off to of help from partner they might make game. the right lead: Note that a 4th in hand pre-empt should generally be 7-2-2-2 or 7-3-2-1. If you have a more 1) 1™-1´ 2) 4™-Pass extreme shape it is hard for partner to judge what to 4™-Pass

18 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk In the first sequence they will be choosing The Dos and Don’ts of between the minor suits, whereas on auction two Opening at the 3- or 4-level in 4th position they might lead a spade into dummy’s suit. Do Open a 3-level pre-empt if you have opening PRE-EMPTING IN A MINOR, 4TH IN HAND? values and 7222 or 7321 shape which needs a bit of support to make game. So far we have concentrated on pre-empting in Do Open a 4-level pre-empt if you are major suits, but minor suits are just as common and confident you belong in that suit and you must be given due respect. want to stop the opponents finding a save or One thing about a pre-empt is that making the best lead. you wouldn’t want to open at the four level since Don’t Open pre-empts when you are playable in that takes you past 3NT, which will often be your more than one strain, especially if your suit destination if partner has general values and a is poor. partial fit. Don’t Be afraid to open 3NT in 4th position if On the same subject, if you expect to be able to you need a few bits and pieces from partner run nine tricks facing a few bits and bobs then you to make it. The long term advantages of might as well open 3NT 4th in hand, especially if such a bid will more than compensate for the odd -150 when partner has the wrong your suit is strong: hand. r

Hand G Hand H Hand I ´ Q 2 ´ K 3 ´ J ™ Q 4 3 ™ Q 2 ™ Q 4 3 t K t J 3 t A K Q J 9 5 4 ® A K J 9 5 4 3 ® A K Q 9 7 6 4 ® Q 3

All of these hands might as well open 3NT and keep the opponents in the dark. The alternative of opening 1®/t and then rebidding three will just leave partner to bid 3NT (he invariably does, whatever his hand) and the defence will be a lot easier with your hand on the table and partner’s suit exposed by the bidding. There is an important psychological aspect to the bidding as well – if you open 3NT in 4th seat the opponents will glumly pass and expect you to make it, often assuming (incorrectly) that you have close to nine tricks in your hand and that there is no defence. By contrast, if they can see your limited assets on the table and know that your partner is a passed hand then they will be aware that the contract might go down and be on the ball. The above hands do not come without risk – if both the opponents have passed 11 counts then partner might have a bad dummy indeed and the play will not go well, but in the long run you will certainly show a profit by keeping the opponents in the dark.

Have you Understood? Try Michael’s quiz online, page 66

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 19 NewNew PrizePrize LeadsLeads QuizQuiz

pening leads are often subjective and virtual ly any opening lead can be successful THIS ISSUE’S QUIZ Osome of the time. However, bridge is in Hand 1 many ways a game of percentages and there fore ´ K J 5 2 certain leads will gain more often than others. In ™ A 6 3 each issue you will be given three hands and the t 10 9 4 bidding on each, and you are asked to choose your ® A 5 2 opening leads from those proposed by our Quizmaster. Answers will be in the next issue. In each problem you are on lead as West. South West North East 1´ Pass 1NT Pass 2® All Pass makers of playing cards since 1824 Choose from: (a) ™A; (b) t10; (c) ®A; (d) ®2. ( 020 8661 8866 HHHHH

Hand 2 ´ K 10 5 2 ™ Q 9 4 3 2 t K 7 ® 8 6

An attractive twin-pack of Piatnik playing cards is South West North East the prize on offer this month. For information 1™ Pass on the new Piatnik cards visit: 1´ Pass 2® Pass gibsonsgames.co.uk/cards 2t1 Pass 2™ Pass There are TWO categories in our competi tion: up 3NT All Pass to and including Master, and those with higher 1 - game forcing. ranking. Please indicate on the top left-hand corner of the envelope, or in the e-mail subject line, the Choose from: (a) ´2; (b) ™3; (c) tK; (d) ®8. category for which you are entering. The first correct entry in each category out of a hat will win HHHHH the prize. The editor’s decision is final. Hand 3 Entries to the Editor, Leads Quiz, ´ 3 Raggett House, Bowdens, Langport, Somerset, ™ 9 7 4 2 TA10 0DD t K 5 3 2 or e-mail [email protected] ® A Q 7 3 by 26 April 2017. Please make sure you include your full postal address AND rank even if entering by e-mail ! South West North East 1NT1 All Pass 1 12-14. ANSWERS TO FEBRUARY QUIZ: Page 42 Choose from: (a) ´3; (b) a heart; (c) t2; (d) ®3. r

20 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk

Match-pointed Pairs

Insurance pays in teams click by Simon Cope link

nlike many walks of life, taking out Playing MPs, it would be normal (assuming we insurance is without doubt a profitable are in a normal contract) to finesse in the suit – to Uventure when you are declarer in the teams make the maximum number of tricks that we can, (IMPs) form of bridge. In simple terms, you should and to shrug our shoulders when we go down with forsake overtricks in order to have the maximum the singleton king offside. possible chance of making the contract. Take the The name of the game at this form of scoring is to following example – you are in 4™ and have already first and foremost find a way to make your contract, lost two tricks. How should you play the heart suit, even if the chances are looking slim (even more so assuming that you have no entry issues? if it is a game contract where the bonus is so lucrative). Second, it is also important to try and protect yourself against potential bad breaks. Have a ™ A Q 8 5 2 look at the following example, and think about how N W E you might play 6NT from the South seat on the lead S of the jack of hearts: ™ 7 6 4 3 Love All. Dealer South. ´ 7 6 If the trumps break 2-2, your contract is safe as ™ 9 8 you can only lose one trick at the most. If, however, t 8 7 6 the trumps break 4-0, your contract has no chance – ® A K Q 10 5 3 indeed it is down one or two depending on whether N the opposing K-J-T-9 sits over or under your W E A-Q-8-5-2. In neither of these scenarios does it S matter how we play the trump suit. However, if the opposing trumps break 3-1, you ´ A K Q 3 ™ A Q 5 have a role to play to ensure your success. If the king t A K 5 3 is onside, you will not lose more than one trick ® 8 7 regardless. If the king is offside (with East), in a 3-1 break, you cannot succeed unless there is a singleton king in East’s hand. Having conducted the fairly agricultural auction Therefore, the correct way to play the suit is to lay of 2NT from South (20-22) raised to 6NT by North, down the ace of hearts, and if nothing good you receive the lead of the ™J, which has done you materialises, cross back to the South hand and lead no harm. How should one proceed to play this low towards the queen. If West plays low on the seemingly boring hand? Things look easy, right? So second trump, play the queen. This guarantees just you play a club to the ace, and when your right hand one loser in the suit if the trumps split 2-2 or 3-1, opponent produces a heart discard, you roll your regardless of whether the one in East's hand is the eyes to the heavens, and start bemoaning your luck king. If the trumps are 1-3, you cannot hold it to to partner. If you lose a club now to set up the one loser however you play the suit. Note that this remainder, you cannot return to table to cash them. play surrenders a trick if there is a doubleton king When you go back to score up with teammates, onside, but you make the contract whenever it is they call out -1020, and you respond with a look of possible. amazement as you read out -50.

22 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Over dinner, you politely enquire how your counterparts made 13 tricks in 6NT, expecting a THE 2016 MASTERPOINT cocktail of defensive howlers. You discover that on the same heart lead as you received, declarer won, ANNUAL COMPETITIONS led the ®7 and when left hand opponent played low, they also played low from the dummy. ‘How on THE NATIONAL earth did they know to do that?’ you ask with LEADER BOARD astonishment. At this point your partner finally loses patience and chirps up with, ‘They knew to do it because they knew it was a safety play to make sure they made their contract!’. Upon reflection, had you counted your tricks, rather than making a reflex play, you would have counted to 10. As long as you can generate two extra tricks from the club suit you will bring 6NT home. If the suit breaks 5-0 with five sitting over dummy, there is nothing to be done. However, if you think about the other possible distributions of the suit, leading the ®7 and playing low regardless of what card is played on your left is the correct play, even if that card is the jack! This allows you to secure five club tricks, on all four-one and three-two breaks, and even a 5-0 break if Congratulations to , who has claimed the onside! Sunday Telegraph Salver for the most Master Any of us could have made this contract if the Points accumulated in the calendar year, for the clubs had broken in a friendly fashion – but the best first time. declarers find a way home when things are not quite Mike earned 25,712 points, with Jason Hackett so friendly. Unlike at MPs, try and find a way to second with 20,741, and John Holland – who was make sure you reach your trick target, without top scorer for the previous four years – third with worrying about overtricks. You might lose the odd 20,647. imp here and there, but will be heavily rewarded for GOLD POINT RANKING your insurance plays when you encounter an David Gold has reclaimed the top spot in the unfriendly layout! r Gold Point rankings, with Andrew Robson in second place, and 2015 leader John Holland in 21 – 30 April 2017 third place. LAMBOURNE JERSEY CLUB CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL OF BRIDGE PRIZE DRAW Westhill Country Hotel, The winners of the Club Champions prize draw St Helier have also been selected. Club Champions are those Blue Green who won the most Master Points in events held at points points each club. Pam Moore of Ridgeway Bridge Club was first out of the hat and wins £400. Inu Kassam A joint venture between the EBU and of Wimbledon Bridge Club was drawn second and Channel Islands CBA, the congress provides wins £200, and Michael Shine of Herts & Essex an attractive holiday in springtime Bridge Club wins £100 for being drawn third. The with a full bridge programme over ten days. top scoring, lower-ranked players in each county also receive small prizes. Entries / enquiries: John Honey The full Master Point lists for 2016, including a ( 01534 874 702 or breakdown by county, can be accessed on 8 [email protected] ebu.co.uk/mpreports/2016 click link

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 23 Who, what, where, why? Sleuth’s quiz - spot check by Ron Klinger click link Love All. Dealer South West leads the ®J and this is what you see: West North East South 3 What card should you play at trick one? 1™ Pass 1NT1 ? 16-9 points, not forcing ´ Q 9 8 1 What would you do, as East, with: ™ A 3 t Q J 9 4 ® 9 5 4 3 ´ A K 10 5 ´ A K 10 5 – ™ N ™ – A 10 6 E t t A 10 6 ® Q 10 8 7 6 2 ® Q 10 8 7 6 2

Answer: You could overcall 2®, but that is not best. The popular agreement after a suit-opening Answer: That is easily answered by considering three other questions first: and a 1NT response is that double is for takeout of the suit opened. That is your best move here, since How many clubs does partner have? it brings all three unbid suits into play. What does South have in clubs? What does your partner need to know? The auction continues: Since the only clubs missing are the ®A and ®K, West North East South they must both be with South and partner’s ®J is a 1™ singleton. Partner needs to know how to reach your Pass 1NT Dble 3 ™ hand. This is not a situation for you to play an Pass 4™ ? attitude (partner cannot continue the suit 2 What do you do now? anyway) and partner could not care less how many clubs you have, so a count signal is irrelevant. Answer: There is no certainty that you can defeat You should signal the suit you want partner to 4™, but with three probable winners, you have a play if partner gains the lead. This is a suit- good chance, especially if partner can produce a preference signal – high card for the higher suit, trick. There is no need to double 4 , since the hand ™ bottom card for the lower suit – with trumps clearly belongs to the opponents. excluded. Since you would prefer a spade lead, you The bidding indicates that South has about 15-17 should play the ®8. With the ®9 in dummy, partner points and North, to push on to 4™, is likely to have should be able to read the ®8 as a request for 8-9 points. You have 13 and that leaves about 1-4 spades. points for partner. That should dissuade you from It is not so good to play the ®10. That will alert competing further. You should pass. declarer that the ®J lead is a singleton or a doubleton and not top of a sequence. It might Please recycle persuade declarer to draw trumps as quickly as possible. The same applies to playing the ®Q at this magazine when trick one. South might read the ®Q as a singleton you finish it and again hasten to clear trumps. The ®8 at trick one is quite adequate.

24 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk South wins trick one with the ®A and plays the In practice the defenders did not produce the tK. West plays the t8 ( count), t4 from desired result. Both could have done better. On dummy. the ®J lead, East followed with the ®2 instead of the 8. 4 What is ‘reverse count’? ® When South played the tK at trick 2, West played Answer: Standard count is lowest from an odd the t3, intending to play t3-then-t2 to show an number, high-low with an even number. ‘Reverse odd number. This is much too subtle. count’ is bottom from an even number and high- Good tip: Partners do not understand subtle. low with an odd number. When East saw the t3, East assumed that South 5 How do you read partner’s t8? has started with tK-t2 and that the t3 was Answer: You can see every diamond card higher bottom from four diamonds. East therefore let the than the t8 and so West is showing an odd tK hold. number. As East had doubled 1NT as a takeout of hearts, 6 Will partner hold one, three or five diamonds? South continued with the ™J: two – three – ®6 and the ™4 to the ™A. Then came the ´8. East rose with Answer: Declarer would not be playing the ´K and West played the ´3, again too subtle. diamonds before trumps with five or three West should have produced the ´6, highest to show diamonds. Therefore, South’s K is singleton t an odd number. and West began with five diamonds. East now switched to the ®Q, king, ™9, and West 7 What do you do? returned the ´2 to the ´A. East should have Answer: You should take the tA and play a club continued with another club, which would have for partner to ruff. promoted West’s now-bare ™Q. Instead, still fooled by West’s earlier t3, East tried to cash the tA. 8 Which club do you play? South ruffed, drew the missing trump and had Answer: If you played the ®8 at trick one, you ten tricks, +420, when the contract should have should play the ®7 now. Playing high-low in gone two down. r clubs confirms that you would like a spade return. Here is the full deal:

Love All. Dealer South Green ´ Q 9 8 points ™ A 3 t Q J 9 4 ® 9 5 4 3 ´ 6 3 2 ´ A K 10 5 ™ Q 9 6 2 N ™ – W E t 8 7 5 3 2 S t A 10 6 ® J ® Q 10 8 7 6 2 ´ J 7 4 ™ K J 10 8 7 5 4 t K ® A K

The defence should collect the tA, a club ruff, two spades and another trump trick if East plays another club when in with the spades. That takes 4™ two down.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 25 If you could add one thing . . Lebensohl after a 1NT opening, Part 2 by Neil Rosen click link basic and absolutely fundamental principle round before! It should be showing the values and of no trump bidding is to recognise the need hand type for 3NT – but denying a heart stopper. Ato have stoppers in any suits that the The following hand is similar to our first example opponents advertise are a threat. If the opponents but missing that vital heart guard: bid a suit either directly, or via a conventional overcall – for example a 2® overcall of 1NT to show ´ K 6 hearts and another – then, to play in no trumps you ™ 7 3 need a heart stopper between the two hands. t Q 9 7 THE DIRECT 3NT BID ® A Q J 8 5 4 If your partner opens 1NT (any range) and the opponents make an overcall showing a natural suit Now the opener will know that the responder has or a conventional Astro type bid as above, then a a 3NT bid with no heart stopper. They can only pass jump to 3NT is best played as: if they do have one. Natural, to play, but guaranteeing a stopper in The pure logic of this agreement really comes to their known suit. An acronym for this (which is light when you consider that the odds of both the useful but not my preferred means of remembering opener and responder each holding a stopper in the this) is FASS – Fast arrival shows stopper. Thus suit overcalled is very small – it is vital therefore for 1NT (2™) 3NT one, not both, to have the key stopper, otherwise should promise a heart stopper and the opener you will face the ignominy of being wiped out should have no qualms in passing. Here East had an alternative choice of bidding a before you start despite being warned by their overcall! How ridiculous would that be….

´ K 6 4 ´ 9 7 PUT YOUR MIND AT REST ™ 7 6 3 ™ K 5 W E Everyone, yes everyone, when they start playing t A K 8 2 t Q 9 7 Lebensohl, will panic as to what would happen if ® K 9 3 ® A Q J 8 5 4 neither of you hold a stopper. Well . . . I have been playing bridge for at least 80 forcing 3® - but what’s the point? The hand years (ish!) and have never seen it happen. I guess belongs in NTs and we have a stopper in their suit! that if responder shows no stopper and opener West has an easy pass. doesn’t have one either they should remove to 4® THE INDIRECT 3NT BID and hope for the best! The alternative (indirect route) to 3NT is to first BIDDING STAYMAN OVER THEIR OVERCALL bid 2NT (demanding that partner bids 3® When the opponents overcall in a suit, we can remember) then to follow by bidding 3NT. also investigate alternative contracts to just playing West North East South in NTs. We can employ Stayman for example. 1NT 2™ 2NT Pass Stayman with a stopper in opponent’s suit 3® Pass 3NT Pass We show this by bidding their suit directly… ? This should not, repeat not, imply that you West North East South simply forgot Lebensohl when you bid 2NT the 1NT 2´ 3´ Pass

26 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk This shows: BIDDING AFTER A CONVENTIONAL OVERCALL D The values for game D Four cards in the other major 1NT (2t) ? D A stopper in spades If 2t shows spades and another (an Astro/Asptro variant) then you base your stopper showing so the following hand would bid 3´ to show all the above: around spades. A direct 3NT would show a spade stopper (the implied suit rather than the bid suit). If ´ A 6 instead you bid 2NT, then over partner’s forced 3® ™ K J 7 3 relay you bid 3NT, you will of course be denying a t K Q 9 7 spade stopper. ® 8 5 4 I recommend cue-bidding their specified suit as take-out, showing shortage in the suit. For instance, You can of course experiment with take-out after this auction, if the 2t meant spades, you can use 2 as take-out, as with the hand below: doubles to start developing these hands, but you are ´ not always dealt short spades so learning the 1NT (2t) 2´ Lebensohl auctions should prove very rewarding. This again adheres to FASS, ie the fast way to bid ´ 6 Stayman promises a stopper in their suit as well as ™ A J 7 3 K Q 9 7 5 showing four cards in the other major. The opener t ® Q 8 5 will now of course support hearts with four cards or bid 3NT. Stayman without a stopper in their suit The idea is that with more balanced hands you start by doubling to show general values, whereas West North East South cue-bidding their suit shows acute shortage in their 1NT 2´ 2NT Pass suit (singleton or void). 3® Pass 3´ P TWO SUITS SPECIFIED ? Suppose the opposition bid (2®) over You may be able to surmise by now that this is your partner’s 1NT opening to show both majors. I Stayman but with no stopper. Opener will like to keep things very simple here: obviously support hearts with four cards, but failing that will bid 3NT if they have a stopper. If they are Double = values rather than simply clubs unlucky enough to have neither they will have to All suits are natural, non-forcing at 2 level, forcing to game at 3-level and invitational via bid a minor at the four level and hope for the best. Lebensohl 2NT. Sitting West, with the auction above, you would bid 3NT with the following hand – you do not have Don’t be scared of bidding a good quality suit a fit for partner’s hearts but you do have the vital here – even if they have implied it: spade stopper: Hand A Hand B Hand C ´ K J 6 ´ Q J 10 7 5 ´ Q J 10 7 5 ´ Q J 10 9 6 2 ™ A 7 3 ™ 5 4 ™ A 3 ™ A 7 6 t K Q 9 7 t K 8 7 t K 7 3 t K 3 ® 8 5 4 ® J 5 4 ® K 9 3 ® 6 4

But with this hand you would bid 4® as you have After 1NT (2® Landy): neither partner’s hearts, nor the spade stopper: With Hand A bid 2´, even though the opponents have shown the majors. Why not? With Hand B bid 3´, natural and forcing. 7 6 ´ With Hand C you might invite game by bidding ™ A 7 3 2NT then 3´. t K Q 9 7 r ® K J 8 5 Check out Neil’s quiz online, page 66

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 27 Great Bridge Disasters Not the time to defend by David Burn click link

our hand in fourth position at unfavourable could win the board just for being in the right game. vulnerability is: You can see now why point-a-board is such a Y challenging game. ´ A K 10 6 2 How did your decision work? This was the full ™ A 4 deal: t K 7 6 5 ® A 4 N/S Game. Dealer West. ´ – Your left-hand opponent opens the bidding with ™ 8 2 4™, and perhaps unsurprisingly this is passed round t A J 10 8 4 2 to you. What call do you make? ® K 9 8 7 6 You should probably know the method of ´ Q J 5 ´ 9 8 7 4 3 ™ K Q J 10 9 6 3 N ™ 7 5 scoring. This is the qualifying round of the EBU’s W E 9 Q 3 National Point-a-Board Teams, an event where your t S t ® Q 3 ® J 10 5 2 object is simply to obtain a better result than the ´ A K 10 6 2 pair holding your cards at the other table. How ™ A 4 much better is irrelevant – if you score 630 and they t K 7 6 5 score 620 you win the board; if you score -1700 and ® A 4 they score +1430 you lose it. This format is reckoned by many experts to be the toughest form of the game – every trick matters, every bidding decision can have a major impact. Now you know If you doubled and bid 6t over 4NT, rather than everything, make your choice. five, you did about as well as it was possible to do – The problem with 4´ is that it might not be your bidding grand slams when the opponents open at side’s best fit. The problem with double is that you the four level is not an easy business. If you doubled won’t feel very happy if partner takes it out to 5®. and stayed in 5t, you might or might not have won You can’t pass – even though that could be your the board. only way to get a plus score, it’s too big a position to That would depend on whether your opponent at take even at this form of contest. If you bid 4´, this the other table chose the 4´ overcall. The player is passed out. If you double, partner bids 4NT for who did might have been disappointed at the sight the minors. What do you do now? of dummy, but he made the best of a bad lot – The modern style is that partner is supposed to winning the opening heart lead he played three remove a four-level double to a five-level contract rounds of trumps, lost a heart trick, ruffed the only if she expects to make it – you don’t pull continuation, cashed the miraculously good ´10 doubles from fright in an attempt to sacrifice. So and played diamonds. When East ruffed he had no after partner bids 4NT you should bid 6t rather heart to play, so declarer made his contract for the than five. If partner expects to make five facing an loss of a heart and two spades. ordinary , your extra values should But that scored only 620, so making a couple of be enough to make a slam. Of course, it could be overtricks in 5t for 640 would win you the board. that you don’t need to do this – if your counterpart In fact, though, the team-mates of the 4´ bidder did at the other table chooses 4´, it seems that this the decent thing by making sure his result didn’t might not work as well as your double and you matter. West opened only 3™, passed round to

28 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk South who doubled. Now West produced an imaginative shot by bidding 3´ – but that didn’t CLUB PLAYER’S work too well. North bid 4NT and East bid 5´, which South ventured to double. With his side on BIDDING QUIZ lead the defence could have begun with a minor suit to the ace and three rounds of trumps, the extra ON EACH of the following problems, you are allowing them to make eleven tricks in West. What should you bid with each hand on the given auction at pairs, Love All? defence rather than ten in the play. Nine down click doubled is 2300, a catastrophe by any standards, but gives his answers on link the defenders missed this opportunity and had to be page 62. content with a penalty of only 2000. That would have been a disaster if, as three pairs Hand 1 WNE S 1™ Pass did, North-South reached 7t at the other table – ´ K Q 10 6 5 3 2 1´ Pass 2® Pass this came about because North took it upon himself ™ 7 ? to enter the auction after West opened 3™ or 4™. t 10 5 2 South, prohibited by regulation from bidding nine ® A 4 or ten diamonds gave his partner seven, which scored 2140. Nobody achieved the par result of 1700 from seven hearts doubled, which was probably just Hand 2 as well. Good tournament – try it yourselves next ´ K Q WNE S year. r ™ K J 9 6 2 ? t A K 6 5 ® K J

Easter Festival Green- pointed of Bridge Hand 3 WNE S ´ 8 2 1™ Pass 1´ Pass 14-17 April 2017 Blue ™ K Q J 6 4 2 2™ Pass 2´ Pass Royal National Hotel, London points ? t J 5 The event includes Stratified Swiss Teams, ® A 9 5 Flighted Swiss Pairs, Under 21 Pairs and Cham- pionship Pairs (in which points will be awarded for the Player of the Year Champi- Hand 4 onship). There is also a ‘Really Easy Afternoon’ WNES ´ J 10 7 2 1 Dble Pass for newcomers to tournament bridge. ´ ™ K 10 5 4 3 ? Entries / enquiries: EBU Comps Dept Championship t A 9 8 Series ( 01296 317 203 / 219 ® J 7 1 Weak or 8 [email protected]

Northern Hand 5 ´ J 6 WNE S Easter Festival ™ K J 7 4 1t 1´ ? 14-16 April 2017 t K Q J 5 4 Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley ® K Q

Green The event is run by the Yorkshire points Blue CBA on behalf of the EBU and points includes Mixed, Open and Swiss Hand 6 Pairs, Improvers Pairs and Swiss WNES ´ K 8 7 1 Teams 2® Pass 2t ™ 10 9 ? Entries / enquiries: Stuart Davies t K 3 ( 01274 598 408 8 [email protected] ® K Q J 10 7 2 1 Benjamin – strong, artificial but not a game force.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 29 Bridge with a Twist Ask Simon by Simon Cochemé click link

CANNELL B of Richmond asks if the EBU sells bodies, or bridge aide-mémoires. The EBU said it individual left-handed bidding boxes. would look into producing limited editions, with pictures of Eastbourne, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Yes, they do, and they are taking it one step the Holiday Inn at Birmingham Airport. further and looking into the production of Peter (Sutton) suggested that the 1® card could personalised bidding boxes. ‘Our market research have ‘May be a doubleton’ or ‘16+ points’ written on shows that there could be quite a demand for these,’ it, for those playing a five card major or strong club an EBU spokesman told me. ‘The individual system. There was considerable support for this bidding cards will be reversible, so they will work idea, but taking it further and having, for example, for both left-handed and right-handed players. A ‘12-14’ pre-printed on the 1NT card, would not major benefit for players with their own bidding work because it would preclude the player from boxes will be that no-one else will have touched the responding 1NT or making a strong 1NT overcall. bidding cards, so they will pick up fewer germs. The Susan (Hull) commented wistfully that it would be health of our membership is very important to us; nice to have two double cards, one for penalties and we estimate that we lose over £5,000 a year because one for take-out. players miss their weekly duplicate with ’flu and By the way, talking of take-out doubles, I colds.’ understand that the Society for the Preservation of In February the EBU held a focus group of British English is petitioning the EBU to change the members from round the country, with some phrase ‘take-out double’ to ‘take-away double’, observers from Europe, to discuss the possibilities. deeming the use of ‘take-out’ to be an Ann (Kent) and Peter (Wells) had done some work Americanization too far. on colours and they felt that day-glow lime green MAGGIE E of Hereford asks if it would it be and orange would be best, differentiating the boxes possible for someone to play for two English from the standard red and black used by most clubs. teams at an international event, and thus save the John (Bolton) pointed out that there might be a EBU some money? problem with two-sided cards, in that they could be used to show a reverse: You have reminded me of a story about , a top American player, who played the first half of a teams event on the East coast and then, taking advantage of the time zones, flew to the West coast and played the second half of another teams event there, on the same day. In both events a player Tony (French) said that in his club the normal was only required to play half the boards to be way to show partner you were reversing (for considered a winner. Crane’s teams – you’ve guessed example when the auction went 1®-1´-2™) was to it – won both events! announce ‘Coeurs Deux’ to accompany a 2™ bid. Now let me answer your excellent question, Christine (Barnes) asked about decorations and Maggie. A player needs to play only one third of the stickers that could be added to the box to boards to qualify for the title, so why shouldn’t, say, personalise it further. It was generally agreed that (Herefordshire’s finest), play in the these should not be permitted because it would be England Open and Senior teams? We frequently see too difficult to control those who wanted to add athletes and swimmers win more than one medal at political statements, pictures of scantily-clad the same championships, so why not in bridge? The

30 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Open, Seniors and Women’s teams play to the same NIKO W of Berwick-upon-Tweed says his schedule, so and could opponents had this sequence, and wants to know actually play in all three events! what it means: As you can see, I was quite taken by your suggestion, but I looked into it and I am sorry to Niko W LHO Overtrick RHO report that the authorities have written a rule (2.4 of 1™ 2® Pass Dble the Supplemental Conditions of Contest) that says ‘I asked my left hand opponent what he the same player can’t be part of two teams (from the understood by the double. He looked puzzled and same country, of course) in a European or World said it was undiscussed.’ Championship. Spoil-sports. By the way, did you know that the latest word for Maybe this question should have gone to Ask a partner is an ‘overtrick’? A partner is sometimes Gordon. He would have advised you to call the called a ‘plus one’, and plus one is an overtrick! director, but where’s the fun in that? In the early days of Acol this was a take-out ROMAN W of Chicago is a lipogram fan and asks double. It was known as an SOS Double, meaning ‘I how to bid this hand as North/South: am short in clubs, please bid another suit.’ Nowadays experts treat it as a penalty double and it is called a Pre-emptive Double, meaning ‘I don’t ´ 9 6 5 2 think you will make the contract, so I will double it ™ J 6 4 before the opponents have a chance to.’ t K 6 ® 8 6 5 3 By the way, did you know that a hand with three kings is known as a Bethlehem, and as a Bethlehem N Royale when the hand in question is East? W E S Noah C of Shepherds Bush noted what he ´ A K considered anti-French bias in my February article ™ A Q 10 9 8 5 about playing bridge abroad, and wonders if the t A Q 7 4 3 EBU and the FFB (Fédération Française de Bridge) ® – could build a more cordial entente by encouraging the twinning of bridge clubs. Only 19 points, but South should start with a bid A good idea. What about Dover-Calais, Cheddar- of 2®, or North-South could miss a laydown slam. Roquefort, Grasse-Hay, Bristol-Brest and Stafford- With almost nothing – possibly a king and a jack, as Limoges to start with? shown – North would (or might) pass a non- Nice would need somewhere pleasant to twin of 1™. So South bids 2® and North says with (OKehampton?), and I’m sure Dijon will be as 2t. South shows his suit with 2™ and, with a modicum of trump support and a king, North keen as anything to join the scheme. The Isle of Dogs would probably pick Beaune, and nothing should bid 3™. South now calls 3´ to show a control in that suit and North can similarly show his king of wants to twin with Toulouse, giving us Nothing- Toulouse. diamonds by bidding 4t (and confirm a lack of a control in clubs). South wants to look for a grand If you have any other ideas for twinning, please slam and bids on with 4NT. North can only bid a in-box the editor, [email protected] r disappointing 5®, so, with a top trump missing, South signs off in 6™. 6™ isn’t cold, but it is an odds-on contract in which you would happily play. Ed - A lipogram is a piece of text written without using a specific letter, usually ‘e’. The editorial is lipogramic, since it doesn’t include the letter ‘z’. Well done, Jeremy.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 31 9 Tests thepotentialforaslamhavingatleasteight(usuallywhen 19. Radiofoundbesideunconventionaldresser(7) 16. GotintouchwithopponentsoriginallycitedtranslationofIliad(7) 14. BirdsleftoneoftheChannelIslands,headingback(5) 12. rewards(10,twowords) Plansnothingforultimateinwinner’s 10. Agreementtobestruckwhenbroughtmind,bythesoundofit(6) 9. Systemofcoaltipping(4) 8. Bringerofgoodfortunewhenslamain’totherwisemaking(8) 3. ACROSS North) orotherwisetenpoints(5) CROSSWORD NO 7 1 20

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b BRIDGEBRIDGE HAHA HAHA Send in funny QUOTES The press has noted letters and jokes Whoever thought bridge that dating software is Many thanks forto the latestthe issue editor of for being sold off cheap. English Bridge. There was a flyer for commentary might be boring? consideration Could this be adapted Medical Insurance enclosed with the Here are some of Edgar issue. My wife noted that the Family for bridge players Kaplan’s classics: Plan is prepared to include ‘up to’ 26 ‘Four hearts is a very good looking for partners? For children. Not much time for bridge anyone who has seen the then? bid – but on some other hand’ Jim Wallis ‘He may bid and he may not. ad, I am a pig looking for I believe that covers all a beauty. possibilities’ ‘The difference between a brave bid and a foolhardy bid Anon is largely a matter of result’ CAPTION COMPETITION WHOOPS! Plenty to tickle the humorist’s pen. As usual, please inundate me with funny captions - I love getting them - and don’t feel constrained to suggest just one. The more the merrier. Send your entries to [email protected] by 28th April, or post to Editor, Raggett House, Bowdens, Langport, TA10 0DD. CONGRATULATIONS to John Macleod who sent in my favourite for last issue’s cartoon (see below). Other close contenders were: Arthur knew to show no emotion. They had a Special Partnership Understanding, from James Bentley; and A systemic response to extended stamen, from Simon Haynes. Prestat donates a box of its very superior chocolates as a prize. The brightly coloured boxes, together with the scrumptious contents, have become synonymous with good taste – in all the best ways!

Winning caption: Partner’s response can sometimes be discouraging Ask Gordon What can the partner do? by Gordon Rainsford, EBU Chief Tournament Director Email your questions to Gordon Rainsford at [email protected] click link Gordon, English Bridge and the EBU are not responsible if the information provided is incorrect or incomplete.

iles Ridger wrote, ‘I'd be grateful if you discussed this so it could be either takeout or could explain the alerting rules in the penalties’. The point is that if you don’t alert it, your Gfollowing situation. The bidding was: opponents are entitled to expect that you have an agreement that it is for takeout. North East South West 1NT Dble Pass 2t Pass Pass Dble Pass Neil Tracy asks, ‘Declarer was on lead holding 2™ Pass 2´ Pass ™A tx-x-x, ®A. He claimed at this point believing Pass 3t Dble All Pass his hand was all good. ‘A defender held ™x-x-x-x, t10 - the diamond ‘South intended her double of 2t to be being the master of the suit at that time. penalties. North thought it was takeout and ‘Three club directors, at the end of the evening, removed it. As there was no alert East also thought ruled that as declarer had not stated a line of play it was takeout and balanced with 3t which went then the natural way to play the hand would be to three down for 500. play the aces first and then the diamonds. This ‘First, does EW have any right to remedy? would, of course, result in the defender winning Second, in general, if my partner doubles a bid of the last three tricks with t10 and ™x x. a suit and I do not know whether it is takeout or ‘The question here is, declarer not having stated penalty am I required to alert?’ the line of play, was the directors’ decision correct?’

EW could have redress if they have been mis- Yes, this sounds correct to me. When a player informed. The director would need to find out what believes all the cards left to be good, he might the pair’s agreement was, and, if it was that the choose to play them in any order so we rule on the double was for penalties, then it should have been basis of him playing them in the order that is most alerted and we could adjust the score on the basis disadvantageous. This is because Law 70A says ‘any that East would not have bid 3t. doubtful point as to a claim shall be resolved against However, they might also have grounds for the claimer’ and it is clearly a doubtful point in adjustment if NS had no clear agreement as to the which order the suits would be played. meaning of double. The Blue Book says: 2 D 2. Unless a player knows that his partner’s call is Chris Hall questioned, ‘I was recently called to a not alertable (or announceable) he must alert. If the table for an embryonic call out of rotation. Dealer player is unsure when asked for its meaning he may was East, but before she was able to produce a Pass refer the opponents to the system card if it is likely to card as intended, West produced a stop card. be on the card. If there is no relevant partnership Further action on his part was prevented by the understanding, he must not say how he intends to cries from the other players at the table, and I was interpret his partner’s call. called. I scanned my 2007 Laws book, and was The situation under discussion is one where both unable to find a Law which seemed to cover this penalty and takeout doubles are commonly played. situation. The partnership only play strong two If I were playing with an unknown partner, I would bids, but they also make preemptive bids where alert this double and say, if asked, ‘we have not appropriate. Clearly East is in possession of UI to

34 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk the extent that she knows her partner holds an ATTRACTING YOUNG PLAYERS unusual hand of some type. At the time I felt my ™ ONE CLUB GOES ALL OUT ™ only course of action was to have the stop card replaced, for the auction to start again with East GIRDED into action by the editorial in the last and the non-offending side to call me again if they issue of English Bridge, Oldbury Bridge Club have felt damaged by West's action. been making some radical moves to lower the ‘As it happened West became declarer and got a average age of their players. Bev Purvis, the EBU’s bad score on the hand, so the result stood. Would Club Liaison Officer, went to visit, and was there have been lead penalties if E/W had ended fascinated by their outlook. Here Bev relays the up playing in defence?’ conversation. ‘I started playing here when I was fifteen,’ says There is no question of lead penalties since Oldbury Bridge Club secretary John Elder, ‘and although a stop card does generate UI as you now I’m 65 I’m still the youngest in the club so we correctly concluded, and this might constrain East’s decided something had to be done. Together with actions, no call had actually been made. three friends, I have been going round the local schools and sixth-form colleges playing bridge Robert Steel questioned, ‘I was South. East and inviting youngsters to join us.’ opened. I overcalled. West asked my partner what HAS IT BEEN SUCCESSFUL? my bid meant, and my partner, North, gave an explanation. So far nothing out of the ordinary. ‘Well . . . up to a point,’ says Mr Elder. ‘Some of ‘Then West turned to me and asked me to the youngsters have been quite enthusiastic, but confirm that the explanation was correct. I their previous card experience tends to be mostly queried whether she could do that, but our online poker so they’re a bit cack-handed when it opponents are more knowledgeable than us, play comes to handling actual cards. They are not used better than us and play at many clubs in the to having a partner, so their bids are often county. Neither of us wanted to challenge our misleading, but a lot of our old members play like more experienced opponents, so I confirmed that that anyway so we’re hopeful they’ll fit right in.’ his explanation was correct. But this is not the only initiative taken by this ‘Surely if West is entitled to ask South to forward-thinking club. ‘It’s no good getting the confirm the explanation given by North it would youngsters interested if you don’t make the be simpler for West to ask South to explain his bid ambience more appealing,’ Mr Elder adds. ‘On in the first place?’ advice from the grandchildren, we compiled a playlist starting with Lady Gaga, Rent and Wicked I think your opponents must be confusing this as background music. It went down really well on situation with the obligation of declarer and our ‘Experience Day’, but some of the older dummy to correct mis-information before the members complained. We are investigating using opening lead. No-one should correct their partner’s wireless ‘silent disco’ headphones for those who explanation during the auction and defenders want music. At the moment it is proving too should not do so before the end of play. expensive, so we are allowing young members to Explanations should usually be given by the partner wear headphones plugged into their phones. of the player making the call. ‘And we’ve ditched the cosy old tea and biscuits The exception is when a player knows his partner’s at half-time and taken to serving up Alcopops and call is alertable, but can’t remember its meaning Monster Munch. If initiatives like this were (e.g. I can’t remember if we play UNT or ). followed up nationwide I’m sure we’d see a Then the opposition should seek the information significant difference.’ from the system card, or the TD is allowed to send IS THERE AN INFLUX OF YOUNGER MEMBERS? the player away from the table so that their partner ‘Well,’ says Mr Elder, ‘we’re still hopeful. It’s had can explain what their agreement is. Only a TD may quite an impact on the older ones though. You’d instigate this and the player should be advised that be amazed what a nonagenarian with a the opponents are only entitled to the agreement, replacement hip can get up to on a couple of not to the contents of the player’s hand. r Alcopops!’

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 35 Bidding Quiz Beat Today’s Experts ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS ON PAGE 16 by David Bird click link

1. N/S Game. Dealer East Our first three deals come from the English Premier League, ´ A 9 7 ´ K Q J 8 2 starting with a possible slam from the Hinden-Mossop match. ™ K Q 8 N ™ A 10 6 3 Frances Hinden and Graham Osborne, who had performed 8 6 W E A Q 10 3 splendidly for England in the , took full t S t ® A 10 6 3 2 ® – advantage of playing a two-over-one system here. Hinden’s 2® was forcing to game, so she could bid just 2´ at her West East second turn. On the next round she cue-bid her ™K and was Hinden Osborne subsequently able to cue-bid the ™Q. This was enough for 1´ 2® 2™ Osborne to leap to 6´. 2´ 3t Declarer won the trump lead, crossed to the ™K and took 3™ 3´ a losing finesse of the tQ. He won the trump return, played 3NT 4t the tA and ruffed a diamond with the ´A, bringing down 4™ 6´ the tJ from North. He could then claim the slam, discarding a heart on the ®A. At the other table Jason and Justin Hackett bid a less successful 1´ – 2® ‒ 2t – 2´ ‒ 2NT – 4´. That was 11 IMPs to Hinden.

Awards: 6´ (10), games (6), 6NT (4).

2. E/W Game. Dealer West is the scheme known as . Some players (I wouldn’t dare call them old-fashioned) still use strong jump ´ A K Q ´ 9 8 5 2 shifts. Kay Preddy and Norman Selway use a method known ™ A Q 10 6 3 2 N ™ K 8 7 as mini-splinters. On this deal from the Rosen-Black A 8 4 W E 5 t S t encounter, East’s 3 showed a raise to the three-level ® 8 ® K Q 7 5 2 t including a shortage in diamonds. West East How often this method proves useful, they could no Preddy Selway doubt tell you. What we do know is that it worked like a 1™ 3t dream here. Knowing that she could ruff her two diamond 4NT 5 ® losers, Kay Preddy bid RKCB and jumped to 6 when her 6™ ™ partner showed one key-card. They will not be giving up this device any time soon! At the other table, Andrew Black and Gunnar Hallberg bid 1 What is the best use for a response of 3t? ™ – 2™, 3t – 4™. Black was presumably looking for Some pairs play 1™ – 3™ pre-emptive and something more enthusiastic than 4™ (perhaps 4® or 4t) before seeking a slam. Team Rosen gained 13 IMPs. use both 3® and 3t to show stronger raises to 3™, 6-8 and 9-11 points respectively. This Awards: 6™ (10), 5™/4NT/3NT (6), 6NT/part scores (2).

36 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk 3. N/S Game. Dealer East

´ 8 Allfrey face Hinden and Chris Jagger suggested a slam with ™ J 9 5 4 3 his of 4 t on the third round. Jeffrey Allerton t A K 6 4 2 didn’t have much of a hand but he was happy to cue-bid 4™ 7 3 ® below the game level. Over 5® from his partner, he suggested ´ 10 9 6 ´ A Q 7 5 4 3 ™ – N ™ A K 7 6 playing in 6® instead of 6´. This was a slightly better slam, W E t Q 9 5 3 S t – since West would have the chance of ditching spade losers ® K Q J 8 6 4 ® A 9 2 on the ™A-K. ´ K J 2 was deterred from leading a top diamond ™ Q 10 8 2 by the splinter bid and chose the ´8 instead. If declarer t J 10 8 7 ® 10 5 reads this as a singleton, he can make 6® by rising with the ´A, discarding two spades and cross-ruffing. In fact, he can West North East South make an overtrick on the favourable lie of the trump suit by Allerton Bakhshi Jagger Forrester establishing the spades. Allerton preferred to finesse the ´Q 1´ Pass and Forrester won with the ´K. Despite declarer’s false card 2® Pass 2™ Pass of the 9 on this trick, Forrester returned a spade for his 2´ Pass 4t Pass ´ 4™ Pass 5® Pass partner to ruff. One down. 6® All Pass At the other table Allfrey and Robson were in 6® at one stage but ended in 6´ – doomed by the bad spade break.

Awards: 6® (10), 6´ (8), games (6), part-score (2).

4. N/S Game. Dealer West This was the last board of an exciting semi-final between Norway and the Netherlands in the European Champions Cup in Zagreb. Norway led by 10 IMPs with this board to ´ J 6 5 play. In the other semi-final there had been an 11-IMP swing ™ A 9 5 because one pair went down in 3NT and the other made 4´. t K 10 9 3 ® J 9 3 (In 4´, you can reach the ®K-Q with the tJ to discard the ´ A K Q 10 7 4 ´ 2 4th diamond. In 3NT you lose four hearts and a diamond.) ™ 8 6 N ™ J 7 3 2 W E East would have used 3®as a second negative, so his 2NT t A Q 7 2 S t J 6 5 4 ® A ® K Q 6 4 promised some values. West could see no point in bidding ´ 9 8 3 diamonds at his third turn, since spades would make a good ™ K Q 10 4 t 8 trump suit anyway. He bid 3´ and East, very reasonably, bid ® 10 8 7 5 2 3NT. I was doing voice commentary on Bridge Base Online at West North East South Livgård de Wijs Aa Muller the time, waiting for the decision to flash up on my . 2® Pass 2t Pass Time stood still as Allan Livgård considered his final move. 2´ Pass 2NT Pass If he passed, his side would lose the match by 1 IMP. 3´ Pass 3NT Pass ? Eventually Livgård bid 4´, a great decision, and the match was won. From West’s point of view, there may be a play for 4´ with only the tJ in the East hand. 3NT could go down in various ways.

Awards: 4´ (10), 3NT (6), 5t (5), part-score (3). www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 37 5. E/W Game. Dealer East

have shown 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors.) Glenn Grøtheim’s 2´ ´ K Q ´ A 9 may have shown a stopper there and not in hearts. What ™ 10 6 2 N ™ K 7 5 4 W E should East say over partner’s 5®? t A K 5 3 S t Q ® 9 7 6 4 ® A K Q J 3 2 As I see it, he should pass. His partner did not cue-bid a red suit over 4®. The ™A was almost certainly with South and East has a bundle of side-suit losers to be covered. West North East South Grøtheim Multon Tøndel Martens Peter Tøndel bid 6® and Martens led a spade from 1® 2t ´J 10 7 6 5 ™A Q 9 8 3 tJ 8 ®8. Declarer won and drew 2´ 3´ 4® Pass trumps. He then eliminated the spades and diamonds. A 5® Pass 6® All Pass heart from dummy would have end-played North if he had

retained a bare ™Q but the bare ™J did not trouble him. The last two deals come from the final of the Martens scored two heart tricks for one down. That was 12 European Champions Cup, with Monaco IMPs to Monaco when Tor Helness and Geir Helgemo bid facing Norway. Krzysztof Martens overcalled 1®-(2®)-Dble-(4´)-5® at the other table. 2t to show 5-5 in the majors. (2® would Awards: 5NT/4NT/3NT (10), 5® (8), 6® (3).

6. Game All. Dealer East Terje Aa showed his diamonds by bidding Stayman and continuing with a transfer bid of 3®. He then rebid 3NT to show only mild interest in a high diamond contract. Allan Livgård’s hand was splendid for diamonds, so he advanced ´ A 8 2 ´ K 7 to 4 . West’s 4 was a version of RKCB and the 3rd-step 5 ™ 8 5 2 N ™ A K 10 7 3 t ™ ® W E response showed two key cards. t K Q J 10 9 2 S t A 8 7 ® K ® Q 8 6 6t was a great place to be and Helness (South) led a singleton ™4 to the 2, queen and ace. Livgård drew two West East rounds of trumps with the K-Q, South discarding the ®J. Aa Livgård He then played the ®K to North’s ®A. Helgemo returned a 1NT second heart (from his remaining ™J 9 6) and declarer rose 2® 2™ with his ™K, South discarding. Livgård then played the ®Q 3® 3t to discard dummy’s last heart. Disaster! Clubs broke 8-1 3NT 4t 4™ 5® and Helgemo ruffed with his last trump. Zimmermann and 6t Multon failed to reach this excellent slam and picked up 12 IMPs for their pains. No justice was done.

Awards: 6t (10), games (5), 6NT (3).

Our experts score five bulls-eyes out of six and pick up a score of 53/60. ‘Not much chance of us beating that!’ you may be thinking. Yes, but bear in mind that some experts get a bit shirty if I feature their bad boards. Anyway, let’s look for some bidding tips. Tips to Remember • When you have a powerful 6-card major, think twice before mentioning a minor suit. If partner has a fit for your minor, game may be a better prospect in the major suit anyway. • Mini splinters are used most often in auctions such as 1® – 1´ – 3t, agreeing spades and showing a diamond shortage. Some pairs see advantage in playing a jump shift such as 1´ – 3t as a mini splinter too. • If you play 3® as the second negative after partner’s 2® opening, responder’s 2NT rebid becomes avail- able to show a few values and allow partner to look for a fit elsewhere. r

38 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 39 2017 Camrose Trophy

Battling the Home Nations click By David Bird link

he first weekend of the 2017 Camrose Forrester signed off in 6t to end a classy auction. Trophy was contested at the Mercure Forrester won the club lead and drew trumps in TBrandon Hall, near Coventry. England two rounds. He continued with the ™A-K and a fielded a powerful team, the premier league heart ruff, his remaining high club and a club ruff. winners: Alexander Allfrey & Andrew Robson, The scene was then set to lead dummy’s ™5, David Bakhshi and Tony Forrester, Mike Bell and discarding the ´6 from his hand. Hastings David Gold, NPC Martin Jones. Campbell won and had to lead a spade into the A deal from the first match, against Northern ´A-Q or give a ruff-and-discard. Ireland, was very well bid and played: At the other table Bell opened 3® on the West cards and David Greenwood overcalled 3NT. Rex Anderson responded 4® (range enquiry) and Love All. Dealer West. passed the 4NT response. That was 10 IMPs to ´ A Q 7 6 England, who won the match 92-66. ™ 10 It was the turn of Allfrey and Robson to bid well t K Q 9 7 2 on this deal against the Scottish Bridge Union. ® A K 2 ´ 3 2 ´ K J 10 9 ™ 6 2 N ™ Q J 9 8 7 4 W E Game All. Dealer North. t 5 3 S t 8 4 ´ A 9 6 3 ® Q 10 9 8 7 6 4 ® J ™ 8 6 ´ 8 5 4 t K J 10 9 7 2 ™ A K 5 3 ® 5 t A J 10 6 ´ 8 7 ´ J 10 5 4 ® 5 3 ™ 10 9 7 5 3 N ™ 4 2 W E t Q 8 S t 6 4 ® J 8 7 3 ® A K 9 6 2 West North East South ´ K Q 2 Mackenzie Forrester Campbell Bakhshi ™ A K Q J Pass 1t 1™ 2™ t A 5 3 Pass 2´ Pass 2NT ® Q 10 4 Pass 3® Pass 3NT Pass 4t Pass 4™ Pass 4´ Pass 4NT West North East South Pass 5t Pass 5™ Punch Allfrey Peterkin Robson Pass 6t All Pass Pass Pass 2NT Bakhshi’s 2™ showed good diamond support. Pass 3® Dble 3™ This task done, he indicated the minimum nature of Pass 4t Pass 4™ his hand with 2NT and 3NT. Forrester had a great Pass 6t All Pass hand and persisted with 4t. After two cue-bids and RKCB (the 1430 response of 5t showing three key- Allfrey could not open 2t (even if inclined to cards), Bakhshi asked for the ™Q merely to inform turn a blind eye to the four spades) because the partner that all five main key-cards were present. England pair use the multi. Over his natural bid of

40 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk 4t on the third round, Robson cue-bid his heart that it is generally pointless to lead a side-suit control. Allfrey placed East with some top honours singleton against a slam. On this deal a diamond in clubs after his lead-directing double of 3®. lead would beat the slam, killing North’s entry for Expecting his singleton club to be pulling hard, he the second club ruff. leapt to 6t. Excellent! Neil Rosen led a trump, won with the 7. Declarer Allfrey ruffed the second top club and led the tJ, played the ®A and ruffed a club with the ´8. He overtaking with the tA. It may well have been his could now return to the tA, ruff another club with intention to finesse on the next round (with East the ´A and overtake the ´Q to draw trumps. known to hold long clubs). The tQ showed anyway Instead he led dummy’s ™Q, East winning with the and the slam was made. ™A. A second round of hearts would reduce At the other table Ian Sime (North) did open a declarer’s trumps and put the slam two down. natural 2t. John Matheson responded 3NT, which When East preferred to return the t3, declarer won stood some risk of going down on a club lead. with the tA, took a second club ruff with the ´A Bakhshi led a heart and 12 tricks were made, and claimed the contract. England gaining 12 IMPs. West North East South England won four matches out of five. They lost Thomas Hinden Denning Osborne only to Ireland, who headed the field with 76.52 Pass 1t VPs. England were just behind on 73.80, with Wales Pass 1´ Pass 3´ 3rd on 53.34. There was all to play for on the second Pass 3NT Pass 4® weekend, contested at Edinburgh’s Holiday Inn. Pass 4t Pass 4´ England’s team was: Frances Hinden & Graham Pass 6t Pass 6´ Osborne, Martin Jones & Neil Rosen, Jeffrey All Pass Allerton & Chris Jagger, NPC David Burn. In the match against Wales, both sides had a chance to do At the other table Frances Hinden offered 6t as better on this slam deal: an alternative. This would go down on a lead of the singleton spade. Two heart ruffs would bring the total to 12 but, with trumps 3-1, declarer would Love All. Dealer East. have to surrender a heart before drawing trumps. A ´ K J 10 7 spade ruff would follow. ™ 4 Graham Osborne preferred the spade slam and t A 8 7 6 again East had the chance of a brilliancy – leading ® A 8 5 2 the t3 to interfere with declarer’s communications. ´ 6 ´ 9 5 3 2 When Paul Denning led the ™A and switched to a ™ K 9 7 6 N ™ A 10 5 3 2 trump, Hinden took two club ruffs to flatten the W E t 10 5 2 S t 3 board. ® Q 10 9 6 3 ® K J 4 England lost the crunch match against Ireland by ´ A Q 8 4 4.50 VPs to 15.50. A second loss to the Scottish ™ Q J 8 Bridge Union (6.88 – 13.12) ruled out any recovery t K Q J 9 4 and these were the final scores: ® 7

West North East South M Jones G Jones Rosen Rees Pass 1t Pass 1´ Pass 3´ Pass 4® Pass 4t Pass 4NT Pass 5® Pass 5™ Pass 6´ All Pass Congratulations to Ireland: Tom Hanlon & Hugh Declarer has ten top tricks and needs to add two McGann, Tommy Garvey & John Carroll, Mark club ruffs. When you hold an ace, text-books say Moran & Rory Boland, NPC Grainne Barton. r

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 41 Prize Leads Quiz Answers Answers to February Problems click by Alan Mould link his issue Hand 1 was sent to me by declarer off the finesse (it is always a good idea to international and friend Gary Hyett and force declarer to guess as early as possible). I suppose THand 2 by Manchester player and friend it is also just possible partner will ruff (but he didn’t Alan Jones. make a Lightner double).

Hand 1 (c) t2: 3 marks. My least favourite lead! It is almost ´ J 10 never right to lead from nothing against a slam. At ™ K 9 7 5 3 best you achieve zero and at worst you carve up t 10 7 2 partner’s holding in the suit. ® K 4 2 (d) ®2: 6 marks. Despite the cue I quite like this lead. If partner has the queen it is probably the right suit South West North East to lead and if dummy has A-Q declarer just may not 1´ Pass 2™1 Pass 3´2 Pass 4®3 Pass finesse if he has other options. Of course, if declarer 4NT4 Pass 5™5 Pass has the queen you have done something horrible. 6´ All Pass Unlucky! This time dummy had stiff 10 and declarer 1 Natural and game forcing; 2 Showing a very good suit; Q-J-9-x so the club lead set up a ruffing finesse 3 for spades; 4 Roman Keycard Blackwood; 5 Two against you. Only the trump lead is guaranteed to keycards, no trump queen beat the hand this time. .Choose from: (a) ´J; (b) ™5; (c)t2; (d) ®2. HHHHHH (a) ´J: 10 marks. I have frequently advocated that it Hand 2 is almost never right to lead trumps against slams. ´ K J 10 3 But almost never is not never. Here you know the ™ J 8 6 hearts are not breaking, and that the opponents both t 9 6 3 2 have good hands. Any lead from any other suit could ® K Q easily give a trick away. It seems highly unlikely that any trick is going away but possible that declarer may be able to take a ruff in dummy. So this is a South West North East 1™ Pass 1´ Pass combination of a rare passive lead against a slam and 2® Pass 3® Pass cutting down ruffs. 3NT All Pass

(b) ™5: 7 marks. This could work as it might put Choose from: (a) ´J; (b) ´3; (c) a diamond; (d) ®K.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS:

Master: Rajesh Shah Open: Tim Greenhill

Sponsored by

42 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk (a) ´J: 8 marks. In general people do not lead partner has four of them do we have enough tricks? dummy’s first suit enough against 3NT on these sorts And it is long odds against partner having five or of auctions. Listen to the bidding – declarer has at more. least five hearts, at least four clubs and bid 3NT, so has two spades at most and actually is far more likely (c) a diamond: 6 marks. For the same arguments as to have one (or sometimes even none though that is for a spade lead – this may hit partner’s suit. But a a bit extreme). Your diamond holding is hardly spade is a better shot as dummy has shown no something to cause declarer grief and your club and interest in the majors. heart holdings look terrible as well. The most likely (d) a club: 3 marks. This has even less going for it suit the opposition are weak in is spades so try that. than a heart. r (b) ´3: 10 marks. The problem with the ´J is that dummy’s pips will become a nuisance for you and ENGLISH RIVIERA you may end up blocking the suit, so if I was going CONGRESS Green to lead a spade I would lead the 3. Indeed, a good points ´ 30 June – 2 July 2017 case can be made for the K hoping to the ´ Riviera Centre, Torquay singleton ´Q in declarer’s hand but I did not give you that option. This time it happens not to matter as dummy held ´A-x-x-x-x and partner Q-x-x. (c) a diamond: 5 marks. If I wasn’t leading a spade I would lead this, but a spade is much better for the reasons given above.

(d) ®K: 1 mark. Why?

HHHHHH Swiss Teams (Fri - 2 sessions) Swiss Pairs (Sat & Sun - 3 sessions) Hand 3 ´ 8 4 EBU Comps Dept ( 01296 317 203 / 219 or enter online at www.ebu.co.uk/members ™ 9 5 3 2 t 7 5 4 EBU Accommodation Booking Service 0800 0346 246 ® 9 8 7 5 (

South West North East 9-15 October 2017 1NT1 Pass 3NT All Pass 1 12-14. BRIDGE OVERSEAS Be grateful you are not playing . Oh, and HALKIDIKI CONGRESS remember to claim your 1000 guineas from the Earl. Anthemus Sea Beach Hotel & Spa Choose from: (a) ´8; (b) a heart; (c) a diamond; (d) a club. With this hand it is likely to be only a matter of overtricks, but we should try and beat the contract even so and what is the best way to do this? Well for a start partner is going to have to beat it on her/his own since we won’t be contributing any tricks. Open Pairs; Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed Pairs; Pivot Teams (a) ´8: 10 marks. Easily the best chance in my Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams view. Play partner for five (or even six spades) and Blue Green points points enough entries to set them up and get in to cash Bridge Fees: £138 them. ( 01296 317203 or [email protected] Attendance at the congress is exclusive to delegates (b) a heart: 4 marks. Yes, dummy has shown no booking their accommodation with Bridge Overseas( interest in a major and yes, this is our longest major, 0800 034 6246 but is this really going to beat the contract? Even if [email protected]

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 43 Junior Camrose Double victory in Ireland click by Kyle Lam link

n mid-February the U26 and U21 teams two matches to spare with good wins against the travelled to Gormanston, a few miles north of Scots, Northern Irish and Welsh. Congratulations to IDublin, to contest the annual junior home the team and especially to Shivam who now has internationals competition. The U26s (Junior won the competition five years in a row and to Jon Camrose) returned as defending champions and the and Ollie for a win on their U26 debut. U21s (Peggy Bayer competition) were keen to The following hand is from Round 3 where the reclaim the title from the Republic of Ireland. In the U26 competition, England was represented U26s played the Welsh: by Shivam Shah & Yvonne Wiseman; Kyle Lam & Toby Nonnenmacher; Jon Derrick & Ollie Powell; NPC Simon Cope and Assistant NPC Harry N/S Game. Dealer West. Anoyrkatis. The Juniors kicked off against arch- ´ A K J rivals Scotland and in a match containing more flat ™ Q 2 boards than the rest of the competition combined, t A K Q 10 7 3 England emerged on the wrong side of a narrow ® J 2 defeat 9-5 IMPs. We bounced back with two near ´ 10 8 7 3 ´ Q 6 2 maximum wins against the Northern Irish and the ™ J 9 3 N ™ 10 8 7 6 W E Welsh to set up a key match against the Republic of t J 9 8 5 S t 6 4 Ireland who were level on VPs at this stage. Game ® 10 5 ® K Q 4 3 swings on the first and last boards of the match ´ 9 5 4 ensured England pulled away to a comfortable 34-7 ™ A K 5 4 IMPs victory equating to 16.91-3.09 VPs and a t 2 comfortable margin to second place going into the ® A 9 8 7 6 second round robin. The U26s sealed victory with

England U26 team: Back row from left, Simon Cope (NPC), Toby Nonnenmacher, Jon Derrick, Ollie Powell and Harry Anoyrkatis (Assistant NPC). Front row from left, Yvonne Wiseman, Kyle Lam, Shivam Shah

44 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk England’s Peggy Bayer U21 team: From left,Jonathan Clark, Ben Norton, Daniel Winter (back), Liam Sanderson, Michael Byrne (NPC), Kripa Panchagnula, Sam Behrens

West North East South the only ones to bid and make the contract, this was He Lam Richards Nonnenmacher a valuable 13 IMPs to England. Pass 2® Pass 2t In the U21 Peggy Bayer competition, the team of Pass 3t Pass 4® Ben Norton & Sam Behrens; Jonathan Clark & Pass 4´ Pass 6NT Kripa Panchagnula; Liam Sanderson & Daniel All Pass Winter; NPC: Michael Byrne ensured they would be taking the trophy back to England this year. Their When North showed a game forcing hand with experience shone through and they were ruthlessly diamonds, Toby Nonnenmacher as South did not efficient in every match only dropping fractions of need too much encouragement to bid the slam. VPs and ending the weekend with 177.79 out of a Jason He for Wales led the ´8 and Nonnenmacher possible 180 VPs. In second place, the CBAI team, won the ace and cashed A-K-Q of diamonds, more than 100 VPs behind, edged out Ireland. throwing two clubs, hoping to see the jack fall in Congratulations to both teams. r two or three rounds. Unfortunately he would have to put in a bit more work to earn his IMPs with West holding tJ-x-x-x. West won the fourth round of diamonds and played a heart. Nonnenmacher rose with the queen and ran his remaining diamonds. With East holding all three suits life became very uncomfortable for him and he was forced to concede the slam. At first glance, it appears that a small club lead may put declarer in difficulty but because of the fortunate placement of the ®10 declarer can instead play on clubs for his contract after finding out the bad news in the diamond suit. With the English pair

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 45 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

n APRIL 2017 7-9 Devon Congress, Torquay EBED - PART-TIME CHIEF EXECUTIVE 7-9 Coventry Congress EBED’s growth means it now seeks to appoint a part-time 8-9 National Pairs Finals, Daventry Chief Executive to lead the organisation. 7-9 Junior Bridge Camp, Cheltenham The position is for two days a week, based primarily at the 14-17 Easter Festival of Bridge, London (see p29) charity’s head office in Aylesbury, with the role including: 14-16 Northern Easter Festival, Ilkley (see p29) management of the charity’s staff and day-to-day activities; 21-23 Lady Milne, Wales working with the Board and staff to develop and deliver 22-23 Portland Bowl Finals business strategy, plans and targets; ensuring the 22-23 Staffs & Shrops Congress, Telford 21-30 Lambourne Jersey Festival of Bridge, sustainability and expansion of its activities and services. St Helier, Jersey (see p23) If you wish to apply for this position, please send a letter 28-30 Cheltenham Congress explaining why you consider yourself suitable for the role and 28- Schapiro Spring Foursomes, a cv to [email protected]. Applications close 30 April 2017. May 2 Stratford-upon-Avon (see p53) Further details can be found at www.ebedcio.org.uk n MAY 2017 6 Garden Cities Trophy, Regional Heats, Bradford, Bristol, Peterborough, ARE YOU UP TO PLAYING IN THE Richmond 8-11 EBED Spring Sims, various clubs ENGLAND OPEN TEAM IN EUROPE? 13-14 Swiss Teams Congress, Solihull (see p25) 19-21 Teltscher Trophy, Northern Ireland THE EBU will be holding trials for pairs to represent the 20 Northants GP Pairs England Open Team in the 2018 European Team 21 Hants & Isle of Wight GP Teams Championships. 21 Kent GP Teams, Tunbridge Wells The trials, scored by Ximps, will held over four full days, 21 Merseyside & Cheshire GP Pairs from the 12th to 15th January 2018, at the Young Chelsea BC. 27-29 Spring Bank Holiday Congress, Stratford- upon-Avon (see p49) The top two pairs will be selected for the team, plus a third, pre-selected pair. n JUNE 2017 The number of pairs in the trials will be limited. 2-4 Yorkshire Congress, Harrogate Applications should be made to [email protected] by 7th 3-4 Corwen Trophy, Northampton 10-11 Pachabo Cup, Daventry November 2017. Accepted pairs will be notified by 10th 10-24 8th European Open Championships, November. The cost of entry is £150 per player. Montecatini, Italy 17-18 Berks & Bucks GP Weekend 17 Leicestershire GP Pairs 18 Bedfordshire GP Pairs LAWS OF 2017 18 Dorset GP Teams, Wimborne About every ten years the 24 Garden Cities Final, Solihull 30 - 2 Riviera Congress, Torquay (see p43) updates the bridge laws. The next edition was expected to be n JULY 2017 finalised as English Bridge went to press in March, for 7-9 Eastbourne Seniors’ Congress (see p49) introduction across the world by 1 September. The EBU will 8-15 26th European Youth Bridge Team Championships, Bratislava be printing new lawbooks, to be available for purchase from 15-16 London Congress the Bridge Shop, and running a series of courses for club and 15-16 President’s Cup county TDs across the country to get up to speed with the 22-23 Essex-Hertfordshire GP Weekend 22-23 Gloucester-Herefordshire GP Weekend changes. 22-23 Nottinghamshire GP Weekend More information about this will be in future issues of 23 Dorset GP Pairs, Wimborne English Bridge, including details about the most significant 23 Manchester GP Teams 23 Sussex GP Teams changes, where to find out about the EBU’s courses and how 24-27 British Summer Sims to find the laws online.

46 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk

Overseas Bridge – Lisbon by Veronica Petrie

hat a great choice Lisbon proved to be as the EBU’s first city break. My husband WAndrew and I arrived a couple of days early and familiarised ourselves with the capital and its transport system. We started with an open top bus. The city is built on seven hills – public transport proved very good and cheap. Taxis were also fairly cheap while the keen beans got fit and walked. The tube system was fine once you mastered the ticket machine. One of our officials – no names mentioned – managed to buy a six day pass for one person instead of six, one day passes but that was soon rectified. There were plenty of places to visit. Some of the group went on organised visits while others visited places under their own steam. In Lisbon itself we went to the castle, Monasterio dos St Jerónimos, the Barado modern art museum and the tile museum to name but a few. The hotel was five minutes’ walk away from the Gulbenkian gardens and museum, a very pleasant way to spend a morning. It poured with rain one day for which the Portuguese economy was very grateful – we were so wet that Andrew and I both had to buy new shoes and Andrew needed to buy a new coat. The weather greatly improved on the Wednesday when we took the train out to Cascais and walked (yes) along the front to Estoril. One of the organised trips was to Cascais, Estoril and then off up to Sintra. A fabulous day was had by all. Obviously a leisurely meal in the square in Sintra was very good preparation for the competition later in the day. The bridge was excellent and it was very pleasing to see a team of juniors playing. About half of the group attended a Fado evening before returning home. I have it on good authority that it was excellent. There also seemed to be a lot of new faces which bodes well for the future. We hope to see the familiar faces and anyone else who fancies a good holiday, with a sociable group of friends and bridge

thrown in, in Halkidiki in the autumn. Andrew is who everyone in photos. to sent Thank you hoping this will be a slightly more restful holiday! All the bridge results can be found on the EBU website: ebu.co.uk/results/559 r

48 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk SUMMER SENIORS NORTHERN

CONGRESS Green MIDWEEK CONGRESS points 7 – 9 July 2017 22 – 24 August 2017 Winter Gardens, Eastbourne Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield

Championship Pairs (Fri & Sat), Swiss Pairs (Sat) Stratified Championship Pairs, Tues & Weds and Swiss Teams (Sun) Stratified Swiss Teams, Thurs To be eligible, you must have been born in 1957 or before EBU Comps Dept ( 01296 317 203/219 or enter online at Entries 01296 317 203 / 219 ( www.ebu.co.uk/members or online at www.ebu.co.uk EBU Accommodation Booking Service EBU Accommodation Booking Service 0800 0346 246 ( 0800 0346 246 (

SPRING BANK SCARBOROUGH HOLIDAY CONGRESS SUMMER CONGRESS 27 – 29 May 2017 27 – 30 July 2017 Blue Green points Crowne Plaza, points Scarborough Spa Complex Stratford-upon-Avon

Championship Pairs - four session event over Saturday and Sunday. Swiss Pairs - Swiss Teams Really Easy Afternoon Suits all players from Local Master to Premier Grand Master.

Blue Pre-congress Pairs, Green points points Multiple Teams (Friday) and Swiss Pairs (12 x 7-board matches, over Saturday & Sunday) EBU Comps Dept 01296 317 203 / 219 ( Entries ( 01296 317 203 / 219 or enter online at www.ebu.co.uk/members or online at www.ebu.co.uk

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 49 The future is bridge

SURREY SCHOOLS CUP WIMBLEDON MINI BRIDGE Some 54 pupils from Wimbledon Bridge seven schools competed Club hosted a in the Surrey Schools learning session for Cup in February, an members and the event that’s been general public to running since 1969. St bring their children Paul’s Boys School not or grandchildren in only hosted it, they to play mini bridge during the half-term holiday. entered four teams, one About 20 young people arrived to learn the of which, Quentin Gueroult & Roman Evans, game. The club is now planning how to take this Harry Armitage & James Zhang, regained the Cup forward, probably with more sessions in the from last year’s champions, KCS Wimbledon. Easter holidays. ‘My children loved the morning, Weydon School’s Jasmine Nobbs & Aidan especially the cake!’ was the feed-back from one Fellows, Ayla & Ronan Barrault Belford won the parent who said that they are now playing at home. Salver, for those new to full bridge. Shimako Kato (Godolphin & Latymer) & Noah Harman YOUNG BRIDGE CHALLENGE (Weydon) were impressive in winning the EBED’s Young Bridge pairs, having met for the first time on Challenge took place at the day. Loughborough Grammar ROEHAMPTON MINI BRIDGE School in early March Roehampton held its with young players from over 20 schools. first session of mini bridge CHOOLS UP during the February half S C The bridge started with a Swiss Teams, after term. It was a huge success which the top teams representing a single school with eighteen youngsters, went on to a knockout phase to contest the ranging from six to 14, Schools Cup. This was won by Liam Sanderson, arriving with parents, Theo Gillis, Oscar Selby and Carlos Lapuerta of grandparents and helpers, Westminster School (pictured above) – breaking a for a two hour introduction to mini bridge by run of seven consecutive wins for Haberdashers’ Douglas Wright from the Surrey Bridge Aske. Westminster beat the team of Rodger Ren, Association. By the end the children were playing Nick Heymann, Joe Benton & Max Fleming from with confidence. They were taught how to count St Pauls School in the final, while The Dragon points, know the correct suit order, know the School in Oxford beat Eton College in the third number of tricks needed for game or part score, place playoff. how to identify balanced or unbalanced hands SWISS TEAMS and grasp the value of a long suit. Above all, it The remaining teams continued the Swiss Teams. The top finishers were Alex Pemberton, was fun and not just for the children! Cont/. . .

CHECK OUT HOW YOUNG PLAYERS PERFORMED IN THE JUNIOR CAMROSE - PAGE 44

50 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Andy Cope, Megan Jones BRIDGE FOR YOUNG BEGINNERS & Imogen La Chapelle Give someone the gift who won the Harry of a whole new world. Scully Trophy (see picture Help them learn left). bridge with this brand SCHOOLS PLATE new book written by The Schools Plate – for the highest finishing Liz Dale in team from one school – collaboration with went to James Zhang, EBED. Available from Roman Evans, Quentin the EBU shop, Guerolt & Harry Amazon and as a Armitage of St Pauls Kindle download. School, after they finished in third place (see picture above). IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR MINIBRIDGE COMPETITION The winners in the Thanet Bridge Club minibridge competition welcomed their oldest were Martha Davey & member, Mrs Kitty Henry Edwards of Wells, to their Annual Worcester BC and Joshua Prize Giving Luncheon Smith & Rohan Sehgal of in early February. Loughborough Grammar Kitty is 104 and still School (see picture above). plays a mean game of bridge. She is pictured More details and results on ebu.co.uk/node/2679 here with her two bridge playing daughters Maureen Tatham (the club’s Junior Bridge Camp newly elected Chair) and Jackie Bowler. 8 - 9 April 2017 Cheltenham Ladies’ College & BC TEACHING AWARDS

One Nominations are now being accepted for the night teaching awards presented jointly by the EBU and English Bridge Education and Development. £60 all inc These include: The Alec Salisbury Award – to the school teacher who has made the most effective contribution to promoting bridge.

All levels – beginners to junior experts. The Tom Bradley Award – to the (non-school) Come and enjoy a packed weekend of bridge teacher who has made the biggest contribution entertainment, tuition, coaching & play for young to promoting youth bridge. people under 21 years old. ™ Nominations should be made by 23 May to Parents welcome - please enquire for price Richard Banbury: [email protected]. ™ Reduced rate for non-residents More details can be found on ™ ebu.co.uk/node/2663. ´ Tuition, tournaments & prizes ´ ™ For more info and application forms [email protected]

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 51 Send your letters to the editor, LETTERS TO THE Lou Hobhouse, Raggett House, Bowdens, TA10 0DD, or e-mail [email protected] (please include your postal address) EDITOR The editor reserves the right to condense letters. Publication does not mean the EBU agrees with the views expressed or that the comments are factually correct.

WELLBEING SURVEY It’s true those who completed WE DO YOUTH So the study proved that the magazine survey are also a In his letter (February 2017, bridge has a positive effect on self-selecting group, but p53) Simon Barb states ‘Past wellbeing - was it ever likely to members who didn’t fill it in consultations with County have no grounds for complaint! show otherwise? Common sense Chairs and Secretaries show that Ian Dalziel could have told us this without investment in Junior Bridge is Thank you for your letter. As an expensive study. Any social quite low in their priorities…’ As activity – be it golf, bowls, you point out, it is no surprise that the Chair of the Surrey County charity work, bingo or church is bridge is good for one's mental Bridge Association I should going to make people feel better; health, but proving it scientifically helps in all sorts of areas – point out that I was not part of otherwise they wouldn’t do it. government grants, charity status, that consultation process and I did the survey and thought promoting bridge. the questions were vague and while I cannot speak for other Funding is currently being ambiguous, it was anything but counties I would like to correct sought for the next stage where scientific. Those filling it in were the impression he is giving – at bridge players' brains will be least as far as Surrey is a self-selecting group which scanned. It is a very exciting piece concerned. In Surrey we have a invalidates the result anyway. of research and we hope it will dedicated Youth Officer and have EBED is now talking about show a definite link between doing brain scans; this will cost a regular mental activity and allocated over £2,000 in our fortune and prove nothing new. neuronal function in later life. Such budget for 2017-18 to this topic. EBED is a wonderful idea but scientific proof would again For many years we have run they really should use their hugely help in the promotion of annual inter-schools bridge money wisely. bridge – many young people competitions, mini-bridge for A much more useful study already take the need to exercise the junior schools and teams for would be to poll non-bridge their bodies very seriously. How the more experienced. This year players and find out what they wonderful if we could persuade the event was attended by 54 feel about bridge. This them of the need to play games pupils from seven schools. We such as bridge to preserve their knowledge might help us also have a school team in our persuade them to take up the mental faculties. As for the survey itself, our mainstream Surrey League. We game. People who try bridge are active in marketing mini- usually like it; it’s getting them to questions had to be aligned to the bridge to schools in Surrey and have a go that’s the hard bit. English Longitudinal Study of Ageing so that we had a have run teach-the-teacher The magazine survey on the benchmark survey of population sessions so others have the other hand was excellent. I hope to compare it against. There is knowledge and materials to take it persuades you to remove the much more information at wasted pages of County News this further. There are many http://www.ebedcio.org.uk/health and Landmark Promotions activities that attract young -wellbeing-research people and the task of getting which no-one reads. These I hope that over the next few them involved in bridge is pages (and your time editing years we can demonstrate that proving to be quite a challenge, them) could be put to much playing bridge has important better use. Think of all the good benefits to an individual’s mental but at no point has there been articles which you regularly turn health through scientific evidence anything other than full support down which could now be rather than urban myth. for these activities from the included. Otherwise the Dr Caroline Small, Bsc, PhD, MBA Surrey Committee. magazine is great. EBED Trustee Trevor Hobson

52 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk NO REGARD FOR KOKISH 50s. He is one of only six players to get much fatter at the expense I have every sympathy with in the history of Kent cricket to of the day to day struggling Tony Truluck (February 2017, score over 10,000 runs and workers. Pippa Duncan p52). When I started to read the having a career average in excess In all our events the level of article on Kokish I checked the of 40. master points awarded are date was not April 1st; was this I think this makes him a determined not only according to simply someone having a laugh, talented dual sportsman. the length of the event but also to or the nomadic ritual of a tribe Luisa Otte the strength of the field. So in our that roams the Negev desert? Yes, championship pairs events with provide us with interesting FEEDING THE FAT CATS qualification, the main final gets articles, but remember this one is From a quick perusal of the an amount of Green Points, the probably not for 75% plus of recent Ranked Masters Pairs' secondary final gets half that bridge players, never mind Mr results, I gained the impression amount and the consolation final Truluck. that the Green Point (GP) gets half the secondary amount. In David Richardson awards were heavily biased in the case of the Ranked Masters Part 3 of Kokish in this issue Pairs, everyone is already ranked favour of the higher master point concludes the series. Ed so we know which events will be ranks. The Master Pairs group the hardest and we reward them (almost half of all entrants) TALENTED SPORTSMEN appropriately. This is all laid out I see you occasionally write attracted just 15% of the 399 GPs in the Ranked Masters Pairs sections about celebrities playing dished out to the total field. I programme. bridge. A local player, Mark appreciate that the Master Pairs As you progress up the ranking Benson, is a very fine bridge played two rather than the four ladder, the master points awards player (NGS hovering at 65). sessions enjoyed by all the other do become greater, but then so too Before he played bridge he groups. Nevertheless, it seems do the numbers of points required captained Kent County Cricket that the EBU's practice on to reach the next level! for five years, played for England, awarding GPs at this event Gordon Rainsford scored 48 1st class centuries, 99 ensures that the fat cats continue EBU Chief TD SCHAPIRO SPRING FOURSOMES 28 April - 2 May 2017, Stratford upon Avon LICENSED BRIDGE

WHEN you see the ‘LB’ sign in an ad vert isement in the magazine, it means that: Championship Series • The organisers of the holiday have applied for, and received, a licence from the EBU. • They may choose to give Master Points in accordance with EBU scales. Whether you end up competing in the • These Master Points will be accepted and added to player records. Green main event for the Schapiro Trophy, or points • The bridge will be played in line with EBU regulations and bye-laws, for the con solation Punchbowl Trophy, thus affording all players the protection of playing within the or for the Hamilton Cup in the Swiss jurisdiction of the EBU. Teams, this double-elimination event is one of the best in the EBU calendar and it deservedly All county events advertised have an EBU licence. attracts many of the world’s best players. Due to the generous sponsorship NOTE: Members playing in events licensed by another National arrang ement in place, prizes are Bridge Organisation will not be able to have Master Points credited to approxi mately twice the normal EBU value. their records save for events in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. The conversion of EBU Comps Dept ( 01296 317 203 / 219 Green Points to Gold Points will only happen at English events, the or enter online at www.ebu.co.uk/members BGB Gold Cup and Home Internationals.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 53 HINDEN WINS NEW NATIONAL 40 YEARS OF THE FOSTER CUP POINT-A-BOARD TEAMS Bourne End BC in Buckinghamshire celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Foster Cup at the end of January. There were 34 pairs competing in the open pairs event. Winners were Eva Wallen & David Beever (top picture) and the highest ascender The National Point-a-Board Teams – a new prize went to two event on the calendar – has been won by Hinden. juniors, Kyle Lam The team members were Frances Hinden, & Toby Nonnenmacher (bottom picture). Graham Osborne, Jeffrey Allerton & Chris Jagger. The competition was previously part of the National Teams Congress, which has now split in LONDON WINS TOLLEMACHE two with the National Swiss Teams Congress taking place in May in Solihull. The win for Hinden moves the team up to 14th= after four events in the Player of the Year Championship. EDWARDS WINS SILVER PLATE

Congratulations to the Edwards team from London has retained the Tollemache Cup, Derbyshire who won the Silver Plate, beating the winning the eight team final by 11 VPs. The team Stevenson team in the final by a single IMP. of Nick Sandqvist, David Ewart, Mike Bell, Tom Richard Edwards, Alex Hogg, Peter Kelly & Robert Ross played for the winners in the final, Townsend, Sarah O'Connor, Phil King, Heather with Don Smedley and John Griffin having also Dhondy, NPC Ian Payn, Paul Lamford, Kieran played for the team in earlier rounds. This was the Dyke and Stelio Di Bello (not pictured) finished second time this team of six have won the on 99 VPs, with Middlesex and Kent tied in competition which is the consolation event for second place. those knocked out of the Gold Cup in the early This was London's 21st victory in the stages. competition, increasing their all-time lead.

ERICHSEN & BROWN WIN LADY MILNE TRIALS Helen Erichsen & Fiona Brown have won the trials to represent England in the 2017 Lady Milne competition –a women’s event between the home nations. Heather Bakhshi & Claire Robinson were in second place. The two pairs qualify to contest the Lady Milne Trophy which takes place in Wrexham on 21 - 23 April. Nicola Smith & Catherine Draper have been selected as the third pair.

54 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk COUNTYCOUNTY NEWSNEWS

Local Results (if submitted) and obituaries are in the online magazine (page 67 onwards). click We do encourage members to visit their county website for up-to-date news and results. The link websites are given in each report.

Celia & Derek Oram, Gary Jones and Ed Scerri finished Avon 5th in the National Point-a-Board Teams main final. www.avoncba.org.uk Diary dates: 5 Apr, Senior Pairs, 10.30am, SBBC. 23 Apr, IN the national team events the following Men’s & Ladies’ Pairs, 1.30pm, SBBC. 7 May, Club Pairs Final county teams feature in the various KO (Waller Bowl), 1.30pm, Windsor. 21 May, Mixed Pairs and events: Flitch, 1.30pm, Windsor. 17-18 June, Green Point Swiss Gold Cup – Chris Dixon's team is Weekend (Pairs on the Saturday, Teams on the Sunday), 12 through to the 4th round . noon, Windsor. Crockfords – Graham Hartley’s team has reached the third round. Nicko – the leading Bristol and West of England teams led Cambs and Hunts by Tim Brierley and Mike Elliott respectively are through to www.cambsbridge.org the 3rd round. – Irene Robinson's team reached the last WE would like to congratulate the Cambridge A 16, losing to the holders. team of Julian Wightwick, John Liebeschuetz, David Steve Tomlinson & Ralph Smith represented Somerset in Kendrick, Alan Shillitoe, Paul Barden, Jonathan the Tollemache Final in February. Mestel, Victor Milman and Adam Bowden for their Entries are now being taken for Avon's new Green Point victory in the Garden Cities qualifier. Weekend (Swiss Pairs on the Saturday and Swiss Teams on the Diary dates: Please join us for East Anglia Bridge Sunday) to be held on 20 & 21 May 2017 at the University of Weekend (4-5 March) – an open Green Pointed joint event the West of England in Bristol. run by Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambs and Hunts in Ipswich. There will be Swiss Pairs on Saturday (as well as a Really Easy Bedfordshire Pairs competition) and Teams on Sunday. www.bedsbridge.co.uk Channel Islands BRIAN & Maureen Stairs came 8th nationally in the Charity Sim Pairs event held during the www.cwgsy.net/community/cicba/ MK/Regis bridge clubs Madeira holiday in late DIARY dates: 21-30 Apr, Lambourne Jersey January with a score of 65.5%. Congress. In the EBU Winter Sim Pairs, Ron Davis & David Harris were 17th while playing at Leighton Buzzard in January, scoring 65.4%. Ron Davis & Alan Oddie were 17th while playing at Milton Keynes BC on Wednesday 11th with a Cornwall similar national score. www.bridgewebs.com/cornwall Diary dates: The BBA AGM will be held at Wilstead on 11 DIARY dates: 23 Apr, Men’s Pairs & Ladies’ Pairs, May, 7.00 pm, followed by EBU Sim Pairs at £5 per player. The Charity Pairs is to be held at Wilstead on 14 May with a Ladock. 20 June, County Simultaneous Pairs, 1.00pm start. The BBA Champions’ Trophy on 25 May starts various clubs. at Wilstead at 7.30pm for those who have qualified. The BBA Green-Pointed Swiss Pairs is to be played at Wixam Village Cumbria Hall in Bedfordshire on Sunday 18 June, starting at 12.00 noon. www.bridgewebs.com/cumbria/ DIARY dates: 30 Apr, Eden Swiss Teams. 14 May, County Berks and Bucks Pivot Teams. www.bridgewebs.com/bbcba IN the final of the Tollemache Mike Perkins, Derbyshire Peter Hawkes, Andrew Murphy, Richard Bowdery, Tim Rees, Steve Eginton, Ed Scerri and www.bridgewebs.com/derbyshire Gary Jones finished mid-table in 4th place. OUR AGM will be held on 5 May at the East At the Lisbon Overseas Congress, Nigel Midlands Bridge Academy, 7.30pm. All members Lancaster & Steve Gore came 3rd in the Swiss Pairs, with Pat are invited to attend (If you are a member of one Dowdeswell & Lynne Hayes 4th. Dory & Nigel Thompson of our affiliated clubs you are automatically a were 4th in the Pre-congress Pairs. DCBA member).

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 55 Our popular Swiss Teams event (Team of four, squad Well done to Chris Taylor, whose team won the Swiss maximum six) starts on 29 March and runs fortnightly for 12 Teams at Lake Garda. sessions, concluding on 30 Aug. Our Summer Swiss Pairs Many congratulations to Chris Taylor for winning the event (runs fortnightly for 6 sessions) begins on 17 May and Lisbon Swiss Teams. This is his third consecutive overseas concludes on 26 July. The best four results count towards team win. winning the Smedley Salver. All are welcome to play in these Congratulations to Clive Smith & John Sutcliffe for events – it is not compulsory to play in all sessions and there winning Play with an Expert. are prizes on each night. A reminder to all that any request for a Special Resolution Our Pivot Teams of Four event for the Vic Morris Cup/Vic for the AGM must reach the Honourary Secretary by 15 April. Morris Plate (handicapped event, using NGS grading) starts Eastern Counties League v Hertfordshire: A team lost on 19th Apr. The teams that lose in the 1st round will go 3-17, B team won 14-6, C team lost 3-17. forward into our Plate event. Diary Dates: 14 Apr, EBU Really Easy Afternoon, The Midlands Mixed Pairs (Incorporating Midlands Barleylands. 23 Apr, Championship Pairs and 'B' flight Pairs. Flitch Cup for married partnerships) will be held on 30 Apr at the East Midlands Bridge Academy. 14 May, Mixed Teams followed by the AGM. 27 May, EBU In August we have our Individual Championship and our Really Easy Afternoon, Barleylands. 4 June, Club Pairs. 11 Ladies’ and Men’s Pairs events. June, George Curtis. Contact the DCBA secretary if you are interested in any of our events: [email protected]. Gloucestershire www.gcba.org.uk Devon THE Rank Xerox Inter-club Teams competition www.devonbridge.co.uk was won by Thribb, represented by John Polhill, THE Devon Club Teams of 8 was won by Taw Natalie Davenport, Angelos Agathangelou and Vale A (Paul Hide, Brent Wormald, Sally and John Councer. Mike Wignall won the county Harry Anoyrkatis, Alison Pollok, Richard individual championship. Watkins, Richard Carter and Carol Ritzen). Diary dates: 8-9 Apr, The Wessex Youth Bridge Weekend, They will go on to represent Devon in the EBU's Garden open to young people from 8 to 21 years old, from all over the Cities Trophy in May. county. 28-29 Apr, Cheltenham Congress. 22-23 July, In the Overseas Congress in Lisbon, Warner Solomon was Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Green Point Weekend. See in the second placed team, and won the Mixed Pairs (with the county website for details and entry forms. Cheltenham Sandy Davies). Bridge Club is hosting a series of Director training days on The Devon AGM will take place at the Isca Centre on 18 Saturdays 9 Sept, 14 Oct, 11 Nov and 9 Dec. Training will be June followed by Swiss teams. From this year there will be no a full day, and provided by Ted Hill. Booking via EBU. Other charge for the bridge. Full details will be on the website and Gloucestershire Bridge clubs may take advantage of this notices at clubs. Nominations and resolutions must be training, which is subsidised by the GCBA. submitted to the Hon Secretary by 21 May. Section AGMs will also take place – watch local notice boards for details. As always the County and sections would welcome new Hants and IoW volunteers to help with everything. www.bridgewebs.com/hiwcba/ Diary dates: 7-9 Apr, Devon Congress. 7 May, Graphic Cup. 18 June, AGM. Full details of all events and results are on EBU Overseas Congress at Lisbon: Swiss Pairs, the website. joint 4th, Clare & Ian Fearon. Mixed Pairs, 3rd, Rosalind Concanon & Gordon Clarke. Dorset Diary dates: 2 Apr, Pottage Final, Romsey. 23 Apr, AGM + Stratified Pairs, Romsey. 24 Apr, Bayer No Fear www.bridgewebs.com/dorset Pairs (Sim Pairs at clubs all week). 7 May, Philip Graham BP MIDLAND Counties Congress. Swiss Teams, Yarmouth IOW. 13 May, Petersfield BP Swiss Congratulations to Robin Wright & Mark Pairs, Petersfield Community Centre. 21 May, HIOW GP Hooper who finished 5th in the Swiss Pairs. Swiss Teams, John Hanson School Andover. The AGM starts Hampshire Mid-Winter Swiss Teams: Congratulations to at 1.15pm but members are invited for refreshments and to Tim Dunsby & his team for winning and to Hugh Kevill- meet their committee at 12.45pm. HIOW GP event starts at Davies, Peter Mallett, Michael Yeo and team for finishing 3rd. 12.30pm. Other weekend events start at 2pm. Entries via Hampshire Candlestick Blue Pointed Pairs. 6th Tim HIOW website or Steve Preston on 02380 702934. Dunsby & Rod Marks, 7th Miles Cowling & partner. Diary dates: May 7th. Udall Trophy & AGM (Blue Pointed Herefordshire Swiss Teams) at Allendale Bridge Club, Wimborne. www.herefordshirebridge.co.uk Essex IN the Western League, the B and C Teams have so far both won 2 and lost 2. The A Team has lost all their matches. www.essexbridge.co.uk The Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Green Pointed CONGRATULATIONS to David Embleton, Yekky Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams will be held this year on 22nd and Sannie-Lamptey, Colin Scott and Pera Bromfield, 23rd July at the Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye. Entry forms who have all been selected to play for the County are on both counties websites. for the first time. Full results of all county competitions are on our website.

56 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Diary dates: 22 Apr, Avocet Teams, 10am, Brooms Green. Bridge Club. 30 April, Madeline Berney Swiss Pairs, Brierfield 22-23 July, Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Green Point Bridge Club. 14 May, Blackburn Swiss Pairs, Blackburn Bridge Events, Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye. Club. 15 May, LCBA AGM, Bolton Bridge Club. 29 May, Bolton Spring Bank Holiday Swiss Teams, Bolton BC. Hertfordshire www.hertsbridge.co.uk Leicestershire CONGRATULATIONS to Stan & Tara Harding, www.bridgewebs.com/leicestershire/ Andrew Doye & Mike Rawlins on winning the Humble Plate in January. The Final of the COUNTY Teams results – v Nottingham, 1st Humble Cup will be between the Turnham and team Lost 0-20, 2nd team Lost 8-12, 3rd team Oram teams. Also to Dave Walker & Alan Kay Lost 6-14; v Staffs & Shropshire, 1st team Won who won the semi final of the HBA Championship Pairs (41 15-5, 2nd team Lost 9-11, 3rd team Won 17-3. pairs took part) and finally to the Leverstock Green team The current league positions are – 1st team (Dawes League) which won the HBA Des Flockhart Teams of Eight Trophy, are 7th, 2nd team (Porter Cup) are 7th, 3rd team (Markham beating Welwyn A on a tie break. Trophy) are 5th. Eastern Counties League – Congratulations to the county Diary dates: 12 Apr, Stanley Trophy Round 7, Glenfield. C Team which won all six of its matches and won its division 13 Apr, Pairs League Round 4, Rothley. 23 Apr, Gimson well ahead of the rivals. The A and B teams are second in their Trophy Final, Greenfields. 25 Apr, Yates Cup (No Fear for respective divisions, having played all their matches . . . but in Students), Rothley. 26 Apr, Buckby Cup (Men’s Pairs), each case could still end up first if the current leaders are well Rothley. 26 Apr, Olga Cup (Ladies’ Pairs), Rothley. 3 May, beaten in their final matches! Hyman Crammer Pairs, Rothley. 10 May, Joyce Cup (Pivot Simultaneous Pairs – not only can pairs win cash in these Teams, Greenfields. 11 May, Pairs League Round 5, Rothley. 7 events, so can your clubs. Welwyn and Leverstock Green June, LCBA AGM & Prize Presentations, Rothley. 17 June, recently won £200 and £100 respectively in the club prize LCBA Green Point Pairs, Spondon. draw for those who took part in a Sim Pairs event during the year. London Diary dates: 11 Apr, Seniors Pairs, 11am. 21 Apr, Club Cadet Teams, 7.30pm. 23 Apr, Championship Pairs Final, 12 www.metrobridge.co.uk noon. 14 May, AGM & Swiss Pairs (£5 pp), 12 noon. All at the CONGRATULATIONS for these major Bridge Centre, Welwyn. A Club TD training course will start successes – Simon Gillis for winning the Gold at Welwyn on 1 July. Contact [email protected]. Cup and Robert Sheehan, losing finalist; Heather Bakhshi & Claire Robinson, second in the Lady Kent Milne trials, earning a place in the England team; and NICKO winners Tom Townsend & Graham Orsmond. www.kcba.org.uk At the Year End, Rowena Clow & Hannah Cornfield won WELL done to Nick Irens and Norman Selway the Swiss Teams in Blackpool. In London, Gunnar Hallberg & who were part of the team that won the Seniors Phil King won the Swiss Pairs, Gitte Hecht-Johansen & Trials in December. They will represent England Szczepan Smoczynski won the Mixed Pairs with Marcia Green in the Senior Camrose (Teltscher Trophy) in second, and Simon Gillis & Paul Lamford were second in the May. Helen Erichsen (playing with Fiona Brown, Swiss Teams. Yorkshire) won the trials for the England team for the Lady At the PAB Teams, Robert Sheehan was third, while in the Milne Trophy for the second year running. Jeremy Willans consolation final Gunnar Hallberg, Andrew Black & Phil King and Ian Draper, (playing with Neil & Anne Rosen, Middx) won and Sarah O’Connor & Mike Bell and David Gold were won the Year End Swiss teams in London. equal second. Diary dates: 2 Apr, George Griffiths Cup (Kent Seniors Sam Behrens won the Swiss Teams at the Manchester Pairs), 11am, TWBC. 14 May, Brook Shield (Area League Congress. play-off), venue TBA. 21 May, Green Pointed Swiss Teams, Diary dates: 23 Apr, Seniors’ Pairs, 2.00pm, YCBA. 25 11am, TWBC. 25 June, Phillimore Cup (Kent Swiss Pairs Apr, Café Bridge in the Tonsleys. All entries/enquiries to Championship) and KCBA AGM, 11am, TWBC. [email protected]. 15-16 July, London Congress. Enquiries to [email protected]. Lancashire www.bridgewebs.com/lancs Manchester THE four pairs qualifying to represent Lancashire www.manchesterbridge.org.uk in the Corwen Trophy at the Championship Pairs were Mike Tomlinson & Nick Sutcliffe, John CONGRATULATIONS to Raymond Semp's Brearley & Ross Shine, Paul Worswick & David team (Toby Nonnenmacher, Jeff Smith & Alan Hammonds and Hilda & Paul Williams. Nelson) who knocked 's seventh Preston Blue-Pointed Swiss Teams – 1st Peter Richmond, seeded team out of the Gold Cup in the third Roger Allison, Glenn Oliver & Andrew Holborn. round. LCBA Championship Pairs – 1st Mike Tomlinson & Nick Two teams with Manchester players have reached the Sutcliffe. semi-finals of the 2016-17 Hubert Phillips Bowl. Michael Diary dates: 1 Apr, NWBA Swiss Pairs, Wrexham. 2 Apr, Byrne & Ollie Burgess have qualified in one team and John NWBA Swiss Teams, Wrexham. 14-16 Apr, Northern Easter Holland & Alan Mould have qualified in another team. Festival, Ilkley. 23 Apr, Preston Blue-Pointed Pairs, Preston Luckily the draw has kept them apart in the semi-final.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 57 Diary dates: 23 Apr, Higson Cup and Plate Finals, 1.00pm, MBC. 25 May, Annual General Meeting, 7.30pm, Northamptonshire Manchester Bridge Club. www.bridgewebs.com/northants/ NORTHANTS were in Group A of the Merseyside/Cheshire Tollemache Qualifier. We managed to beat www.mcba.org.uk Manchester (runners up in last year’s final), the COMMISERATIONS to David Stevenson, North East (winners in 2011) and the Channel Liz Commins, Paddy Murphy, Simon Islands. We lost to Berks & Bucks, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Edwards, Julian Merrill & Paul Roberts who Leicestershire and Norfolk. Finishing 8th was a lost in the final of the EBU Silver Plate by disappointment though our score of 68 VPs was only 9 VPs only one IMP. behind the 4th placed team. NCBA team was Mike Trask, Well done to Liz Commins & David Stevenson, who with Mark Tilley, Ufuk Cotuk, Jim Deacon, Chris Wormleighton, teammates Kieran Dyke & Norrie Buxton of London, finished Robert Miller, Daniel Baines, Trevor Thrower and Marcus a very creditable 4th in the main final of the National Point- Witt. a-Board Teams Congress Diary dates: Teams of four inexperienced players, or three Diary dates: 21-23 Apr, Lady Milne Trophy, Wrexham. inexperienced players and a mentor or teacher are invited to 21 May, John Armstrong Trophy (Swiss pairs), MBC. 27/28 enter the mentored pivot teams on 20 May; one day Green May, Match v Dublin. 8 June, Jim Davies Swiss teams, Point Swiss Pairs on the same day. Heswall. 15 July, President’s Cup Manchester. Nottinghamshire Middlesex www.bridgewebs.com/nottinghamshire www.middlesexbridge.co.uk IN mid-January Nottinghamshire lost its CONGRATULATIONS to Anne & Neil Rosen on unbeaten record in the Dawes losing 20:0 to winning the EBU London Year End Swiss Teams; to Andrew McIntosh on winning the EBU Point- Warwickshire in a disappointing performance. A-Board Consolation Teams; and to Tony Porter also lost 14:6 but congratulations to the Waterlow (Captain) & Victor Silverstone, Jerry Markham winning 14:6. Well done Harouni & Steve Root, Keith Bennett & Richard Warwickshire – thanks for the excellent tea and superb venue! Hillman, Martin Jones & Neil Rosen, Peter Hasenson & David Sherman on finishing second in the Oxfordshire Tollemache Cup Final. Diary dates: 7 June, AGM 6.45pm, Committee Cup www.oxfordshirebridge.co.uk 7.30pm, Totteridge BC. Further details and on-line entry for LAURA Covill played in the Under 26 Women’s all our competitions are available on our website: team at the Junior Channel Trophy. The team www.middlesexbridge.co.uk came second. At the EBU London Year End Congress, Norfolk Alastair Gidman was 4th in the Swiss Pairs and 6th www.bridgewebs.com/norfolk/ in the Swiss Teams. BAWBURGH Bridge Club has recently At the Bridge Overseas Lisbon Congress, Lynne Hayes introduced a new Relaxed Bridge session, held came equal 4th in the Swiss Pairs. on Monday mornings. In addition to the main Diary dates: 8-9 Apr, Wessex Youth Bridge Weekend; 23 sessions held on Wednesday and Thursday Apr, OBA Beck Cup; 25 Apr, Henley Café Bridge; 7 May, OBA afternoons, the club also hosts a beginner's Mixed Pairs. course and improver sessions: see www.bawburghbridge.club. Tournament Director training courses are being held on a Somerset number of Saturdays in Wymondham, details of which can be found on the website for the Norfolk www.bridgewebs.com/somerset Association, together with further information concerning MANY congratulations to Ceri Pierce who has the game in Norfolk. been selected to play for Wales in the Lady Milne Trophy in April. We wish her every success! North East In the Western league, playing against Cornwall www.neba.co.uk the, Somerset A team won their match 16-4, B team won 11-9, C team lost by 4-16. MEMBERS and visitors are advised of changes to We are pleased to announce that the West of England be made for the 2017 NEBA Congress. The event will be played one week earlier than usual (from Congress will be returning to the Winter Gardens, Weston- 3-5 November 2017) and on this occasion all Super-Mare. Congress dates are from 29 Sept - 1 Oct 2017. three days will be green pointed. Further details will be Full details and online entry forms are available on the SCBA published shortly. website.

58 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Staffs and Shrops Wiltshire www.staffsandshrops.org.uk www.wcba.co.uk JASON Hackett’s team, including Paul Hackett, WILTSHIRE C lies 2nd in the Western retained the NEC Cup in Japan netting a first League. This strength is perhaps reflected in prize of $12,000. Jason also won the Open Pairs the fact that the county's Non-Expert Teams and the Teams in the Year End Congress at event attracted 11 tables with no arm twisting! The A and B Blackpool. teams lie 4th and 6th with two matches still to play. Dan Crofts also retained the trophy in the Santa Claus The Seniors team of Richard Moore, Roger Bendall, pairs in Manchester. In the Manchester Congress Dave Debbage won the pairs and Adrian Kenworthy and Jason Norman Botton, Roger Karn, Andrew Parkes and Richard Hackett were runners-up. Samter are in the last 32 but sadly the Crockfords team of Phil Judy Mitchell is accepting entries for the Shropshire Green, Rachel Brown, Frank Coltman, Dave Latchem and Congress. Contact her at [email protected] or tel: Colin Simcox crashed out to Team Allfrey. 01743 235374. Pairs on 22 April and Teams on 23 Apr at the Park Inn Telford. Worcestershire

Surrey www.bridgewebs.com/worcestershire www.bridgewebs.com/surrey WORCESTERSHIRE players have recently CONGRATULATIONS to Frances Hinden, achieved success in events outside the county. At Graham Osborne and Jeffrey Allerton who won the Midlands Counties Congress Nick Forward, the Point-a-Board Teams event in January. Steve Allerston, Richard Jephcott & John Sansom The County AGM will be held on 2 July at 4 won the Green Pointed Swiss Teams and John was pm at Oxshott Village Hall. There will be a Pairs event with a also runner-up, with Joyce Skelton, in the Mixed Pairs. Ian maximum of 36 boards either side of the AGM commencing at 1pm. Thompson & Mike Willoughby also ventured into The committee are looking for new members to assist Warwickshire to win Division A of the Warwickshire Pairs with event planning and administration for the county. League. Surrey is the largest county in the EBU and the committee are Richard Jephcott & John Sansom came third in the Swiss interested to hear from anyone who would like to help us. Pairs at the Year End Congress in Blackpool. Diary dates: 14 May, Mary Edwards Cup for Club Pairs Diary dates: 14 May, the AGM will be held at Cutnall Champions, Wimbledon. 25 June, Wanborough Cup for Club Green Memorial Hall and all County Members are Teams Champions, Wimbledon. All events commence at encouraged to attend and take part in the Pairs event 1pm. Free tea, coffee and biscuits available. afterwards. 12 June, Seniors & Veterans Pairs Championship.

Sussex Yorkshire www.sccba.co.uk www.ycba.co.uk/ CONGRATULATIONS to Roger and Jo Waddingham who won the David Pavey Trophy CONGRATULATIONS to the following: Final. The David Pavey competition is for players Daniel Winter was a member of the England who have less than 10,000 master points. Under 21 team that finished second in the Junior Channel Trophy. With Ben Norton, Daniel won the Open Pairs at the EBU’s London Year End Warwickshire Congress. www.warwickshirebridge.co.uk Robert Ross (Leeds) was in the winning team in the EBU’s Silver Plate Knock Out competition. WARWICKSHIRE hosted the Midland Counties Mary Cousins & Graham White (Sheffield) were second Congress once again at West Midlands Bridge Club. Graham Cope and John Pemberton emerged in the EBU’s Really Easy Simultaneous Pairs. Sheila Galloway triumphant in the Swiss Pairs field of 50 + tables. & Sue Pell were second in the Swiss Pairs at the EBU’s The various 2016-17 Autumn/Winter Pairs Blackpool Year End Congress. With Nicholas Dean, Dominic leagues have been completed and congratulations are due to Rayner (Sheffield) was second in the Swiss Pairs at the EBU’s Warwickshire Pairs A League winners Mike Willoughby & Ian Lisbon Overseas Congress. Thompson, whilst the Coventry, Birmingham and Rugby Diary dates: 9 Apr, Yorkshire Cup, Leeds. 14-16 Apr, EBU Pairs Leagues were won by Martin Jones & Steve Green, Peter Northern Easter Festival, Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley. 23 Apr, Heatherington & Julian Wernick and Marion Dixon & Claire Bradford Swiss Pairs. 26 Apr, Nelson Rose Bowl, Harrogate. Dixon respectively. Warwick University played hosts to the 2017 Inter 7 May, Yorkshire Mixed Pairs, Bradford. 9 May, Individual, University Challenge and the home team of Jasper Hau, Wakefield. 14 May, Leeds Swiss Pairs. 21 May, Castle Swiss Stephen Loat, Stanislav Cholakov and Jason Ly prevailed in Pairs, Huddersfield. 2-4 June, Yorkshire Congress, Cairn the teams. Hotel, Harrogate.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 59 Landmark Promotions November 2016 – February 2017

Cambs & Hunts Master Mrs Sally Workman Congratulations to Regional Master Mrs J Huxter Mrs Eszter Zaborszky the newly promoted Mr J Bonsor-Matthews Mr Ronald Misell Lancashire Premier Grand Masters: Miss Carina Negreanu Mr Gerry Seal Master Ms A M Catchpole, London Master Gloucestershire Mr N Calloway Mr S Gore, Berks & Bucks Mr A Hunter Regional Master Miss Heather Carr Mr Mark Browne Mr Ray Miller Mrs Andre Carroll Master Congratulations to Mr Tony Pike Dr Rosanna Cousins Linda Blunt Channel Islands Mrs E S Heath the newly promoted Penelope Healy Life Master Grand Masters: Mr RAW Wall Mr A Hedley Mrs J Knight Mr S J Allerston,Worcester Mr Tom Killip Regional Master Hants and I.O.W. Mr N R Forward, Worcester Chrie McCoy Jan Walker Master Marilyn Barrell Sheila Nolan Mr R J Granville, Surrey Master Mr Michael Branfoot Dr Ros Peach Mr I Handley, Warwickshire Mr John Mauger Mr Colin Cox Mrs Gillian Pollard Mr AW Lintott, Oxford Cornwall Mrs M Crook Mr Frank Sheldon Mrs F Littlewood, Herts Master Mr Paul Elwell Tom Wilson Mr F Morton, Herts Mrs J Cloke Mr John Glasscock Leicestershire Mrs S Warring John Harland Dr R Mott, Dorset Master Mrs D M C Middleton Mrs S Pell, Yorkshire Cumbria Mrs H Hughes Margaret Tree Mr M H Stanbury, North East Master Ms W F Walker Herefordshire Dr T H To, Surrey Miss Ann Byers Lincolnshire Mr Laurie Power Master Tony Cockbain Life Master Avon Devon Mr Ifor Davies Hertfordshire Regional Master Life Master Regional Master Grand Master Mr I Duncan Mr N Massey Mr Chris Phillips Regional Master Mrs F Littlewood Master Mr F Morton Master Mrs J Anderson Bill Luscombe Mrs Susan Barraclough Regional Master Mr Ted Cornelius Master Mrs S Gray Ms S Mount Mrs L Doyle Valerie Berryman Mr R Tupper Master Mr Kevin Moloney Mr C J Dawson Rosalind Campbell London Mrs Pamela Prentice Mr K R Eveleigh Mr S Coade Premier Grand Master Mr Nessan Fitzmaurice Bedfordshire Mrs Inger Cooper Ms A M Catchpole Prof M Jones Master Graham Dann Regional Master Mr Steve Lacey Mrs V Brown Mr Ed Devine Mr Bob Mahoney Mr K Clow Mrs Sue Devine Berks & Bucks Ms Vivienne Mugford Mr A Simpson Premier Grand Master Mr Robert Farrell Master Mr A Nicholl Mr N A Frais Mr S Gore Mr R Allen Mr A Norman Mr Raymond Gilbert Ms M Basa Life Master Dr C S Nutt Mr Paul Hawkins Mrs F M Gordon Mrs A M Andrew Mrs Elizabeth Williams Mrs Sue Hawkins Mr M Landon Mr A Murphy Mrs K Young Mrs T Shand Mrs S V Moazed Regional Master Direct Mr C Townsend Mr M Rajabali Ms Clem Bradley Ms Tanja Wolf Master Paul Spence Jenny Bullough Mr C G Young Mr BP Burns Mr A P Wilson Mrs P Crawford Kent Dorset Manchester Mr C Cubitt Life Master Mr Ron Hoar Grand Master Regional Master Dr R Mott Mrs B C Schultz Mr George Leslie Regional Master Bhim Ruia Mr Macdonald Life Master Mr M Wymer Mr A Wilson Mr KH Mau Mrs Geraldine Marshall-Andrew Master Master Mr P Morgan Regional Master Mr J Berg Karen Gamble Mrs Bonnie Cruikshank Mrs Helen Morton Mrs Jan Gracia Dee Connolly Master June O'Farrell Mr Jack Harris Mrs Judith Dunkerley Mr M Joseph Ms Ann Palmer Mr Richard Nash Mr P Roche Christine Phillips Essex Ms Selma Pickup Merseyside/Cheshire Buddy Riachi Regional Master Mr P Willis Master Susan Solomon Mr G K Thompson Gill Wood Mr I Bates

60 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Mrs J E Courtney Mr Michael Leach Sussex Mr David Telford Mr Barry Griffies Ms Margaret Spencer Life Master Helen Thompson Mrs Chris Griffin Staffs & Shrops Mrs Elizabeth Bornecrantz Mr RL Woodward-Clarke Mrs Barbara Hebenton Master Mrs S Peters Westmorland Mr Nalin Paymaster Mr Alan Ashmore Regional Master Master Mr Roy Wimpenny Mr Sandy Calder Mr Michael Harris Mrs J Hornby Middlesex Ms L Cockin Master Wiltshire Mrs. Liz Beeston Regional Master Mrs G Hope Master Mr Philip Bradshaw Dr J E McQueen Mr Harry Jones Mrs Maureen Awbery Mrs AS Chettleburgh Mr Dinesh Nathwani Mr M A McCartney Mrs May Brand Judith Dingle Mr P Yogeswaran Mrs Elaine Watterson Mr P Cooke Mr James Downes Master Suffolk Mr D Hands Mr Jason Fairlie Mr Ken Butcher Tim Long Life Master Mr Geoff Hall Mr J Clark Mrs Eileen Mack Mr JB Orton Kyoko Hall Mrs S Davidson Elspeth McAinsh Regional Master Mr Peter Harrison Mrs EA Freestone Mrs Gillian Nolan Diane Whitley Mr T S Hewson Mr K Panchagnula Mr M Trevanion Master Mr Nick Kerr Mrs Ann Thompson-hill Mr Douglas Balch Ms A Mendelow Worcestershire Norfolk Mrs J Harpur Chris Mewes Grand Master Master Mr Bill Johnston Mrs Carol Morrison Mr S J Allerston Mrs Diane Battye Mr Phil Mathews Ms Kate Mullaney Mr N R Forward Mrs Sheila Bullard Mr M H Pearson Mr I Philipson Master Dianne Harber Surrey Mr Fred Reddy Mr R G Miller Mr Paul Hutchings Grand Master Mr D Scaman Yorkshire Mr Malcolm Loveridge Mr R J Granville Mr Tomasz Serkowski Grand Master Kevin Norman Dr T H To Mrs M Topley Mrs S Pell Mrs Sue Robinson Mr K Way Life Master Regional Master Mary Wilderspin Mr G Wilbourn Mr T W Pelling Mr J M Collier Mr. Howard Yates Warwickshire Regional Master Mr H G Mulich North East Grand Master Mr R Bragman Master Mr I Handley Grand Master Mr R O Evers Mr D Anderson Life Master Mr M H Stanbury Mr Roger Pratt Mrs Carrie Anne Babington Mr KJ New Regional Master Master Mr John Brown Regional Master Mr B A Pacey Omayma Agha Mr D Cole Andy Baruch Master Mr Geoff Andrews Mr C Gavin Master Jacquie Hall Mr C Carswell Mr Archie Angus John Callaghan Clive Hanover Mrs EDMC Emmerson Mr DJ Broom Mr Geoff Cooper Mrs S Hulin Mr K McKenzie Mr Gary Carpenter Mrs J Cundy Mrs A Ker Northamptonshire Mrs Doris Ede Mrs Mary Dalkin Mr J F Lamb Mr C Edy Master Liz Edwards Mrs K Leeson Mr Neil Gayner Mrs Paula Cramphorn Mr Adam Harvey Dr M Levi Mr N Grayston Mr Tony Eberle Mrs Ros Heron Mrs Rachel O'Brien Mr Velko Guerdjilov Ms C Henshilwood Mrs June Hurst Mrs Erika Pickles Mr Simon Hanna Mrs Moyra Loughran Mr Brian Kensit Mr Alastair Robertson Zabena Hasnudeen J L Perkins Mrs C Killeen Mrs Brenda Rose Mrs C Jackson Nottinghamshire Mr P Langley Anthony Taglione Master Mr BJ Jeffries Mr Brian Minto Mrs Hazel Vaughan Mr John Edwards Mrs Valerie Jones Mrs Darryl Randolph Mrs J Walker Mrs Pam Maguire Pauline Knee Mrs P Rodger Mrs Hazel Walton Mrs P Payne Mrs G Lumsden Mr Maurice Smith Mr G Wheale Kate Thornburrow Mr Timothy May Dr T McGloughlin Oxford Mrs M O'Connor SURVEY PRIZE DRAW Grand Master Mrs J O'Hare Thank you to all those who took our survey Mr AW Lintott MR Colin Parker about the magazine. Master Mr Lester Pereira Mrs J Boszormenyi Mr J Pooles Our two winners who collect £50 each are: Mr C Clarke Andrew Rumble Margaret Adams, Taunton Christina Hardyment Javad Sadrzadeh Ray Heath Dr PJ Serafinowski Ian Bainbridge, Roydon Mr David Riecken Maggie Simkins Somerset Mr Mark Simpson Regional Master Mr C Smith MASTERPOINT click Dr Glyn Meredith Mrs Marjie Sushams PROMOTIONS link Master Mr Simon Taylor Mrs M Allfrey Colin Wilby The latest list can be found at Mr Derek Essen Mr Geoff Williams ebu.co.uk/masterpoint-promotions Mrs Dee Goodfellow Dr Jo Winter

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 61 Club Bidding Quiz

Answers to Questions on Page 29 click by Julian Pottage link

WN E S WNES Hand 1 1™ Pass Hand 4 2´1 Dble Pass ´ K Q 10 6 5 3 2 1´ Pass 2® Pass ´ J 10 7 ? ™ 7 ? ™ K 10 5 4 3 t 10 5 2 t A 9 8 1 Weak ® A 4 ® J 7

3´. Given the misfit for partner's suits and the 3™. This is a tricky decision if you do not play distinct possibility of a singleton spade opposite, it Lebensohl. You might have to bid with a rather would be wrong to bash game. With the seven-card weaker hand than this. Then again, matchpoint suit, however, a simple 2´ rebid would not do the pairs does not reward pressing for thin games. If hand justice. Take the middle option – just like you play Lebensohl you can use 2NT to show a weak Goldilocks. hand (and then show the suit after a mandatory 3® from partner). This would mean 3™ is invitational and fits your hand well.

Hand 2 WN E S ´ K Q ? Hand 5 ™ K J 9 6 2 WNES ´ J 6 A K 6 5 t ™ K J 7 4 1t 1´ ® K J ? t K Q J 5 4 ® K Q 2NT. With so many of your values in your short suits, describing the hand as balanced is only a minimal distortion. The 2NT opening shows your Double. Playing matchpoint pairs, you focus on values. If you play a five-card Stayman enquiry, you the major suits and no-trumps. You do not want to might yet find a 5-3 heart fit. You are very likely to commit too strongly to diamonds. Start by showing find a 5-4 major fit if you have one. the four-card heart suit. You should get the chance to show your diamond support later.

Hand 3 WN E S ´ 8 2 1™ Pass 1´ Pass WNES ™ K Q J 6 4 2 2™ Pass 2´ Pass Hand 6 2®1 Pass 2 J 5 ? ´ K 8 7 t t ? ® A 9 5 ™ 10 9 t K 3 1 ® K Q J 10 7 2 Benjamin – strong, artificial but not a game force. Pass. You have already described your hand nicely – a minimum opening bid and normally six hearts. 3®. While you might get an opportunity later to ask With nothing further to add and partner having for a club lead (if North rebids 2NT and South made a non-forcing bid, you should give up. You makes a 3® enquiry), you have a good suit and the should have at least as good a fit in spades as in playing strength to enter the auction more hearts. At the table, partner had six spades and no positively. hearts. r

62 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk +2/,'$<6

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Bridge Club Live Online players reunite! click By Barrie Partridge link

pril is the month when Bridge Club Live switched back to hearts rather than spades, and arranges a long weekend when up to 100 these declarers had an opportunity for 12 tricks. Aonline players reunite. This year we will be Two declarers got the third overtrick in 3NT by meeting at Wokefield Park. Some of our members good play at the table – Mark Benson from Kent and also organise open gatherings – last summer Pat Cheryl Maritz from South Africa who has become and Richard Chantler entertained seven tables of an EBU member through visiting her online BCL members at their farm in Buckinghamshire partner, John Adams, in London and playing at and in December Angie Mathers hosted a weekend events here. for a similar number in Hampshire. Our featured declarers cashed out all the clubs The deal below was played in a recent Swiss Pairs throwing all three spades from hand. With neither series. I believe that we are unique in having a defender throwing any diamonds at their tables, our league of Swiss Pairs with promotions and declarers crossed to tK and reached this position: relegations between three divisions each of about 22 pairs. Each series comprises six matches played over ´ Q 10 a 12 week period. ™ – t A 5 E/W Game. Dealer South. MP Pairs. ® – ´ Q 10 ´ A ´ 9 7 ™ K 9 ™ – N ™ 10 W E t A 5 3 t 10 9 7 S t J ® K 10 8 6 3 2 ® – ® – ´ A J ´ 9 7 6 5 4 2 ´ – ™ 8 7 6 3 2 N ™ Q 10 5 ™ J W E t 10 9 7 4 S t J 6 t Q 8 2 ® J 9 ® A 7 ® – ´ K 8 3 ™ A J 4 t K Q 8 2 When cashing the boss ™J, poor West was ® Q 5 4 squeezed into conceding the remaining tricks. Do come and join us for fast, fun and friendly bridge at www.bridgeclublive.com, in a format that 3NT by South was almost universal with a heart suits you. We are the only online bridge club based lead. At some tables, when East took ®A, he in the UK. r Bridge Club Live, the only UK based online bridge club, offers: • Fast, fun and friendly bridge in a format • Full bidding and play records of every that suits you. deal played. • Drop-in Drop-out Match Point Pairs and • System cards for new and regular social games partnerships • Individual, Improvers and IMP Pairs • Discussion forums and members’ reunions Tournaments, and Teams events • EBU Master Points

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 65 Michael Byrne’s quiz from page 18

The auction goes Pass-Pass-Pass to you. What ANSWERS do you bid? 1 1´ – Although 4´ is the likely final contract Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 your hand is far too strong to rule out a slam, so a ´ A K J 10 7 6 3 2 ´ A Q 10 9 8 4 3 ´ K J 8 7 4 3 2 simple 1´ will get the job done. ™ A 3 2 ™ J 7 6 5 ™ A Q J 7 2 4´ - Ignore the feeble heart suit and bid your t – t A Q t K 2 ® K 3 ® – ® – most likely final contract. 3 1´ - your spades are too poor and the hand contains enormous playability in hearts.

Hand 4 Hand 5 4 3t - shut the majors out and encourage partner ´ K ´ Q to bid 3NT if he has stoppers and a diamond fit. ™ J 6 ™ K 3 5 3NT - any decent partner will have a doubleton t A Q J 9 6 4 3 t A K J 9 8 7 4 3 ® K 4 3 ® Q 6 diamond and a few scattered values that enable nine tricks to be run before the opponents can cash five. r

Neil Rosen’s quiz on Lebensohl from page 26

You are sitting East. What would you bid if the ANSWERS auction goes (1NT, 12-14): West North East South A Double – the only two contenders for me are pass 1NT 2™ (natural) ? or double. The double is for take-out (can be quite light if shape is suitable) and would be my Hand A Hand B Hand C choice. It will not always guarantee a good result ´ A J 5 3 ´ A J 7 2 ´ A J 7 6 3 but with the majority of the points you cannot ™ 7 4 ™ 8 4 ™ 7 3 expect to achieve your best result by meekly t K Q 4 3 t K Q 9 3 t K Q 5 4 defending 2™. ® 9 8 7 ® K 7 3 ® K 2 B 2NT, intending to follow with 3™ – Stayman with no heart stop – showing the values for game, four spades and no heart stop. Perfect! Hand D Hand E Hand F ´ A J 5 ´ 7 2 ´ A J 7 6 C 3´. This jump shows nothing about stoppers in ™ 7 4 ™ A J 8 ™ 7 the opponent’s suit – just five spades and is t K Q 7 4 3 t K Q 9 6 3 t K J 10 5 forcing to game. ® K 8 7 ® K 7 3 ® A Q 8 2 D 2NT intending to bid 3NT next to show a 3NT bid with no heart stopper.

E 3NT. Jump straight to 3NT - FASS (a direct bid shows a stopper). F 3™. Take-out, showing an acute shortage of hearts. r

66 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk COUNTY NEWS – LOCAL RESULTS

Avon Howard Basden-Smith, Marion Miles, David Hole, David Friswell, Meredith Case & Robert Brouard. www.avoncba.org.uk District Mixed Pairs – 1st, Chris Hill & Jane Knight; 2nd THE Avon Championship Teams was won by Peter & Gill Pitcher. Tim Brierley, Graham Hartley, Trevor Ward Victoria Club Open Teams – 1st, Sue Rankin, Marion & David Jones . Miles, Chris Hill & Jane Knight; 2nd, Howard Basden-Smith, The County heat of the Garden Cities Trophy for Teams of Eight was won by Bristol Meredith Case, Jackie Rumball & Rob Ingram. Bridge Club represented by Brian Goalby & Mike Lett, Cathy & Andrew Smith, Robert Covill & Graham Cornwall Hartley, Trevor Ward & David Jones. www.bridgewebs.com/cornwall In the County League, at the midway point of the season, League 1 leaders are close between teams led by Graham CONGRATULATIONS to winners of recent Hartley & David Jones. events in the county – Graham Buck & Bill In Division 2 the teams led by Eric Page & Marguerite Adams (Falmouth Salver); Mike Booth & Rob Lihou are vying for the lead. Mabley (Star Masters); Norman Banfield & John In Division 3 Richard Blacknell's team have won all seven Davies (Tredova Cup). of their matches and are almost home and dry. The semi-finals of the County Knock Out feature Graham Hartley v Andrew Smith and Robert Glass v David Birt. Cumbria Bedfordshire www.bridgewebs.com/cumbria/ www.bedsbridge.co.uk CONGRATULATIONS to Ken Johnston & Ian Reeves from Eden (Carlisle) club, having won all recent County events! JOHN Hurst & Kathleen Gilbert; Bob Sellers & Maggie Willis won the BBA Seniors’ Teams in IMP pairs: 1st, Ken Johnston & Ian Reeves; 2nd, Robin December. Rose & John MacLachlan. In late January, a joint venture was Pro-Am Teams: 1st Ken Johnston & Ian Reeves with organized by David Gilmore, Colin O’Hara and Christine Johnston & Angela Hewitt. 2nd Joan Mossop & John Bateman for Milton Keynes and Regis bridge clubs to Geoff Thomson with Maureen Mitchell & Harry May. enjoy a week’s bridge holiday in the Madeira sunshine. More Championship Teams qualifier: 1st, Ken Johnston & Ian than 50 members attended and at the Charity Sim Pairs event Reeves with Babs Matthews & Tim Matthews; 2nd Alan on 25th January, over £250 was raised for Syrian refugee Anderson & Sam Norman with John MacLachlan & Robin children. Rose. Ken also manages to be playing Tournament Director in Berks and Bucks most County Events! www.bridgewebs.com/bbcba BARRY Read & Anthony Collins won the Rex Avery Trophy to become the County Pairs Derbyshire Champions for 2016-17; runners-up were Paul www.bridgewebs.com/derbyshire Dolphin & Steve Lynch with Dee & Peter Lindon in 3rd place. In the Plate competition, the Chris WINNERS of recent DCBA competitions: Burley Trophy was won by Evelyn Crossley & Eva Wallen, with The winners of our County Pairs was Pail Rob Wilkinson & Colin Johns in a close 2nd place and Andy Madden & John Squibb; runners up were Keith & Michelle Margetts in 3rd place. Sherwood & Mike Spencer. The winners of the Pat & Richard Chantler were the clear winners of the Pat Plate Pairs event (Hazel Whinefry Plate) were Husband Trophy (Friendly Pairs) held in January. Runners- Don Smedley & John Griffin; runners up were Cedric up were Avril Catto & Keith Goswell with a tie for 3rd place Cockcroft & Harry Madden. between Janet Allan & Colin Dale and Heather Perry & Ruth Details of events scheduled by our county association can Marshall. Session prizes were won by Brenda & Frans Vas Nunes (1st session) and by Beata Felmer & Will Gee (2nd be found on our website http://bridgewebs.com/derbyshire session). Thirty-two pairs competed. Dorset Channel Islands www.bridgewebs.com/dorset www.cwgsy.net/community/cicba/ KNIGHT Cup. 1st, Miles Cowling & Krzysztof JERSEY: Ginda (see photo overleaf); 2nd Phil & Jo District League Teams – 1st, Stephen & Sharon Norman; 3rd Kelly Courtney & Janet Smith. Halston, Sue Rankin & Graham Boxall; 2nd, Simeon Cup. 1st, Andrew Barnett & Michael Yeo.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 67 12.30pm. Other weekend events start at 2pm. Entries via HIOW website or Steve Preston on 02380 702934.

Kent www.kcba.org.uk KENT Club Teams of Eight: Corbett Cup (Div 1) Winners Tunbridge Wells A; runners up Farnborough A; Corbett Plate (Div 2) Winners Farnborough B; runners up Chislehurst B; Mitchell Salver (Div 3) Winners Gravesend, runners up Folkestone. Tunbridge Wells A will represent Kent in the Garden Cities Trophy. Farnborough B have gained promotion to the Cup, Miles Cowling & Krzysztof Ginda;, winners of Dorset’s Knight Cup Gravesend and Folkestone will be promoted to the Plate. Congratulations to Fleming Femina (Kent Ladies’ Pairs) winners Helen Erichsen & Frances Connell and Hunter Essex Homines (Kent Men’s Pairs) winners Derek Patterson & www.essexbridge.co.uk Michael Prior. SWISS pairs: 1st, Jacek Lapszys & Michael Watson. 2nd, Paul & Val Mollison. 3rd, Peter Franklin & Leicestershire Frank Morrison. www.bridgewebs.com/leicestershire/ Play with an Expert: 1st, Clive Smith & John Sutcliffe. 2nd, Penny Hanson & Linda Fleet. 3rd, JOSEPHS Bowl (Championship Teams of Pam Pamphilon & Audrey Hartley. Four): Semi-Finals – Mason v Krantz ; Thakrar v Gibson. Gloucestershire Butterworth Langley Trophy (Josephs Plate): Semi-Finals – Ayers v Tyler; Thompson v Halford. www.gcba.org.uk Leicestershire Cup (KO Teams - Aggregate): Semi-Finals – TEWKESBURY Bridge Club has just celebrated Whiteman Beat Fieldhouse; Thompson v Halford. its 50th anniversary. Their immediate past Leicestershire Plate (KO Teams - Aggregate): Semi-Finals President, Mary Wilkinson – now 95 – invited – Wright v Bowyer; Rees v Krantz. her widowed father, Mr H E Rose, to live with Stanley Trophy (Butler Pairs) – Leaders after four rounds: her in the early 1960s and one night he said to her, ‘I think I'll 1st, Peter Halford & John Milne; 2nd, Dick & Lucy Pathan; toddle down to the Bridge Club tonight, and have a game’. 3rd, Tim Glover & Peter Neville. ‘But Dad,’ she said, ‘Sorry, but there isn't a bridge club in Pairs League (leaders after 1st Round) : Division 1 – Mike Tewkesbury’. The old boy said, ‘Well I'll jolly well start one!’. Ayers & Richard Smith; Division 2 – Steve & Anne Wright; He found a few friends, they started to play rubber bridge in Division 3 – Roger Cook & Dave Pollard. a room in the Tudor House pub, and fairly soon afterwards a Inter-Club Teams of Eight League (current divisional lady came along and introduced duplicate bridge. The club leaders): Division 1 – Clarendon; Division 2 – Glenfield ‘A’; has gone from strength to strength. Division 3 – Golf; Division 4 – Bradgate ‘B’. It is sad to report that regular bridge sessions at the EdF (formerly CEGB) Bridge Club have ceased after 42 years. Most of the remaining members now play at other clubs in London the county. www.metrobridge.co.uk THE Palmer Bayer No Fear Pairs in January was Hants and IoW won yet again by Sam Oestreicher, this time in www.bridgewebs.com/hiwcba/ partnership with Chris Townsend, for whom this was his first ever tournament. Pete Chalis & Ben YULETIDE Swiss Teams: 1st, Tony Truluck & Thomas were second and Michel Glen & Lorna Heaton were Stuart Burnett, Owen Leigh & Mike Kinsey. Midwinter Teams: 1st, Tim Smith & Dave Willis, third. Lesley Lewis & Tim Dunsby. Candlestick Swiss The qualifying heat for the Ian Gardiner Trophy, the Pairs: 1st, Lilias Lamont & Tony Truluck. London Teams of Four, was won by the holders – Brian Diary dates: 2 Apr, Pottage Final, Romsey. 23 Apr, AGM + Callaghan, Chris Duckworth, Ian Payn & Frank To. They Stratified Pairs, Romsey. 24 Apr, Bayer No Fear Pairs (Sim finished the day well clear of the second placed team of John Pairs held at clubs all week). 7 May, Philip Graham BP Swiss Pemberton, Steve Popham, Richard Creamer & Trevor Teams, Yarmouth IOW. 13 May, Petersfield BP Swiss Teams, Mathews. Close behind were two teams in equal third place - Petersfield Community Centre. 21 May, HIOW GP Swiss Ned Paul, Kath Stynes, Albert Totah & Kostas Koussis and Teams, John Hanson School Andover. The AGM starts at Fiona Hutchison, Peter Taylor, Heather Bakhshi & Guy Hart. 1.15pm but members are invited for refreshments and to The first two teams will play-off for the title and the right to meet the committee at 12.45pm. HIOW GP event starts at play in the Pachabo.

68 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk in early January. This mixed multiple teams event is played in Manchester three stanzas with pivoting partnerships. Rosemary Gray, www.manchesterbridge.org.uk Norman Gray, Simon Hedley & Stephen Reay took second place, third place going to Don Reid, David Brickland, IN the Manchester Congress held in early Georgia Ray & Steve Ray. January, the Pairs was won by David Debbage In a close contest, winners of the Deane Salver in early & Andrew Woodcock out of an entry of 73 February were Inga & Neil Aiston ahead of second placed Pat pairs. The teams was won by a team including Tuff & Andrew Cornish. Third place was taken by Georgia & Gary Hyett. The Players Progress Cup on the Saturday was Steve Ray with the NGS Prize going to Jean Wilkinson & Bob won by John Banbury & George Falzon and the Kevin Comrie Lyon. Congratulations go to all successful players. Cup on the Sunday was won by Peter Butterworth & Elaine Preece. At the January Chester Congress in Deva, Rodney Lighton Nottinghamshire & John Currie were joint winners of the Pairs while Kath www.bridgewebs.com/nottinghamshire Nelson & Alan Nelson, Rhona Goldenfield & Bernard THE first round of the Nottinghamshire Teams Goldenfield won the Teams. of Four Knock Out Championship was won by Manchester A (Alan Mould & Michael Newman, John Willie Crook, Rob Sharpe, Ankush Khandelwal Holland & Ollie Burgess, John Hassett & Catherine Draper, & Mark Goddard (see picture below). Stage 2 and David Debbage & Rob Myers) won the Gazette Teams of 3 look set for some nail-biting matches. Eight in early February and will represent MCBA in the Garden Cities Regional Final in May.

Merseyside/Cheshire www.mcba.org.uk CHESTER Congress Pairs – Joint 1st were Marks Weeks & Stuart Matthews (M&CBA) and Rodney Lighton & John Currie (Manchester). Teams – 1st, Bernard and Rhona Goldenfield, Kath and Alan Nelson (Manchester); 2nd Peter Hall, Danny Miller, Barry Jones, Bob Pitts (M&CBA). County trials – 1st, Stephen Lloyd & David Smith; 2nd, Alan Stephenson & Stuart Matthews; 3rd, John Hampson & Mark Weeks. Mark Goddard, John Auld (Chair of NCBA) presenting, Norfolk Ankush Khandelwal, Rob Sharpe and Willie Crook www.bridgewebs.com/norfolk/ IN January we held the heat of the NCBA is hosting these competitions: Championship Teams Competition. The A) 23 Apr, The Journal Cup. This all-play-all event is the winners of this competition are decided by a county’s open pairs competition. The top three pairs are play-off between the two top teams – Paul eligible to play in the Corwen Trophy, the EBU-organised Darby, Steve Dannell and Giles & Gabriel Ip with pairs championship for top placed players in the county pairs opponents Roger Amey, Michael Whiting, Bogdan Drobny & championships across the country. Maureen Kimbley. B) 30 Apr, The Priday Cup Finals. This friendly No Fear In February we held the Committee Cup with new rules. competition for players NGS 8 and below aims to help less The old rules required all team members to be below the rank experienced players develop their competition skills. We of Regional Master (25 green points). Some clubs were invite Nottingham clubs to hold a qualifying heat (part of a finding it difficult to assemble a team so the new rules are a normal club night) in the period from 14 March to 10 April maximum of 200 green points for the whole team – in an to find the top three pairs to go forward to the Priday Finals. attempt to remain as close as possible to the spirit of the C) 19 Mar, Nottingham Bridge Club AGM. The competition. The contest was won by Taverham Club, with Broadhead Bowl is contested after the AGM and supper is last year’s winners, the Noverre, in second. included in the table fee. While not strictly a county event, the ABC Swiss teams at Erratum: Rebecca Ronan won the Café Bridge the end of January drew competitors from across the county. Competition not Rebecca Rance. Twenty-one teams entered and the winners were Graham Hardman, Christine Buchanan and John & Penny Stroud, who won all their matches. Oxfordshire www.oxfordshirebridge.co.uk North East CONGRATULATIONS to Alan Wilson & Nick www.neba.co.uk Smith, winners of the OBA County Pairs Final. A TREMENDOUS performance by the team of Nigel Wilkes & Mike Webley were in 2nd place. Peter Avery, Frank Springett, Guy Herzmark & Andy King & Peter Russell and Nigel Wilkes & Brenda Osborne gave victory by the widest of Gillian Lonsdale were joint winners of Abingdon margins in the Niman Israel Cup at Stannington Club’s Blue Pointed Swiss Pairs.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2017 English Bridge 69 Rosemarie Mascall & Jenny Price); 3rd, Sherer (Mike Sherer & Somerset Eric Newman, David Morran & Julian Lang); 4th, Evans www.bridgewebs.com/somerset (Richard Evans & John Bloomfield, Peter Bushby & John THE winners of the Swiss Pairs played at Wilmott). Woolavington in January were Colin Juneman & Suffolk Championship Teams Plate – 1st, Carey (Malcolm Roger Sweet. The runners up were Sheena Lanham Carey & Barbara Carey, Phillip Edwards & Anne Edwards); & Andy Rodgers. 2nd, Hanson (Con Hanson & Pauline Hanson, Clive Rowe & Winners of January’s Restricted Teams were Pip Patrick Grant); 3rd, Harpur (Jo Harpur & Norman Less, Patsi Duncan, Ann Allsopp, Mary & Laurie Gordon. Barnes & Joan Watson).

Staffs and Shrops Surrey www.staffsandshrops.org.uk www.bridgewebs.com/surrey THE Yuletide Pairs at Wolverhampton was won CONGRATULATIONS to Marion Hart and Bob by Dan Crofts & Sandra Fenton in early Guille who won the Mixed Pairs. December. Dan had a very successful run up to A team from Richmond will represent Surrey Christmas, playing with Gary Hyett this time, in the Garden Cities regional final in May. winning the Santa Claus Pairs in Manchester. Helen and Peter Lees, pictured below on the left, won the Flitch Pairs at the Midland Counties Congress. Sussex The SSCBA Sim Pairs played in January at five clubs – www.sccba.co.uk Newcastle, Newport, Oswestry, Stafford and Tettenhall – was won by Pat Andrews & Michael Seavers (Stafford), pictured CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the Hills below right. John Davies & Judith Clowes (Oswestry) were in Trophy for 2016 who were the Bognor team of John the lead until the results for the 5th club were finally added. Austin, Ron Seymour, Roger Bill & Paul Londesborough. The runners-up were last year's winners – Nigel Urban, Neil Watts, Dave Franklin & David Gritt. Well done also to this year's winners of the New Year Swiss Teams, Ian Macgregor, Mary Lawrenson, David Park and Steve Ackroyd. In second place were Andrew Southwell, Richard Fedrick Liz Hoskins & Peter Clinch and in 3rd place were David Dickson, John Williams, Andy Ryder & Mike Moody Congratulations to Andy Ryder & Mike Allen who won this year’s Sussex Pairs The runners-up were Neil Watts & Left picture: Peter & Helen Lees, winners of the Flitch Pairs Nigel Urban. Also congratulations to Russell Gross & Ivor at the Midland Counties Congress; Right picture: Michael Richards of Patcham Bridge Club who are the confirmed Seavers and Pat Andrews, winners of the SSCBA Sim Pairs. winners of the 2017 Charity Simultaneous Pairs. Many congratulations to Lindsay Geddes & Philip Hunt The Dash Trophy, a handicapped competition, played at who won the SCCBA Mixed Pairs Final for the 2nd year Stafford in early February, was won from a strong field by running. David & Jill Armstrong were 2nd and Neil Watts & Beryl & Michael Metcalf. Chris Jepson were 3rd. The Shrewsbury Ladies’ and Men’s Championship Pairs in February were won by Susan Davies & Shirley Radford and Worcestershire John Waller & David Small respectively. On the same night www.bridgewebs.com/worcestershire The Frances Bird Cup was won at Eccleshall by Nick Cheadle THE County Mixed Pairs was won by Sue Lane & & Mollie Joseph. Paul Hammond with Joyce Skelton & John Diary dates: 22-23 Apr, Shropshire Congress. 15 May, Sansom only a single matchpoint behind. Ladies’ and Men’s Championship Pairs, Wolverhampton. To Worcester retained the Inter Club Teams, enter these events contact Judy Mitchell Tel: 01743 235374 or represented by Joyce Skelton, Stewart Fishburne, email [email protected]. Jane Morton, John Sansom, David Thomas and Dick & Jane Rutter. Suffolk www.suffolkbridge.co.uk Yorkshire SUFFOLK Mid-Anglia Pairs – 1st, Neil Bresler & www.ycba.co.uk/ David Cooper; 2nd, Norman Less & Helen Mason; Doncaster Swiss Pairs – 1st, George Bak & Steve 3rd, Roger Tattersfield & Jill Tattersfield. Blackburn; 2nd, Philip Mason & Annette Jackson; Suffolk Championship Teams Round Two – 1st, Hanley 3rd, Terry Jacobs & David Narcross. (Rick Hanley & Graham Beeton, Christopher Chambers & Peter Gemmell), 2nd, Price (David Price & Jane Moore,

70 English Bridge April 2017 www.ebu.co.uk Answers to crossword on page 32 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In Memoriam TETALISMAN 8 9 A C OLACC ORD 10 11 ROS MORGAN (Devon): Ros worked tirelessly for BLUEPOINTS 12 13 many years for the West Section, organising both LARK S WF A YI the Plymouth Congress and the Heart Foundation 14 15 Swiss Teams. She also restarted and organised the EINLIAISED West Section league. 16 17 TRANNI ET ME 18 19 OGMAGT R IES 20 PREM IERCRU 21 22 L INEARM AG I 23 ENTRESOLET

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