Too Late The Heroes

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday January 15, 2009

Ron Klinger

Despite trailing by a huge margin in the GNOT final, Sydney 2 had scored four double-figures swings in the third set.

This was their fifth:

Bd. 47: North dealer : N-S vulnerable

NORTH

(Ross Stuart)

WEST EAST

(Bob Richman) (Paul Gosney)

SOUTH

(Kim Morrison)

West North East South

--- Pass 1S 2C

3C (1) Dble 4S 5C

Dble Pass Pass Pass

(1) Strong spade raise

Lead: S10

Declarer ruffed, drew trumps and cashed the diamonds. When they split 3-3, a club to dummys C8 allowed South to ditch a heart loser on the thirteenth diamond. That was eleven tricks for +750. Having made a pushy 3C bid, Richman felt obliged to double 5C to warn partner against bidding 5S. After all he did have defensive potential in hearts and partner had opened the bidding. Naturally it was impossible to find the killing heart lead.

West North East South

Weston DelM Foster Dyke

--- Pass 1S 2C

2S 3C 4S 5C

Pass Pass 5S All pass

Lead: DK

The defence took three diamonds and the CA for +100, but 12 Imps to Sydney 2.

Having shown his values accurately with 2S, Weston was happy to pass 5C and

leave the decision to partner, who made the winning decision. Sydney 6 had one double-figure swing in this set. It came on Board 36:

East dealer : Both vulnerable

NORTH

WEST EAST

SOUTH

West North East South

Weston DelM Foster Dyke

--- --- Pass 1C

Pass 1D (1) Pass 2H

Pass 2S (2) Pass 4D (3)

Pass 4H All pass

(1) Shows 4+ hearts

(2) Game try, long suit trial bid

(3) Accepting with diamond shortage

Lead: C4

South captured Easts CK and played the D2: ace  five - four.West shifted to the S5, won by the S9. South led the H4.West rose with the HQ and continued with the S10, won by the SQ. After cashing the HA, South played the S9 to the ace. He now had ten tricks for +620. At the other table North-South played in 2S for +110. That was 11 Imps to Sydney 6. Sydney 2 had fought back and won Set 3 by 64-18. As they still trailed 78-174 with 16 boards to play, they conceded the match. When you contract to take n number of tricks, the actual number you will take is n  x

(where x = 1 or more).

Tomorrows problem:

East dealer : Nil vulnerable

West North East South

--- --- Pass 1S

Pass 2NT (1) Pass 3S (2)

Pass 4C (3) Pass 4D (3)

Pass 4NT Pass 5C (4)

Pass 5D (5) Pass 6S

Pass Pass Pass

(1) Jacoby, 4+ spades, game-force

(2) No singleton or void

(3) Cue, 1st or 2nd round control

(4) 1 or 4 key cards

(5) Asking for the SQ

What would you lead as West from:

© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald

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