Final Countdown

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday November 3, 2008

Ron Klinger

The final of the Spring National Open Teams was between HAUGHIE (Bill Haughie-Andy Braithwaite, George Gaspar-Bob Richman, David Hoffman-Ron Klinger) and HORWITZ (Helen Horwitz- Peter Gill, Paul Gosney-Murray Green). HAUGHIE led 44-21 after 16 boards, but HORWITZ was in front by 62-61 at halfway. After the third session HORWITZ led 96-87. The BBO broadcast began at Board 63 which gave HORWITZ 7 Imps, up by 16. Then HAUGHIE collected 5 Imps, but HORWITZ scored +1 and +3 to lead by 15 when Board 52 appeared: West dealer; Both vulnerable

NORTH

West North East South

Richman Horwitz Gaspar Gill

1D (1) Pass 4C (2) Pass

4H Pass Pass Pass

(1) 4+ hearts, 9-14 points

(2) Splinter raise of hearts

Lead: S9

The light opening style of East-West kept North-South silent. The defence took two spades and two red aces for one off.

West North East South

Green Haughie Gosney Bwaite

Pass Pass 2H (1) Dble

4H 4S 5H Dble

Pass Pass Pass

(1) Weak

Lead: HA

South continued with the DA, the SA and SQ for two down and +500. That was worth 9 Imps and the margin was down to 6 for HORWITZ.

Two more Imps to HAUGHIE on the next board brought the difference to 4 Imps, but then it ballooned out again on Board 54:

East dealer; Both vulnerable

NORTH

West North East South

Richman Horwitz Gaspar Gill

--- --- Pass Pass

1H (1) 2H 3H (2) 4H

Pass Pass Pass

(1) 4+ spades, 9-14 points

(2) Strong spade raise

Lead: D8

The light opening allowed East-West to find the spade fit, but they did not capitalise on it. In theory 4H can be made, but in practice it was defeated. West took the DA and returned the DQ, taken by the king. Declarer ruffed a diamond and played a club to the king and ace. The defence took two more clubs for one off and +50.

West North East South

Green Haughie Gosney Bwaite

--- --- Pass Pass

1D 1H 1S 2NT (1)

3S 4H 4S All pass

(1) Heart raise

Lead: D9

In theory 4S by East can be defeated, but it takes a club lead to do that and that will not happen in the real world. A club lead allows the defence to set up a club trick before declarer can use the diamonds for a discard.

Declarer took the DA and led a spade: ten  queen  ace. North won the diamond continuation and played a third diamond.

East ruffed with the SJ and finessed the S8. The SK drew Souths last trump and declarer pitched a heart and a club on dummys diamond winners. With the CK onside declarer had ten tricks for +620 and +11 Imps. HORWITZs lead was 15.

(To be continued)

Life is full of bitter disappointments, many of which come with the appearance of

dummy.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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