English Bridge February 2006

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Teaching Poirot BOOK PRIZES to play his IN OUR BRIDGE cards right - p9 CROSSWORD - p27 English Bridge INSIDE Editor: Brian Cook Camrose hopes Hill Crest, 8 Kingsley Road , Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1E Y Bridge on a mountain 5 Te l: 01548 852565 Fax: 01548 8544 17 dented in Dublin email: eng [email protected] have it all to do in beating 38-22, Northern Prize defence 7 Editorial the five nations Camrose Ireland beating Scotland 47-11 Sally Sugden (Chairman) , Trophy series after getting very and Wales beating Scotland 37- Poirot plays his cards right 9 Jeremy Dh ondy and Brian Cook much the worst of it in the first 23 the table at the halfway stage Readers' letters 11 Advertisement Manager weekend of matches, played at of the contest looks like this: Laura Grimsley at Blue2 the Castlenock Hotel and Learn with , Bird, Charlton House, Old Estate Yard , Country Club in Dublin. Republic of Ireland 82 Senior and Kambites 13-19 East Hendred, Oxford, OX12 8LL First they took a hammering Northern Ireland 77 Tel : 01235 833060 fax: 01235 862589 from Republic of Ireland, hold­ Wales 59 Rigal from America 21 lau ra@b lue2design .com ers of the trophy, losing 22-8 on England 46 Printing: St lves (Andover) pic each of the two sets of 32 Scotland 34 and Blackpool Artwork: Blue 2, 01235 862587 boards. They did better against year end congresses 23 Northern Ireland, but after win­ The second and final week­ ning the first set 19-11, lost the end of the series will be in EBU news and events 24-25 Broadfields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury HP1 9 8AZ second one by an identical score. Wales (March 3-5), where the Book review and In action for England, under England tean1 hoping to turn CONTACTING THE EBU crossword 27 Tel: 01296 317200 non-playing captain Raymond things around is named as Fax: 01296 317220 Brock, were John Armstrong and Tom Check your ski ll s 29 postmaster@ebu . co . uk and John Holland, David Gold Townsend, Artur Malinowski Web site: www .ebu.co.uk and Tom Townsend, Paul and Nick Sandqvist, David Prize defence answers 30 Bridge play online: Hackett and Tony Water low. Price and Colin Simpson, with www .bridgeclublive.com With Republic of Ireland Raymond Brock again as npc. Tony Banks remembered 31 Direct EBU helplines and email addresses (STD code 01296 for all telephone numbers and Townsend's Get Even 32 suffix @ebu.co.uk for all email addresses) New event in north Dhondy answers your Telephone Email questions 33 Accounts 317210 accou nt Bridge for All 317217 bfa for seniors and vets Seniors' Congress report 35 Bridge Shop 397851 bridge.shop A MAJOR new event for the north of England has just been Co mpetition 317203 camps announced. It is the Northern Seniors' Congress and it will be played Bridge Club Live 35 Development 317206 at Harrogate's Cairn Hotel over ilie weekend of June30-July 2, Education 317218 eb uta County news and thereby complementing the souiliern equivalent, which takes place a Laws & Ethics 317208 lecsec pictures 36-45 Licensing of events 317205 license fortnight later in Eastbourne. Master Points 317202 poi nts As with all seniors' events, entries are invited from Membership 317201 eb u players born in or before 1951. An additional require­ Technical services 317207 tec hnic ment is iliat all partnerships must have a combined Tournament orgn. 317204 to urns age of at least 110 on the day of the tournament. STAR TURN! EBU STAFF Category prizes will be available to the leading Use suffix @ebu.co.uk for all email addresses veterans' pair and team, with 70 on the day of the IT's all happening for tournament being the qualifying age. Manchester's Alan Office Administration anfl.IT PA to General Manager Clare Sm ith clare The format will be the same as the main November Nelson, both as player Office Manager Karen Durrell karend Seniors Congress: namely, a two-session champi­ and ad ministrator. ttA,~:~ Webmaster Anna Gudge anna onship pairs qualifier on Friday, leading to A and B Recently elected to Administraton Assistant Kay Carter kay all-play-all14-table finals on Saturday, followed by a the EBU board Alan is .. ,~ \_·;;.•.. ., \ Accounts Swiss teams event on Sunday. now also chairman of ~ • ''J.. Accounts Manager Brian Smith brians There is also a three-session Swiss pairs event start­ the union's tourna­ . ' '~ Accounts Assistant Gail Nancarrow gail ing on Friday evening for the benefit of both non­ ment committee, .. Membership qualifiers from session one of ilie championship pairs while at the bridge .. Administrator Eileen Maunder eileen and for players joining the congress at this point. table, with wife Kath, Club and Master Points Administrator Colin Porch colin Contestants who play in session two of the champi­ he has enjoyed an Bridge Shop onship pairs, but who fail to reach one of ilie pairs impressive recent run Administrator Sue Humphris sueh finals, will join the Swiss pairs on Saturday with a of success. Telesales Assistant Andrea Fendom andrea! suitable carry-over score. First the couple Alan Nelson Trading Assistant David Keyes david Green Point will be awarded, except for the Friday brushed aside all Tournament Department evening of the Swiss Pairs and the qualifying rounds opposition to win the Tournaments Manager Max Bavin max of the pairs championship. pairs championship at Administration Assistant Dawn Mertens dawn Please see page 56 of your Members Diary and the Seniors' Congress Tournaments Secretary Nick Doe nick Tournaments Handbook for details of the Cairn Hotel. in Daventry (see story Administrators Gill Pain gill page 34); next they Peter Jordan peter General manager were in the tea m that tan Mitchell ian TERRY Collier, general manager of the English Bridge came second at the Education Oeoartment Union, left his post on January 31 to pursue other annual Lla ngollen Education Manager John Pain john activities. The Board thanks Terry for the contribu­ Swiss teams; and then Youth and tion he has made at the EBU and wishes him well in they col lected two Education Officer Alison Nicolson alison the future. His replacement will be announced in due trophies (mixed pairs Administrator Lisa Miller lisa course. Until a new appointment is made Max Bavin, and Swiss teams) at Oevelooment Oeoartment the union's chief tournament director, will ensure the Year End Congress Development Manager Virpi Ojala virpi that the staff at Aylesbury continues to provide all the in Blackpool. Communications Officer Michael Clark michael Kath Nelson usual services to members.

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RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES" How I came to be playing bridge on a mountaintop By Simon Stocken (and several times IT all started about a month before Christmas when I was up to my eyes in puzzle cutting and learned that some friends were planning a climb of Kilirnanjaro on the Kenyan-Tanzanian border, in support of ACE-AFRICA, a charity that helps chil­ on the way up!) dren orphaned by AIDS. To cut a long story short it was agreed that I could join them More than 10,000 'tourists' climb Kili every - it seemed too good an opportunity to miss - and with much year and December is busy, as the weather is family support (it's a busy time of year when you're in the more reliable. Snowstorms and death are not wooden puzzle-making business) I was touching down in uncommon. Hundreds don't make it to the Nairobi, meeting up with other members of the party and top. Many of the porters have to turn back - ready to start the climb. altitude sickness can slay a regular marathon In scorching heat we headed south in a small plane and an runner. hour later caught the first glimpse of our mountain- shroud­ I was certain I would not make it - how ed in clouds and rising majestic from the dusty plains. could I, when I felt so appallingly wretched? I Kilimanjaro is the largest free-standing mountain on earth. yearned for a break, an end to it all, just to sit Interestingly, because of the earth's equatorial bulge, it is the down, but on we plodded, even the moon was point that protrudes furthest into space. ghastly bright. More than an hour later we For Felix, our guide, who holds the second fastest time for stopped, still the last group on the mountain. the full up and down (30 hours), this would be his 22nd ascent. Warm water, heavenly elixir, but the break was It was reassuring. not our friend. We had to press on or we After an evening checking our kit, supper feeling after 22 hours of cards and would lose heat. Sub-zero by now and we were and an early night, we headed through lush sleeplessness. off. I was reallocated Felix's heels, which is all banana plantations to our starting point, We arrived at our camp on day two mid­ I saw for the next two hours. where we met Felix's team. On the basis that it afternoon; now at 4,200 metres with Kili in We stopped again, but spirits were up. No would increase our chance of success our full majesty - and the card-table emerged one had asked the dreaded question, 'How guide had decided to take us up the 'Whisky' again. much further?' and no one did. Slowly we route, so-called because, unlike the 'Coca­ Days three and four saw us ascend very lit­ started to overtake first one group then Cola route', it is the hardest. tle - half-days in fact - so plenty of opportu­ another, but with no sense of triumph, just After a leisurely start among colo bus mon­ nity for bridge, the ideal tonic to take our sheer gratitude. keys and through vibrant jungle, the climb minds off the final push. Our four was now Then the sky to the east began to redden; kicked in, unrelenting, breathless and hot. quite accomplished and I had the idea that we the rin1 was in sight. This lunar landscape Thankfully, unlike the Coca-Cola, we had lots might try and play bridge on the summit, slowly appeared before us - our bones were of cover and not a soul in sight. We arrived at with a view to raising some additional money warming and still we plodded, until finally we our first camp just before sundown well ahead for ACE-AFRICA, Joe's charity (Joe is Rob's were there, Gillman's Point. But not quite. of the support team. So, with dinner half-an­ sister). So at 4,600 metres, the plan was From there, halfway round the crater we could hour behind us, out came a table and four hatched. see the sign that surely says 'Highest point in chairs - and I had a pack of cards ... We were due to begin our climb at mid­ Africa- 5895 metres'. We couldn't play bridge Ten minutes later my friend Rob was night, seven hours straight up, arriving just here - what a joke that would be. declaring 3NT and bridge had begun - the after dawn at the rim. We began again, the last stretch slowest of perfect recipe for hunger and altitude. Rob all. Breath by breath; marvelling at impossible had played before and the other two had card ice structures, steaming craters, and the hazy sense, so time sped by until the best hot meal Table bonus dust of Africa far below. Cold, yet dazzled by of the year was served, followed by instant Felix had handpicked his four best men, sunshine. sleep. leaving five behind at the final camp, and We all made it. We set up our bridge table. After a big breakfast, we were soon on the assigned one to each of us. We had negotiated Luckily I had dealt the hand in advance. I dis- . trail again, emerging from the jungle and into a handsome bonus for the team, as they tributed the cards, 13 off the top. We bid, we the clouds - a truly alien environment. Felix would have to carry the table and the four played, we conquered- and then we left. reckoned we were walking too fast. He had chairs. I was in charge of the cards and the Uhuru, or Freedom as the peak is known, is been behind on the first day, organising his cloth. They were delighted. While we had not a place to discuss the rarer team, but now placed himself at the head and headaches and derangement, they were hud­ squeezes. It is, however, a place I would like to taught us Swahili for slow. dled in the tent singing and smoking. visit again ... so if anyone fancies a game? Like in bridge, the tortoise often wins the I awoke marginally worse than when I had In truth, I prefer my bridge at sea level, but race. We were overtaken on days two and eventually managed to drop off. My head felt the exhilaration even as you descend your fust three by many mocking hares in other climb­ primaeval. Porridge was vital, but hard to foot (19,341 in total) is profound. What took ing groups, but we had the last laugh when we keep down, and the idea of bridge up there us more than seven hours to climb took us later found them on their knees 400 metres seemed absurd. If! could have spoken I would just one to descend, scree running our way to below the summit. have told the team not to bother with the breakfast. We spent a final night on the moun­ Laughter is what I remember most- those chairs and table. tain, before heading back to reality. who have played in the Young Chelsea Bridge Wearing every piece of clothing we had, we Please visit www.ace-africa.org - perhaps marathon will have experienced a similar started, last in a steady trail of head-torches. you, too, might change a child's life.

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6 English Bridge February 2006 Spanish champions By Tracy Capo/ IN the last few years I have been adventurous with my nails, and even with my hair colour (You A competition you can all enter will notice I have returned to normal- whatever that is!), but I have never played much bridge There are three categories in our abroad. competition: for players up to and In November I doubled my quota: I went to the 11th Red Sea Congress in Eilat, with my including County Master; for those mother. The event took place over the course of a week and I can highly recommend it to those up to and including Regional Master; who next November might be looking for a congress that is very social, extremely good value and and for those with higher ranking has daily sunshine guaranteed. The only down side is that they have yet to discover the joys of a duplirnate machine! TAKE a look at the four defence situations The following week the bridge became a little more serious when Ian Panto and I joined the here and give your answer to each question, Spanish Federation so we could take part in their championship in Marbella. The thought of golf with a brief explanation of your reasoning. and bridge in the same day in the sunshine at a five star hotel proved irresistible. The event took place over three sessions and I found it very pleasant to be playing among such 1) What would you lead as West from the elegantly turned out European ladies- that is until I discovered each had their own accessory .. . hand below after the auction shown? a packet of cigarettes! ~K 7 54 2 ¥ A 6 +3 +J 10 9 8 2 After I got used to playing in the fog I quite enjoyed the competition, not knowing any of South North the other players. Listening to them argue/dis­ 3¥ 5NT * cuss what went wrong in a va riety of foreign P:IATN':IK 6¥ languages was an event in itself, while win­ ning, of course, was the icing on the cake. makers of playing cards since 1824 * 5NT asks South to bid 7¥ with two of My partner played extremely well through­ www.piotnik.co.uk (tel 020 86851515) the top three trumps. out and even I found a way to make a dou­ bled contract I shouldn't have bid ... 2) How nice it was to win 1,000 euros each for ~ A86 • 9 7 a 90euro stake. + KJ 1064 + KQ4

~ QJ 3 2 • QJ 2 • 9 +98732

This set of cards featuring movie South West North East stars through the years is the prize 1NT Pass 3NT Pass on offer as we continue our series Pass Pass of defence posers by Andrew Kambites. Piatnik is giving a prize Your partner leads the '16 to your 'IJ, for each of the three winners in declarer winning with the 'IK. Tr ick two is the competition won by declarer's +Q. Then a diamond is led to dummy's king and declarer perse­ veres with dummy's +J. What are your two 3) discards? Tracy Capal and lan Panto ~ K J 10 9 ¥ K J 10 8 + KJ7 4) ~ QJ1093 DOUBLES QUIZ + Q3 ¥ A 10 9 + K 8 7 By Bob Rowlands ~ 6 53 2 +J8 ¥ A Q 3 2 • 54 3 ~ K 2 Dealer West. East-West game + KJ • 3 E3 • QJ6532 + Q5 3 2 West North East ~outh I South West North East 3+ Db I Pass 1NT Pass 2+ Pass 2+ Pass 3NT Pass South West North East Pass Pass What do you bid with: 4'1 Pass Pass Pass (a) ~ K 7 4 2 • J 5 2 + Q 8 West leads the +4 to dummy's + Q and + K 10 7 6 your +K wins the trick. The +4 promises West leads the + A. Can you beat this (b) ~ K Q 9 6 2 ¥ 5 + 9 4 2 an honour. What next? contract? +A 10 9 3 Entries to Andrew Kambites, 1 Stratford Court, Stratford Road, Stroud, (c) ~ Q 10 7 4 ¥ A J 8 3 + 2 Gl5 4AO. Entries to arrive by February 20. Please indicate on the top left hand corner + KJ 42 of the envelope which category you are entering. Andrew Kambites will judge the entries and the first one in each category that he considers gives the best answers (d) ~92 ¥ 103 + A Q2 will win a Piatnik prize. +KJ8652 playing cards now for sale online. Answers on page 32 PJ:ATN:IB For more information visit www.piatnik.co.uk

February 2006 English Bridge 7 Dordogne Bridge Holidays Excel Bridge An exclusive Bridge experience in the Dordogne for small groups for the very best of friends wanting to play and improve their Bridge together in Luxury Bridge Weekends IF you want Style & Quality, Personal Attention and a Friendly Atmosphere: Ring for your brochure NOW ********** + Private residential Bridge courses tailored solely to your Group's needs. Relaxed, fun play and teaching sessions AT LAST! Our first cruise! ¥ Suitable for a small Group, from 4 to 10 people. All standards and systems Spend January 2007 in the Caribbean! catered for. Beginners' groups and non-Bridge playing guests welcome See Page 18 + Sole occupancy of 'Chestnut Cottage', a wonderful, 200yr old stone ********** farmhouse, luxuriously equipped and situated on a 50 acre private estate wi th 14x7 metre Pool complex, meadows, stream , lake, forests and trails An excellent choice of 5 night breaks! ~ Teaching is with Harris Raphael, a highly regarded Bridge teacher, The Royal VENTNOR professional member of the EBUT eachers Association, and Bridge journalist April 2-7 £345 + Cost per bridge-playing guest is from only £240 per week Includes all accommodation , tuition , prizes, other activities and 'Welcome Dinner' The Imperial BARNSTAPLE ¥ Enjoy the delights of the Dordogne, its Chateaux, rivers, bastide towns June 25-30 £355 and markets, world famou s pre-history sites and sublime food and wine Tankersley Manor YORKSHIRE 'Our boliday bas flown by. The Bridge was so mucb fun and so interesting. July 30-August 4 £334 Cbestnut cottage is a deligbt and in sucb a majestic setting ' Melissa and Friends - UK Salston Manor OTTERY St. MARY More in fo rmation and photos: www.DordogneBridgeHolidays.com Sept 24-29 £285 Call Harris and Victoria on: + + 33 553 06 36 70 ** ****** email : [email protected] Spend your Bank Holiday in Style! Bridge licensed by the EBU Special EBU Member Offers The Cambridge Belfry Nr CAMBRIDGE April14-17 £252 Hellidon Lakes Nr DAVENTRY August 25-28 £252 ********* Two of the best South Co ast hotels! The Hydro EASTBOURNE June 2-4/5 £189/229 Exotic Bridge Holidays The Highcliff BOURNEMOUTH May 5-7/8 & Nov 24-26/27£198/221 *** ** ******* Borneo sept2oo6 ***** Three of our most Popular Hotels 16 nights including: Carlton Hotel CHELTENHAM + 2 nights deluxe 5* at the Shangri-La, Kuala Lumpur June 9-11/12 & Oct 27-29/30£154/191 + 14 nights at the Superior First Nexus Resort Karambunai, Borneo Blunsdon House BLUNSDON + All flights and transfers included July 7-9/10 £175/212 + Experienced holiday gu ides and bridge directors The Royal WINCHESTER + Dupl icate pairs or teams every evening + Bridge licenced by the EBU. Prizes daily. Sept 15-17/18 £170/202 ********* * + Golf course within hotel grounds At all venues there will be a full Bridge Programme + Numerous optional excursions including with ch eerful and instructive morning seminars Orangutan sanctua ry ********** For further information & bookings [] EXCEL BRIDGE Osborne House, 14 Elton Road, Call 01258 456300 Just £2450pp Clevedon, BS21 7RG Telephone 01275-872575 Bridge More details at www.notjustbridge.co.uk Website: www.excelbridge.co.uk licensed Generous by the oot.JustTr-aU£! ~ in associati on with Prizes "Excel for Excellence" EBU Based on 2 share. NotJustTraveiiS a trading name of BeFree Travel. Agents for ATOL holders. Part of Global Travel

8 English Bridge February 2006 Christine and Simon show Poirot cast how to play their cards right EBU members Christine Tomkin and Simon gives a positive and then shows three aces in Cocheme were involved in the fliming of answer to Blackwood; opener bids a grand Agatha Christie's Cards on the Table, one of slam; and dummy later tells Poirot that the the latest batch of Hercule Poirot stories to be contract would have been three down on a produced by Granada Television. There are heart lead. Don't blame Christine if you see bits of bridge in many of Christie's books, but one of the characters use Blackwood with a it is pivotal in Cards on the Table, with the - that's how Christie wrote it! murder taking place during a supposedly Christine was on holiday during the film­ social bridge evening. The fom suspects are ing, so she recommended Simon, who had playing bridge in a closed room when their worked on the Sky TV programmes of the host, who is sitting by the fire away from the Istanbul Bridge Olympiad, to stand in for her. table, is murdered. He spent four days at Shepperton Studios Christine, a well known London-based while the bridge scenes were being shot, guid­ bridge teacher, was contacted out of the blue ing the actors through rehearsals and answer­ and asked to work with some of the actors ing deep technical questions such as 'Why do before the filming. She spent a couple of I say three spades when I haven't got the three afternoons teaching them the mechanics of of spades in my hand?' He then lmked in the the game - shuffling, dealing, sorting the background during the actual , just cards, playing to tricks - so that they would managing to restrain himself from calling out look like real bridge players. She also had to 'Director!' when a card was led from the construct some hands to fit in with Christie's wrong hand. narrative. Her hardest task was creating a Cards on the Table, starring David Suchet hand from the following clues: the dealer (pictured), Zoe Wanamaker and Alex opens with a strong two spades; responder Jennings, will be shown on ITV in the spring. The World junior Pairs is for all Normally the number of pairs competing is around 150-200, from around 30 separate I'll see you there countries, including some people as far away as Australia, South America and New Zealand By Michael Byrne - so as England is so close we have no excuse I WONDER how many of the juniors reading this know that next not to play. summer they will have the opportunity to compete in a world bridge To enter all you have to do is email Paul competition held on the other side of Europe? Bowyer, England junior squad leader The answer is probably very few, but hopefully that will all change as ([email protected]) or Alison they learn about the World Junior Pairs. Nicolson ([email protected]) and tell them you This event was first held in Belgium in 1995 and was repeated in Italy want to go. You are not required to have a part­ (1997), the Czech Republic (1999), Poland ner. In 2001 an English player went to Poland to (200 1) and Hungary (2003). competitions. There is one important stipula­ compete and found an American partner on Now the sixth one is to be held in Piestzany, tion - every partner yo u play with at the camp the coach from Berlin airport- he subsequent­ Slovakia in June 2006. The destination has must be from a different country to you! ly played with him the following year in the been a popular one for several European Each day a series of lectures is organised by World Open Teams Championships in Canada championships due to its low cost of living some of Europe's top players, covering such with a great deal of success! and good climate. diverse subjects as team morale, signalling, There is no limit on the number of pairs a But what exactly is a World Junior Pairs? false-carding, new bidding theory and how to country may send and no requirement of stan­ Well, it's an enormous pairs competition in cope with a major championship. dard, so even novices who can't tell an ace from which any junior can take part, regardless of Afternoons are devoted to sport and various a king can compete along with the world beaters. playing standard. The format is straight for­ social activities and each evening after dinner Entry fees are low as they are heavily sub­ ward, with four sessions, each of about 28 there is a session of bridge, which might be sidised by The . If boards, in two-board rounds. duplicate, teams, individual, speedball or you are a student the Educational Trust for The first session starts on the Friday at 8pm point-a-board. There is also a 'crazy tourna­ British Bridge may give you a grant to cover (or at lam if, as happened in 2001, the French ment' in which, for example, you might have to the costs: apply to at are held up at the German border! ) Sessions play that the second highest card wins the trick! [email protected] stating your name, two and three are on Saturday, with the final Everyone who attends enjoys the camp and age, partner if you have one, what you are session on Sunday afternoon, leaving time for it is worth knowing that you can take part in studying, and whether you are going to the the victory banquet and presentation of prizes. the pairs and the camp, or just one of the two. pairs, the camp or both. All those able to stay on after Sunday night Although England is a fairly wealthy bridge What could be easier? I expect to see you all are then transported to the World Junior nation, with a keen following of juniors, it has there next June. Camp, a week-long event normally held at a not so far had a strong presence at these The sixth World Junior Pairs runs from holiday resort not too far off. The camp is events and, convinced as I am of their great June 30 to July 3 and the camp from July 3 to designed to give junior bridge players the value, it is my aim to spread the word among 10. For more details log on to the WBF web­ chance to meet each other socially and make young bridge players in an effort to encourage site at www.worldbridge.org/competitions new friends, as well as play in several many more of them to take part. and go to world junior pairs.

February 2006 English Bridge 9 Progress Magical EIRom with Madeira 5 a•• PESTANA BAY HOTEL -15th-29th May 2006 EL ROMPIDO GOLF HOTEL- 3rd-17th Sept 2006 Andrew Thi s superb hotel offers twin bedroom s with sea­ El Rompido is in a stunning location on Spa in's Costa view ba lconie s. Th e rooms are generously sized and de Ia Luz and our new two-week holiday here offers eq uipped with a smal l kitchenette. Close to Funchal, high season at low season pri ces . Kambites the Pestana Bay Hotel is the perfect setting for our The hotel occupies a privileged position and is sur­ LA QUINTA HOTEL. ME NO RCA - 21 -28 April2006 unique blend of bridge and rela xation . Funchal can ro unded by an immense protected area of natura l Based at the superb 5-star La Quinta Hotel, this is be reached by the free hotel bu s or public transport. landscape in whi ch there is a wonderful 18 hole golf a holiday aimed at the player who is either receiv­ Bridge wil l be played in the comfort of an air con ­ course in front of the Pied ras river. ing tuition or comparatively new to dupl icate ditioned room There will be an enjoyable programme El Romp ido Golf Hotel is five star in every aspect; bridge . The objectives are to increase the confi ­ of which wi ll appea l to players of bedrooms all have te levision, direct dial telephone dence and knowledge of those who already play all standards. Prizes will be awarded to the winners and mini-bar plus a balcony with open views across and to introduce the social player to the many dif­ of al l events including open pairs. Trophies will be the golf course and towards the sea . Thi s is a go lfers ferences in the tactics, speed and scoring at a club. awarded to the winners of specified events . and walkers pa radi se with wonderful bridge facili ­ , Your programme has been approved by the English Director Graham Hedley. Cost from £899.00 ties. Free tea & coffee during the bridg e sessions. Bridge Union and is based on the Standard based on Gatwick. Other airports and single occu­ English/ system. It is designed to complement pancy rooms al so available at a supplement. all teaching systems including 'Bridge for All' . The tuition wil l be overseen by Andrew Kambites. All tutors will be EBUTA qualified with a maximum ratio of 1 : 20. Bridge is licensed by the EBU with S'Aigar, being awarded. The price based on flying from Gatwick is £545.00* Menorca *Subject to single supplement. HOTEL S'ALGAR, MENORCA- 6th-20th Oct 2006 HOTELS' ALGAR, MEN ORCA- 28 April- 5 May 2006 Back to S'Aigar for our 35th Octobe r holiday where A holiday aimed at players experienced in duplicate the usual team will guarantee great bridge in a superb bridge. We recommend that to gain most benefit setting at the world's longest running li censed ove r­ you should have played at a duplicate club regularly. seas event. Choice of self-contained hotel bedrooms In addition to giving a full and varied programme of or apartments compri sing two twin bedrooms, living Two weeks half board ho li day for the estab li shed bridge we offer a series of sem inars which are room , kitchen, dining area, bathroom and large bal­ player directed by Andrew Kambites who will hold designed to help you achieve a deeper understand­ cony or terra ce . Full board. free wine with lunch, free a minimum of two seminars during the fortn ight. ing of the game with the objective of improving your tea and coffee during the afternoons. Special events Prices are based on Gatwick and start at £979.00. results and building or increasing confidence. Bridge include firework di splay, flamenco dancing and draw Other airports are available at a supplement: is licensed by the EBU with masterpoints being for free holiday. An incredi ble value for money pack­ Birm ingham , Stansted £20.00, Manchester £30.00 , awarded . age Full board from £899.00 based on Gatwick flights. The inclusive cost, from Gatwick, is just £515.00*. Bri stol, Card iff. Newcastle £40 .00, Edinburgh, *Subject to single supplement. Gla sgow £50 .00. Single occupancy supp lem ent £141.00. Prices include half board, all bridge fee s, More Information. Vilamoura. airport duties, fl ights and transfe rs. If you are unsure as to wh ich holiday would suit you Bridge will be played in the comfort of an air con­ best or whether you would benefit from both, do ditioned room . There wi ll be an enjoyable programme please give us a cal l. La Quinta is half board, S'Aigar Algarve of dupl icate bridge which will appeal to all. full board. Both holidays include all bridge fees, trans­ HOTEL ATLANTIS -Jan/Feb 2007 Prizes wil l be awarded to the winners of all events fers and airport duties. Flights are also ava ilable from We 'll be back at the Hote l Atla ntis in 2007 . This great includ ing open pairs. Manchester or Luton at a supplement. value ho li day always books up very rapidly so don't There will be a we lcome cocktai l party and a prize MAKE A SAVING Put into practice what you've delay- make your re servation now. Director Graham giving ceremony. Excursions wil l be available as learned- combine these two holidays for just £919.00. Hedley. Watch our website for information. optional extras. Super Bridge Breaks at UK Hotel PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL, GRAS MERE THISTLE HOTEL, CHELTENHAM THISTLE HOTEL, Sun 12 -Sat 18 March 2006 Five nights 24-29 July 2006 New Year 2006/7 We return for our fourth consecutive visit to The Prince This modern hotel is situated in its own grounds on New Year 2005/6 wa s the best ever and a huge suc­ of Wales Hotel. Th is six-day break is for players of all the edge of Cheltenham, just one mil e from junction cess so , understandably, we' ll be back in 2006/7. standards. providing the ideal mixture of re laxed 11 of the M5. All122 en-suite bedrooms are furnished As soon as we have them, dates and prices will be bridge, superb accommodation and stunning scenery. to high standards and all include satellite TV, tea and posted on our new-look website. The Thi stle Hotel in Varied programme of play and seminars. Prices coffee ma king facilities. There is also an Otium Cardiff is the perfect location for city-centre holiday £306.00, £354.00 or £414.00 depending on room type. Lei sure Club. Cost per person half board £355.00* for bridge. Director Graham Hedley. Director Graham Hedley. five nights. Director Andrew Kambites.

Broch ures and booking fo rms for all the above ho li days Keep up to date with all the latest First for Bridge news and from: FIRST FOR BRIDGE our £75 prize competition by logging on to our web site at 4 The Lyes , Congresb ury, BS49 5HF www.bridoe-holidays.com. Telephone: 01934 876500, Mobile: 0777 1 901579 Menorca holidays operated by Celtic Line Travel Ltd. ATOL No: 1772; Algarve hol idays operated by Saga Holidays Ltd, ATOL No: 0308; Madeira holidays operated by Atlantic Holidays ATO L No: 2704. E-mail - info@bridge-hol idays.com Bridge licensed by the EBU/WBU The restricted choice of a stand-in club TD!

WOW, things are really hatting up! Any rulebook is the old tatty 1985 edition. minute now it will be pistols at dawn. Now I The problems continue. The movement am a great fan of and I hope one book tells me tables X and Y share; there is a day we might meet and he would kindly give relay between N and M and the North-South Here's one me an introduction to that nice Miss rover pair are not the most reliable couple in Mabooba, who plays for Bhumpoo! However, the club. There is a skip after eight rounds- if in the real world, restricted choice does not we ever get that far! Oh, and I bet I forgot the that's worth exist. arrow switch for the last round. So I wander into the club 15 minutes before So I ring the playground handbell to get start time, smile, wave, chat and at the same silence and tell the children what I hope will a chortle time look for a vacant seat and for partner. happen. My partner claps her hands to her THE following bridge hand was a Duplimate The night manager, a most attractive lady, ears, as she was not expecting a deafening dis­ board at Morpeth Bridge Club a while back sidles up and places her hand on my arm. play of campanology. and I thought it might be of interest to read­ Then she snuggles closer to whisper in my ear: West, at our tab le, has just switched on his ers as a sort of curio. 'David, will you do something for me? ' hearing aid and recoils from the table, flailing Hope springs eternal, despite the fact my his arms and knocking my to the This was the full deal: doctor has quarterly checks on my blood floor. pressure; despite the fact my osteopath says, Recovering quickly I am just about to give Dealer East ~ 7 53 2 'Well, if you must play golf, restrict your swing my directions when the club secretary decides Game all ., AKQ8652 or your back will go again'; despite the fact my to make an announcement regarding the date • 7 5 wife (rather unkindly I think), frequently of next year's weekend away! + - reminds me, 'You are knocking 70 you know.' Why is there always an exceedingly slow ~ QJ 9 8 ~ K 10 4 What the night manager goes on to say is: table? Why does the signing-on sheet always • 13 ., 10 9 4 'Tonight's TD hasn't turned up.' get stuck halfway round the room? Why is it • 10 6 2 + A KQ 3 So, rather weakly, I surrender to those deep when I am TD someone always leads out of + 986 2 + 7 53 blue eyes, only to find with 10 minutes to go turn? Why is it, when I am trying to create there is rather a lot to do. Put the boards out; 3NT where God has only created two, the ~ A6 try to get the mob to sit down so that I can dreaded call of 'Director!' rings out? ., 7 establish the number of tables and the move­ So my restricted choice is between offend­ + I 9 8 4 ment from the book; make sure the night ing a very nice person who works very hard +AKQJ104 manager has arranged for someone to collect for the club and having a bad conscience. the table money. Then fmd the alarm clock Sorry, folks, to blazes with my blood pressure. At my table the bidding went: and note hysterically that the only available Viva fantasy.- David Richardson, We therby West North East South lNT Obi 2+ 4., Pass Pass Time for a multi clean-up Pass WHEN the EBU allowed the multi 2+ con­ option first or second vulnerable. This is diffi­ East took two diamonds and the contract vention to be played in level three events the cult to spot. duly made 11 tricks. licence had strict conditions attached, partic­ The Orange Book defines the licence condi­ ularly with regard to suit length and HCP tions, not the director, nor the bridge laws. At one of the other tables, however, it went: range of both weak and strong options. Anyone should be able to call the director Variations of your stated partnership agree­ who, as the rules stand, has no discretion but West North East South ment (treatments) are not allowed. to follow the Orange Book. Contravention of l NT Obi As the EBU is considering to introduce the licence requires a penalty for the offending Pass Pass Pass some changes to the notes applicable to the side, even if no damage results, because an level three multi I consider it appropriate to illegal convention has been used. The + A was led, North signalled for a heart comment on current policy. Multi players in turn complain that they are and 13 tricks were quickly wrapped up (It My experience of level three competition discriminated against because you can 'treat' could have been 14!) covers from local clubs to national events and an Acol , but not a multi weak !NT doubled minus seven was a cool 2000 at all levels I have observed regular abuse of two. So what is the remedy to suit all? points for North-South and an outright top, the licence condition. This is not a case of the In my opinion the EBU should reinforce against 650 for 4'1 plus one. few behaving badly. My estimate is that 70% any present restrictions until such time as Obviously West had not heard of Houdini, of multi users infringe at least once a year and multi players put their house in order. so the bidding is a bit suspect, but I know that I believe much of this is not through igno­ Directors should be asked to conduct an North and South didn't mind! rance of the licence conditions. It is often the awareness campaign at all level three events, I think 2+ doubled goes for 800 on a heart more experienced players who offend. The so that players, weak or strong, know what is lead. Anyway, if nothing else the above should less experienced suffer mainly because they and what is not allowed. Offenders can then give you a chortle and lighten the day. are unaware that they have been offended be more frequently reported and dealt with. ­ - Laurie Monkhouse, Whitley Bay, Tyne and against. Lawrence Haynes, St Austell, Cornwall Wear Lack of information given to the opponents helps to conceal treatments. This is why full ·------~Please email or post your letters to: Brian Cook, Hill Crest, 8 Kingsley Road, disclosure is required on convention cards. Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1 EY email: [email protected] For example, apart from varying the stated The editor reserves the right to condense letters. Publication does not mean the EBU agrees with range of a weak option, a partnership may the views expressed or that the comments are factually correct. even privately agree not to open the weak ·------~ February 2006 En g li sh Bri dge 11 MEMBER

~· Bridge licensed ABTA~· by the EBU BRIDGE & BOWLING

Regular Mercian bridge clients are already finding enormous savings through the new Loyalty Scheme - the more you travel with Mercian the cheaper the holiday becomes. Do call Mercian free of charge on freephone 0800 0368 372 for more details. Plus the best of bridge with highly qualified bridge directors and back up team to look after you both in and out of the bridge room

• The Best of Bridge for 2006

02 Apr 1 0 nts Kliczrow Castle, Poland

16 Apr 14 nts Havana and Varadero, Cuba

24 Apr 7 nts Madeira Palacio, Madeira

01 May 10 nts Portelet Hotel, Jersey

15 May 14 nts Richmond Ephesus Resort, Turkey

23 May 14 nts Hotel Albatros, Croatia

03 June 1 0 nts Cannes Palace, French Riviera.

26 June 4 nts Gisborough Hall, N. Yorks.

17 July 4 nts Imperial Hotel, Llandudno

06 Sep 14 nts Golf Hotel, Lake Bled 13 Sep 14 nts - Opatija, Croatia • WINTER SUN 2006/7 23Sep 7 nts Park Hotel, Schonbrunn, Vienna Sol Elite Don Pablo - 29 October- non-stop until 25 March 2007 -some dates al ready sold out! RIU Green 30Sep 14 nts Dome Hotel, Northern Cyprus Park, Port El Kantaoui - a big thank you to the many cl ients who have taken the trouble to write in with letters 30 Sep 14 nts Hotel Acorn Almirante, Menorca of thanks and appreciation for their wonderful holiday in the Green Park- many stating the finest bridge holiday 04 Oct 1 0 nts Lake Hotel, Killarney ever so it is not too early to book your place there for the 16 Oct 5 nts Falmouth Hotel, Cornwall winter of 2006/07.

• STOP PRESS • BRIDGE CRUISING ON THE BOUDICCA - Not too late for the end of this winter! There is still LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1! a chance to book for the last few weeks of our long stay winter sun at the Sol Elite Don Pablo, 11 Mar 28 nts. The Caribbean Torremolinos or the fabulous RIU Green Park, Port 24 May 24 nts. Eastern Mediterranean El Kantaoui or to join our group at the King Solomon's Palace, Eilat. 12 Oct 20 nts. Adriatic

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12 English Bridge February 2006 ANORA LANDY STANDARD ENGLISH Responding at your second turn what should you bid?

Same auction but now, With this hand yo u are When responder ~ K J 10 5 with only two hearts, ~ K j 10 5 still worth a responder's ., Q 5 is weak ., Q 5 supporting hearts is less . If over 2 ~ part­ • Q10432 attractive. With 11 + A Q j 10 7 2 ner bids 3+ or 3+, you WE respond to an opening bid with as few as + K 9 points and the dia- +9 bid 3• . Partner won't 6-9 points, but when we do we want to get out monds well stopped you pass, since 2 ~ is forcing of the auction as soon as possible without have the values to bid 2NT, which shows a to game- you are offering partner a chance to leaving our side in a stupid contract. good 10 to 12 points. It's not forcing, but part­ bid 3NT, 4" or perhaps even 5+. ner will raise to 3NT with a bit extra. Partner opens 1¥, you This 14-point hand ~ K J 10 5 say 1 ~ and partner Same auction again, but ~ K Q 10 54 should expect to drive ., 7 5 rebids 2+ . What do you ~ AKJ543 now you can repeat ., Q 2 the partnership to • Q 10 3 bid now? ., 4 2 your own suit with a • J 10 4 game. Respond 1 ~ to 1., +)932 With only seven • 8 6 3 jump to 3 ~ , showing at +A Q 10 and if partner rebids 2+, points you are not + K 94 least a strong six-card jump to 3NT. But strong enough for 2NT. You don't like hearts suit. Change the ~ J to suppose partner rebids 2+ , which game are and do prefer clubs. Partner could make a the + J and you can raise opener's second suit. we going to bid? Should it be 4¥, 3NT or 4~ ? , stronger rebid with a good hand, so your side It's not easy to guess what the best contract can't have game. Pass and keep your side out will be. of trouble. When responder With 10 points, say +A instead of + J, you is stronger I will discuss the solution to this and simi­ would raise to 3+. lar problems in my next article, but here is When partner opens and responder also has a how two students bid the hand in last week's Partner opens 1• . You hand that would have opened, the partnership duplicate. ~ K J 10 5 are not strong enough should go for game. But as opener cannot see ., 7 5 to respond 2+, so bid 1 ~ . through the back of the cards it has to be • Q 10 4 3 2 Partner bids 2+ . Partner responder who drives to the best game. ~ ~ KQ 1054 +)9 A2 N must have at least five ., Kj 1064 ., Q 2 hearts, since with only With a better hand than + A 3 W E • J 10 4 four, partner would either open or rebid in no ~ K j 10 5 the last one, say 13- 15 +)864 s +A Q 10 trumps. So you should give preference to ., Q 5 points, responder can hearts by bidding 2• . Partner must be aware + Aj1042 jump to 3NT with stop­ that this preference is not the same as real sup­ + K 9 pers in the diamond Sheila john port and only bid again if very strong. suit. 1., a 2+ 4., Partner opens l +, you Respond 2+ to a 1.,

~ 10 8 5 say 1., and partner ~ K j 10 5 opening and if opener North led +2, which went 10, king and ace. ., AK9875 rebids 1 ~. You can ., 5 rebids 2., bid 2 ~ to Sheila played a heart to the queen and a heart • 3 2 repeat your own suit by + AQJ 1072 show four spades and back that went to the 10 and ace. North played +)9 bidding 2., showing at + K9 make sure the spades +Q and another diamond, so Sheila could least six hearts. Change are not lost. This bid is throw away a club. She drew the remaining the .,A 5 to + A 5 and you can rebid 1NT, still called a responder's reverse and it is forcing to trumps and played out the spades. When the showing 6-9 points. game. Partner will raise with four spades or ~ J dropped she could throw away two more bid 2NT with club stoppers. If partner rebids clubs and make 11 tricks, so John did well to When responder 3" you can try 3NT. bid 4" on this deal. is intermediate

With a hand that is a bit stronger, say 10-12 points, responder makes a try for game on the second Bridge at the Palace round, but leaves the final decision to opener. TORQUAY Bridge Club's autumn congress on the English Riviera has become so The bidding starts 1"- popular that there is an increasing risk of missing out if you don't book early - ~ A K J 10 5 1 ~ - 2 + , but now you are especially since it has returned to the Palace Hotel. ., Q 7 5 happy to support hearts Driven along by joy Murray-Brown (promotion) and jean Crabtree (congress • 10 3 2 with three cards. With secretary) the event is now attracting upwards of 300 players, some traveling many + J 9 nearly an opening bid miles to enjoy good bridge and a weekend stay at the resort's leading hotel, which you want to let partner is set in extensive grounds, complete with golf course . know that game is possible. Bid 3¥, which is a As well as generous prizes and a range of competition that includes the junior limit bid, so partner can pass. With 14 points, Players' EBU Cup, there are also some little touches that give the congress an extra say the +A instead of the + J, you would jump lift, such as the gift of a bridge book and a pen to every player. to 4¥. An opening bid facing an opening bid 'Come and join us next time. You will love it,' says joy. Next time is November expects to land in game. 1 0-12 and a call to 01803 200200 will secure your reservation .

February 2006 English Bridge 1: DAVID BIRD Beat toda erts

The England women advanced one step Try the tips first further than the open team, reaching the quarter-frnals of the , where they were defeated by eventual frnalists, Germany. Many congratulations to all three pairs on this time to have any their good showing and particularly to Heather Dhondy and , who fin­ ished first equal (with a French pair) in the overall cross-imping for the round robin chance against some stage. They averaged a splendid +0.84imps per board. Here is a big deal from England's of the world's best! match against New Zealand. 3. Love all . Dealer West ALL our deals come from the recent world the penultimate round robin match. Tom championships in Estoril. We will start at the Townsend and David Gold picked up these N ~ Ql843 round robin encounter between Italy and hands: "l A USA2. W E + A 2. Love all. Dealer East s +AQ11076 1. East-West game. Dealer East

~ 985 4 N ~ AK32 West North East South ~ A9 54 "I A9 8 2 K54 ~I N E • Smith Horsman Dhondy Richardson • 7 • 4 w + A K Q6 "I AKQ32 W E 3+ 4NT Pass + A1643 + KQ9752 + AQ19 s + 10 5 5"1 Pass 5NT Pass +A 7 S +I 6 6+ Pass 7NT Pass Pass Pass West East Townsend Gold l" West East Hampson Greco 1+ The West hand is not strong enough for a 1+ ,. 2NT reverse (opening !"l and rebidding 2 ~ ), so it is ,. 1~ 3 ~ 4+ close decision whether to open 1 ~ or 1¥. In 2+ 2+ 4~ recent years there has been a general move 3+ 3 ~ towards opening in the longer suit. Here, 4"1 5+ The first point of interest is d1at Gold was though, d1e spades are very strong and I like 7+ willing to rebid 2NT despite a low doubleton Smith's decision to open 1 ~ . in one of the unbid suits. I noticed such rebids North overcalled 3+, which did not affect A rebid of 3+ by (at his being made throughout the championship, by the auction materially, and Dhondy opted second turn) would have been a non-forcing the top Italians and Americans, too. It is for a Roman Key-card Blackwood 4NT. limit bid. To inject a forcing nature into this important to define the nature of your hand Smith's 5"1 response showed two key cards, bid he travelled via the fourth-suit. Eric Greco with a limit bid, as soon as possible. known to be the ace and king of trumps, and marked time with 3 ~ , showing a control in Another instructive point arises with Dhondy continued with SNT. This bid pass­ that suit, and West now asked for key cards by Townsend's 3 ~ rebid. It showed precisely four es the message that all six key cards (four bidding 4¥. When a has been cards in each major. If instead West held and the trump king-queen) are present. agreed the normal bid for Roman Key-card spades and five hearts, he would rebid the It also asks for side-suit kings. One popular Blackwood (4NT) will often carry you too hearts, leaving room for partner to introduce scheme of responses is merely to give a count high. 4"1 is part of the convention known as a four-card spade suit. of such kings. Smith and Dhondy use a dif­ Redwood, where you use the bid above four of Gold had a fine fit for spades and indicated ferent method, which often works well. They the trump suit to ask for key cards. Had West this with a of 4+. This could only agree show the specific kings that are held, if any, wished to make a control-showing cue bid in spades, of course, since he would have raised up the line. Here the 6+ response showed the hearts instead, he would have bid 4NT. hearts directly if he held four-card heart sup­ king of clubs. Not a bad card in the circum­ East's 5+ response (the fourth step) was port. Townsend now had the opportunity to stances! Dhondy could now count 13 top equivalent to a 5 ~ response opposite 4NT, cue bid 4¥. Such a continuation would show tricks and bid the grand in no trumps to showing two key cards and the trump queen. not only a heart control, but also a club con­ avoid any risk of a . The grand was It was easy now for Hampson to visualise 13 trol (since East had denied one with his 4+ bid missed at the other table and the England tricks. and there would be no point in suggesting a women gained !limps. Duboin and Bocchi, for Italy, found the slam if there were two top club losers). The same deals were used in the Bermuda same first seven bids (up to 3 ~ ) . They rl1en Townsend, who knew that the + K was Bowl quarter-finals. Rodwell and Meckstroth continued: 4+ - 4'1, 4 ~ - 5'1, 7+. Both 4+ and missing, reflected on his poor trumps and the missed the grand slam when Rodwell decided 4"1 were control-showing cue bids and, in this fact that the partnership could hold no more to open 1¥ on the West cards. North over­ partnership, 4~ was Roman Key-card than 30 points between them. He signed off in called 4+, Meckstroth doubled and Rodwell Blackwood. Again the fourth-step response 4~ , which was very much the right spot on rebid 4~ . RKCB located the ace-king of allowed West to bid the grand slam for a flat these values. A small slam requires a 3-2 trumps, but the partnership uses a subsequent board. trump break and a successful club . SNT to request a count of kings. Meckstroth Unfortunately the cards did lie in this fashion. continued instead with 6+, apparently expect­ • Awards: 7+ - 10, 6+ - 6, games- 3, 6NT- 2. Argentina bid and made 6 ~ and the England ing partner to bid the grand with the + K. This team eventually failed to reach the knockout message was not correctly interpreted and It was great to see the England open team stages. Rodwell's sign-off in 6 ~ was passed out. competing in the . They were still in serious contention for a place in the • Awards: 4NT (or 3NT)/4~- 10, 5NT/5 ~- 8, • Awards: 7NT/7 ~ - 10, 7+ - 8, 6NT/6~ - 5, quarter-finals when they faced Argentina in 6NT/6~- 6. 6+ - 4, 6¥/garnes - 2.

14 En glish Bridge February 2006 Consider asking for specific kings

Germany defeated the Netherlands in the to aim for a nine-trick game rather than an number of key cards. A cue bid higher than semi-finals of the Venice Cup. Their star pair, 11 -trick game, but they are less forthcoming 4NT would show both a control in that suit and , bid on how this can be done. One way is to refrain and an odd number of key cards (yes, I did say brilliantly on this deal: from introducing minor suits when partner it was obscure). So, sorry, all I can say about may carry you past 3NT with a fit. Look at the those two bids is that they revealed that 6+ 4. Love all. Dealer West bidding from the other table: would be too high. The Italians came to rest in 5+, played by West East West, and the Americans in the audi­ f ~ J 10 54 N ~ AQ Hampson Greco 'I K 3 ., 10 7 4 ence were praying for a heart lead. Hamman W E a did lead a heart but, incredibly, he chose the + KQ974 • J 8 3 2 2+ 2NT ¥ 7! Since West had indicated strength in + Q 10 s +A KJ 5 3+ 4+ 4'1 5+ spades, but not in hearts, it was possible that Hamman had underled the ace. 'Play the West North East South Hamman and Soloway scored the first three king; said Fantoni. This was a huge moment von Arnim Au ken tricks in the major suits and the game was one of relief for Hamman, but when Soloway won Pass 1¥ Pass Pass down. Greco might have taken the view to bid with the ace he switched to a spade and the Db I Pass 2'1 Db I 3NT at his third turn, or to mark time with game was made after all. 3+ Pass 4'1 Pass 3'1 , but he did hold impressive club support. At the other table Meckstroth opened 1NT 5+ Pass Pass Pass Anyway, it was 11 imps to USA1, who won the on the West cards and, after a Stayman semi-final by 18imps and marched on to face auction, Rodwell played 5+ from the safer If you and your partner ended in the hope­ Italy in the final. East side. However, Versace led the +J to less 3NT here, losing five heart tricks and the Lauria's +A and a switch to the 'IQ defeated diamond ace, rest assured that you had good • Awards: 3NT- 10, part-scores- 5, 5+ - 4, the contract. company in the world championships. The 5+ - 3. German pair showed that it was possible to • Awards: 3NT - 10, 5+ (East) - 7, 5+ (West) reach the diamond game. Auken showed the We will end with perhaps the most sensa­ - 5, 6+ - 3, partials - 2. overall strength of her hand with a cue bid of tional board from the final between Italy and 2'1. When this was doubled by South (who USAl. Sorry if you have seen it before! Our bidders on this occasion were among held ~ - x), West had the option of passing. In the best in the world and it is no surprise that the German system her actual bid of 3+ 6. East-West game. Dealer West they amassed the fine total of 55 out of 60. showed a five-card suit and a top card in Let's see if we can extract some useful bidding hearts, an impressive understanding to have. ~ J 10 3 tips from their impressive efforts. Sabine Auken continued with yet another ¥ QJ7 unusual bid. Her 4¥ b01:e no relationship to + A9832 + 7 4 the heart suit, but showed that she had good Particularly when a minor suit has cards for a possible diamond slam. West's * ~ K Q8 2 ~ A4 been agreed, the normal 4NT bid fo r cards were distinctly less impressive and she N ., 8 5 'I K 1064 enquiring about key cards can leave signed off in the diamond game, picking up a • Q 7 W E + K you short of space. Consider using useful swing against the fail.ing 3NT at the +AQJ95 s + K108632 Redwood instead, where the bid other table. above four of the trump suit is used ~ 9 7 6 5 for this purpose. 4NT then takes the • Awards: 5+ - 10, partials - 5, 3NT - 5. ' A9 3 2 • )10654 role of a cue bid in the Redwood suit . USA1 faced USA2 in the semi-finals of the + - * When you have a , let partner into the secret by bidding Bermuda Bowl. The next deal defeated many West North East South pairs, but was easy meat for Meckstroth and no trumps either on the first round Fan toni Hamman Nunes Soloway or with your first rebid. Do not be Rodwell. 1+ Pass 2+ Pass deterred by the fact that you have no 2 ~ Pass 3+ Pass 5. North-South game. Dealer East 3 ~ Pass 4+ Pass protection in one of the unbid suits. 4+ Pass 4'1 Pass * When RKCB has discovered that all 5+ Pass Pass Pass ~ 7 3 N ~ QJ962 the key cards are present, consider 'I K ., Q 4 2 using the king enquiry bid (normally + AKQJ65 W E • 4 Fantoni and Nunes play an unusual system 5NT) to ask for specific kings, rather +Q J 65 s +A K 9 3 where all one-bids suggest 14 points or more. than for a count of kings. This will With 10-13 points, they open at the two-level. allow you to identify grand slams An opening bid of 1+ shows either at least where two long suits can be run. West East four clubs, or a balanced hand of 15+ points. Rodwell Meckstroth Nunes made the natural response of 2+ , * Everyone knows that 3NT is usually 1~ which was forcing to game. West's 2 ~ was nat­ easier to make than five of a minor. 2+ 2NT ural, showing a black two-suiter. East's 3+ To stop in the no trump game you 3NT implied that he was seriously interested in a will sometimes have to suppress sup­ club contract, rather than 3NT. port for partner's minor. On some Meckstroth was happy to rebid 2NT, The bids of 4+ and 4¥ are marked as con­ auctions you can arrange to show despite holding a singleton in partner's suit. ventional in the bulletin, but the Italians' con­ support for a minor suit below the The rebid suggested a minimum opening in vention card lists only 'Cue bid, Turbo, RKCB' 3NT level. For example, in the trans­ their system and Rodwell was very much on in the slam bidding section. Turbo is an fer sequence: 1 NT - 2+ - 2¥ - 3+, you the ball when he raised to 3NT, rather than obscure method where a 4NT bid, over part­ can play that 3~ shows club support, introducing the club suit. Text books tell you ner's control-showing cue bid, shows an even but no desire to bypass 3NT.

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16 Englis h Bridge February 2006 Improve your declarer play

way through to the end before playing to trick one. Yet good planning is all that is required, Think the contract no special technique beyond that.

~AK D ~J64 through before calling ¥ A 10 3 N ¥ I 8 2 + AQJ73 W E + 64 for dummy's first card + I 9 2 S + K Q 10 8 5 East plays in 3NT on the lead of the ~ 2 to HAVING looked at a number of special tech­ let's deal with first things first and ensure the dummy's ace. Declarer's first move is, of niques of declarer play it is time we reminded contract before worrying about lesser matters. course, to play on clubs. He plays the + J then ourselves of some of the basics of planning a second club to the queen and finds that the the play and, in particular, of counting our ace is still outstanding, holding him to those ~ K 6 ~A82 winners and losers. How should East, declarer ¥ A KJ • Q 7 54 two club winners. No matter, he next takes a in 3NT, set about this first hand? • QJ 64 • 10 7 3 diamond finesse and, when that holds, plays + K Q5 2 +I 10 6 ace then a third diamond. Alas, South turns out to have started life with +K 10 5 2 and has ~K93 D ~Q104 D ¥ K I 8 ¥ A Q 10 9 two diamond stoppers, leaving declarer one + A7654 W E + K92 East is declarer in 3NT on the lead of the trick short. Could anything have been done? +97 S +A83 ~ Q . It is easy to see nine tricks - two spades, Even had the +A been in a short holding four hearts and three clubs- but not so obvi­ such that declarer would have been able to get ous how to guarantee getting at them all. four club winners instead of two, he would South leads the + 2, fourth best, to North's There is a natural tendency to win the first still have required a second diamond winner queen. It does no harm to a couple of spade in the strong hand, yet on perfect to bring his total to nine. In the case where he rounds of clubs as no switch will threaten the defence this may lead to defeat. was going to be held to only two club tricks, contract, but if the suit divides four-four, as Say declarer wins the ~K and unblocks the he would need four diamond winners. suggested by the , neither will hearts before playing on clubs. When he wins The correct line would be to play a club to ducking achieve very much. either the + 10 or + J he can cash ¥Q, but sup­ hand at trick two and take a diamond finesse. Having won the third club, declarer has to pose the defender with the + A holds up twice When that wins declarer plays a second club find the extra tricks required for his contract. - how is declarer to get at the long club, his to hand. If the ace goes up, all well and good If he does not stop tQ think, he may decide ninth trick? as there will be four club winners, but if not that diamonds offer the best prospect. Well, It seems strange, but it is the late entry to declarer can repeat the diamond fmesse and yes, they do offer the best chance of extra the strong hand that needs to be preserved establish four winners in that suit whenever it tricks. Unfortunately, giving up a diamond and the correct play is to win the ~A at trick splits three-three or when South holds king creates a fifth defensive trick so dooms the one. As before, declarer unblocks the hearts doubleton or king to four - the last case being contract to failure. then plays on clubs. The + J or + 10 will pro­ the one where the correct sequence of play Correct play is to try to guess the spades for vide the entry to the weak hand to cash the was necessary for success. two tricks. The fmesse can be taken either way fourth heart, after which declarer goes back to What was needed on this deal was for and it is a complete guess which way to go, but establishing the clubs. With the ~ K still in the declarer to count his winners and appreciate either low to the king then back to the 10, or hand with the long club, it does not help the that he was always going to have to take the cross to dummy with a heart then play low to defence to duck clubs twice and this time diamond finesse at some point. Once he the ~Q followed by low to the nine both give declarer makes his contract. realises that, how can it cost to organise things a 50-50 chance, whereas playing on diamonds This is one of my favourite deals for use in so that the finesse can be taken twice instead gives no chance. A simple matter of counting bridge classes, because it catches out almost of once, just in case more than two diamond not only winners, but also losers. everyone who does not plan the play right the tricks are needed?

~ AQ854 D ~ 72 ¥ AQ9 ¥ 853 with janet makes + K 7 W E + Q I 10 9 8 3 + K I 10 s +A 4 it three for the Hackett twins JA NET de Botton, Nick Sa ndqvist, Justi n and Jaso n Hackett, Gunn ar Hallberg and Artur East declares 3NT on the lead of a club. If he Malin ows ki have won the 2004-05 Gold Cup, Britain 's most prestigious open teams event. In the plays without thinking, putting in dummy's 10 fi nal they beat Patrick Collins, Gerald and Stuart Tredinnick, Neil Rosen, Peter Crouch and Derek to ensure a third club trick, he will risk failure Patterson by 21 imps. when North rather unsportingly turns up with It was a third success in the eve nt for the Hackett twin s - an, outstanding achievement. the queen and the ace is knocked out before In the semi-fin als the de Botton team eliminated the holders, Alexander Allfrey, , the diamonds have been established. And rew Mcintos h and , with an impressive victory margin of 66imps, and the This is simply a matter of counting up to Collins team ended the hopes of Nick Stevens, Paul Bowyer, Jim Mason, Dunca n Happer, Tony nine. Go up with dummy's + K at trick one Kitson and Ben Green, winning by 16imps. and play on diamonds. This ensures that the Already the 2005-06 Gold Cup is under way and remin ders are out that entri es fo r the + A remains in hand as an entry to the 2006-07 event need to be in by September 19. It is knockout throug hout and prior to the diamonds and declarer makes at least nine quarter-fi nals all matches are played privately. tricks - five diamonds, two clubs and two Teams elim inated in the first round go automatica lly into the Silver Plate without further entry cost. aces. True, this may cost some overtricks, but

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8 English Bridge February 2006 this is that most opponents play that double now probably shows clubs rather than a good hand. I struck lucky. The next hand had 19 Bidding principles points, but double only asked for a club lead. We escaped into 2+, and my right hand oppo­ nent (with +A Q x) was not confident enough When you have to double. My partner's face as I lost the first eight tricks was a picture, but our opponents were not smiling! hooked the wrigglers To avoid this type of embarrassment I play that a double of Stayman or a transfer bid by an unpassed hand shows a hand that would don't let theiTI escape have made a penalty double of lNT. How do you play the double of a two-suit­ IN this article I consider two more principles is nowhere to run, the only hope being to con­ ed ? that govern the use of a double. fuse opponents. South West North The next two hands show other examples of I(a) our principle: 1'1 2'1 ~abO, Principle: After a penalty double, or (b) 1NT 2+ Db I a take-out double that is converted to South West --- penalties, all subsequent doubles are for 1'1 1 NT NDbl;.:;- 2+E~st In (a) 2'1 is a Michaels cue bid, showing penalties Db I 2+ Dbl Pass spades and another suit. Pass Pass In (b) 2+ is Astro, showing hearts and An opponent opens lNT. You double. What another suit. happens next? Nowadays most pairs play In this one North's double means that The point is that you have a lot of options wriggles so that opener's partner can run with North-South probably have the majority of available. You can double. You can pass and 4-4-3-2 shape, so the odds are that if your side points. East's 2+ is an attempted rescue and await developments or you can conventional­ has the majority of points lNT doubled won't South's double continues the pressure. North ly bid their suit. be the final contract. They may still be in seri­ shows that he can deal with the diamonds! In (a) you don't really need a double of 2'1 ous trouble, but do you succeed in penalising to show hearts because you will want to bid them? In far too many cases they run from South West North East 3'1 (competitively) to show a good raise to 2'1 one suit to another and finally you get con­ 1'1 1~ Pass Pass and can bid 2 ~ (their suit) to show a sound fused as to whether double is for take-out or Db I Pass Pass 2+ raise to 3'1. I play that double suggests that penalties and let them off the hook. This is Db I Pass Pass Pass the best option might be to penalise precisely why wriggles are so effective. opponents. Here North-South are playing negative Look at this in action: doubles, so North does not have available a ~ Q 10 3 N ~ K 7 4 2 penalty double of 1 ~ . He passes 1 ~ with quite 'I A)73 ., 10 4 ~ 84 N ~ K Q 10 52 W E + A 7 5 + K 8 4 a good hand because he has very good spades, 'I AQ1053 W E ., 6 +A K 8 s + 9 7 53 and is rewarded when South makes the • 6 4 + A Q 10 3 2 expected re-opening double. When North +AK73 S + 84 passes this double East desperately tries to res­ South West North East cue the cause with 2+, but South pounces on 1 NT Db I 2+ Db I South West North East that. 2'1 Db I Pass Pass 1'1 2'1 Db I Incidentally, the final doubles in the two Pass 2NT Pass 3+ Pass hands will show a real diamond suit: not just Pass Db I Pass Pass +K 8 4. This time it is far less likely that all Pass North's 2+ escape showed equal length in four hands are balanced. diamonds and a higher ranking suit. How should you play East's double? My guess is East has a misfit with West's hearts and A double of an opponent's that half of the experts would play it for take­ Principle: would be delighted to double spades or dia­ artificial bid shows that suit, either sug­ out and the other half for penalties, while monds. South's 2NT desperately asks North gesting partner might like to compete in most club players simply wouldn't know. to bid his minor. East cannot double clubs, that suit or that he should lead it Playing it for take-out is quite reasonable: but is happy to pass the decision to West with often partner will be able to pass for penalties. a . West is delighted to double 3+ However I play it as suggesting penalties, in I suspect most readers play this anyway. and provided the defenders start by removing line with my principle. It confirms that East­ Indeed this principle is more interesting for its dummy's trumps (often a good idea after a West have the majority of points and that East exceptions. I play just two types of exception. two-suited overcall) the result will be a very will have a minimum of three trumps to an Look at the problems faced by my oppo­ substantial penalty to East/West. honour. If West has a singleton diamond or a nents on this hand from Brighton 2003. At In auction (b) you can bid 2'1 (their suit) very shapely hand he will remove the double. green vulnerability my partner opened 1NT for take-out. You can either play double with In this case South bids 2'1 and West's double first in hand and I held a similar meaning to (a), or double can show suggests a similar holding. North's only high +8 6 4 ¥ 9 6 3 +9 7 6 +J 9 7 3 clubs, so that if you want to make a penalty card was the +Q and a vulnerable North­ You probably have system to cope when double you pass and double next time. South conceded -800. 1NT is doubled, but what are the best tactics Discuss it with your partner. The nature of the penalty double might be before it is doubled? No doubt your vulnera­ Can you think of other exceptions? of surprise to readers who learned in their ble opponents can make game, or take you for Probably. For example how do you play a cradles that a low-level penalty double should a hefty penalty. If you pass it is possible that double of a ? Some pairs play that be based on long, strong trumps. The point is 1NT undoubled will be the contract, but sure­ it asks for the lead of the lower ranking suit. that after a lNT opening there are quite a lot ly your LHO is waiting to double! This article provides you with a starting of hands where all four hands are relatively I decided to try a Stayman 2+ in an attempt point and is not necessarily your desired fin­ balanced and if opener's partner is weak there to muddy the water. The great advantage of ished product.

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20 En glish Bridge February 2006 'S DEAl FROM AMERICA Wow, we won! jumped to 3+ with a purely pre-emptive hand. AT the American League's Fall Nationals in Denver, the We were able to follow the same route in the final three days see a choice of national events: either the , a auction as at the other table, and again with point-a-board tournament, or a Swiss teams. only two spades, it seemed clear to select 3NT. My duties in charge of appeals had persuaded me to keep a light play­ After the diamond lead I realised that I ing schedule, so I had made no commitments for either event. But on could not afford to risk East gaining the lead. Thanksgiving, the day before these two events started, I was tempted into Since the auction suggested West might be playing a compact knockout (four 12-board favourite to hold the heart ace, I could afford matches in one day - win or go home). of Cincinnati; Rebecca Rogers of Las Vegas to lose a spade trick to West. So on winning My team won our bracket and I enjoyed the and Renee Mancuso of Los Angeles. Here is a the diamond king at trick one, I led the club experience of playing with my new partner, deal ftom the finals, which might be sub-titled jack and overtook with dummy's queen, and Pam Granovetter, so much that I was easily 'Silence is golden': then ran the spade jack. When that won, I persuaded into playing the Bill Keohane ------~ played a spade to my king, led a low club to North American Swiss teams as a team of six. Dealer East ~ A I 10 8 7 dummy's ten and cashed the spade ace, dis­ The format is eight seven-board matches, Love All • K 8 4 carding a heart from hand, West parting with with two days of qualifying and one final day. I • 7 3 a club. Even though the spade queen did not Q 10 7 My plan was to play only the first half of the + drop, I could continue with a club to my king, day and not to do more unless my team-mates East signalling with the heart queen. ~ 9 3 ~ Q65 2 needed me. N • A • Ql972 In the end position I cashed my last club E Well it turned out they did fine without us; + A 109654 W + I 8 winner, planning to lead a heart towards we qualified second on day one, first on day + 9 54 2 s + 6 3 dummy's king for my ninth trick. As you can two, and after our first half of the final day we see, with West holding the singleton • A this were leading the event by more than a match. ~ K 4 line would produce an overtrick (West can But there is many a slip between cup and lip. • 10 6 53 win his heart ace, but must then lead away My team-mates foolishly pressed us back into + K Q 2 from his diamond ace), but West meanly service for the seventh of the eight matches +A Kl 8 thwarted this plan by throwing away his and we responded by getting blitzed and heart • A, thus saving the overtrick. dropping to equal second place. West North East South Nonetheless, +400 turned out to be an With one round to be played, five teams Pass 1 NT (15-17) llimp swing for us. Dbl (i) 2• (ii) Pass 2~ were within four victory points. We played Pass 3NT Pass Pass fairly fast and managed to scramble l6vps Pass against one of the contenders, then sat back and waited. We watched one of the teams with (i) Constructive hand with a minor suit National pairs an outside chance fail to overtake us; two (ii) Transfer down, two to go. in full swing The leaders, Morse, were playing the second In the other room E-W had been silent and equal team and we needed the top team not to N-S had bid to 3NT after a simple transfer NATIONAL pairs heats are currently win by more than ?imps. Conversely, if they lost auction. Declarer won the first trick with his being played at clubs all round the by !Simps or more we would be overtaken by diamond queen, cashed the spade king and country. Spread over four months, their opponents. When the match ended I sat played a spade to dummy's jack (probably the starting in October, there are more over the shoulders of the leaders; they led 8-0 best play for four spade tricks, in abstract). than 50 heats in all. after six deals, then lost a small part score in both East won with the queen and returned his Regional finals are due to take rooms to get us the win - my second national remaining diamond to defeat the contract by place at various venues on March title - on the very last throw of the dice. three tricks. 26, with the final scheduled for My team-mates were Shawn and Joe Quinn At our table West's double showed a long April 6 at Kettering. of Richmond, Texas US; Pamela Granovetter minor suit and some values - he could have

Dr BOB Doy, a member of Exmouth Bridge Club, offers the following contribution Father William Plays Bridge 'with acknowledgement (and apologies) to Lewis Carroll'. You are old, Father William, the young man said You are wrong, foolish youth, the greybeard then said, Bob confesses to having And your bridge is long past its best, In your fears for the state of my brain, been a scribbler all his life, Your end plays and squeezes are tl1ings of the past, Now let me get on with the play of this hand but had to wait until retire­ Pray why don't you give it a rest? And hear no such nonsense again. ment to become a serious writer. His book, A Doctor's You're presumptuous, young man, the old 'un replied, You are old, Father William, persisted the youth, Odyssey - Memories of a Guy's And the facts are not as you state, And you say that your brain is like suet, Man, was recently published, I'm still learning the coups that you mention, and more, But your place on the ladder remains rather high, and his first novel is awaiting For I took up the game rather late. Please, I beg you, how do you do it? publication. It was while looking You are old, Father William, the young man returned, A good question, my son, said he with a wink, through some of his early And your memory has gone down the drain, For I can't put it down to my flair; scribbles that he came across Why not be content with what you have learned The answer is easier than you may think, Father William Plays Bridge. Than submit your grey cells to such strain? Just choose your partners with care.

February 2006 Eng li sh Bridge 21 Fernlea Hotel & Niven's Health Club ~Night Bridge Break .d s uosts oavt & June 8 u.t ~",. ro .... Gonville Hotel £175 bb 0 "V/1 Hotel Sumba, CaJa Millor £479 hb* ~ 2006 inc flights - supplemellfs may apply from some airports Master Points aud Prizes Awarded

Berkeley Hotel £159/£209 bb for anyone on their own, of any age FH STRATFORD-ON-AVON White Swan Hotel £399 hb *** Partners provided Hydro Hotel £ 189/£249 fb Dates currently Berkeley Hotel £229 bb available in 2006: Queen Hotel £179 hb 3 Nigfrt Break Enioy the splendour of the Fylde Coast March 3-6 April 28-May I du ring your 3 night Bridge Break. WORTHING (singles) Berkeley Hotel £159/£209 hb june 30 - july 3 Yo ur break includes : for anyone on th eir own, of any age August I 1- 14 Sherry reception on arriva l 19-21 LLANDRINDOD WELLS Metropole Hotel £1 75 hb September 15-1 8 Fu ll English breakfast, lunch and dinner 19-21/22 EASTBOURNE Hydro Hotel £189/£249 fb Remember Fu ll use of Niven's Hea lth Club Blackpool illuminations All bedrooms are en -suite during September Lion Hotel £169 bb Queen Hotel £339 hb To boof1 your 3 nigfrt Bridge Breaft, please pfrone Tfre Fernlea Hotel, quoting Prices: 3 night Bridge Break £1 90.00 'David Brown's Bridge Brea(t' 011: pp inc no single supplement Buxton, Thorpeness (Bridge/Golf), Worthing, Llandrindod Wells, Eastbourne, 01253 726726 Chester, !ron bridge, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lavenham, Jersey and Cambridge Why not upgrade to one of our Deluxe or Sea View Rooms, or Executive Suites (Christmas & New Year- Brazil and Worthing) Fernlea Hotel & Niven's Health Club For full details please telephone II I I 7 South Promenade Susan Levene (01273-734305) or Philip Dunn (01902-717761) St An nes on Sea La ncashi re FY8 I LU E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. uk Fax: 01273-702256 Tel: 012 53 726726 Fax : 01253 72 156 1 BR IDGE LICENSED BY THE EB U PARTNERS GUARANTEED - PRJZES - MASTER POINTS www.thefernlea hotel.co.uk Bridge licensed * Agenl for WCT pic ATOL 0749 email: info@t hefernleahotel.co.uk by the EBU

Latona Leisure Hotels ~ridge Yl.t rrfie ~erystede Set in beautifu[groundS, tfie 'Berysteie fwte( offers an itfea( wee/(sni Bridge Breaks 2006 retreat. 'Eacfi room is iniiviiua((y furnisfierf in a trarfitiona( sty(e Hosted by David and June Brown wfiilst 6oasting a(( 11UJiern amenities. Join us for a weel(snrf rfeiicaterf to 'Brirfge, fiosterf 6y 'Davit£ & June '13rown. 3 'J{jgfits ju(( 6oarrf for on(y £200.00 per person. Caff our reseT'l)ations uam on 0870 4008111 to boo{now .

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Master Points Awarded To book your 4 night 'Tekp!Ume:0870 4008111 !Facsimik.: 01344 872301 UMPLEY STOKE: Bridge Break please phone the hotel of your www.berysteie.com 01225 723333 choice quoting 'David LEIGH PARK: Brown's Bridge Break'. 01225 864885 Bridge licensed by the EBU WEBBINGTON: 01934 750100 Visit our website MACDONALD www.latonahotels.co.uk HOTELS

:2 English Bridge February 2006 Fun event helps Three almost in a earthquake appeal THE EBU's series of fun bridge events contin­ line in London Year ued in December with an individual competi­ tion and it proved to be the most successful of the year, with 38 clubs taking part around the country. End pairs finish Zia Mahmood provided some excellent commentaries and clubs used the opportuni­ THE Swiss pairs created great excitement in the Hallberg, Nick Sandqvist and Artur ty to raise money for the Pakistan Earthquake London Year End Congress. Glyn Liggins and Malinowski. Appeal. David Bakhshi were trailing by 7vps as they B flight Swiss teams: 1 Gabriel lp, William Contributions are still coming in and it is came to take on the leaders of the 186-strong Zhang, Roger Cortis and Adrian La Chapelle, confidently expected that the total will exceed field in the last round. Also in contention were 2 Steve Lee, Chrys Poole, Anders Wallen and £5,000. Richard Bowdery and Geoffrey Lederman, Richard Donnelly, 3 Brian Smith, Graham 4vps behind the challengers, and Graham Walker, Michele Sherwood and Philip Nind. Osborne and Jeffrey Allerton, Svps back. Ladies' pairs: 1 Celia Oram and Jacqui Scarborough O ut in front were Heather Dhondy and Bill Tobias, 2 Charlotte Vine and Elizabeth Jones, Pencharz, needing a draw to be sure of beating 3 Carrie Eden and Frankie Harper. festival change Osborne and Allerton and only seven of the Men's pairs: 1 Richard Hillman and Jeremy THERE is a new venue for the Scarborough 20vps at stake to stay ahead of Liggins and Dhondy, 2 Derek Oram and Tony Waterlow 3 Summer Festival this year because the Ocean Bakhshi. Phil King and Sebastien Kristensen. Room at the Scarborough Spa will be closed In the event they could take only 6vps off Mixed pairs: 1 Nevena Senior and Gunnar for refurbishment. their main rivals and Liggins and Bakhshi Hallberg, 2 Marilyn Nathan and Artur The event will now be played primarily at eased past them. But it was not all over yet. Malinowski, 3 Bob McRobert and Elizabeth the The Swallow St Nicholas Hotel, St Nicholas Bowdery and Lederman stormed into the pic­ Phillips. Cliffe, Scarborough YOll 2EU (01723 ture with an 18-2 win over Osborne and Pre-congress pairs: 1 David Sherman and 364101), with an overflow at the nearby Royal Allerton and so they, too, passed Dhondy and Alan Coral, 2 Debbie Sandford and Gad Hotel, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough YO 11 Pencharz. Chadha, 3 Andy and Cathy Smith. 2HE (01723 364333). That left the scores 144, 144, 143, but although it was an equal first the trophy went to Liggins and Bakhshi on a split tie. Such is A little less drainatic the keenness of competition in this event that Osborne and Allerton's last round defeat saw them slip from fourth place to 12th. at Blackpool Year End Some consolation for Heather Dhondy was to see husband Jeremy win the men's pairs in COMPARED with London the Swiss pairs among the honours, notably Chris Owen, partnership with Richard Hillman. event at the Blackpool Year End Congress was John Atthey and Oliver Burgess. The congress also enjoyed a big entry for a low-key affair. It was, nevertheless, hotly Results: the Swiss teams, with Alan , Mark Cast, contested by 133 partnerships, with the glory Swiss pairs: l Peter Mollart and John John Williamson and Malcolm Grimston going to Peter Mollart and John Halliwell, Halliwell, 2 Alex Hogg and David Adelman, 3 winning from 103 rival quartets. who finished two points ahead of Alex Hogg Rhona Goldenfield and . Results: and David Adelman, with Rhona Golden field Swiss teams: 1 Oliver Burgess, KathNelson, Swiss pairs: 1 Glyn Liggins and David and Michelle Brunner a further six points Alan Nelson and Jeff Morris 2 Steve Ray, Bakhshi, equal 1 Richard Bowdery and back third. Georgia Ray, Bazil Caygill and Martin Cantor Geoffrey Lederman, 3 Heather Dhondy and Almost inevitably the Nelsons, Alan and 3 Mike and Ann Hirst, Bernard and Rhona Bill Pencharz. Kath, were well to the fore in the congress, the Gold enfield. A flight Swiss teams 1 Alan Powys, Mark couple joining with Oliver Burgess and Jeff Open pairs: 1 Clive Owen and John Cast, John Williamson and Malcolm Morris to win the Swiss teams event, 12 Holland, 2 Chris Owen and John Atthey, 3 Grirnston, 2 Tim Prior, Alan Shillitoe, Chris points clear of 67 chasing teams, and partner­ Ann Edwards and Anna Drysdale. Cooper and Nathan Piper, 3 Ben Green, ing each other to head the field of 73 mixed Mixed pairs 1 Kathleen and Alan Nelson, 2 Duncan Happer, Tom Townsend and Colin pairs. Roger Allison and Avril Lee, 3 Mike and Simpson, 3 equal Janet de Botton, Gunnar Several young players were also up there Amanda Grimsey.

JEPSON'S BRIDGE HOLIDAYS 2006 24 Greystones Avenue Sheffield 811 7 AZ

FEB 17-20 MONK FRYSTON HALL, NR SELBY £167/218 2/3 nts (+S.Sp) APR 20-23 BELVEDERE HOTEL, BOURNEMOUTH £222 3 nts APR 23-28 VENTNOR TOWERS HOTEL, ISLE OF WIGHT £215 5 nts MAY 12-15 MOUNT CONFERENCE HOTEL,TETIENHALL WOODS, \ .. Nr WOLVERHAMPTON £123/£162 2/3 nts (+S.Sp) ~~ JUN 26-30 LI N DUM HOTEL, ST ANNES, NR BLACKPOOL £193 4 nts(+S.sp) JUN 30-3 JULY OLD STONE TROUGH, NR SKI PTON £205 3 nts 'My favourite card' - ed JULY 30-2 AUG SWALLOW STGEORGE, HARROGATE £185/£256 2/3 nts THIS was voted by the edi tor as his favourite bridge-related AUG 6-9 DUNCHURCH PARK HOTEL, NR RUGBY £189 3 nts Christmas card . It ca me from Marguerite Lihou (www.marguerite AUG 28-2 SEPT WHITE SWAN HOTEL, ALNWICK £305 5 nts !+S.sp) lihou.co.uk) an ill ustrator who also kn ows a thing or two about bridge. She plays at Bristol Bridge Club and her mother is Brenda Excel lent prizes. Bridge Lice nsed by the EB U. Lihou, a stalwart of bridge on the Channel Islands. For a 2006 broch ure, pl ease write or ri ng 0114 2686258

February 2006 English Bridge 23 Bridge FEBRUARY 4-5 Women's trials stage II B among the 7-12 EBU Overseas Congress, Luxor 11-12 Toll emac he Cu p fin al, Kettering 12 G W Arnett-Davidso n biomes Trophy qualifie r, London, Sheffield THERE are more than daffodils in bloom right now 1 7-1 9 National women's teams, at the Eden Project in Cornwall. Indeed all manner of Bromsgrove plant life proliferates in the project's amazing biomes, 18-19 Open trials stage IV B, giant greenhouses nestling in a large crater, that house London (provisional) plants, crops and landscapes from the world's humid 18-19 junior Camrose and Peggy tropics and warmer temperate regions. Bayer Trophy, Scotland The ever expanding Eden Project, established as 24-26 Spring Congress, Harrogate one of the landmark Millennium projects in the UK 25 GolfPrint regional finals to mark the year 2000 and already a world-famous visitor attraction, has to be seen to be believed and • MARCH now there is an opportunity, not only to see it, but to 3-5 Cam rose final weekend, Wales play bridge in this futuristic setting . . 4-5 Ranked M asters pairs, St Austell Lions Club and the EBU have organised Kettering a special bridge day there on May 7 and all you have 11 One day events, Leicestershire, London to do to book your place is to send a cheque for £25 to Manchester, Merseyside Eric Scorse, treasurer, Lions Club of St Austell, and Cheshire Lanlivery Cottage, Lanlivery, Bodrnin PL30 5BT. 12 One day eve nts, Avon, For your money you will receive a welcome at the Bedfordshire, Channel project at l Oam and then have three hours to explore Islands, Hampshire, the famous biomes and the many other exciting Leicestershire, London, Manchester, Merseyside features on site. Lunch is an optional extra and then and Cheshire it's down to a good session of bridge that will end with 1 7-19 Cumbria Congress, the serving of cream teas and presentation of prizes. Bassenthwaite All profits from the day will go to Lions Club 18 Young Bridge Cha llenge charities. (including Schools Cup), Further information is available fro m Virpi Ojala, Lough borough EBU development manager, on 01296 317206 (email 19 Portland Pairs virpi@ebu. co.uk). 19- 20 Isle of Man Congress, Douglas 24-26 Cornwall Congress, Newquay 25 GolfPrint national final, Kettering 26 National newcomers' pairs, Sim Greens 175 CLUBS ALREAD~ counties 26 National pairs regional THE January BGB simultaneous pairs final s, Bradford, Bristol, event became the first such competition to Kettering, Leatherhead, FOR ELECTRONIC qualify for Green Points. Similar awards Soli hull will apply to like events in the future, both SINCE the EBU announced the arrival of its new electronic _ 30-April 9 Ameri can Spring Nationals, Dallas, Texas EBU andBGB. Points service in June last year 175 clubs have signed up to the sysr= 31-April 2 Lady Milne Trophy, Greens will go to the top 10 per cent in users have confirmed that it has improved not only their oper.rr Ballymena a national field: one Green to the leading efficiency, but also their cash flow, with payment of points • APRIL 2.5%, 0.75 to the second 2.5%, 0.5 to the arrears rather than in advance, as is the case with the paper systen::.. third 2.5% and 0.25 to the fourth 2.5%. Stephen Bligh, the author of the ScoreBridge scoring system, 5-7 BGB Spring simultaneous pai rs, clubs 7 Lords v Commons, London (provisional) 7-9 Norfolk Congress, King's Lynn 7-9 Devon Congress (including Directors, please! Gree n Point Swiss tea ms Sunday), Torquay ALL clubs need a tournament director. To train club TDs refer to it in order to deal with the .- cor 14 G W Arnett-Davidso n the EBU runs a series of training courses. problems which occur at the bridge ta= =... Trophy final, London A full series of courses runs to four days, but they are includes discussion groups, quizzes a-~ roe 14-15 Under 25 pairs, London normally held once a month over a four-month period. exercises. 14-16 Easter Festiva l, Blackpool Book rulings: Now we move on to the - 14-17 Easter Festiva l, London The exception to this is at the Brighton Summer 15 Under 19 pairs final, London Meeting, where the four courses are run on consecutive common book rulings needed by the 21-30 Lambourne Festiva l and days. The schedule is: covered - insufficient bid; calls out of roto:o Se ni ors Congress, jersey Essentials: This first day deals with understanding the of turn and penalty cards and . C 22-23 Congress, role and responsibilities of a club tournament director; are shown how to find the appropriate being able to devise, set up and run a straightforward of Duplicate Contract Bridge. The in 22-23 National pairs fin al, Kettering movement for a club duplicate; being able to score the largely dealt with in role-play situations 28-30 Ch eltenham Congress, duplicate, including any passed-out hands and averages; members taking turns to be the bridge Cheltenham have an appreciation of the structure of the Law Book, the mishap and the TO sorting them ou 28-May 2 Schapiro Spring and the terminology used therein, so as to be able to Judgement rulings: This is a more th Foursomes, Stratford

:4 En glish Bridge February 2006 Enter the Announcing 1 NT world of By Martin Pool and David Stevenson EBU services A NEW version of the Orange Book will be published later this year. At the time of publication identification of the key changes will appear on the website, in this magazine and via simple leaflets that will be freely with your available at al l national congresses and to counties and clubs on . request. un1que We continue with our series of articles to explain the changes being undertaken by the EBU's laws and ethics committee to make our bridge-playing lives clearer and easier. password Last time we looked at the new idea of announcements. We need to A NEW era of electronic understand the issues around informing the opposition of our system communications is coming soon to the and when we shou ld use an announcement, an alert or do nothing at EBU, with an array of facil ities to all. improve membership services. Most players understand the issues around asking about the range With the membership renewal of a 1 NT opener and then passing . To overcome these problems and enclosed with this copy of English avoid unnecessary upset, partner will announce the value of an Bridge you will find your unique opening of 1 NT. If you play weak you will say '12 -14'. If you play any password, allowing you to enter the other value you must announce the point range. If any value 1 NT members' only area on our website, opener could contain a singleton you add this information to your www.ebu.co. uk announcement. Initially as a member you will be able Some partnerships have other rules about 1 NT openings, like 'it to update your personal details, renew cou ld contain a six-card minor', or 'it cou ld be 5-4-2-2'. Such rules your subscriptions and enter an EBU must be on the and must be stated in answer to a competition. question, but you do not say them as part of the announcement. This The Bridge Shop will also be would make the announcement too complicated -just say the range available in the near future. Then, and whether a singleton is allowed. fo llowing on from these services, it is More experimental players may open an artificial or forcing 1 NT. If planned to introduce specialist rooms you play this then you must alert. The explanation must be on your for teachers, tournament directors and convention card . a general open forum for all members, This new system will allow you to understand that if an opponent all of which are under construction. opens 1 NT w ithout an announcement or alert that they have made a We invite you to look around and to mistake and you can ask a question about it without any difficulty. support these new and exciting Next time we will look at Stayman. developments. DY SIGNED UP All aboard for the Golden Dolphin IC MASTER POINTS FOR the first time this year the EBU is staging an autumn overseas the way in introducing his users to the new service, with other authors congress in addition to the now well-established February event and beginning to follow suit. already bookings are coming in for the congress to be held at the five It is therefore hoped that in the coming months more and more clubs star Golden Dolphin Resort Hotel at Cesme on Turkey's Aegean Coast will come on board. All you need to do to start the process is to email from October 6-11. [email protected] and the EBU will provide you with the To obtain a brochure or for further information call Peter Jordan on necessary instruction in a clear and concise manner. 01296 317203. To reserve your place call Bridge Overseas on 01656 773178. Arrangements can also be made to stay on for a further week after the bridge. ohn Pain, education manager common day, as it deals with situations where players hesitate in Th e day the bidding or play, psyche or misbid, make false or EBU General Manager ro le play faulty claims and generally cause problems for themselves and their opponents. Course members will For more information about this vacancy ~ e - - gritty. The learn how to make score adjustments and will consider write to: b TD are real situations from EBU events. ~ · l e ads out Assessment: On this day you try to put into practice all The Chairman :-se members you have learned on the earlier days. There are written EBU the Laws exercises and table simulations for the aspiring TD to sort out. Course participants will be successfu l if they score General Manager Vacancy around 65%. There is also a 'pass with distinction' for Broadfields, Bicester Road, Ayelsbury, HP1 9 8AZ the genuine stars. Courses are run around the country - see the Please enclose your CV and a letter explaining how your advertisement on the inside back page of this edition. skills will help manage and develop bridge in England.

February 2006 Eng lish Bridge 25 Friendly Bridge Hol idays with John Taylor & Roger Chappel (4, The Green, Brafferton Darlington, Co Durham DL1 3LB) WINTER SUN HOLIDAY October 6- 13, 2006 (7 Days)

All of the Hilton Bridge team are delighted to announce the 2006 programme of Best of Bridge, Houseparties and Teaching Weekends. New for 2006 is our Bridge 'Starting Out' series, specifically designed for bridge Club hotel acor n almirante farragut, MENORCA players relatively new to duplicate bridge and who wish £475 including half-board, flights, to progress to residential bridge holidays. transfers & bridge fees WEEKEND HOLIDAYS Join us at one of these four-star hotels for: March 3 The New Bath Peak District ~ Expert hosts, professional organisation and March 31 The Esplanade Scarborough a friendly atmosphere April 7 The Lindum St. Annes + Generous prize structure £169 for 4 days of Bridge (3 nights) Brid ge licensed by th e EBU ~ No single supplements and a comfortable Tel: 01325 315741, 0161 7245670 full -board stay or 07905190701 + Bridge licensed by the EBU for further details or you can e-mail us at: Best of Bridge [email protected]. uk Hilton Newbury Centre 20th-22nd January £149 each Visit our web site at: www.bridge4us.co.uk Hilton Basingstoke 3rd-5th February £149 each Hilton Bracknell 10th-12th March £159 each • • Hilton Newbury Centre 14th-17th Apri l £234 each Hilton Avisford Park, Arundel Sun 7th -Tue 9th May £198 each Club Bridge • • Hilton Cobham 26th-29th May £252 each Bridge licensed by the EBU with Mas ter Points Hilton Bracknell 23rd-25th June £159 each TUNISIA 5th Mar 2006 Houseparties Port El Kantaoui 14 days Half Board £429 (includes Bridge fees) 17th-19th February £170 each Hilton Cobham Single Supplement only £56 (limited number) Regional airports subject to avai lability. Hilton Warwick 24th-26th March £177 each Book via Panorama, 08707 505040 • • Hilton Cobham 14th-17th April £255 each TURKEY Marmaris 16th Oct 2006 28th April-1st May £221 each • • Hilton Basingstoke Pasabey Hote114 days Hilton Bromsgrove 26th-29th May £236 each Half Board £519 ex Gatwick (includes Bridge fees) Hilton Coventry 9th -11th June £160 each Al so Manch/BirrnJNewc/brist. Single Supplement only £56. Book via Panorama. Club Bridge- 01553 768236 or 01485 600522 Bridge 'Starting Out' www.clubbridge.co.uk Hilton Bracknell 3rd-5th March £160 each Hilton Bromsgrove 12th-14th May £167 each Bridge Teaching BRIDGE COMPUTERS - BUY DIRECT! The SUPERB lfMI BRIDGE COMPUTER from COUNTRYWIDE Hilton Basingstoke 31st March-2nd April £154 each The PRO BRIDGE 610 £149.95 - the latesl and Play at No Trumps: Transfer Bidding top model, a big portable. Runs on batteries or optional adaptor £9. Overall size 240 x 155mm, with 70 x 90mm screen and large characters for the cards, Event includes a Bank Holiday suits, bidding symbols etc. plus backlight screen ¥ "' 3 night event option . Strong program plays or Teams of Four. Can play ACOL or 5-Card Majors. Random or numbered deals, or even key-in a deal For further information or a brochure yourself! Gives hints and advice, and allows rebid and replay of hands plus many other options. Clip-on please call David Jones on 0 cover protects screen when travelling . Please add £4to incl ude INSURED DELIVERY within the UK. To place your ORDER NOW by For bookings only please call crediVdebil card ring 01353 740323, or simply send your cheque to the address below. Orders are normally despatched within 24 hours. Catalogue available on request. For details on all Hilton Bridge events see: COUNTRYWIDE COMPUTERS L TO , Victoria House, 1 High Street, Wilburton , Cambs CB6 3RB. Tel: 01353 740323 , Mon-F ri 10am-4.45pm. www.hilton.co.uk/bridge Visil our website, Bridge & Chess products+ PC Software: www.countrywidecomputers.co.uk

6 Eng lis h Bridge February 2006 Question and enrich your bridge experience with Balfour's top seller VULNERABLE in Hearts has become, even in hardback, one of the UK's top-selling bridge books of 2005 - indeed, it is a book that can be warmly recommended to bridge players and non-players alike. Mind you, I must own up to a certain bias as Sandy Balfour was kind enough to say some nice things about me in his previous best-seller, Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8), a fascinating book on love, exile and the cryptic crossword. Balfour's initial premise here is that his father, Tom, and the game of contract bridge were both conceived in 1925 and that there are interesting parallels between the life stories of the man and the game. As Balfour Snr died in 2003, after a lengthy alcohol-fuelled decline, he resists the temptation to push the comparison too far. But a picture does emerge of the pioneering and glory days of the game in America, taking in the stories of Milton Work, Harold Vanderbilt, Ely Culbertson, Charles Goren and then, on this side of the Atlantic, Maurice Harrison -Gray and lain MacLeod. For Balfour, it is the irrepressible, opportunistic Culbertson who almost single-handedly sold the game to Middle America and the world at large. As a boy in Peitermaritzburg, Sandy Balfour's role was as subservient dummy to his father's erratic brilliance. If apartheid South Africa was a long way from Tom Balfour's birthplace in Kirkcaldy, his son is destined to retrace his steps back to Britain, where he Yulnerable has become a successful journalist and broadcaster. Balfour favours the present tense for all practical purposes, even when he is describing In Hearts events in the distant past, and some readers will find this stylistic quirk irritating or A ~~M OJR OF FATHERS, SONS confusing. At best it is a way of making the author's recollections seem more vivid and D CONTRACT BRIDGE immediate. I asked him whether he felt bridge had lost some of the impetus it once had. 'No, it SANDY BALFOUR seems to me that bridge is still exciting in terms of both technology and personalities,' he said. Fred Gitelman's Bridge Base Online was 'an extraordinary development. He is ' "~"'-" ""· ~- ' -'" . a wonderful champion of the ethos of the game.' Zia Mahmood, meanwhile, is 'flamboyant, reckless, brilliant, charming and exciting.' How has his book been received? It seems to have struck more of a chord with non­ players and occasional players, rather than EBU members. Many readers have written to jargon and analytical skills leave a little bit to Balfour to explain how his book has be desired, but the hands are there to illustrate here can quite do justice to that project, but I persuaded them to take up the game once human points rather than technicalities. think that anyone who reads the book will again and the lyrical zeal which runs through Vulnerable in Hearts is, on one level, a find his or her own experience questioned the South African's prose is only to be modestly autobiographical tome, but there is and enriched. applauded. There aren't many actual bridge no denying the grandness of the aspirations Vulnerable in Hearts: A Memoir of hands and it will not improve your play one that lie behind it - the attempt to explain why Fathers, Sons and Contract Bridge, by Sandy jot, but it is fascinating stuff nonetheless. It is it is that so many of us spend so many years Balfour, Atlantic Books 2005 £14.99 also fair to say that Balfour's grasp of bridge playing this odd little game. No summary (hardback). Paperback in May 2006. WIN A COPY OF VULNERABLE IN HEARTS SO LVE this simple bridge-related crossword puzzle and you could be one of three winners of a copy of Sandy Ba lfour's book. Senders of the · first three correct solutions opened on February 20 w ill receive a prize.

CLUES ACROSS CLUES DOWN 1. Wrong decision? (4) 2. A plus to have this cheeky 6. Not quite a feast in this chappie on your side (3) position (5) 3. Not a strong bid (4) 7. just one of many in t he 4. All events require this (7) pack (3) 5. The bid to get things 8. Often good for a trick (4) going (7) 9. Dow n one in four (4) 10. Indicated by high-low (4) 11 . Nip around is a neat play (3) 11. Initially a limited option (3) 12. Having a complete zero (4) 13. Guiding lights (4)

Either send the completed grid in an envelope to the editor at Hill Crest, 8 Kingsley Road, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1 EY, or write you r answers clea rly on a card and send that in an envelope. Don't forget to include your own name, address and EBU number. Puzzle solution and winners' names will be published in the April edition of English Bridge

February 2006 Eng lis h Bridge 2 ) BEDFORDSHIRE BRIDGE ASSOCIATION THE NORFOLK C.B.A. EBU Green Pointed Swiss Teams

invite you to the Sunday 12th March 2006 Vauxhall Recreation Club ANNUAL BRIDGE CONGRESS Gypsy Lane, Luton, LUl 3JH Excellent modem venue, the best on the circuit! Good parking, near JIO Ml Dukes Head Hotel On site refreshments/bar/snacks/bot meals Market Place Maximum 84 tables - book early to ensure entry Seven 7 board matches, computer assignments, duplimated boards Kings Lynn Saturday 17th June 2006 7th, 8th & 9th April 2006 Stevenage Leisure Centre Lytton Way, Stevenage, Herts, SG 1 1L2 Green Point Pairs on Saturday Good modern venue, reasonable parking, near J7 Al On site refreshments/bar/snacks/bot meals Swiss Teams on Sunday Good range of nearby catering establishments BRIDGE LICENSED BY THE EBU Large capacity playing area, all welcome

Seven 7 board matches, computer assignments, duplimated boards For detai Is contact: Direct crediting of master points

Sheila Warn er, 20 The Boltons, Full details from Brian Keable South Wootton, Kings Lynn PE30 3NQ 170 Bideford Green, Linslade, Beds, LU7 2TS Tel 01525 377906 Email [email protected] Tel: 01553 675816 Entries accepted by email

CHELTENHAM GLOUCESTERSHIRE CBA BRIDGE CONGRESS & HEREFORDSHIRE BA With the EBU present a Incorporating Green Point Swiss teams on Sunday Friday 28 April - Sunday 30 April 2006 A GREEN POINTED The Moat House Hotel WEEKEND Shurdington Rd On Brockworth SATURDAY 17TH JUNE (Swiss Pairs- 1.00pm.) GL3 4PB & No Fear Championship on Friday SUNDAY 18TH JUNE Championship Pairs on Saturday and (Swiss Teams- 11.00am.) Championship Swiss Teams on Sunday at Single day and single session tickets available At The Larruperz Centre, if space permits Station Approach, Ross-on-Wye BRIDGE LICENSED BY THE EBU Pairs: 6 x 8-board matches- Entry Fee £21.00 per player Teams: 7 x 7-board Matches- Entry Fee £20.00 per player Entry forms and further information from: Duplirnated boards throughout Mrs A Swannell Entries to and full details from: Stantway House Rock Lane Mrs. S. Mathews, Folly Cottage, Westbury-on-Severn Little Birch, Hereford HR2 8BD Gloucester GL14 1 QF (01981) 540274 Tel: 01452 760228 Email: [email protected]. uk

~8 English Bridge February 2006 A MODEST PROPOSAL By Mike Wenble DO you want to improve your bridge? Of course you do. But which part of your game should you concentrate on: bidding, play or defence? To quote a phrase much loved by management consultants, there is no Keep those score improvement without measurement, so in this article I am going to suggest a way of identifying the part of your game that most needs improvement. cards to discover I shall assume that you regularly play duplicate pairs in your local club. If so, then over the course of a year you will probably play around a thousand hands of bridge. (A keen attendee at weekend congress where your game events will, of course, play many more than this). I suggest that at the end of each session, instead of throwing away your scorecard, you keep it, and when the results become available you note the number of needs improving match points scored on each hand. Then count up the number of hands you or your partner have played and the number of hands you have if your defensive score is under 50%, then it should be your defence that defended and add up your match points in these two categories. Work comes under close scrutiny. out your match point percentage in each category separately. Of course, how much you can do about this depends in part on Repeat this every time you play and at the end of 12 months total up whether you play regularly with a single partner or with several the summaries from all your scorecards. Since you are one of the better different partners. For the sake of simplicity, I shall assume the former. players at your club you will have a table that looks something like this: Then it is a question of working together to identify the underlying themes. Is it a question of poor opening leads? Careless discarding? Or is it that you do not well enough? Hands Maximum Actual Score match points match points Now for the contentious bit. At the risk of causing chaos and mayhem at bridge clubs throughout the country, I propose that you Played 520 12480 7110 57.0% repeat the analysis, but this time split the hands played by the partnership into those where you were declarer and those where you 480 11520 5990 52.0% Defended were dummy. The new table might look like this: Total 1000 24000 13100 54.6% Hands Maximum Actual Score match points match points There will no doubt have been a few hands that were passed out. These can be ignored. Declarer 270 6480 3840 59.2% We can begin to draw some conclusions from this table. First, you Dummy 250 6000 3270 54.5% have played more hands than you have defended. This is a good thing­ Total Played 520 12480 7110 57.0% playing is easier than defending- and is perfectly reasonable. The better players normally outbid the weaker players. If, however, it turns out that you have played significantly fewer than half the hands - fewer than 475 Here we would not like to see big differences between the two sets of out of 1000, say - then it is no good complaining that partner always figures. If there is an imbalance between the number of hands you and chooses the wrong seat. Particularly in these days of computer-dealt your partner have played it suggests that one of you is hogging the hands there will almost certainly be no bias in favour of either North­ bidding. That is not good for partnership morale nor, in the long run, South or East-West holding the better cards. Rather, you should will it be a winning strategy, because it means that you are fmishing up recognise that your bidding is insufficiently aggressive and you should in inferior contracts. take steps to compete more in the auction. We all recognise that on any given hand a top might come about for Second, your match point percentage is higher on the hands you have any number of different reasons. You, or partner, or both of you, might played than on the hands you have defended. Although I have no norms have bid the hand well, the opponents might have defended like idiots, against which to judge this," I feel that this is likely to be the case for or just possibly it might be down to your superior declarer play. So you almost every partnership. If by some chance the reverse is true, then cannot take sole credit for every good score that comes your way when there is a strong case for looking closely at the quality of your declarer you are declarer. However, averaged over a sufficient sample of hands, play. You should study some good books on the subject, take a critical and I suggest 1,000 is certainly enough, then a large difference between look at the hands where you scored poorly, and in particular resist the the match point percentage of you and your partner becomes temptation to dismiss your mistakes as wrong views or errors of significant. judgement. Clearly, this may need to be handled with some sensitivity. If it is your partner's declarer play that is dragging down the partnership then On the other hand, if there is a wide gap between your 'played' at least you have an idea what to buy him next Christmas. If it is your . percentage and your 'defended' percentage- I would suggest anything play letting the side down then the solution is in your own hands. Just more than six percentage points should count as 'wide' - and especially don't write to me if your partner refuses to play with you again.

There's masses of information on the EBU Website. For the latest bridge news, competition results and much more go to www.ebu.co.uk

February 2006 English Bridge 29 PRIZE DEFENCE ANSWERS QUESTION master Andrew Kambites gives his view of the best line of defence in our December competition and awards prizes in three categories. 4 ~ 7 53 ., J 10 8 + A K 10 9 ~ 8 7 4 Prizes kindly donated by + 9 52 ., Q765 • 9 6 3 2 PI.&TNIB:, makers of ~ 96 ~ K J 10 8 +)8 playing cards since 1824. ., 9652 ., 7 4 3 • 8 6 5 • Q43 2 ~A Q 3 2 ~ J 10 5 + 10 6 4 3 + 8 7 ., 4 ., J 10 3 2 3 ~ K J 3 2 • 8 7 54 • J 10 ., Q 3 + K 4 3 2 +A 10 9 6 ~ AQ42 + K J 10 ., A K Q + AQ43 + )7 ~ K96 ., AK98 + AKQJ ~ 4 ~ Q10987 + AKQ • J9854 ., K 10 2 South West North East + Q 7 5 • 98753 + AQ 2+ Pass 2+ Pass + 76 + 10 9 8 *3NT Pass 6NT Pass South West North East E3 Pass Pass 2NT Pass Pass Pass ~ A6 5 ., A 7 6 *3NT shows 25-26 points WHEN a 2NT opening has been passed out, • 6 4 2 declarer will usually find great difficulty in West leads the .,6 (second best from a bad + KJ 52 reaching dummy to take and is likely to suit). Declarer wins the • A and runs the +J. have a pretty miserable time leading South West North East Partner can have at most one point. Either continuously from his hand. Leading from a 1NT Pass 2+ Pass declarer has 12 tricks, or he doesn't. However, if four-card holding with isolated honours is 2+ Pass 3NT Pass you win the +Q you make it easy for him. He rarely best. You should go passive with a Pass Pass knows he has only 11 tricks and takes a diamond lead, hope it doesn't give away a trick successful spade finesse for the twelfth. Suppose and let declarer do his own work. If you lead the Your partner leads the •s (a fourth best lead you allow the +J to win. Declarer might suspect +7 (second best from a bad suit) partner should promising an honour). Declarer tries dummy's you have the +Q, but he might still regard the realise that you have nothing in the suit and • Q, covered by your • K which declarer allows diamond finesse as a better option than the ought to make a profitable switch if he gains the you to hold, following with the • s. Your • 10 spade finesse. If he repeats the diamond finesse lead. holds trick two as well, declarer playing the .,6 he will be permanently cut off from dummy. Note that a club lead and a spade switch gets and your partner the .,4. 2NT two off, but in real life it won't happen. You have no chance of making partner's Partner will take the +A at trick one and return length tricks in hearts because he can have no a club. other high card than the • J. You can achieve nothing by active defence and must concentrate 2 ~ 8 3 on avoiding being endplayed. ., Q 10 9 2 If you persevere with a third heart declarer • 10 9 8 7 may well cash three club tricks before finessing + A6 2 a diamond. You can cash the +A Q but will then be endplayed. Better play is to keep your third ~ 9 7 5 ~., QJ106423 E3 heart as an exit card. Of course declarer could • KJ54 cash the • A for himself, but in real life he won't, + 54 W E • 6 3 2 will he? + 7543 s + J 10 9

~A K ., A876 + AKQJ Adam puts a sneaky one over on me! + KQ8 I am now on lead. It is pretty clear that South West North East Partner Adam started with four clubs to the queen, 2+ Pass 2+ Pass first because he discarded a small one and 3NT Pass 4+* Pass N second because he is anyway likely to have 4., Pass 6., Pass the suit stopped for his bid. So I got off Pass Pass Adam E Dummy w lead and waited for him to give me three or * 4+ is Stayman, asking for a fo ur-ca rd major + X X X s four club tricks. Unfortunately my partner West leads the ~Q. Declarer wins with theM has three clubs to the queen, while Adam and leads the .,6 to West's .,3 and dummy's Me now has only two small ones! . 10. +A K 10 X Hey, I am the one who is supposed to Win with the • K. Then when declarer produce the sneakies, not him. regains the lead he will assume that West has the Much as I would like to maintain that I • J and lay down the • A, making your • J into a ADAM is in no trumps. I do not like using was not to blame for an unlucky tumble, second winner. x, but I cannot remember the small cards. the fact is that if Adam had held that queen If instead you win the 'obvious' • J, declarer As the hand proceeds there are no more he would have been over the top for his no is almost forced into the winning line. He will entries into Dummy. Adam has discarded a trump bid. My turn to be the idiot! enter dummy with the +A and lead dummy's club. DENIS YOUNG • Q, successfully finessing your .,K.

0 Engl ish Bridge February 2006 Passing of a politician who gave bridge hope HAPPY and hopeful days at the end of the 20th century as Tony Banks, the then Minister for Sport, joined in the celebrations of Britain's newly crowned European ladies' champions. Banks had wanted to get the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937, the Lottery Act 1993 and the Sports Council's Royal Charters changed so that chess would be recognised as a sport, a necessary development if it was to qualify for grants from the Sports Council and the National Lottery. He was sympathetic to the view that duplicate bridge had the same objective as chess and suggested that the EBU should lobby Parliament to this end. Peter Stocken, the then 'So far so good,' was Peter Stocken's In some parts of the world bridge has chairman, with the assistance of Robin Squire, comment at the time. But sadly Banks was gained recognition as a sport of the mind; former Minister for Education, contacted every nearing the end of the two years that he held some countries even rank it as an Olympic MP. While there was some opposition the office; meetings were held with his successor, sport. But on home soil there is still a long majority was either neutral on the issue or in but there was little enthusiasm there and by way to go. favour, with 50 MPs signing an Early Day early 2000 it became clear the Government had So far it seems not enough people of Motion in support. no intention of altering the various bits of influence hold Tony Banks's view that In July 1999, the year the photograph here legislation. development and nurturing of the mind is as was taken, there was a formal meeting with With the death last month at 62 of the man important and valuable as physical exercise of Tony Banks and in the same month the who once rated the post of Minister for Sport the body. Minister spent a long time at an exhibition as 'not so much a job as a sending to heaven Pictured with Tony Banks in that heady year match put on by the EBU in the House of without having to die first', bridge in this of 1999 are, from left, Heather Dhondy, Liz Commons, where various MPs dropped in to country has been robbed of one of its main McGowan, Sandra Landy, Abbey Walker (now play a few hands with some of the champions in the higher echelons of Smith) and Pat Davies. The other member of internationals present. Government. the triumphant team was Nicola Smith. HAMPSHIRE & lOW CBA & EBU Bridge in Gibraltar Friday 23rd june to Thursday 29th June at The Caleta Hotel Gibraltar (Four-star registered) • THE RIVER PARK CENTRE • www.caletahotel.gi WINCHESTER Bridge licensed by the EBU • START TIME 1.00p.m. FINISH approx 9.00p.m. • Sponsored by • £20 per person, £80 per team • San Miguel • "A" Flight Open to al l players - Level 4 • From £270 per head half board, "8" Flight All players must be below the rank of • National Master and the team mu st incl ude at • excluding flights • least 2 players below Regional Master - Level 3 • (+£60 single room supplement) All entries and enquiries to Congress Secretary: £ 1 000 in cas h prizes • Marian Rudd • 1 37 Southend Road, Andover, Hants, SP1 0 2DT • Tel: 01264 333847 • Contact Roger Fellows on 020-8657 6719 • • • • • • • • • • or email : [email protected] February 2006 Engli sh Bridge 31 BILL TOWNSEND'S GET EVEN WITH THE ODDS

READERS know by now how to play a second round, the queen can be in either hand. score up 2210, but declarer went down when combination such as K J 9 x x x opposite Ax x Hence it must be a complete guess, a 50-50 he took a second round trump finesse. for no losers. The best chance is to cash the ace chance. He went against the odds, you might think. and then the king, rejecting the finesse, an This is not correct. RHO has turned up with Let's examine the declarer's logic. He application of the 'eight ever, nine never' rule. two clubs and has 11 cards left, while LHO has correctly read diamonds to be 7-4 and knew, Some doubting Thomases and turned up with one club and has 12 cards left. tluough , that the odds would correspondence on the principle of restricted (We assume that nothing is known about the favour the ~Q being with East. Had he been in choice shows that there is no shortage of these complete distribution of the other suits, either 7NT and able to establish the distribution of - will refuse to accept this. They will insist from the bidding or the play). both clubs and hearts he would surely have got that, after second hand has played low on the The principle of vacant places states that it is the layout right. now 12-11 on that LHO has the queen, a fact However, in 7 ~ it was not possible to test that can be confirmed by examining the those suits before playing trumps. Bob Rowlands probabilities surrounding suit breaks, taken So, he must deserve a little of your sympathy DOUBLES QUIZ from The Official Encyclopaedia of Bridge. when he made the odds-on play and the god of Some of you will say this is all very well, but chance did not look kindly on him. Answers from page 7 is it necessary to know the exact odds? To compensate, I think the expert might No, the important thing to know is that the have outplayed many of you on the following: What do you bid with: decision in this case is a very close one. 'Eight ever nine never' is only a guiding principle. Dealer South ~ Q 7 4 (a) ~ K 7 4 2 ., J 5 2 The following deal is taken from a first Game All ., J 10 9 5 2 + Q8 +K1076 division match in the Yorkshire League: • Q 10 5 3 ~ - Over three-l evel pre-empts the +J4 doubler ass umes his partner has a Dealer North ~ 7 5 4 nothin g special 7-8 poin ts, so you Game All ., A J 7 3 ~ KJ9852 N ~ A6 3 shoul d settle for 3 ~ . ., 4 3 'I K 8 7 + A W E +AJ865 + K 3 • J7 64 (b) ~KQ962 ¥ 5 + AKQ s + 6 52 + 942 +A 10 9 3 ~ Q6 ~ 98 4 ~ - With a decent five -carder and no N ., 6 4 ., 10 9 8 52 ~ 10 wasted va lu es yo u are full val ue fo r 4 ~ + KQ 108764 W E • J 9 3 2 'I A Q 6 + 43 + 10 9 + A 9 8 2 (c) ~Q1074 ¥ Aj83 s + 10 9 8 7 3 + 2 +KJ42 4+ - Adeq uate values for game - this ~ A K J 10 3 2 wi ll all ow partner to choose, probably 'I KQ Suppose you reach the good 4~ , with no • 5 4¥ or 4 ~. opposition bidding. + K Q 7 2 North leads the 'IJ, to the king and ace. (d) ~ 9 2 ., 1 0 3 South cashes the 'IQ and continues a third + AQ2 +KJ8652 When North opened 1+ and South bid 2 ~ , round, which you ruff. 3NT - Not guaranteed, but likely to West pre-empted with 4+. N-S bid to 6 ~ but, Without sight of the opponents' hands, it succeed. 4+ is fo r wimps and 5+ may when East sacrificed in 7+, went on to 7 ~ . looks right to play for spades 2-2, intending to be too high. It seems an easy matter to cash the ace and use the ~A to lead up to the +K. With the +A king of spades and, when the suit breaks 2-2, onside you lose only one diamond, but with ~ Q x x offside you lose a trump trick and go one down. When you come to score up, you find that Things you get away with! the other declarer has made his contract. On enquiring, team-mates tell you that the PLAYING friendly lunchtime rubber ~ QJ X defence started in exactly the same way, but ., K X X bridge, Gerry, my partner that day, got too declarer tackled trumps differently. • A 10 X X excited when I gave him a positive response You are amazed to find that he first cashed + K X X to his lNT and put me into a very dodgy 6 ~ the ~ K, and then ran the ~ J when North contract. By mistake, RHO Kevin led the declined to cover. ~ X X ~ K X X fust card ( +2), so I asked LH 0 Richard to On this hand, however, declarer has a 'I Q X X 'I Axxx lead a diamond and he led +3. Dummy had number of things on his mind. t X X X t Q X X X +A 10 x x and I had +K J. I needed four First he realises that for the contract to + Q j"x X X + 10 X diamond tricks. succeed, South must have the +A, otherwise Kevin asked if he had to play +2 there are two diamond losers. ~A 10xxx immediately and I replied that he could He then notes that together with 'IA Q this 'I j 10 X change it if he wished, so he played +Q would bring South's points tally to 10. + K J instead, which gave me my four diamond Finally he concludes that if South also has +A X X winners. Richard told me that I had tricked ~ Q he started with at least 12 points and South West North East Kevin. would hardly have passed as dealer! This 1NT Pass I made 12 tricks - five spades, four accounts for his winning play in trumps. 3 ~ Pass 4+ Pass diamonds, two clubs and a heart and Gerry So, although a knowledge of the odds is 4 ~ Pass 6~ Pass took the credit for his bidding! invaluable, it is just one weapon in the Pass Pass -Edward Newman, Luton accomplished bridge player's extensive armoury.

:2 Eng li sh Bridge February 2006 YOU QUESTION JEREMY DHONDY ANSWERS Third and fifth leads (let alone sixth!) take some working out

OW of West London says: work out what any lead has come from is a The 'law' was first proposed in a 1969 'When I play in my local club a small mystery to me. Bridge World article by Jean-Rene Vernes. As number of opponents play third and fifth If your opponents play this method then with all simple-sounding rules there are , leads. I find myself struggling a bit to work yo u may want to try and work out what the adjustments to make. One example is the out what they might have. Can you help?' lead is from. When opponents play fourth existence of a double fit, which often highest we are all taught about the rule of increases by one the number of tricks that Although the most common leading style 11, so that in this position can be made. Don't believe it? For further is fourth highest a minority play third and information try web.telia.com/- u40 127101/ fifth. What that means is that they lead third K64 and in addition perhaps keep track of from an even number and lowest from an whether it works on the hands that you play. odd number. With a holding such as K 9 6 5 4 A973 As with most theories, however, there is they will lead the four and with K 8 6 2 they not complete unanimity as to how useful it will lead the six. The basic idea is that it when West leads the five you know that East IS . helps to make the difference between a four has one card higher than this by taking five In a previous partnership of mine if ever and five card suit (or a five and six card suit) away from 11 and then deducting your cards it was wrong and I pointed this out I would clearer than traditional fourth highest. higher than the five from the remainder. be rebuked for not applying the suitable Suppose you are inclined to occasionally With third and fifth you have to work a little adjustments, which seemed to me to have open weak twos on five -card suits and you harder. The relevant rules are the rule of 10 the effect of it always being right! end up defending. The lead of a low card at and the rule of 12. If you believe your left trick one is very likely to suggest five and the hand opponent has led from a five-card suit lead of a higher card suggests six. then apply the rule of 10 and if a three-card Miss M Wingfield-Hill of Brighton says: As a small aside, if you have no intention suit then apply the rule of 12. You may not 'My friends and I have been playing for of ever switching to this method have you always get it right, but usually you can tell about 12 years. At our club there is a new considered leading sixth highest when you fairly early which he will have. If not, of director who says bidding has changed, have guaranteed at least five in a suit? So, if course, then this a further benefit of the people don't play Acol the same way any you open 2V (weak) and later lead against method to your opponents. more and that Gerber is now illegal. It's 4 ~ , then rather than woodenly leading getting to the point where we don't know fourth highest try leading fourth if you have what to bid any more.' five cards and sixth if you have six cards. VM from the West Midlands asks Make sure your partner agrees first though. 'What is the ? My partner very much hope you have Some proponents of third/fifth play that keeps using it as an excuse for his misunderstood your director, but if not they lead fifth from six. This reduces the overbidding!' then please be aware that he is completely effectiveness of the method quite a bit as the wrong in suggesting Gerber is illegal. The difference between an odd and an even We all know how inefficient evaluating EBU produces an Orange Book (a revised n umber will no longer be as clear. hands by using point count can be. Some edition is due later this year), which lists Sometimes you are presented with a suit players use other methods, such as losing what can and cannot be played. Anything such asK J 9 3 and you will wish you played trick count to help them. When you are game forcing can be played. Perhaps your another method as leading the nine might bidding in competition the shortcomings of director might be invited to download a well cost a trick. In this situation some these methods become ever clearer. Such copy of the book from the EBU website so players shrug their shoulders and lead the things as how many trumps you have and as to avoid making such wildly inaccurate nine anyway; others lead the three and hope; the degree of fit play an important part and statements. the last group lead another suit! the Law of Total Tricks is designed to take It is more effective against suits than NT, some of this on board. especially when leading partner's suit. He In short it says that the number of total JRE of Bristol asks will more quickly know whether you have tricks in a hand is approximately equal to about when to call for the TD. He was three or four-card support. Some players the total number of trumps held by both playing in an event and when he asked lead top from three small when they have sides, each in its respective suit. So if N-S about a bid that was alerted noted a supported partner and thus should not have and E-W both have a nine-card trump fit difference between what the convention a doubleton. This way when they lead a low then the total number of tricks available on card said and the answer he received. What card partner will know they have an honour. the hand is 18. If you diagnose the likely should he do? Occasionally you will come across those number of trumps and your opponents bid who play third and fifth, but also MUD from to 3V then if you both have a nine-card fit If you get conflicting information as in three small. In such circumstances how they then it will normally be right to bid 3 ~. the description above, or perhaps because there is no alert when the convention card suggests there should have been, then you Email your questions to jeremy on [email protected] will be in a difficult position if you do not call the director and later claim you were or write via the-editor (Brian Cook): damaged and ask for an adj usted score. In Hill Crest, 8 Kingsley Road, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ 7 7E Y short, if you carry on regardless then it is at Please include your name and address. your own risk.

February 2006 En gli sh Bridge 33 Following the successes of the 2005 events at Castle Howard and Chatsworth, the English Bridge Union and Hilton are delighted to bring to you the 2006 series of 'Heritage Bridge' events, offering you the chance to play the best of bridge in the finest locations.

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

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If you would like further details please call David Jones on 02476 461511 For information on all Hilton bridge events see www.hilton.eo.uk/bridge Alan and Kath snatch seniors' title By Bill Townsend Nelson bid 3+, and South jumped to 4¥ . East opened 2¥ , showing S-5 in hearts and When Alan bid s+ , one might have another suit, 5-9 points, which West raised THE Hanover Hotel, Daventry, was again the expected the auction to end there, but no, pre-emptively to 3¥ . North bid a rather venue for the hugely popular Seniors' North somehow found a s¥ bid, which Kath conservative 3+, over which East unwisely bid Congress. Although the refreshments Nelson had little trouble in doubling. 4¥ . situation left a little to be desired, both on Alan, with another bite at the cherry, made At this point South made a noticeable availability and cost, the playing conditions a good decision to remove to 6+ , hoping to hesitation before passing, but this did not this year were without criticism. Many of find a couple of top cards in diamonds and deter North from bidding 4+. This contract the pairs who had been in contention in spades opposite. He was not to be was doubled but, on the lead of a top heart, previous year were in action again and this disappointed. excellent play by declarer saw the contract time the winners of the A final were At another table West opened a precision home. Manchester's Alan and Kath Nelson, with 2+ , and after 2¥ from North, a negative Declarer ruffed, crossed to +J and then Yorkshire's Graham Jepson and Dave Musson double from East (?) and a 4+ splinter from played a club to the king and a second club. in second place, just one match point behind. South, jumped to 6+ . West won and switched to a trump, but it was This remarkable deal did the winners no To say that West was somewhat put out no good. harm at all: when his partner removed this to 6+ is like Declarer won in hand, ruffed a club, and - saying that Fred Astaire could dance a little. then played a diamond, rising with the jack Incidentally, the Encyclopaedia of Bridge rather than finessing the nine when West Dealer South ~ Q 1 3 2 North-South ¥ A K 9 8 6 5 gives the chances of picking up a 10-2-1-0 ducked. hand at about a 100,000 to one, so one expects Giles Foster and I were East-West and it was game + 7 +I 2 to get little practice at handling them. unfortunate for us that North's dummy play The outcome on this hand was crucial for was so competent. Neither was there any one pair: redress to be had when the tournament 8 K 1096 4 .,~ _ E3 ¥~ 43 director ruled North's 4+ bid in, arguing that 52 A K 10 9 8 3 the hesitation had provided no useful + + Dealer East +A K Q 10 8 7 6 54 3 + - ~ AKQ98 4 3 information. We had to be content with third East-West - game . place, two match points behind the winners. + I 9 7 ~ A 7 5 The Pairs B final was won by Brenda and + K 10 5 ¥ QI 10 72 Geoff Foley and the Swiss pairs by Erika • Q l 64 Slatcher and John Holland. ~ 10 7 2 ~ - + 9 ¥ 10 7 65 • AK 4 32 On the Sunday the Swiss Teams was won by + A K 2 • 10 8 5 Margaret Curtis, Sid Prince, Pat Watson and When South passes, what should one open + AJ7 +Q9864 John Mansfield, with the team of Richard as West? s+ is a practical choice, as the Edwards, Don Smedley, Ron McEwan and possibility of being able to investigate a slam ~I 6 5 John Griffin second. scientifically is pretty remote. ., Ql98 I'm sure we are all looking forward to next However, Alan Nelson chose to bide his • Q6 4 3 year's event. time with 1+, over which North made an + 3 2 Full results on the EBU website: intermediate jump overcall of 2¥ . Kath www.ebu.co.uk - Enjoy learning in our Coaching Corner By ran Bramzell 1~ Bridge Club Live SUPERVISED practice sessions are now a regular feature of Monday ~ fast fun ani! tur•,w/y uulme b11dge mornings and are extremely well attended. They are great fun as well. www.bridgeclublive.com Some of our very best players have volunteered as mentors for the sessions that start in Coaching Corner at 9.30. Many are qualified bridge At the end of 2005 BCL was privileged to be teachers giving their time to help other people gain as much enjoyment the first online bridge club to run a heat of a as possible from the game we all love. All this is available to guests as nationally-played simultaneous pairs in well as full members. support of the BBC's Children in Need The opportunity for junior players in BCL is wide-ranging. School appeal. We had a full house of players and and university clubs can take up special membership packages, enabling kibitzers. under 18s and students to enjoy unlimited bridge. With a number of IMPS - according to some, the purest form junior international squads already practising of bridge- has a new 'bird' in charge! Frances and playing in the club there are some hard­ computer (obviously not at the same time) (Dead Parrot) Oestreicher has undertaken to fought games available either to watch or play. and with different playing aliases, but most of promote the IMPS rooms and encourage Write to me ([email protected]) if our 'couples' have individual memberships, more of us to nest there for a while, your school or club would like a group play on different machines in different rooms squawking and feathers flying while we test membership. and with different partners. Maybe that is the ourselves at IMPS scoring. There are many different categories of way to maintain a happy relationship after the I was lucky enough to go to Alsace, France membership, including guest membership, bridge is over? for our 2005 club reunion. If you have a which gives a good flavour of almost all The competitions programme is vibrant, minute, take a look at some of the pictures aspects of the club before joining. For those with ongoing tournaments as well as 'specials '. available via the photo album. who are a little apprehensive guest guides (real Often, following a hard fought final, the There are UK and international reunions people) are available to help you find your comment boards ring with members' lined up, as well as luncheons in various cities, way around and to explain the software. suggestions for alternative auctions and where groups of up to 20 members meet for a We also have a family membership that defences - not to mention suggestions for couple of hours. There is one in London in enables two people to play from the same alternative partners! March.

February 2006 Eng lish Bridge 35 In the picture

Sherri and Richard Barton with the trophy they won as A caring club top pair in Suffolk's keenly-contested annual novices' pairs event. See Suffolk news page 44 Wantage Bridge Club donates any surplus funds to local charities and this year the Church Street Care Fund and the Gables Care Group have been helped. The two funds are administered by the Church Street and Newbury Street practices based at the Mably Way Health Centre in Wantage. Both provide nursing care outside the usual NHS provisions, a service that benefits patients as well as helping medical staff, including doctors, health visitors, nurses and midwives. The photograph shows Wantage Bridge Club members at the table, with Dr Jo Arthur (Church Street) and Dr Drew Dinnis (Newbury Street) looking on.

Peter Lisle, retiring chairman of the North East Bridge Association, with Jo Lormor and Nan Bell, win­ ners of the ladies' pairs at the NEBA's record-breaking congress. See North East news page 43

Cumbria's Babs Matthews and David Strawbridge (right) won the North East Congress mixed pairs and went on to finished second in the Swiss teams at the Peebles Gold Cup Congress. They are pictured Mr and Mrs Isle of Man Bridge: John and Kathryn Sussex ladies' pairs winners May with their Peebles team-mates, Crowe. A special event for Kathryn in the past Langmaid and Heather Barker, Paul and Hilda Williams, from year was celebrating her 90th birthday. See Isle members of West Sussex Bridge Lancashire. See Cumbria news of Man news page 40 Club. See Sussex news page 44 page 38

36 En glish Bridge February 2006 One Star pairs final, Wilstead 7.30 pm; half time. Jersey also won the B match Grand Master March 12 BBNEBU Green Point Swiss this time by 32imps. www.Bedfordshire-Bridge-Assoc.co.uk teams, Luton 2pm; April2 county pairs With most of the top players in promotions IN a new venture for 2006 semi-final, final and consolation pairs, Guernsey for the weekend the chance Mr j Ledger of Worcester Bedfordshire will be inviting other Wilstead 2 pm. Details of all events and was taken to play several county finals. nearby counties to compete in a friend­ location maps can be found on the The men's pairs was won by Mike Allen Master Point ly teams of eight event on May ?. county website. and Andy Hall, with Colin Tostevin promotions Players will compete for the Parkin and Robert Plumley second. The Cup, generously donated by Chris Berks and Bucks ladies' pairs went to Meredith Case and Avon Cambs and Parkin, a founder member of BBA ill Rosemary Pallot with Cathy Hepburn Premier Life Hunts 1964 and one of its early committee www.berks-and-bucks-cba.co.uk and Marion Miles second. Upper Master 4 Star Master members. ASCOT A made a very strong start in restricted pairs 1 Roz Bavin and Carl Mrs C Smith Mrs A Beytell Chris rejoined the county commit­ the league of eight by beating the three Harrison, 2 Christine and Richard Ray; National Master Mr PJ Somerfield tee in 1998 and has been BBA treasurer favourite teams in then· opemng lower restricted pairs 1 Cath Batt and Mrs R J(jttel 3 Star Master and membership secretary for five matches. Reading B began tl1eir cam­ Sue Shaw, 2 equal Denise Dessoude 3 Star Premier Mrs A Gerloch years. He is an enthusiastic teams play­ paign in the second division with four and Marion Breuilly, Fiona and John Regional Master 2 Star Master er who has entered the county league big wins and look likely to be promot­ Honey, Don and Anne Babbe. Mrs M A Harris Mrs A Green all but four times since 1964 and has ed. The lower divisions are bemg more A few weeks later th e county open 3 Star Master 1 Star Master missed the knockout teams only once! closely fought. pairs was played in Jersey and David MrTC Butler Mrs C Anderson Chris has won division one four times The county presents a varied pro­ Hole and David Frisewell were run­ Advanced Advanced gramme of events, catering for all stan­ away winners with 64.2%, ahead of Pat Master Master (including the inaugural year 1964~65) and has won the Knockout Cup tw1ce. dards from novice to expert. If you are Merriman and David Trestain, who Ms J Griffiths­ Mrs C Parker not sure which events you would like to Eaker Invitations to play in the Parkin Cup pipped Rosemary Pallot and Norman Master play in committee members will be Mrs S O'Hara Mrs SE Hilken have been sent out and entries will be Le Cocq for second place. pleased to help you. Master County Master coordinated by county secretary Janet In district level competitions the MrK Logan MrG PDolan Marsh. Friendly pairs for the Boothroyd Guernsey ladies' pairs was won by Club Master Mr N Matthews The competitions programme con­ Plate 1 Addis Page and Liz Hayton, 2 Brenda Walker and Brenda Lihou, with Mr K Rayford Mrs SParker tinued with the mixed pairs, directed Keith Goswell and Elaine Lloyd, 3 Peter Anne Babbe and Barbara Hunter sec­ DrK Taylor by Monica Lucy. First place and the Iris Lee and John Varey, 4 Chrys Poole and ond and the men's pairs was won by Bedfordshire District Master Jarman Salver went to Alan and Sheila Steve Lee, 5 Liz Pratt and Marilyn Mike Allen and Andy Hall, with Ian Tournament Mr J Dicki nson Caves, with Lynne Emmett and Ron Murtagh; County teams qualifier . I Monachan and Alistair Kent second. Master Mrs R Taylor Davis runners-up and Richard and David Perkins, Bob Holder, Davtd Mixed pairs winners were M~e . and MrPRDas Club Master Angela Chester third. . Goldsworthy and Simon Roberts, 2 Margaret Allen with Ron and Wmifred Mrs M Westley MrJC David Barnes, Nigel Guthrie, Kevin Several local clubs took part 111 the de Putron second. 3 Star Master Fairclough Elstow and Phil Thornton, 3 Carole Mrs W Audsley Mr J Phelps David Boston simultaneous pairs dur­ In club competitions in Jersey tl1e Mr A Wilkinson ing October and proceeds from these and Herb Mueller, Chris Mooney and Highfield BC teams was won by Master Vic Savage, 4 Bruce Franklin, Jennie Mrs EM heats will be donated to South Catherine Rynd, Jane Kntght, John and Sharrock Channel Bedfordshire Alzheimer Group. The Corfield, Alan Brown and Barry Read, Fiona Honey and in Guernsey the Islands Club Master leading Bedfordshire pair and winners 5 Mike Perkins, Steve Eginton, Ian Island BC teams went to Colin 2 Star Regional Prof AG of the Boston Bowl were Jean-Marie Reissmann and Peter Hawkes. Tostevin, Andy Hall, Robert Plumley Master Diary dates: March 5 club teams Parkinson Mr P Pitcher Membre and Jenny Cox, playing at and Susie Farnan. Bedford Bridge Club. semi-final for the Committee Cup; Berks and Master March 26 national newcomers pairs Bucks MrB Nelson The co un ty league is well under way, Cornwall with most matches keeping to the pub­ heat; April 2 club pairs fmal; April 9 2 Star Regional Club Master ladies' and men's pairs; April12 nov1ce MrsAG Arden lished timeframes. Tudor Rose (David WE have completed the first half of a Master pairs; April 26 seniors' pairs. Details of MrSMLee Mrs R Lycett Harris, )on Williams, Ron Davis and very full programme of county events Alan Oddie) lead division one and all current events and location maps and it is perhaps a good time to thank 5 Star Master Cornwall can be found on the county website. Mr K Robbins have a game in hand on second-placed our ever-willing team of directors - 5 Star Master Pussycats (Dave Dickson, Alan The calendar for the current season has Rod Bell, Jim Barker and Terry Wilson 3 Star Master Mrs S Norman Mr LDuff Shillitoe, Greg Ward and lain Roberts). also been included. - for the time and effort they put into Mrs A Krespi 3 Star Master running and scoring these events. . MrS Crouch In division two Scratch (Maureen Mr MKrespi Results are as follows: Mane 1 Star Master Westley, Roger Gaudoin, Judi and Peter Cambs and Hunts MrPJLee Malpass) lead, with McTitans (Martin Gregson-Brown pairs 1 Colin Pate and MrCDKing www.cambsbridge.org.uk 2 Star Master and Ela ine McAllister, Phil Titchner Pat Meade, 2 Pam Dodge and Betty Advanced THE Cambs and Hunts open Swiss Mr RAnstis and Miriam Jones) a close second, Hockin, 3 Wally Heaton and Wendy MrM Burch Master teams was won by Chris Larlham, while in division three Tanglin (Roy Thornton; county Swiss teams 1 Sallie Mr P JHyde­ David Kendrick, Rod Oakford and Sue 1 Star Master Linaker and Melek Drage, Gwynne Hughes, Green, Jennifer Congdon, John Mr W J Barclay Oakford, while the newcomers' teams Mrs MD Graham Pointer, Colin O'Hara and Harnett and Barrie Benfield, 2 Viv Advanced was won by Alison Woolford, Graeme Johnstone Larry Redmond) are just ahead of Mably, Colin Pate, Mike Booth and Master Hansford, Phil Day and Colin Sills. Cricketers (George Goddard, Peter Roger Eaton, 3 Rob Mabley, Wendy MrMFBaker Cumbria The county finished fifth in its qual­ Scott, Paul Kilduff and Keith Bennett). Brown, Jo Brown and Bill Thompson; MrPCouling Advanced ifying group in the Tollemache. The In the knockout teams Tudor Rose Bee Clarke pivot teams I David Stone, Mrs G Martin Master Garden Cities qualifier was won by Mrs S Treloar MrR E Harvey (league team plus Roger Edmonds) Val Pitman, Nick Grenfell and Btl! Cambridge (Sheila Parker, John and Floggers (Niall Perry, Barry Adams, 2 Brian Colvin, John Harnett, Master County Master Liebeschultz, Catherine Curtis, Paul Mr M Fraser Mr A James Holmes, Howard Watson and Harry jennifer Congdon and Barrie Benfield, Fegarty, Eric Campbell, Eryl Howard, County Master Cook) are through to the semi-finals. 3 Rob Mabley, Maureen Wilson, John Derbyshire Mike Seaver and lain Watson). MrDR Well done to local players David and King and Bill Thomson; Bodmin Swiss Premier Diary dates: January 22 county Ellingham Jane Jensen, who were second in the pairs 1 Neil Judges and Roger Eaton, Regional final; February 19 county Mrs PJ Swiss pairs at the Seniors Congress. equal 1 Mike Booth and Pat Meade~ 3 Mr PMadden pairs fmal; 1March 18 new playe:s' Ellingharn Alan Williams (Leighton Buzzard Ken and Janice Keast; Falmouth Sw1ss Mr R Griffiths 2 Star Regional tournament; April 30 JUbtlee Sw1ss Master BC chairman) came first nationally in pairs 1 Stephen Crouch and Sue Mr K Hawldns pairs. Howley, 2 Rob Mabley and Bill MrsALomer MrsMABeale the Children in Need simultaneous Tournament pairs, playing with Mike Wenble at Thomson, equal 2 Dave and Domm1e District Master Boxall; Newcomers pairs 1 Jon Speake Mrs T Coleman Master Aylesbury Vale. Channel Islands Mrs MMound and Neil Harris, 2 Richard and Sue Mrs A Francis We are also pleased to report on suc­ www.gtonline.net/comrnunity/ciba Dr P E Francis 2 Star Master cess for dual member Dave Dickson, Vickery, 3 Roy Townsend and Gerry Mr G J Luck AT the start of the annual match Co les; Charles Gerry men's and Mrs P Hanson who was in the winning team in the between the two islands Mike Allen, MrP Jones 1 Star Master final of the Crockfords Plate (with women's teams I Lawrence Haynes, Mrs E Pratt Mrs E J Hall the Guernsey A team captain, Geoff Warren, Rob Mabley and Barrie Norfolk's Dave Newstead). Well done announced that Guernsey was leading Club Master MrsJA Benfield, 2 Ken Keast, Wally Heaton, McCarthy Dave! the series 17-16. Of course, that was Mrs CR Secoy Diary dates: February 16 men's and Dave Stone and Mike Robson, 3 Mr DG Stewart District Master tempting providence and Jersey duly Margaret Warner, Janice Keast, Janet MrGE Flood ladies' pairs, Wilstead 2 pm; March 9 won by 16irnps, having been ahead at Heath and Wendy Thornton.

February 2006 English Bridge 37 Finally, we must thank John Finch, leagues and often creates much Master Point who has written this column for the excitement as well. Dorset promotions last four years. John, a former cow1ty Last season East Midlands BC White www.dorsetbridge.org. uk chairman, is still honorary tournament ended British Rail's nine-year reign as DORSET bridge is seeing many 3 Star Devon and entries secretary, as well as treasur­ division one champions. This season changes foUowing the retirement of National Master Tournament er at both Bodmin and Wadebridge began as the previous one ended, with Master Terry Udall and closure of the popular Mrs D clubs. He ferries carloads of tables to EMBC quickly establishing a 36-23 Wessex Bridge Centre in the summer. Hartshorne Miss MAH Fe ll ows Newquay for the congress and to lead over BR. Then EMBC suffered a However, Dorset members are pleased 5 Star Regional Tournament Wadebridge for the Green Point event surprise 17-3 defeat by Ripley B and to see Terry and Gigi visiting the new Master and, whether he is playing or not, went down by the same score to leave Mrs S Crowley Master clubs that are springing up, such as The Mr J Riddleston always seems to be around at county this position at the halfWay stage: BR Star Regional Bournemouth Bridge Club run by 1 Mr D Warren events to see that aU goes well and, 83, Derby A 62, EMBC White 59, Master Miles Cowling and the Westbourne MrRLingham 3 Star Master quite often, to make the tea. And he is a Ripley B 45, Rolls-Royce A 43, EMBC Bridge Club run by Frank and Shirley Mrs A Mackay Mrs CDye very good bridge player. Red 8. Groome. For more information about 2 Star Mrs J Nicholl Diary dates: February 12 Penventon Matlock A, after slipping from the all bridge clubs in Dorset please see the Tournament Mr LPanter Swiss pairs, Redruth, 11am; February first division to the fourth, are coming 'Clubs' link from the Dorset website as Mrs A Riddleston Master 19 club teams of eight, Ladock 2pm; back again. Despite a 17-3 defeat by above. 2 Star Master Ms S Warren March 5 John Perks pairs qualifying Chesterfield in their fmal match of the We are sad to report the passing of Tournament Mr BK Coe event (Green Points), Ladock 2pm; half season they still headed the divi­ Mrs S Dawbarn Ray Corrick, one of Dorset's real bridge Master March 24-26 CornwaU Congress and sion by 17 points. characters. In his younger days Ray MrTDaniel Mr D Fine Mrs M D Fox Green Point Swiss teams (enquiries to Derbyshire had been going well in represented Ireland in international 4 Star Master John King, 01208 815212). the three Midland County Champion­ matches and captained the Irish ladies' Mr R Arnheim Mr BG Jeffrey MrMEWood ship leagues until they came up against MrMJ Kelsey team. He continued to play bridge Gloucestershire at Spondon, where Mrs A A Penrose Advanced Cumbria right until his death shortly after his Master their chances of finishing with honours Star Master 91st birthday and will be missed by 1 MrCComer www.cumbriabridge.co.uk Mrs HBell of any kind were severely dented. The many. MrWHLewis OUR winter season continued with the Mr S Doo ley first team lost 4-16, the second team The Udall Trophy knockout compe­ Mrs J Pay Mrs GE Hepburn IMP pairs competition, which attract­ lost 5-15 and the third team lost l-19. tition is weU under way, witl1 a semi­ Mr J Pay ed an encouraging entry of 20 pairs This leaves Leicestershire leading divi ­ Master Mr J Woolston final line up of Cowling team v Mr C Stares and was a dose-scoring event. sion one (Dawes League), with Sharples team, and Stevens team v Master District Master Congratulations to Rosemary Jackson Derbyshire in fourth place, Oxford­ Riley team. The winners will represent Ms N Cook and Marjorie Swann, who won from Mrs C A Dennis EM shire heading division two (Porter Dorset in tlJe Pachabo Cup. Mrs Sally and Philip Wraight, with Mike Mrs EM Johnston League) with Derbyshire in fourth The annual Hardwick Cup Swiss Matravers Mr P Kingston Ash and Ian Reeves in third place. place, and leading divi­ teams at Sherborne was a tightly Mr R T Shaw MrB Mann Our annual Murray League has sion three (Markham League), with fought competition, with the team of Mrs PWest Mr CJ Ridgwell attracted 20 teams, which is a credit to Derbyshire in fifth place. Phil Norman, Joanne Humphries, Club Master Mrs A Rogers Dick Courchee, who has instituted a Four Derbyshire players, Don Daphne Phillips and Martin Brook Mrs ME White County Master new handicapping system to encourage Smedley, john Griffin, Ron McEwan winning on a split tie from Helen Direct MrS G Cable a wider entry. This means we have five and Richard Edwards, finished run­ Ackroyd, Ann Sharples, Martyn Hill­ Mr J R Court mini leagues and a six-team final - ners-up out of lOS teams in the Seniors Jones and Mike Organ. The Weymoutl1 Club Master MrW Genever Mrs E Williams again an innovation. Congress. MrMMaine team of Chris Stevens, Hilary Brain, We entered the Tollemache and Roger and Jennifer Floutier con­ Clive Russell and Keith Bartlett were Dorset District Master played in a 10-team qualifier, winning vincingly won the DCCBA invitation close behind in third place. 6 Star Premier MrARBush two and drawing one of our matches. pairs. In the Championship Cup Claire Regional Master Mr J D Ward This was an improvement on last year, Hillyard and Janet Smith won the Mr JF Rutter Club Master when all we achieved was one draw, but 4 Star Regional MrsDM Devon ladies' pairs, while Miles Cowling and Lawrence despite the encouraging signs, we were Martin Brook took the men's pairs. Master again bottom of the table. www.devonbridge.co.uk Mrs J M Smith The festive Chope Salver mixed Gloucester­ Good news! Babs Matthews and DEVON pairs to do well outside the pairs was won by Helen Ackroyd and 1 Star shire Tournament David Strawbridge are to be congratu­ county include Chris and Jill Rogers, Roy Riley, witl1 Miles Cowling and Premier Life Master lated on following up their excellent who won the Red Dragon pairs in tlJe Daphne Phillips second and, Mike Master Miss B Johnston win in the North East Congress mixed Welsh Open Championship, comfort­ Gore and Janet Smith third. Mrs NAllen pairs with a splendid second place in ably beating the better known Patrick 4 Star Master Mrs V Constable Naturally many Dorset members MrC Marsh the Gold Cup Congress teams in Jourdain and Mike Hirst, as well as MrR JFoulds played in the popular Autumn Advanced Peebles. Teamed up with Lancashire's Devon's Ruth Edmondson and Brigid 4 Star Regional Congress in Bournemouth. Phil Master Paul and Hilda Williams, they finished McElroy, who continued their success­ Master Norman and joanne Humphries, Mike MrE G Gibson Mr MJ Wignall only 1vp behind the winners and well ful year by wirming the satellite pairs in Gore and Janet Smith and Harold District Master 2 Star Regional clear of the rest of the field . The all­ a field of 162 at the EBU Autumn Wayne and Catherine Jagger all did MrsV J P Master Cumbrian quartet of Ken Johnson, Ken Congress in Bournemouth. Cullerne-Bown well to reach the Two Stars A final. In MrGT Anderson, Ian Reeves and Tony The Beard family of John, Angela the satellite pairs B final were Helen Club Master Vandergucht Bartlett fmished equal fourth. and Tiffany, with Jeremy Henderson, Ms S Fazakerl ey Ackroyd and Ann Sharples, Dave Regional Master And the younger end congratula­ came out on top m the Heart Berwitz and Mike Organ and Chris Mr Watson Essex J tions to Catherine Melloa and Kyle Foundation Swiss teams at Plymstock, Stevens and Hilary Brain. In the Swiss Premier Tournament Gudgeon of Flookborough C of E while Geoff and Nethe White were pairs Miles Cowling and Eddie National Master Master Primary School on winning a national winners of the annual Christmas Swiss Mrs R Froggatt Lucioni, Eugene Sheehan and Mary Mrs Y Dagwell sim pairs with 73.23%. pairs in Torquay. At the Plymouth Clews, and Eddie Bathgate and Mary 5 Star Master National Master Diary dates: February 5 champi­ Congress RutlJ Edmondson and Brigid Stebbing all made the top 20 in a field MrA Riach Mr K Nuttall onship pairs; February 19 pivot teams; McElroy won the pairs and Robin and of more than 160 pairs. 11 Star Premier 4 Star Master March 17-19 Cumbria Congress, Margaret Mardlin, with Willy and Ali Congratulations also go to Harold Regional Master Mr D G Cook Bassenthwaite (Further details from Hamilton, won the Swiss teams. Wayne, whose team came third in the B Mr TV Clark 1 Star Master congress organiser Janet Sheppard The popular Torquay Bridge Club 5 Star Premier Mrs C A Dyer final of the teams event. (01900 821421). Congress attracted 300 competitors to At the Seniors Congress in Daventry Regional Master Advanced the Palace Hotel, where Tom Mrs ME Homer Master Ann Sharples and Harold Wayne fin­ McGrenary and Duncan Hamilton 2 Star Premier Mr J Councer Derbyshire ished respectably in the B final of the Master won the pairs and Alan and Jette Bailey, pairs competition, while closer to Regional Master www.derbyshirecontractbridge.co. uk Mr S Moorman Mr AG Morss Bill EUis and John Harriman won the home Miles Cowling and Daphne THE Derbyshire inter-club competi­ teams. 3 Star Regional Phillips came second in the Hampshire Hants and tion is played in five leagues, each of Master For future events please refer to the Roll of Honour pairs. loW which comprises six teams. Promotion Mr D Devon Handbook and the web site If you would like to share your news, 3 Star Premier and relegation is on a two-up two­ Humberstone above, which also includes competi­ successes and upcoming events in this Regional Master down basis, which causes a consider­ tions in neighbouring counties. column, please contact Joanne MrsMAbbott able change in the composition of the Humphries.

18 English Bridge February 2006 F ,, ~~ ,,:, COUNTY NEWS ~~ I Diary dates: February 5 Pairs cham­ shire junior, Greg Moss, playing with Bo Deyal, Max Lacock, Damien Byron, Master Point pionship final and consolation pairs, , is first reserve for both Chris McNiven, Jacquie Bellinger and promotions Weymouth BC; February 8 National events. Pat Downham; simple system pairs pairs Dorset heat, Bournemouth BC; In the Midland Counties League 1 Andrew Tedder and Richard Ray, Hants and loW Tournament March 2 Gee Trophy, Wimborne BC; Gloucestershire beat Oxford 14-6 in 2 Marilyn and Mike Mollart-Rogerson, cont Master March 19 Weymouth College Trophy, the Dawes, drew 10-10 in the Porter 3 Marion Stevens and Jan Whitehouse; MrG Butt Premier Bovington; April! Garden Cities teams and won 13 -7 in the Markham. Bloxham teams 1 Owen Leigh, Mike Regional Master 5 Star Master of eight qualifier), Weymouth BC; However, against Leicestershire we Fithyan, Brian Marks and Wolf Mrs AG Gauld Mrs J Rogers every first Sunday in the month Swiss were hammered 19-1 in both the Klewe, 2.Ron Pick, Colin Porch, Amy 6 Star Regional 4 Star Master Master Mr J R Hunter teams competition, Allendale BC. Dawes and the Markham, but were Cherry and John Dakin, 3 Brian Mr P Dunne 3 Star Master saved from complete disaster by the Stapleton, Celia Carter, Clare and Keith 14 Star Mr D Taylor Essex Porter team winning 15-5. The results Palmer; Hants and Io W charity pairs 1 Tournament Mr 1M Wareham went more favourably against Sally McKay and Chris Jarvis, 2 Penny Master 2 Star Master www.essexbridge.co.uk Derbyshire where the Dawes won 16-4, Carter and Chris Stanard, 3 Margaret Mr M C Mollart- Mr E P Bates CONGRATULATIONS to Margaret the Porter 15-5 and the Markham 19-l. and Bud Abbott; Yuletide Swiss Rogerson 1 Star Master Curtis, Sid Prince, Pat Watson and Having played more matches than teams 1 David and Rosemary Spencer, 4 Star Master MrR Ashdown John Mansfield on winning the Swiss other counties, it is difficult to work Barry Tobutt and Ros Concanon, Mrs C Brayford MrK Bains teams event at the National Seniors out how our teams are placed, but it 2 jeremy Baker, Dave Huggett, Andrew 3 Star Master MrARKent Congress in Daventry - a brilliant looks as though we have very little Bennett and Jill Shortman, 3 Phil Mr DE Bessant Mrs S S Weedon result! chance of prevailing in either the Vaile, David Heywood, Roy Green and 2 Star Master Ms R Windler In the Middlesex Congress Peter Dawes or the Markham. Sam Speed. Mr BJ Mitchell Advanced Franklin, Alan Mayo and team-mates In the Seniors Congress Colin Diary dates: February 9 IBM simul­ Master 1 Star Master won the Swiss teams and in the Swiss Wadsworth was ninth and Andrew taneous pairs, clubs; February 12 Mrs CD Redrup Mrs J J Ashby pairs Rob Elliott and Sandy Riach fin­ Kambites ll th in the pairs final, while Valentine Swiss teams; February 25 Mrs MA Osborne Mrs I Willis ished lOth equal, with Chris Megahey Richard Hennell and Kanwar Rahim Pottage Cup semi-final A, Andover Mrs M Smith Master and John Sutcliffe 12th equal. Mrs BAston were half of the team that finished a 2pm; February 26 pivot teams; March Advanced Essex prizewinners in the Eastern Master MrR H Burt creditable seventh of 105 in the strong 12 EBU Green Point Swiss teams, Counties simultaneous pairs were Mrs CM Nussey County Master Swiss teams event. Winchester 1pm; March 19 Pottage Mr J B Stredwick Mr RS Cowling Maureen Huntingford and Charles In the GCBA inter-county Everett Cup semi-final B 1pm and Bayer No Master District Master Matthews, who finished fifth overall Cup Warwickshire were first, Fear pairs (plus loW heat); April 2 Mrs E R Carmichael MrR 0 Cave and Dennis Hicks and Yvonne Dagwell Leicestershire second and Wiltshire Candover mini Swiss teams; April 9 MrRMThomas Mrs S Cook who were eighth. In the Children in third. Pottage Cup final1pm and Farley Cup County Master Ms G Parry Need Monday sim pairs, Mike Witl1 regret we end on a sad note. pairs l.30pm. All the above will be held MrAJ Field MrMRudd Langstone and Tony Flaherty were Steve Darke, a GCBA and CBC mem­ at Ramsey, starting at 2pm, unless oth­ Club Master MrsMThomas eighth. ber for 20 years, died suddenly last erwise listed. Entries to Lillian Craigan MrsMA Club Master Results of recent Essex competitions month, aged only 44. He will be great­ by phone 02380 254276. or email to Moorman Mr MPearce are as follows: seniors' pairs 1 Margaret ly missed by his many friends in both [email protected] Mrs L Tavacoli MrDRawden Curtis and Dave Sherman, 2 Tessa Beer organisations and we extend our deep­ Mrs D Riordan MrB A Wells and Ray Cornell, 3 Alan Cohen and Isle Of Man est sympathy to his family. Bob Hair; winter novices pairs 1 jenny Herefordshire Herefords hire 4 Star Master Diary dates: February 5 county Pateman and Barbara Rowlands, 2 www. herefordshirebridge.co.uk 3Star MrME pairs final; February 12 Ace of Clubs Tournament Mawdsley John Court and Laurie Platt, 3 Bryan final; February 19 Newent Bowl; THE HBA website has been updated. Master Booth and Jill Booth; mixed pairs 1 Pat February 22 Rank Xerox teams; Please also note that the address has Mrs J Homes Kent Watson and John Mansfield, 2 Val February 26 National newcomers' been changed to the above. 1 Star Master Life Master Clifford and Ray Clarke, 3 Stella pairs; April 9 Cotswold Cup. The County Club teams league has Mr JH Andrews MrsMA Shupick and Monty Krirngoltz, flitch 20 entries this year - five from Mr AJMorris Heilbrun winners Sue and Chris Taylor. Hereford Bridge Club, four from Ross, Master National Master Diary dates: February 12 Essex non­ Hants and loW three from Ledbury, two each from Mrs J Porter Mrs K LPryor expert pairs; March 15 Essex Spring hantsbridge.org Wyeside and Fownhope, and one County Master 8 Star Premier Seniors; March 24 Gwen Herga tro­ THE Corn Cairdis annual friendly each from the Birches, Leominster, Mrs MFL Grubb Regional Master phies; March 26 National newcomers' encounter between England and Bromyard and the Marches. The Mrs PA McBain MrPKHowe heats. Ireland is to be hosted this year by competition is being played over five District Master 4 Star Premier Hants and Isle of Wight (Feb ruary 17- sessions and after two of them Ms J C Brenchley Regional Master Hereford E were in the lead with Mrs V M Pascoe Dr S FA Rafique Gloucestershire 19). Each side puts out a team consist­ ing of four club players, four county 124vps, followed by Hereford A on112 Club Master Mrs C M www.gcba.org.uk Mr C Funke Schofield players and four officials from its and Bromyard on 109. WELL done to the Gloucestershire Mrs J G Funke 3 Star Premier national organising body. Tom and Ben Paske have represent­ Mrs R Wilson Regional Master team of Paul Denning, Patrick Shields, On February 17 we are hoping to ed England under 20s in two events, Mr I MOttley Keith Stanley, Richard Butland, hold a competition at Ramsey for any first against a Scottish team in a friend­ Hertfordshire Tournament Richard Chamberlain, John Atthey, Joe members to come and meet and play ly international and then in the Premier Life Master Angseesing, Graham Sadie, John together with the Irish representatives. Channel Trophy, played in Ostend, Master Mrs JG Hogston Rookwood and Derek Rue, with npc Anyone interested in playing on the where England beat the Netl1erlands Mrs QTJ 4 Star Master Judy Sanis, for qualifying for the final 17th. or attending as observers on and Belgium twice each, but lost twice Harding MrMR Benson of the Tollemache. Our hopes go with the18th-19th. should contact a mem­ to France, the event winners. Life Master MrVRHughes them to the February fmal. ber of the committee for information. County competition results: Swiss MrALLee 3 Star Master Commiserations go to John It is an experience to be recommended. pairs for the Bulmer Rose Bowl 1 J MrS Y Sachak Mrs EAFox Rookwood's team of Andrew Congratulations to Stuart Strachan Thacker and DWeller, 2 T Truluck and Premier 2 Star Master Kambites, Ian and Val Constable and National Master Mrs EA Tweed and Eleanor Rice on winning the Roll J Griffiths, 3 C and A Brown. MrR Button John Atthey, representing Cheltenham of Honour pairs, with Daphne Phillips Diary dates: February 3 No Fear 1 Star Master Bridge Club, for their narrow defeat in National Master Mrs v Boa and Miles Cowling second and Chris teams (only one member of the team Mrs S Dow the NICKO final to Amersham BC, and Poole and Steve Lee third. may be ranked above County Master), Advanced to Paul Denning and Patrick Shields 3 Star Regional Master Other results: Wessex Cup 1 Dave Bartestree 7pm; February 10 inter-club Master MrsCM for their team losing in the final of the Thornton Lesley Lewis and Chris and teams round four, Ledbury 7pm; Mrs S Bond Blundell Crockfords Plate. Some consolation for Richard Ray, 2 Kathy Vaile, John February 25 ladies' and men's pairs, 1 Star Regional Mrs J H Chopra them is their selection for the Welsh Moore, Jeremy Baker and Pat Tarrington 2pm; March 11 club teams Master Dr R K Chopra Camrose team, where we wish them Downham, 3 Helen Ackroyd, Mike of eight, Tarrington 2pm; Marcl1 26 Mr R L Turnham Mr E Rochester well (except against England!). Organ, David Berwitz and Roy Riley; heat of National Newcomers' pairs Regional Master Master john Atthey's success in junior Jubilee Cup 1 Rosemary Pinches, Jan (provisional); April1 multiple teams of MsAHeini Mrs C Fowler bridge continues. Playing with Chris Whitehouse, Eleanor Rice, Marion four, Tarrington 10.30am. 4 Star Mrs M Hughes Owen he won the under 25s trials and Stevens, Marion Rudd, Fred Esch, Tour nament MrsMA this pair has been selected for both the Madeline Lawson and Sula Turpin, 2 Master Morrison junior Camrose and the Channel MrW EKenney John )ones, Mac Nurmohamed, Trophy. Another former Gloucester-

February 2006 English Bri dge 39 Heather Hobson and Roy posed move to Kettering. Copies of the Master Point Hertfordshire Garthwaite won the mixed pairs, while letter and its reply can be viewed on the promotions www.hertfordshirebridge.co.uk Bill Gardner and George Pilcher won LCBA web-site. CONGRATULATIONS to Anne both the open pairs and the pre-con­ LCBA Congress: pairs 1 David Kent cont 4 Star Regional gress pairs. Pendlebury and judy Brearley, 2 Master Flockhart, Vernon Gaskell, Alan Kay, County Master We look forward to seeing our regu­ Andrew Petrie and Jeff Smith; 3 Alex MrGL David Walker, Mike Hancock and MrW JMarle lar visitors and some newcomers too, and Tony Wilkinson; teams 1 Andrew MrP R Pike Lederman Roger Gibbons, who have won the next year from September 9-11. Petrie, Giles Foster, Bill Alston and Mrs ME Taggart Regional Master NICKO Plate. This year saw the 90th birthday of Colin Mitchell, 2 Sue and Nick District Master Ms S Rohan Also well done to Celia Oram, who Kathryn Crowe, a stalwart of Isle of MrM H Jenson 2 Star Master was second in the ladies' pairs at the Woodcock, Vinny Bhushan and Ray MrV Judge Ms R E Stanley London Year End Congress and Alan Man bridge for 50 years, with her hus­ Parkinson, 3 Mike Nicholson, Steve Club Master 1 Star Master Kay, who was third in the men's pairs band john, founder of the Island Haley, Paul and Hilda Williams. Mrs F Diggens Mrs M Robertson and seventh in the Swiss teams. Bridge Club in Douglas. LCBA restricted pairs 1 Les Mank Mrs A Lawford MrD Meanwhile m Blackpool Sheila and Kath Monro, 2 Denise Martin and Mrs J Parkinson Strawbridge Evans was seventh in the mixed pairs. Kent Christine Richardson, 3 Ilsa Park and Advanced Kathleen Higson; Lytham Rose Bowl 1 Lancashire The Hertfordshire team of Anne Master Flockhart, Vernon Gaskell, Alan Kay, www.kcba.org.uk Derek Williams and Bill Winter, 2 Alan National Master Mrs SR Draper David Walker, Francis Eddleston, Bill IT has been a 'nearly' winter so far. In Whittam and Clive Henderson, 3 Peter Mr JB Brelsford Master Thud, Malcolm Harris, Dave Dickson, the Gold Cup Pat Collins, Derek and Diana Sizer, equal 3 Steve Green 6 Star Regional Mrs L Kennedy Celia and Derek Oram missed out by Patterson, Peter Crouch, Neil Rosen and Pete Rowlands. Master County Master just 1vp on qualifying for the final of and Gerald and Stuart Tredinnick did Diary dates: February 12 Doyle Mrs M Taft Mrs G Calero the Tollemache. superbly to reach the final, but failed by Trophy Swiss teams, Southport Bridge Regional Master Mrs YLewis just 2limps to beat the team captained Mrs J Wright In the Middlesex Congress Karima Club; February 19 LCBA teams of eight Mr CW Stewart by janet de Botton. 5 Star Master Basse and Roy Button were third in the championships, Athenaeum, Bury; District Master In the inter-counties Tollemache Mrs J Passel Mrs L Anderson Swiss pairs, with Rick Irwin and Sonia February 24-26 EBU Spring Congress, Cup the Kent team of jeremy Willans, 3 Star Master Mr KA Beaton Griffiths sixth. In the Swiss teams Tara Harrogate; March 5 LCBA Butler Phil Bailey, Gerald and Stuart Mrs M PFinch Club Master and Stan Harding, Anne Flockhart and pairs, Blackburn Bridge Club; March Tredinnick, Catherine and Ian Draper, 2 Star Master MrB A Pinner Vernon Gaskell were fourth, and 11-12 North West Green Point Mrs G D Hill Mrs E M Pinner Martin Rodney, Bobbie Rodney, Denis O'Donovan and john Short fin­ Weekend, Risley; March 17-19 1 Star Master MrM P Sheedy Malcolm Harris and Maria Budd were ished third in their qualifying group, Cumbria Congress, Bassenthwaite; MrC B Wood Mrs K Verwiel­ sixth. missing out on a place in the final by March 26 National pairs regional final, Master Marks Eccles Cup 1 New Hertford, 2 Heme! just 8vps. Bradford; March 31-April 2 WBU There was more positive news at the Mrs P Flack Manchester Hempstead, 3 Harpenden Duplicate; Spring Congress, Llandudno; April 2 Mrs N Platts Porthcawl Congress, where Diane Bury Swiss pairs, Athenaeum, Bury. Premier Golf?rint Trophy 1 Hartsbourne, 2 MrsWM Dyrham Park, 3 Harpenden Common; Rogers and Eddie Lucioni won the Sutherland National Master Mr DAudley Humble Cup quarter-finalists are Dill, open pairs and fmished third in the MrsAHTulley mixed pairs before teaming up with Leicestersh ire National Master Dickson, Tinn, Evans, Stimson, Oram, District Master Andrew Southwell and Matthew www.leicsbridge.org. uk Mrs P Drain Mrs A Super Howland and Doye. 1 Star Premier Diary dates: February 6 HBS simul­ Hoskins to flllish second in the teams WE are pleased to report that Ramnik Leicestershire Regional Master taneous pairs; February 12 final. Karen and Malcolm Pryor, Neil Samani was able to travel to Kettering Life Master Mr P Worswick Hertfordshire Rose Bowl; February 19 Benn and Steve Burton were runners­ to receive his Dimmie Fleming award, MrB E 3 Star Regional Humble Cup second qualifinal; March up in the secondary teams final. which was presented to him by EBU Chamberlain Master 24 Marjorie Lukyn Charity Cup; Alison Burt, playing with Sandra chairman Denis Robson at the opening Mr A Lipson 2 Star March 26 national newcomers' pairs. Love (Somerset) won the ladies' pairs of the Tollemache Cup qualifier. For Tournament 5 Star Master For forthcoming events please contact at the West of England congress, while the second successive year Leicester­ Master MrSH Mike Minting at 01442 833247 or Eddie Lucioni, playing with Dan Crofts shire, represented by Paul Bowyer and MrS Will iams Mattinson email [email protected] (Warwickshire) won the men's equiva­ jim Mason, Ben Green and Duncan 5 Star Master 2 Star Master lent. Happer, Tony Kitson and Nick Stevens, Mr 1 M Thomson Dr SC Gupta to enter. If you have would like to report your Congratulations also to KCBA secre­ and Alan Langley and Dick Pathan, 3 Star Master 1 Star Master tary Brian Crack on his election to the with Robert Northage as non-playing Mr PJ Cooney Mrs C M Foulkes successes, both local and national, please contact Francis Eddleston at EBU's tournament committee. Brian captain, proceeded to qualify for the 2 Star Master Master would welcome comments members eight team final in February. Mr P O'Farrell Mr D C R Collier [email protected] may have on any tournament issues. In the fifth and sixth rounds of the Mr DR Gray Club Master Other results: Maidstone Swiss 2005-06 Midland counties league, in Ms M Sperrings County Master Mr B Hobden teams 1 Denis O'Donovan, john Short, matches against Gloucestershire and Peter Law and Clive Cubitt, 2 john Worcestershire, the first team con tin­ Lincolnshire District Master THOSE of us who have used the excuse 5 Star Master Prof A Bray that we were turning out in a partner­ Cullingworth, David Kendrick, David ued in good form with 19-1 and 16-4 MrHS Watson Miss A R Morris ship for the first time were put to Stretton and Paul Roberts; Tunbridge victories, but the second team lost by 3 Star Master shame at the Isle of Man Congress. Wells Swiss teams 1 Catherine and Ian 5-15 and 9-11, while the third team MrD G Fearn Merseyside Two of the players in the winning team Draper, Michael Prior and Gary Wiles, had mixed fortunes recording a 19-1 and Cheshire Mrs PA Herring were a pair who had not met each 2 C Bainham, M Clare, j Hiukeshoven victory and an 8-12 defeat. These Regional Master 2 Star Master other before the congress and they and KBell. results left the first team odds on Mrs J Pembridge Mrs JF Hill were matched up with two players they Diary dates: February 19 George favourites to retain the Dawes League MrWQ Tournament Griffiths seniors' pairs, Tunbridge title and placed the third team second Lockwood Master bumped into for the first time in the Wells 1pm. Please see the KCBA web­ in the Markham Trophy. Mrs G L O'Neill foyer of the congress hotel. 1 Star Master site for details of local Larsky Cup and Three rounds of the Josephs Bowl, Mrs K Barton Master In a result that was a triumph for National pairs heats. the Leicestershire teams-of-four cham­ County Master Mr G F Campbell online bridge, occasional online part­ Any news, results or events for this pionship, have reduced the field to Mr PEvans County Master ners Ruth Mystique Barker of column should be sent to: eight. The draw for the quarter-frnals District Master Mr P Nuttall Harrogate and Gerard Brito of nmbenn@hotmailcom Mrs BEvans District Master London, teamed up with Tony judge was Irene Krantz, Steve Byrne, Gary MrPD !son MrDE and Sheila Evans to win by 6vps after Duddle, Chris Potter and David Green Club Master Armstrong leading all the way. Congratulations to Lancashire v Robert Northage, Brian Mr KA Taylor Mr J C Wootton all of them. Chamberlain, David Fletcher and www.lancsbridge.co.uk Antony Marshall; Roger Cook, Chris Middlesex Second place went to regular visitor London Croz Croswell's team (Degsy Williams, LANCASHIRE finished fourth in its Bancroft, Anne Blackwell, Gerry Premier Premier Ben Ritacca and Gavin MacKay). Tollemache qualifying group behind Bucciero, Dave J Pollard and Bob National Master National Master Surrey, the North East and Parker v Alan Langley, Hugh Cairns, Mr D Goodwin Mrs V Durbin The championship pairs was won by Celia and Derek Oram, from Ben Warwickshire. Special mention must Dick Pathan, Geoff Shaw and Nick National Master National Master be made of Andrew Woodcock and Stevens; Simon Stokes, Tim Glover, Ms R White Mr A L Gradus Ritacca and Gavin MacKay, with Ollie Burgess, who did particularly well Yasser Haider and Peter Neville v John 2 Star Premier 17 Star Premier Maggie and john Pyner third equal with Degsy Williams and Croz in the Butler analysis. Thompson, Brenda Coltman, Len Regional Master Regional Master A letter has been sent to the EBU on Dr A J Kisiel Mr V Reader Croswell. Kvietkauskas, Alan Lord and Ray Le behalf of the LCBA regarding the pro- Vesconte; Ben Gibson, Christina

.Q English Bridge February 2006 COUNTY NEWS I Brewster, Chris Heames and Michael Maplethorpe-Keith Stewart encounter. Horscroft, Peter Brook, Jonathan Master Point Osborne v Mick Mahoney, Ian Bruce, Doris Fry, one of our honorary life Jacobs and Roy Westwater), 3 London promotions Marjorie Gilbertson, Pat Watson and members, died on December 5. She League TGRs (Marilyn Nathan, Seb Win Stocker. was 101 and played bridge until she Kristensen, Milos Sudjic and Shireen Middlesex cont 2 Star Regional The semi-final line-up in the aggre­ was well in to her nineties and con tin­ Sephabodi). 4 Star Regional Master gate-scored Leicestershire Cup is Peter ued to stay mentaJ!y young tackling the Daily Telegraph Cup 1 London Mr I M Clarke Master Halford, Ian Bruce, Bill Gray and Times crossword. She and her late hus­ (Brian Callaghan, David Burn, Rob Mr IM Isaacs 3 Star Master Cliffe and Ian Payn), 2 Hertfordshire Mr J D Crane Mick Mahoney v Susan Bowyer, Paul band Gilbert helped form the Lincoln 2 Star Regional Bowyer, Tony Odams and Simon club in 1946, which is still going strong. (Arni Anidjar-Romain, Robert Master Mr SJ Peacher Mr J S Feb land Mrs R Stewart Stokes, and Geoff Shaw, Hugh Cairns, Condolences to her family and friends. Teesdale, John Phalp and Ron Howey) Diary dates: February 12 random 3 Sussex (Chris Bainham, Magnus 1 Star Regional 2 Star Master Harry Gordon and Jim Taylor v John Master Mr RL Clements Myles, Dennis Davis, Ramish Kakad seeded teams (Although the entry clos­ Berger, Eddie Luciani and john MrS M Gold Advanced and Penny Myles. es on February 3 it is still possible to Murrell). Under 19 pairs champi­ Mrs J Haring Master The Wilde Cup (non-expert teams contact competitions secretary Stuart onship 1 Alice Slight and Yi Wang, 2 Regional Master MrDPYoung of four) was again won by a Grantham Knox to see if there is room. This is a Yuming Mei and Weiye Yang, 3 Alice MrT As 'ad District Master team; this year by Graham Smith, Irene fun competition with experienced Kaye and Paul Simister 1 Star Mr P Burgin Pacey, Tom and Jackie Simpson, with players seated N-S and less experienced Diary dates: February 5 London Tournament the defending champions from the ones drawing to make up as team­ championship pairs, YCBC 1pm North East Master club a distant eighth. The runners-up, mates); March 5 Garden Cities heat, (Contact Nigel Freake on 020 8801 Life Master Mrs I N Shaw as last year were, from Goodwood, Dunholrne; March 19 Vincents. 2884 or [email protected]); Tournament Miss R Foster Mr JS Moor again represented by Dennis Yates, February 26 junior inter-county teams, Master Basil Lilley and Paul Hanson, but with YCBC noon (Contact Chris Mr B Simmonds National Master London Mrs N Bell Brian Rowarth replacing Phil Bennett. Duckworth on 020 7385 3534 or 4 Star Master John Bowness, Greta Cole, Graeme www.metrobridge.co. uk [email protected]); March MrK Sandom Dr DLF Dunleavy Pope and Keith Preston of the County CONGRATULATIONS to Janet de 11-12 Green Point Swiss weekend, 3 Star Master Mrs E Spalding Club were third. Botton, who has crowned her very suc­ YCBC - Swiss pairs Saturday 1pm, MrPA Biscoe cessful year by winning the Gold Cup Mrs DJDomb 6 Star Premier In the Stanley Trophy the leading Swiss teams Sunday 11.30 am.( with team-mates including Gunnar 2 Star Master Regional Master scores after the third heat were 1 Tim Contact Sati McKenzie on 020 7627 Mr R H Hannaby Mrs SE Davies Glover and Peter Neville +81 Butler Hallberg, Nick Sandqvist and Artur 0977 or [email protected]); March Ms c Stafford 4 Star Premier imps; 2 Tony Kitson and Nick Stevens Malinowski. Very well done also to 30 Garden Cities heat, YCBC 7pm 1 Star Master Regional Master +42; 3 Henry and Beryl Cooklin +34. Colin Simpson, David Price, Tom (Contact Chris Duckworth as above). Dr I Budden Mrs J Angel The efforts of the Ashby, Blaby, Townsend and David Gold for winning District Master 1 Star Premier Bradgate, County, Grantham, stage three of the English open trials, Mrs V Sand Regional Master and to Nick Sandqvist and Artur Manchester Mrs M Davison Loughborough and Westcotes clubs in Club Master running heats of the David Boston Malinowski, who were third in this www.lighton.btinternet.co.uk 10 Star Regional stage of the trials. CONGRATULATIONS to John Mr NE Foster Master simultaneous pairs raised nearly £500 MrP Rolczak Mrs SF Bateman for LOROS. Alan Lord and John At the Autumn Congress London Holland and Paul Hackett on their Mr AJ Shah Thompson, playing at Westcotes, fin ­ members who did well included Phil selection for England in the Camrose Mr J Shah 9 Star Regional Master ished third in the national ranking. Andrews and Michael Graham, fourth internationals and to Michelle Brunner Norfolk Mr J Bateman Diary dates: February 6 National in the Two Stars pairs, and and Rhona Goldenfield on their selec­ Life Master 6 Star Regional pairs heat, Loughborough Grammar Peter Czerniewski and Rob Cliffe and tion for England in the Lady Milne Mr p H Darby Master School (LGS); February 8 Buckby Nora Smith, first and second respec­ Trophy to be held in Ballymena at the end of March. Also, well done to the 2 Star Mr WC Harper (men's) and Olga (ladies') pairs, tively in the satellite pairs, and Dom Tournament 5 Star Regional Barkby; February 14, 20, 21 and 23 Goodwin, second in the Swiss pairs. AI juniors - to Michael Byrne and Alex Master Master Gimson Trophy round one club heats; and Olivia Woo were third in the Morris on their selection for tl1e Junior Miss BM Shreeve Mr P Rodgerson February 19 Midland Counties league Eastbourne Bowl, Rosie White, Brian Camrose in Edinburgh and to David 1 Star Mr S Russell v Oxfordshire, LGS; March 6 Gimson Ransley, Paul Martin and Brian Collier and Mark Reeve on represent­ Tournament 3 Star Regional Trophy open heat, LGS; March 8 Mcguire were fourth in the Burlington ing England in the Channel Trophy in Master Master Cup and Rob Cliffe and Nora Smith Belgium in December. Particular Mr RB Shreeve Miss S Caygill Stanley Trophy heat five, Glenfield; March II Green Point Swiss pairs, LGS; won the Sussex Cup. congratulations and aJl our best wishes 4 Star Master 2 Star Regional March 11 Green Point Swiss teams, At the Year End Congress, particular go to John Hassett, Bill Hirst, John Mrs J Barker Master congratulations go to Richard Holland and Michelle Brunner, who Mrs ME Portbury Mrs J Astill LGS; March 22 Gimson Trophy north­ 3 Star Master Mr J G Brandon- ern semi-final, LGS; March 22 Hillman, who won the men's pairs, will be representing England in Mrs CIS Rockett Joyce Gimson Trophy southern semi- final, Gunnar HaJ!berg, who won the mixed the Commonwealth Nations Bridge pairs, Mark Cast who won the Swiss Championships 111 Melbourne in 2 Star Master 1 Star Blaby; March 28 Leicester Mercury Mr G Hardman Tournament Learners Pairs Trophy; April 2 teams and Geoffrey Lederman, who March. Master Midland Counties league v Derbyshire, was equal first in the Swiss pairs, The Gold Cup, the ultimate event 1 Star Master Mr G lrwing Mr JN Stobart Spondon; AprilS Gimson Trophy final, but just missed out on the trophy in British Bridge, was won this year by 5 Star Master LGS; April 12 Stanley Trophy heat six, on a split tie. Other fine results came Jason and Justin Hackett for the third Advanced Mrs PM Hands LGS; April12 amateur pairs, Barkby. from Debbie Sandford and Gad time. Master Mrs R Malcolm Mrs HMCamey Chadha, second in the pre-congress The Seniors' Congress pairs champi­ MrsGF 4 Star Master pairs, Marilyn Nathan and Artur onship in Daventry was won by Kath Phillippo Mr D Barker Lincolnshire Malinowski, second in the mixed pairs, and Alan Nelson. They swept the board Mrs D Barker Master www.lincsbridge.org. uk Phil King and Sebastien Kristensen, in this very well attended competition, MrDAEllis 3 Star Master Mrs S Ashurst THE Lincoln Imp was well supported third in the men's pairs, and Tom finishing top of the qualifying, second County Master Mrs PGraham in the early years that it was played. Townsend, Colin Simpson, Janet de in the semi-final and emerging victori­ Mr DAppleby MrAM Pryor Unbelievably only three teams turned Botton, Nick Sandqvist, Gunnar ous from more than 120 pairs in the MrR Hill Mrs JA Taylor up latest Imp in November. Drastic Hallberg and Artur Malinowski, equal main final. Mr S Lawrence action is now needed by the manage­ third in the Swiss teams in two separate Kath and Alan had a successful end Mrs SA Swan 2 Star Master Mrs E Goodway ment committee for this event. All sug­ teams! to the year. Following on from Club Master Mr B Myers gestions will be greatly appreciated, Noteworthy performances in other Daventry they came second at the Mrs A Hallett Mrs PA Peters­ perhaps increasing rank restrictions. events include those from Liz Clery, annual Llangollen Swiss teams, playing Northampton­ Jones The county Swiss teams was won by who won the Swiss pairs at the with Michael Byrne in the team, and shire Mrs F Sturdy Maurice Ladlow, Mo Parsons, Brian Middlesex Congress, where Ashwin tl1en collected two trophies at the Year National Master 1 Star Master Smith and Ron WaJI. Equal second Patel and Carmel Wood were second in End Congress at Blackpool - the mixed Mr JJ Bainbridge MrM Sherman were Alan and Drene Brown, Nick the Swiss teams, and from David Parry, pairs and then the Swiss teams with MrK Ward Mr J A Larkin Dyer and Mike Perry, with Glyn Rosie White, Liz Wright and Nick team-mates Jeff Morris and Ollie Ad vanced 4 Star Regional Elwick, John Aherne, Vic and Mike Wilson, who won the Swiss teams at Burgess. David Adelman, playing with Master Master Mrs JRumney Llewellyn. the West of England Congress. Derbyshire's Alex Hogg, finished sec­ MrM N Gore One Lincoln Gold semi-final is Champions Cup 1 Hammersmith ond in the Swiss pairs. Browne between John Gaunt and Bill Parsons, League (Frank Wharton, Paul Walker Well done to Tracy Capal on win­ and the other will be between Alan and Barry and Barbara Stoker), 2 Civil ning the Spanish open bridge pairs Brown and the winners of the Barbara Service League Treasury (Graham championship in partnership with Ian

February 2006 Eng li sh Bri dge 41 Pan to of London and well done also to The county pairs event for the taught in a friendly and sociable style, Master Point Irving and Joy Blakey who have Waterworth Cup was won by David with an emphasis on bridge etiquette promotions returned from their travels to win one Flacks and Paul Roberts, who were and good manners. This has given of Scotland's most challenging events, also the winners last year. In second many students the confidence to North East cont 2 Star Master the Gold Cup Congress pairs champi­ place were Bill and Liz Wattleworth, progress to playing in the Norfolk Master Mrs RA Martin onship at Peebles. with Simon Whitehouse and Tim clubs, with some playing for county Mr A R Archibald Mrs B Wolseley The county continues to contribute Prior third. teams. Mrs E Bramley 1 Star Master significantly to the organisation of The team of David Flacks, John Hundreds of bridge players will Mrs S Houghton Mrs A Jackson Mr JH Smith Mr P McEwen bridge in England, with Dellis Robson Leather, David Stevenson and llichard always be grateful to the Dinsdales re-elected chairman of the English Silcock, representing Deva BC, per­ who, tluough their excellent teaching County Master County Master Mrs B Knudsen MrM Toft Bridge Uruon and Jeff Morris and Alan formed magnificently to reach the final skills, have made the game both acces­ Mr MJLynch Club Master Nelson elected to the board of the EBU. of the NICKO Plate competition, but sible and enjoyable. Their talents will Mrs CPurdon Mr T J Stuttard Alan is now also chairman of the tour­ they sadly fell at the final hurdle, losing be greatly missed and we wish Dave District Master nament committee, to which Paul to a team representing Welwyn Garden and Bobby well in their retirement. Mrs J Clement Staffs and Hackett has recently been elected. Jeff City BC. Well done to them for getting The Norfolk Tollemache team of M MrDW Shrops Morris has been appointed the EBU so far in this national inter-dub event. Walsh, M Millson, A Thompson, M Greenwell-Bliss Premier Life representative to the Central Council Diary dates: February 5 county tri­ Dignen, S Dannell, P Darby, R Arney, D Mrs JHicks Master for Physical Recreation in addition to als, MBC; February 19 Jean Keen Newstead and G Faulkner narrowly MrAETipton Mr J S Kitching his responsibilities for mind sports. Trophy county women's teams, MBC; missed out on qualifying for the finals. Life Master Mr J P Phillipson Peter Jones and Peter Foster won the February 26 Merseyside and Deeside They were leading their group of nine Mrs A E llichards Club Master Ben Franks Trophy early in December, Cup county pivot teams, MBC; March teams with one match to play, but sadly Mrs !Bishop 3 Star Premier just outscoring father and son partner­ 11 -12 Green Point weekend, llisley; lost to Staffordshire. It was nevertheless Mr DG Scott Regional Master Mrs S M Anslow ship Alex and Jeff Morris, who last March 16 Charity Challenge simulta­ a good effort by the team. Nottingham­ Regional Master won the trophy in 2000.The top four neous pairs, MBC; April 23 Preece Results: Allwood Wharton Trophy 1 shire Mrs S 1 Stirton pairs qualify to play in the Corwen Rosebowl county ladies' pairs, Kings Head, 2 King's Lynn, 3 Norfolk Master 1 Star Master Trophy in June. Blundellsands BC; May 1 May Day and Norwich; Orb Paquot Swiss pairs 1 MrREvans Mrs B Edwards There were 25 tables in play at Swiss pairs, MBC. J Scotting and M Whiting, 2 I Green District Master Mr JL Harvard Manchester Bridge Club's Santa Claus and N Hill, 3 P Whittley and D MrR S Kjng MrE I Storm pairs event, which was won for the sec­ Middlesex Thompson; Buxton Trophy 1 J Murfit, Club Master County Master ond year running by father and son J Allinson, L Portbury and A Metcalf, 2 Mr D A Garside Mr JH Bulmer combination Tony and Alex Wilkinson, www.btinternet.com-/- m- c_b_a -- R Hunt, T Longstaff, R Harber and P District Master AT the Mjddlesex Congress the Swiss Oxford shire who are now Scottish internationals. Whittle, 3 A Sandell, A George, BandT Mrs TM Brown The annual Manchester v pairs for the Sharples Cup was won by Hopkjns; Barbara Dick-Cleland 1 Star Regional Ryan Stephenson and Liz Clery, with Master Suffolk Merseyside match took place at Trophy 1 J Davies, J Allen, R Hill and R Mrs S Mi lHkin Manchester Bridge Club, where the Mozelle Nahome and Geoff Dennett Harrowven, 2 S Backshall, G 1 Star Regional second and Karima Basse and Roy 3 Star Master home side led by !Simps at half time Davidson, P Bloomfield and S Meed. Tournament Mrs E J Marsh and went on to win by a comfortable Button third. In the Swiss teams for the Diary dates: March 5 Committee Maurice Harrison-Gray Trophy Peter Master 2 Star Master margin. The Manchester team includ­ Cup, teams of eight; March 19 General Mrs JEAlden Mrs J C Kennedy ed Peter and Joyce Hishmurgh, David Kaufmann, Dick Shek, Alan Mayo and Meeting and presentation of winter 2 Star Master 1 Star Master Pennington, Barbara Lewis, Sam Peter Franklyn came out on top, with trophies, followed by Swiss teams for Mrs EM Dr H Lacey Herman, Kevin and Celia Comrie, Frances Liew, Sue Grant, Ashwin Patel the North Walsham Trophy; April 7-9 Martensen Mrs M A Phillips Craig Fisher, Mike Goldsmith, Boris and Carmel Wood second and Doreen 38th Kings Lynn Congress, Duke's Master Advanced Ewart, Peter Foster, Frank Brown and Charteris, Marie Horlock, John Amor Head (For further details contact Mrs AJA Hood Master Dave Audley. and llichard Currie finished third. Sheila Warner, 01553 675816, or visit County Master Mrs C Gemmell Diary dates: February 2 GolfPrint The Dorset Cup, a multiple teams of the Norfolk web site). Mr JA Jones Mrs N Less qualifier, Manchester Bridge Club four event, was won this year by Jacqui Mrs MV Jones Ms F K P Waters 7.30pm (Entries to Jeff Morris 0161- Tobias, Gareth Jones and Derek and Mr R A Watts Capt R I Waters Northamptonshire 445-3712 - golf clubs please note! ); Celia Oram. There was a tie for second District Master Master place, Waseem Naqvi, Tony Waterlow, www. northantsbridge.info Ms C Braithwaite Mr T Hjaltun February 5 county teams of eight qual­ Mjss H R Erfan- Mr AE ifier for the Garden Cities Trophy, Jerry Harouni and llichard Bowdery WE are sad to report the death of Ray Ahmed Winchester Manchester Bridge Club lpm (Clubs sharing it with Ken Drane, Lawrence Porter. He was a member of the county Mr R Heys County Master should enter their best teams with Powell, Alison Gayfer and Mike Davis. team playing in Eastern Counties Mrs E Parkinson Mr M L Steve Mattinson 0161-439 4318); Following several years of disap­ league and a supporter of all county Mrs JCB De benham February 26 Cantor Cup county event pointing performance in the and many national events. He will also llichardson Mrs JA Driver for newcomers, Altrincham Bridge Tollemache, Mjddlesex players finally be missed at Peterborough Bridge Mrs K J Taylor District Master Club (Entries to Barbara Lewis 0161- got their act together and topped their Club, where he was a regular director, MrDWigley Mr DR Cairns 428 4278); March 19 Portland Pairs section to qualify for the final in including the popular pivot teams Club Master MrN Farr (national mixed pairs), Manchester February. tournament. MrAW Club Master Bridge Club lpm; March 26 National At the Seniors' Congress at Daventry Stamford A won the Lakeland Brruthwrute Mrs EM Butolph Mrs LBudgen newcomers' pairs heat, Manchester Brenda and Geoff Foley came top in Trophy for club teams of eight for the Mr AHaig­ Bridge Club lpm (This event is played the final of the B tligh t Swiss pairs. first time. The winning team was Mike Mr RBudgen Thomas simultaneously in clubs round the Diary dates: February 12 ladies' and Gore Browne, Bill Chadwick, Mike Mrs EM Crump MrM Werb Mrs H country); April9 Higson Cup and Plate men's pairs, Acol BC; February 26 clubs Auger, Chandra Ramamoorthy, Berry Derbyshire Surrey final, Manchester Bridge Club lpm. championship teams of eight, Acol BC. Hedley, Graham Hedley, Marcus Witt Mr P Derbyshire Premier Heats of the champion pairs and mixed and Trevor Thrower. Stamford will Mrs D Henderson National Master pairs take place at various Middlesex represent Northamptonshire in the Miss L Pulford Mrs M E Merse~side/Cheshire clubs during February and March. Garden Cities Trophy. On tl1e same day Mr P Stevenson Linwood www.mcba.org.uk Kettering won the Kettering Trophy Somerset Mrs MP Roomes CONGRATULATIONS to the county Norfolk teams of four. The winning team was Premier 2 Star Premier Tollemache team which, after a modest Colin Tuton, Rodney King, Peter Dunn Regional Master National Master fust two sessions, finished strongly to www.norfolkbridge.co. uk and Glenys Baron. Mrs RS Johnson Mrs D J Bishop take one of the two qualifying places in BRIDGE in Norfolk will never be the The results for three of the five Eden Mrs B MrCNorman their group for the finals in February. same again. Dave and Bobby Dinsdale, Rangarajan Cup heats are complete. Richard 6 Star Regional The team was Ted Reveley, Ralph the highly respected and very popular Gibson and Eifion Jones won the 1 Star Premier Master Churney, Alan Stephenson, Stuart bridge teachers, have decided to give Northampton heat, David Smith and Mrs JAM Jones Regional Master Mrs A Glancy Matthews, Chris Pope, Simon themselves a well-earned rest and will Pam Peacher won at Peterborough and 1 Star Mr BJ Marsh Edwards, Tim Prior, llichard Silcock, no longer be runnillg their adult edu­ Jim Bainbridge and John Larkjn won at Tournament Dave and Jean Keen, with npc John cation classes. In 21 years of teaching Towcester. The final will take place at Master 6 Star Regional Herbert. bridge in Norfolk almost 1,400 stu­ Kettering Bridge Club on April2, start­ Mr AEC Gotts Master Ms M Shoosrnith The annual county B team match dents have passed through their hands. ing at 1pm. For tlwse not qualifying for 4 Star Master Dave and Bobby have imparted to Mrs A Watkins (eight pairs per team) against the Eden Cup fmal the Murchie Lerner Manchester resulted in a win for those students a sound basic knowl­ is on the same date at Kettering Bridge Manchester by 45imps. edge and understanding of the game, Club, also starting at 1pm.

2 English Bridge February 2006 ~wb \V' I ' COUNTY NEWS I Robert Miller's team has progressed Oliver, Tim Reese and Jenny Cooper Master Point to the semi-final of the Broke Cup and North East won the Friday teams. In the main promotions awaits the outcome of the match www.neba.co.uk teams event Sue King, Vivien Gibson, between Peter Fountain and Brendan IT has been a busy couple of months in M Ferguson and julian Gibson were Surrey cont County Master Alston. In the other half of the the North East, dominated by our con­ third and Clive Owen and Malcolm 4 Star Regional MrsESH draw Maggie Jones has reached the Oliver, playing with Chas and Vi Adams gress and the success of the associa­ Master semi-final and will play the winner of Outred, were fourth. Mrs B Bailey tion's team in the Tollemache. The MrsCMGiU the match between Chris Heames Youth bridge continues to flourish Mr T A Lighting Dr P J Bailey congress was held at Allensford on a MrPL and Richard Gibson. glorious weekend that encouraged under the tender care of Peter Lisle and 3 Star Regional In the Betts Bowl semi-frnals Mike Ken Pattison, and 14 tables took part Master Hainsworth competitors to spend the morning Mrs A Hays Mrs A Harding Keogh's team will play Mark Tilley's walking beside the river, or visiting the in the EBU schools autumn sim pairs, Mrs B Pearce MrP Harding team and Simon Few will play either local shops. Numbers were up on pre­ five playing Bridge and nine playing 2 Star Regional Mrs C F Kurk Colin Tuton or Bill Chadwick. vious years for all events and particu­ MiniBridge. Chris Owen and John Master Miss PJ Laurence In the first division of the inter-club larly pleasing was the newcomers' Atthey (Gloucestershire) represented DrT Mr RBolton league Kettering A are leading with competition, for which there were 12 England in the Junior Channel Trophy McGloughlin 70vps from five matches, but in Belgium and continue their part­ 1 Star Regional MrM Ramzy tables in play - a good omen for the Master MrB Will iams Towcester A are close behind with 66 future. nership in the Junior Camrose in MrsJB from five. In the second division February. Nicola MacDougall will District Master Susan Green masterminded the Deterding Peterborough C and Kettering B are whole affair with her usual aplomb, partner Alex Morton in the under 20 MrMGumey Mr JM Gatrell Mr P L Hodson both on 95vps, but the two have yet to ably assisted by Mary Page and Doreen team for the Peggy Bayer Trophy and 8 Star Mr P Ward meet and Peterborough have a game in Dowell. On the Friday the ladies' pairs joe Mela and Tom Dessain have been Tournament hand. Stamford D are leading division picked for the international invitation Master Club Master were won by Nan Bell and Jo Lormer, MrGJWell s Mrs J Aston three north, but still can be caught by the men's pairs by Clive Owen and event in Amsterdam in March. Our 6 Star Mr R HBames Orton. In division three south Malcolm Oliver and the mixed pairs by congratulations and best wishes go to Tournament Mr B Cousins Kettering C have finished their match­ David Strawbridge and Babs all the young players. Master Mrs A M Gilbert es with 90vps, but the winner is likely Matthews. Damian Hassan and Ian If you are planning to visit the Mrs P L MrRW Guille to be either Kingsley or Kettering D, Rankin won the Congress Swiss pairs, North East in 2006 check our website Mcintosh who are close behind. at www.Neba.co.uk to find out what's 2 Star Mr M Paterson with a tie for second place between Tournament on. You are assured of a warm wel­ Mrs J C Smith After four of the six events Peter Linda and Peter Smith, and Clive Master Fountain's team is leading the north­ Owen and Malcolm Oliver. The cham­ come. MrsET Sussex west part of the Committee Trophy Diary dates: February 12 King Cup, Copeman pionship teams' trophy went to Baz Life Master with 236vps. Marcus Witt's team is in Darlington; February 24-26 EBU Mrs HE Lindsay Caygill, Martin Cantor and Georgia Mrs V Fielding second place on 199, with Kieran and Steve Ray, with the team of Ian Spring Congress, Harrogate; March 5 1 Star Newcastle Congress, Seaton Burn. Tournament 3 Star Premier Tilley's team in third on 179. In the Rankin, Damian Hassan, Mike Regional Master south-west part it is a close contest Stanbury and Ajit Shivdasani second. Master MrASymons Mrs I Brindley after three events, with Mike Wiggins' Linda and Peter Smith shared the Oxfordshire Mr J Neal 11 Star Regional team leading on 231, Doris Moss sec­ Arnold Deane Quaich, and David and Master ond on 216 and Kevin Fogarty third on www.oxfordshirebridge.co.uk Tournament Mr F Ghaleb Tom Carruthers won the newcomers' Master 212. NOTABLE results at the EBU Autumn 4 Star Regional event. MrGJ Main There have been a number of suc­ Our Tollemache team of Bill March Congress at Bournemouth featured MrsMR Main Master Vic Savage and partner achieving Mrs JMA Mayall cesses in EBU events. Congratulations and Damian Hassan, Malcolm Oliver 5 Star Master to Jo Skillern and Peter Fountain for and Dave Broadhead, Clive and Chris fourth place in the satellite final, Mrs VA Beim Regional Master and Gillian Lonsdale and Nigel Wilkes MrA Lea finishing second in the B pairs final Owen, Liz Muir and Dave Roberts, Mr MLJ Tanner reaching seventh place in the Swiss Tournament and third in the teams in the Seniors' together with Steve and Georgia Ray, 4 Star Master Congress at Daventry. Congratulations pairs. Mr JA Clare Master travelled to Kettering and qualified for MrDMOrlans also to Berry and Graham Hedley, who the finals by coming second to Surrey Following the success of the Mr MJ Grinter October debut of the seniors' pairs Mrs T M Hardin a 5 Star Master came third in the Leicestershire Green in a strong pool. Congratulations to all 0 competition, both the November Mr V F Lon a Mrs J M Boydell Point Swiss teams with Joan and Ben the team and we wish them well in the Mrs SM Su;pson 4 Star Master Gibson. Well done to Liz and Ian final. Chris Benneworth deserves a and December events proved equally 3 Star Master Mrs J C Davies Coltman, who were winners of the special mention for his tireless work as popular, with Betty Yearling and Mrs EA Christy Mrs U Perry EBU combined golf and bridge com­ non-playing captain- he has obvious­ Gordon Carroll winning the former Mrs J M Hall Mrs L J petition at Woodhall Spa, with Colin ly been reading how our founder, and Diana Marriott and Christopher Mrs IE Skeggs Southward Porch and Amy Cherry receiving sec­ Ewart Kempson, went about the job! Clarke the latter. Mr RS Smith Mrs B Warner ond prize in the bridge part of the The Gazette Cup finals were held at Free entry to the ever-popular pro­ 3 Star Master 2 Star Master competition. St Georges, when Inga and Neil Aiston am pairs competition was greeted with Mrs J S Adams Mr M HAlder much acclaim. The worthy winners MrDR Blake Results: Lakeland 1 Stamford A, 2 won the cup and Barbara Park and Mrs QMBames Northampton, 3 Peterborough A; were Philip Anstice (pro) and Derek Sir Albert Cahn Mrs WJ Perry Simon Eminson won the shield. Irene Mrs J E Sheridan Kettering Trophy 1 Kettering A, 2 Sharff and David Gold won the Deane Harrison (am). Mrs C A Morgan The ladies' and men's pairs champi­ 2 Star Master Kettering C, 3 Stamford A; Eden Cup Salver (mixed pairs) and a local team Mrs G H Pearson onships were held simultaneously this Mrs P Plinston MrMFord qualifier (Northampton) 1 Richard of Roger and Wendy Stevenson and Mrs Y Gibson and Eifion Jones, 2 Renee Pauline and Brian Somerville won the year, with Gillian Lonsdale and Marion 1 Star Master Day winning the ladies' title and Mr AP Cadge Macdonald Dundas and Leslie Blincow, 3 Nigel Long Newton teams event. Mrs DJ Coate­ MrsE R Baldwin and Alan Burgess; Eden Cup The autumn sim pairs, contested by Alastair Gidman and Krishan Jalie the Bond Mortimer qualifier (Peterborough) 1 David 250 partnerships, was won by Clive men's. Mrs C Poole MrsRF Darby Smith and Pam Peacher, 2 Mark Tilley Owen and Nicola MacDougall. The The Swiss pairs championship again Advanced 1 Star Master and Mike Trask, 3 Bill and Sheila last major NEBA event of the year, the attracted a healthy entry, an event that Master Mr P 1 Evans-Evans; Eden Cup qualifier Niman-Israel (mixed pivot teams) was Clive Keep and John Clifford won by a Mr G C Coomber Cattermole (Towcester) 1 Jim Bainbridge and John considerable margin. Mrs MR Dowlina Mrs B A Chorley won by Dave Broadhead, Mike 0 Larkin, 2 Shirley and James Dutton, 3 Diary dates: February 5 Mr A Hardy Advanced Ferguson, Val Gibson and Bill March, Andy Robinson and Robert Bates. ahead of Inga and Neil Aiston, Mary Haddenham Swiss teams; February 6 Mr RJG Master seniors' pairs, Roke Village Hall; Michelmore Mr BAJ Barnard Diary dates: February 11 Winter Page, and Ray Richardson. February 19 Dawes league v Master MrAHLawson League N/E, Kettering; February 15 NEBA players had success in the Mrs J A Coates Master Winter League S/W, Northampton; Children in Need sim pairs, with Ian Leicestershire (away); March 6 senior's Mrs HIP Dale Mrs S E Lawson February 27 Committee Trophy, Spoors and Chris Benneworth record­ pairs, Roke Village Hall; March 19 Mrs C Lievens Mr A M Piper Kettering; March 11 Winter League ing second spot in the Monday heat, Oxford Times Cup for novice pairs, Mr R Lovelace Mrs M D playoff, Kettering; March 31 and two Castle Morpeth pairs, F Oxford BC; March 27 OBA/EBU joint Mrs Y Pacey Wingrove Committee Trophy, Kettering; April 1 Springett and B Shepherd, and J venture (guided tour of Oxford city, Mrs ME Richards County Master Broke Cup final; April 2 Eden Cup Creswick and A Scott, finishing first lunch and bridge at Wadham college); Mr M M Mrs G Cole final, Kettering; April 2 Murchie March 30 OBA management commit­ Steinberg Mr T Cole and second in the Tuesday heat. Lerner, Kettering. Further afield, North East players tee meeting, Oxford BC; April2 Dawes attended the SBU's Gold Cup Congress league v Warwickshire (away); April 9 at Peebles, where Clive Owen, Malcolm county pairs final, Oxford BC.

February 2006 English Bridge 43 ous pairs attracted 434 players and the Julian. The money is being donated to Master Point Staffs and Shrops winners were Perry Hunt and Roger St. Peter and St. James Hospice and promotions www.wolverhamptonbridge.org.uk/staffs Little from Aldeburgh, with Barbara Macmillan Nurses, who were so TETTENHALL Bridge Club has cele­ and Rex Barker (Woodbridge) second important during Tom's final days. Sussex cont 3 Star Regional brated 25 years as a members' club and and Elizabeth Puxon and Rita Hay Fittingly the event was won by a West Master District Master a very enjoyable lunch was held at (Colchester Castle) third. Sussex team - Norman Hardy, Peter Mrs AM Mr M A Stretch which several of the founder members Diary dates: February 22 Suffolk Brown, Joy Mayall and Andy Willard. Davidson 2 Star Master pairs semi-final, Needham Market The annual Devonshire Cup and Mrs S Grinham Mrs E 0 were present. After lunch bridge was 7.15pm; February 26 Club teams of Plate pivot teams culminated in an Club Master Devonald played for a trophy in memory of Joe four, Stoke-by-Nayland 2pm; March 5 admirably hosted final at Eastbourne Mrs DE Brothers 1 Star Master Wernick, who was instrumental in Mr J K Dishman Mr D A founding the club. The trophy is to be Sudbury Swiss teams, Sudbury Bridge Club. Horsham teams won both McClelland !mown as the Anniversary Cup and will Resource Centre 2pm; March 12 trophies. Leon Northeast John Jackson, Warwickshire County Master be competed for in September each Suffolk pairs final, Stoke-by-Nayland Yves Lebrec and Longin Rzonca won Premier Life Mrs A H Cowdry year. 2pm. Full details are on the Suffolk the cup and Martin Pool, Dave Master District Master First winners of the cup, appropri­ website and our competitions Franklin, Andrew Southwell and Mick Mr LReece Mr A Evans ately, were two of the original mem­ Secretary, Jyl Marsh (01206 322 546 Carrington won the plate. 2 Star Premier Mr J G Holton bers, Beryl Stanley and Sheila Green. and [email protected]), 1s Finally, Rita Lyford and Roger Regional Master available for county event entries and Stevens notched up another win at the Mrs SV Goldman Yorkshire Sadly there was a power failure in the middle of the Coronation Cup and the any advice. Chichester Basic Bridge pairs. Well 3 Star Regional Premier done to them and to Roger Herman Master Regional Master tournament had to be abandoned. We Mrs A Reid Mrs P R Cooper would like to thank Stone Bridge Club Surrey and Fred Ghaleb (second) and Tony 4 Star Regional for offering their premises to continue, Whiteley and Carson Pratt (third). 2 Star Regional www.surreyco~------untybridge.org.uk Master Master but unfortunately some of the players Diary dates: February 12 Sussex Mr P J Nicholcls Mrs PM Jackson were reluctant to change venues. FIRST many congratulations to Alan pairs semi-finals, Avenue, Eastbourne Regional Master Dr J D Thompson In the Gold Cup Jason and Justin Powys, John Williamson and Malcolm and Worthing; February 12 Mini Swiss Mr J P Wernick 3 Star Regional Hackett were in the winning team. This Grirnston who, together with Mark teams, St Leonards; February 15 4 Star Master Master is their third Gold Cup win. Paul Cast from London, won the Swiss SCCBA seniors' simultaneous pairs Mrs D Foster Mrs P Townend Hackett has been selected to play for teams at the Year End Congress in clubs; February 26 SCCBA Chairman's Mrs J Gardner 1 Star Regional England in the Cam rose series. London. At the same congress Bob Cup, Avenue and mini Swiss teams, Mrs PKing Master In the semi-finals of the English tri­ McRobert and Elizabeth Phillips came Eastbourne; March 5 mixed pairs semi­ Mr M Armitage 1 Star Master als Paul will be competing against sons third in the mixed pairs and Carrie finals, Eastbourne and Worthing; Regional Master Mrs A Kent Jason and Justin in a 96-board head­ Eden and Frankie Harper third in March 12 Sussex pairs final, West Mr A Manders MrM Reid to-head match for a place in the final. ladies' pairs. Sussex; March 12 mini Swiss teams, St Mrs D Manders 1 Star Congratulations also to Jane Green Leonards; March 18 Elisabeth North Prof R J Stacey Tour nament In the Tollemache the county had and Penny MacLeod on winning the Trophy final, Avenue; March 19 Master victories over Yorkshire, Manchester, Advanced county ladies' pairs, and Tim Lighting Portland Pairs; March 25 mixed pairs Master Mr T Hargreaves Norfolk and Devon and fmished fifth and Phil Garner on winning the men's MrB Holloway 5 Star Master overall. final, West Sussex; March 26 National Mr J A Lake MrFLiggins Diary date: April 22-23 Shropshire pairs. pairs semi-fmals; March 27 mini Swiss MrAG Leigh Mr R Taylor Congress, Shrewsbury. Diary date: February 19 seniors' team's Eastbourne. MrS Rutter Mr R Wiener pairs, Wimbledon and Yateley (Please County Master 4 Star Master specify venue when booking). Mrs J GAllen Mr J Livsey Suffolk Warwickshire Mr P Curran 2 Star Master www.suffolkbridge.co.uk Sussex www.warwickshirebridge.co.uk MrR Evans Mrs D Kelly THE annual novices event was again a IN general the county teams have MrJC MrCG great success. Thanks must go to Jane www.sccba.co.uk enjoyed mixed results, with disaster Nightingale Matthews Moore and the Suffolk teachers, Celia OUR calendar of events was full in the against Derbyshire (7 -13, 1-19 and 4- Mr J R Westlake 1 Star Master Jeal, Janet Gardiner, Rachel Neal and run-up to Christmas, starting with our 16), but success against Lincolnshire District Master Mr I N James John Standley for their valuable contri­ annual ladies and men's pairs competi­ (11-9, 20-0, 16-4) in the Dawes, Porter Mrs S E Cook Mrs L J James butions at the meeting. The event was tions. The ladies' event was won by and Markham leagues respectively. Mr A Cowdrey Mrs M Jehu May Langmaid and Heather Barker Mr F J Deakin divided into three groups, one each of Congratulations to Jon Downing, Advanced from West Sussex Bridge Club, with Mr MJ Kingman first, second and third year students. Linda Stocks, Eryk Gozdowski and Master Tilly Hennings and Fran Thornton Mr BE Milner Mr A Edwards Overall winners were Sherri and Rafael Langowski on their win m from Worthing second and Brenda Mr D Waters Mr J Edwards Richard Barton, who received the Nottinghamshire's Quantocks Bowl. Club Master Mr B Fairweather Novice Pairs Trophy. Runners-up were Cross and Sally Thompson from Congratulations also to Sue Goldman, Mr A E Balfe Mrs M Mary and Dennis Deeks, who received Bexhill third. Mick Carrington and Terry Parkes and Julian and Pam Mrs K Moen Hargreaves the Wivenhoe Salver as the leading first Richard Fedrick from Horsham won Wernick, winners of the B teams event Mrs ME Kent the men's event, with club-mates at the Porthcawl Congress. Westmorland year pair. Leading pairs included Mrs S Swiers Duncan Curtis and Andy Morris sec­ Among the clubs the Kenilworth Master Marion and David Branson, Rebecca Master ond and Simon Reade and Pyers Congress was very successful again. MrAR Williams and Charles Taylor, Marjorie and Mr J D Burns Pennant from Eastbourne third. Mrs Y Williams Jeremy Cadge, Brian Gibson and Ray S Darby and V Garrod won the open MrG Lund The invitation pairs, which runs pairs, with V and D Ivens tying for Mr J S Thrower Cramp in. Wiltshire The Suffolk knockout teams pro­ from April to November and is for second place with S Edwards and Mr J Wa ller more experienced players, was won by 2 Star Master MrA Wright duced the following semi-finals: J Godderidge. The Swiss pairs was won Mrs M Gi les county treasurer David Galpin and by M Haag and R Helle, with D County Master Robert Green, Colin Bamberger, MrR Giles Joan Hootman. Congratulations to Mrs G Greetham George Moody and Jeff Orton v Cardnell and P Edkins second, and the County Master Ms P Smith Malcolm and Barbara Carey, Ralph them for a very good win in a tough Swiss teams was won by M Lee, Miss L B Atkins District Master Parish and Tony Shearman; Peter and field. Duncan Curtis and Andy Morris A and D Manders and R Stacy, with OrR M Brown were second and chairman Martin J Illingworth, P Ison, T Jones and P MrK WWaJsby OrB R Bevan Debby Sutcliffe, Maria Allnut, Peter Miss FBrown Pool and Dave Franklin third. Jupe second. Club Master Gemmell v Jane and Andrew Moore, Mr NGClifton Tom Bradley was remembered by At Stratford, the club championship DrW Simpson Din Gudka and Barry Davies. The Mrs H Patchett Suffolk Plate was won by Pauline his bridge-playing friends in a special teams was won by Chris and Rob Worcestershire Mrs M Vaughan Hanson, Joan Mayhew, Basia Malin­ memorial Swiss teams event at Clair Evans, Gordon Fox and Gay Hull, with Grand Master Club Master owska, Anne Wilmer and Harold Hall, Haywards Heath. The event was runners-up Tony Boothroyd, Trevor Dr M Brown Mr J Ledger Morris. organised by West Sussex Bridge Club, Timms, Anne Bryant and Peter Hayes. Mrs LDaJe Premier which Tom helped to create and where Diary dates: February 5 Warwick­ Mrs J Dent Twenty-one teams took part in the National Master he served as chairman and eventually shire pairs final takes, Moseley BC Mrs C Farrell Stowmarket Swiss teams, in which Mr B J Palmer president. The WSBC entertained 120 MrG L Myers there was an excellent lunch break. The 2.30pm; February 8 National pairs National Master MrsJM winners were Mike Del-Bo, Marie players, who contested 42 hands of heat, West Midlands BC; March S-6 Mrs K Coates, Malcolm Stredwick and Bob bridge over a period of six hours. EBU Ranked Masters, Daventry. For Fairweather Wil liams Dines, with Harold Morris, Anne The day produced an outstanding details please contact Mr D Evetts, 53 Wilmer, Barry Davies and Peter result. More than £1,400 was raised, an Murcott Road East, Whitnash, Dymoke in second place. amount boosted by the proceeds of a Warwickshire CV31 2J), telephone The November Suffolk simultane- raffle, which was drawn by Tom's son 01926 429 039. l4 En glis h Bridge February 2006 Page and flight B, for less experienced Wiltshire players, was won by Mo Trow, Mabel www.wcba.co.uk Benet, Val Sherman and Ineke Line-up for the AFTER the fourth match of the Stevenson. Premier League the leading team is Pat Diary dates: February 26 club Davies, Chris Dixon, Gwyn Davis and championship pairs, Coppertops 2pm; Tollernache final Peter and Valerie Austwick, followed by March 6 championship pairs qualifier, Bob Bannister, Andrew Law, Kathy Holt Fleet 7.15pm; March 18 champi­ EIGHT teams will battle it out for the title of county champions when the Hodgson and Geoff Jenkins, with third onship pairs final, Coppertops 2pm; Tollemache final takes place at Kettering over the weekend of February place held by Richard Samter, Norman March 26 National newcomers' pairs, 11-12. Botton, Trevor Furches and Susie Gall. Coppertops 2pm; March 27 Wormald The contenders are London, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Merseyside In the second match of the Western Cup final, Holt 7pm; April 3 Phillipps and Cheshire, Middlesex, Leicestershire, Surrey and North East. They League, home to Avon, the A and B Cup final, Holt 7.15pm, April3 Garden have reached the final by coming first or second in one of fom qualifying Cities qualifier, Coppertops 2pm; April teams lost, but there was victory for the events. 10 veterans' pairs, Holt 7.15pm. C team of Stu Clarke, Peter Edwards, This is how the four groups finished: Reg Thorpe and Chris Starr. In the Group A: 1 London, 2 Gloucestershire, 3 Kent, 4 Worcestershire, third match, away to Hereford, Pat Yorkshire Davies, Gwyn Davis, Kathy Hodgson 5 Northamptonshire, 6 Oxfordshire, 7 Somerset, 8 Lincolnshire, and Bob Bannister were winners for www. ycba.freeserve.co. uk 9 Bedfordshire, 10 Channel Islands. the A team and Sue Hands, ikki AFTER a few years of near misses Group B: 1 Yorkshire, 2 Merseyside and Cheshire, 3 Hertfordshire, Crawford, Nick Pegg and Gwenda Yorkshire won their group to qualify 4 Norfolk, 5 Staffs and Shrops, 6 Manchester, 7 Avon, 8 Essex, 9 Devon, for the final of the Tollemache Cup. Merriot did the trick for the B team. 10 Cumbria. The team was Graham Jepson (cap­ This year's events remain at the pop­ Group C: 1 Middlesex, 2 Leicestershire, 3 East Wales, 4 Berks and ular Nursteed centre. Remember, if you tain), Dave Musson, Frank Littlewood, Dave Robinson, Sarah Teshome, Bucks, 5 Cambs and Hunts, 6 Suffolk, 7 Sussex, 8 Herefordshire, bring along a newcomer to county 9 Mid Wales. events, your own entry is free, so check Richard Winter, Bill Townsend, Nick Group D: 1 Surrey, 2 North East, 3 Warwickshire, 4 Lancashire, the county programme, or visit the web Woolven, Sandra Penfold and Nevena site. It is now very easy to book for an Senior. 5 Nottinghamshire, 6 Hants and Isle of Wight, 7 Derbyshire, 8 Dorset, event online. Just visit the Wiltshire James Thrower and Tom Rainforth 9 Wiltshire. web page as above. were members of an England under 20 The Wiltshire heat of the Garden team that defeated Scotland and Cities Trophy, held at the Nursteed Northern Ireland in a friendly match 'Hope for the rest of us!' Centre in Devizes, was won by the and came second in the Channel Trophy in Ostend. SO said John Turner, writing in the latest issue of tl1e Worcestershire Sarum team of Danny Miller, Colin Bridge News, which is always a good read. Jones, Georgie Dalton, Sonia Blandy, At the Seniors' Congress Graham He had been watching a teams match when this mundane hand Sue Hands, Nikki Crawford, Dave Hale Jepson and Dave Musson were second and Roger Metcalfe. They will play in in the pairs A fmal, just one match came up: the regional final in Bristol on May 20. point behind the winners, The qualifying round of the county's Manchester's Alan and Kath Nelson. Bill Townsend and Giles Foster were Dealer West ~ J9842 championship pairs has been played Game a ll ¥ AQJ and the 10 leading partnerships will third. + A K I 3 contest the final on April 10. Diana Yorkshire players took the first two + 7 King and Wendy Simpson led the qual­ places in the David Boston simultane­ ifiers, with Marin Buck and Adam ous pairs. Mike Marston and Paul ~ K 7 6 Harvey second, Roy France and Sam Tempest won the event, with Jim ~A 5 N • 10 53 2 Sloan third and Bernard Lloyd and Maltman and Agnes Blewitt second. • 8 7 6 W E • 8 6 2 Caroline Wilcox fourth. The Yorkshire heats raised £1,049, • 54 Bridge teaching is being undertaken which was donated to the county's two +A Q 10 9 6 4 s + K85 this year in Trowbridge by Diana King children's hospices, Martin House and ~ Q 10 3 and Phil Green and in Swindon by Bluebell Wood. ¥ K 94 Keith Sharp. Check the Wiltshire web Yorkshire mixed pivot teams: 1 • Q 10 9 7 page above for details. Sandy Davies, Keith Cornish, Dave Diary dates: February 26 mixed Robinson and Dave Waxman, 2 Sue +I 3 2 pairs; March 18 Western League against Logan, Tony McNiff, Stuart Davies and Dorset; April 1 Western League against Bill Townsend, 3 Sandra Penfold, Tim Devon; April 9 championship pairs; Smith, Brian and Nevena Senior What do you think? 4~ by North? Harder to get to if West opens 1+ April 23 mixed teams; May 7. AGM; Ryedale pairs 1 Jean Forrester and - which he did. But the bidding went like this: May 13 Western League against Barbara Patterson, 2 James Thrower Somerset. and Tom Rainforth, 3 Maureen Tebb and Tony Swiers. West North East South Diary dates: February 5 Yorkshire 1+ Dbl Pass l NT Worcestersh ire League (division 12 only); February 12 Pass 2NT Pass 3NT ....,.w,wcba.freeserve.co. uk Yorkshire Cup final; February 19 Pass Pass Dbl Pass THE county mixed pairs, held at Holt Yorkshire League; February 24-26 EBU Pass Pass Beet and attracting 22 partnerships, Spring Congress, Harrogate; March 13 was won convincingly by Stewart Yorkshire League; March 19 Doncaster Fishburne and Joyce Skelton. The Swiss teams; March 31-April 2 Oh dear! Minus 1100 with a game on. Good biddingi untrii:d pairing of Richard Jephcott Scarborough Congress; April 4 Peter Thinking, with good reason, that South might have a club stop West and _ larian -ucox came a creditable Littlewood seniors' pairs. led ¥ 7. Minus 1100 had now become minus 500. South rapidly cashed Please send results or other items of his seven wirmers, finishing on the table. interest for inclusion in this column to Bill Townsend at billtoyp@btopen­ South, who by now had begun to believe he had a club stop, led + 7 world.corn and ducked it to West's + 9. Certain of South's club holding West exit­ ed with ~A and another to East's ~ K, on which South played ~ Q. West now cashed his ¥ 10 and having a ch oice of lead between + K and DEADliNE spade to table's winners, he chose a spade! South was not to be outdone in courtesy and at this point was held at FEBRUARY 27 is the conceded one off. was raised deadline date for news and Why all this fuss about what you an d I would consider some pretty Experiencing __ - - pictures for the next (April) awful bidding and play all round? Well, it was a match from the fmal won by edit ion of English Bridge. of the Seniors' World Championships in Estoril and ilie player sitting Carpenter, · South was none other than the charismatic Zia Mahmood!

February 2006 Eng li sh Bri dge 45 MEM BER22 M EMBER

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PRIZES £1200 CLUB TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR in value including Training Courses - 2005/06 FREE WEEKENDS: 6 I 7 bridge sessions, seminar, BOOK RULINGS £35 (£36 from Aug) enhanced m aster p oints, Coggeshall, Essex Saturday 4th February bridge licensed by the EBU. Bramhall, Gtr Manchester Sunday 12th February Generou s prizes include ESSENTIALS £30 (£31 from Aug) Pinner, Middx Saturday 18th February champagne, w ine and up to Cheltenham, Glos Saturday 11th March 4 free Coventry Hilton Cheltenham, Glos Saturday 18th February bridge weekends. Newcastle Saturday 18th February Newcastle Saturday 11th Ma rch York Saturday 18th March York Saturday 8th April Sh erry reception (1750); Brighton* (£31) Monday, 14th August Brighton* (£36) Tuesday, 15th August Bridge room soft drinks; Welwyn Garden City Saturday, 14th October Welwyn Garden City Saturday, 11th November D.b.&b; Farewell buffet.

3 I 4 nights, £125/150pp. JUDGMENT RULINGS £35 ASSESSMENT (£40) (£41 from Aug) sh aring: - Easter, 14-18 April, (£36 from Aug) Lower Earley, Reading Saturday 4th February May & Spring Bank Bramhall, Gtr Manchester Sunday 12th March Truro, Cornwall February date TBC Holidays, Pinner, Middx Saturday 25th March St Leonards on Sea Saturday 1 st April 28 Apr-2 May & 26-30 May. Coggeshall, Essex Saturday 1st April Bramhall, Gtr Manchester Sunday 23 rd April Single supplement £30/35. Cheltenham, Glos Saturday 8th April Pinner, Middx Saturday 6th May (Partners not provided ). Newcastle Saturday 8th April Newcastle Saturday 6th May Free car p arking. York Saturday 20th May Coggeshall, Essex Saturday 13th May COVENTRY HILTON, Brighton* (£36) Wednesday, 16th August Cheltenham, Glos Saturday 13th May 0247-684-1017(or -660-3000) Welwyn Garden City Saturday, 13th january 07 York Saturday lOth june Brighton* (£41) Thursday, 17th August * Book all four Brighton courses for £108 - save 25 % Welwyn Garden City Saturday lOth February 07

Advertisements for the For further information, or to register for a course, call 01296 317203 or email peter@ ebu.co.uk April 06 edition of Teacher Training Courses - Courses for new teachers English Bridge must EBU HQ, Aylesbury -Tuesday/ Wednesday 14th/ 15th March be received by: Brighton (EBU Summer Congress) - Monday/ Tuesday 14th/ 15th August These 2-day courses offer instruction on how and what to teach beginners, plus the opportunity to present a short lesson to see if you are up to the task. Courses are £90 for the 2-day course, which February 28 includes your first year membership of EBUTA - the EBU Teachers Association 2006 For further details call 01296 317217 or [email protected]

l6 English Bridge February 2006 Summer 2006 Overseas IDYLLIC BEACH LOCATIONS, QUALITY HOTELS 5* Mares lcmeler, Turkey 5* Paradise Royal Mare Rhodes 4* Kassandra Palace, Halkidiki From only £499+ bridge fee for 14 nights half board Greece's hidden Treasure. Unspoilt. CROATIA & MONTENEGRO A visit is a must! Stunning coastline, med iveal towns and so much more. 4* Hotel Parentium, Porec, Croatia 4* Queen of Montenegro, Becici, near Budva, Montenegro 2 weeks half board in Croatia from £469 + bridge fee in September - single supplement £2 .30 per night- compare our prices!! INCREDIBLE VALUE 4* Hotel Luna , Golden Sands, Bulgaria 2 weeks half board from £399+ bridge fee. Nil single supplements. LAKES AND MOUNTAINS The following hotels have been chosen for their excepti onal hospitality. Most packages include guided walking tours and some include an excursion package. Lake Garda, Hotel Bisesti The Swiss Alps, The Park Hotel, Saas Fee - traffic free swiss mountain village at foot of glacier The Austrian Tyrol, The Hotel Postwirt The Black Forest, Landhaus Marion , Bad Herrenalb Bansko, Bulgarian Mountains- Best value and great for singles, low supplements Bridge Cruises 2006/7 with Louise Cruise Line Aboard the stylish, elegant and well appointed Calypso, sailing from London Tilbury. BRITISH ISLANDS DISCOVERY 11 Aug 9 nts from £748 NORWEGIAN FJORDS 29 Aug 7 nts from £598 IBERIAN SUNSHINE CRUISE 28 Sept 11 nts from £848 Prices include bridge fees - call for your full cruise brochure Flycruises on Coral with Louis Cruise Lines WESTERN MED- LIBYA, TUNISIA, MALTA, ITALY 07 November, 7 nights WESTERN MED - CASABLANCA, MOROCCO, SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR 20 December, Xmas, 8 nights Prices inclu de bri dge fees- call for your full cru ise brochure. inter Overseas 2006/7 - coming soon 5* Sunrise Queen Side, Southern Turkey • Cyprus winter sun Tenerife, Paradise Park - by demand we return to this popular venue Esto · & Usbon - Xmas and Spring • Sun Zeynep, Belek, Southern Turkey - all inclusive value. d Resort , Hurgarda, Egyptian Red Sea • The Palm Marina, Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia Thailand ... Bangkok and Hua Hin. Vibrant city and beautiful beaches and much more I s 8.1

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Make your cheque payable to Mr Bridge and send to: Unit 0, Wagon Yard, London Road, Marlborough SN8 lLH F ] if 01672 519219 or orderonlineat www.mrbridge.co.uk Fax 01672 519244 ~ Beat today's experts, Beat today's experts These hands are all from modern events and These hands are all from modern events and David Bird points to some useful lessons to be David Bird points to some useful lessons to be learned from them. See how your efforts learned from them. See how your efforts compare with the experts' bidding. compare with the experts' bidding.

February 2006 February 2006 West hands East hands (imp scoring on every deal) (imp scoring on every deal)

1. E/W game ~ J 1. E/W Game ~ A954

Dealer East (V) AKQ32 Dealer East v 7 AJ 643 (- KQ9752 (Hampson) + A7 (Greco) + J6

2. Love All ~ 9 8 54 2. Love All ~ AK32 Dealer East v A982 Dealer East v K54 /' 4 0 AKQ6 (Townsend) + AQJ9 (Gold) + 105

3. Love all ~ A K 10 9 2 3. Love All ~ QJ843 Dealer West ':"' Q 10 9 7 6 4 Dealer West v A (- 5 O A (Nicola Smith) +K (Heather Dhondy) +A Q J10 7 6 *North 3 * *North overcalls 3<' *

4. Love All ~ J 10 54 4. Love All ~ AQ Dealer West v K3 Dealer West v 1074 0 KQ974 0 J 83 2 (von Arnim) + Q10 (Sabine Auken) + AKJ5 *North opens 1 * *North opens 1v *

5. N /S Game ~ 73 5. N /S Game ~ QJ962 Dealer East r; K Dealer East v Q42 " AKQJ65 ( 4 (Rodwell) + QJ65 (Meckstroth) + AK93

6. E/W Game ~ KQ82 6. E/W Game ~ A4 Dealer West ~' 8 5 Dealer West ~ K 10 6 4 Q7 <: K (Fan toni) + AQJ95 (Nunes) + K 10 8 6 3 2

Did you beat the experts?- Page 14 Did you beat the experts?- Page 14