WG4 Jean-Paul Meyer, Coordinator, Editor Mark Horton, Editor Francesca Canali, Lay out editor, Photographer TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 2018 MIDWINTER NIGHT’S DREAM CONTENTS CLICKABLE ON WEB SCHEDULE Zimmermann Cup 10.00 - 12.50 : R of 16 1/3 (20 boards) 14.00 - 16.50 : R of 16 2/3 (20 boards) 17.05 - 19.55 : R of 16 3/3 (20 boards) FMB Trophy 10.00 - 12.40 : Q. Session 1/6 14.00 - 16.40 : Q. Session 2/6 17.05 - 19.45 : Q. Session 3/6 www.eurobridge.org www.facebook.com/europeanwintergames Daily Bulletin Facts & Figures from EWGII p. 2 Bidding problem - answers p. 3 Carousel p. 4 Meet the Chairman of the IBF p. 5 A Man for all Seasons p. 7 Endgame p. 8 Questions & Answers p. 10 L’étoile p. 12 Bidding Quiz p. 14 Ranking p. 15 Butler Ranking p. 16 Bracket p. 18 It was clear entering the last round of the Swiss that the first 4 teams would have no fears about survival. So the leaders (Mahaffey) Brogeland, Lindquist, Meckstroth, Mahmood, followed by Zimmermann, de Botton and K1 earned the right to choose their opponent for the round of 16. Behind the leaders, a group of 6 teams were well over our predicted barrier of 170 VP and remain in the running to-day. It was a close thing for the remaining teams, joined by strong finishing squads, Ward-Platt and Bernal. The most unfortunate was Era, a five star team, who lost the last match against Zimmermann 40-1 to finish in the worst position (17th) a mere 1.5 VP behind qualification. A special mention goes to the Dutch Juniors whose qualification in such a strong field deserves the highest praise. You can read inside a special page on Indonesian bridge, the Men Red team proves they were right to come to Europe for some high level experience. We were asked which match to follow in the round of 16. The answer is easy : ANY they are all most promising. Stay connected. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Today it is the birthday of Luc Tijssen (Netherlands) and Bernard Cabanes (France). They will be celebrated with a special cadeau from the FMB.
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Facts & Figures from EWGII p. 2 Bidding problem - answers p. 3 Carousel p. 4 Meet the Chairman of the IBF p. 5 A Man for all Seasons p. 7 Endgame p. 8 Questions & Answers p. 10 L’étoile p. 12 Bidding Quiz p. 14 Ranking p. 15 Butler Ranking p. 16 Bracket p. 18
It was clear entering the last round of the Swiss that the first 4 teams would have no fears about survival. So the leaders (Mahaffey) Brogeland, Lindquist, Meckstroth, Mahmood, followed by Zimmermann, de Botton and K1 earned the right to choose their opponent for the round of 16.Behind the leaders, a group of 6 teams were well over our predicted barrier of 170 VP and remain in the running to-day. It was a close thing for the remaining teams, joined by strong finishing squads, Ward-Platt and Bernal.The most unfortunate was Era, a five star team, who lost the last match against Zimmermann 40-1 to finish in the worst position (17th) a mere 1.5 VP behind qualification.A special mention goes to the Dutch Juniors whose qualification in such a strong field deserves the highest praise.You can read inside a special page on Indonesian bridge, the Men Red team proves they were right to come to Europe for some high level experience.We were asked which match to follow in the round of 16. The answer is easy : ANY they are all most promising. Stay connected.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!Today it is the birthday of Luc Tijssen (Netherlands)and Bernard Cabanes (France).They will be celebrated with a special cadeau from the FMB.
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
FACTS & FIGURES FROM EUROPEAN WINTER GAMES IIby Jean-Paul Meyer
MAHAFFEY INA MAN RED
VYTAS NED JUNIORS
ZIMMERMANN RUSSIA
COLDEA LAVAZZA
BEST NAME FOR A TEAMNaming is not always easy, some teams had no
problem.Playing under a country, Denmark, Russia or Monaco,
a town as Seoul or the captain’s name: Willans, Mahaffey, Ward-Platt for instance.
Other had more imagination: Expert Cooking (only one lady in the team), None blonde (though Scandinavian ladies) with the answer of: Blondes are more fun.
One team gives you advice: Never claim, probably a bad souvenir. One announces: club enthusiast (fiori or home club?). We are sorry for the team: les bras cassés (broken arms, did they go down and fall heavily?).
Finally 4 teams come from Turkey under « no name » red, mask, or black with the same NPC Sedat Dinc for 3 of them and PC in the fourth, just no name what else?
WHAT SORT OF GAME ARE THEY PLAYING?
This member of a Belgium team gives you a clear answer. But what are all the others doing?
LUCKIEST AMONG LUCKY ONESReading every day the first page of the Daily Bulletin you
understand that if you had the luck to be born on a date during the EWG -17th to 24th February, you were entitled to get a small gift from the FMB. For that you must be lucky, only 8 chances out 365…
Marc Bompis is more lucky than that, he just received a gift though born on the 21st of April !!!! His date of birth was wrong on the EBL database. He was allowed to retain his birthday present though received much in advance.
EUROPEAN WINTER GAMES EDITION 3We got insider information: EWG third edition could
be played 8th to 16th of February 2020 in Monaco. Why would it last 2 more days that this year? For a very good reason, at the end of the team event, on Saturday and Sunday, an open pairs tournament might be added , also with high money prizes at stake. Will it be an official EBL event or not ? This question has no answer yet!
VS
VS
VS
VS
BAM BEGINS TODAYTeams who did not qualify in the first 16 of the Swiss
for the Zimmermann cup are invited, at no cost, to play the FMB Trophy for the next the three days. It is a BAM tournament for which 6 more teams have registered bringing the number of teams during this week to a record total of 84. Teams who played the first three days and who do not wish to continue, please inform the TDs as soon as possible.
On the first day 48 boards will be played – not 56 as previously stated- as a question of organisation.
Let us remind you that the total prize money pool for the BAM alone is 40000 euros.
FMB TROPHY FORMAT
Qualification Tuesday: Three sessions BAM of 16 boards each.Wednesday: Three sessions BAM of 18 boards each.
Losing teams from R16 of the knockout are entering in shared 18th position.
Final AThursday and Friday: The top 22 teams from the
qualification, plus the 4 losing teams from the quarterfinals of the knockout, play a complete double round robin with BAM scoring over 50 boards per day. There will be a linear carry-over from the qualification starting at the equivalent of 3 boards for the top qualifier down to 0 for the 22nd. The 4 teams from the knockout start in shared 3rd position.
Final BThursday and Friday: The remaining teams will play a
Swiss with details to be announced once the number of participating teams is known.
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S BIDDING PROBLEM
[ A 9 6 4 ] A 3 { K Q 9 8 7 } K 4
IMPs. Dealer East. None Vul. You are sitting East. What is your opening bid and why?
Andrey Gromov1{. I don’t like to open 1NT with a 5-4 hand: sometimes it’s good, but many times it isn’t.
Dano De Falco1{. I don’t open 1NT when I have spades. I would open 1NT with 5{4]
(because after my 1{ opening and partner’s 1] I have a good rebid).
Agustin MadalaI think 90% of the players opens 1NT. Every time I can bid 1NT... I just go with it.
Franck Multon1{, because I have four cards in spades. But this is a 50-50% guess.
Dennis Bilde1{. My cards are very strong if partner has some fit.
Like Saturday’s problem this one comes from the Camrose Trophy (so unless you hail from the UK or Ireland you could not claim to have recognised it!).
Here are your combined assets:
[ 7 [ A 9 6 4
] 9 7 4 ] A 3
{ A J 6 5 { K Q 9 8 7
} A Q 7 5 3 } K 4
England v Northern Ireland West East Somerville Tranmer
— 1NT*
2}* 2{*
3NT Pass
1NT 15-172} Puppet Stayman2{ No five-card major
I have never been a fan of opening 1NT with a 4-2-5-2 pattern and doing it here gave EW no chance of reaching the excellent slam.
South led the five of spades from [ K 10 8 5 2 ] K 10 2 { 10 4 3 } J 10 and declarer took ten tricks, +430.
West East Allerton Jagger
— 1{
2{* 2[
3} 3]*
4}* 4{
5{ Pass
2{ Inverted raise3] Cue bid4} Cue bid
One Diamond promised at least four, so West had to choose between 2} and the inverted raise. After 2{ East had the option of rebidding 2NT to show 15-19 balanced.
If West had bid 4[ over 4{ no doubt East would have driven to at least 6{. If diamonds are 2-2 (or clubs 3-3) you can make 7{.
Recommended auction: If East starts with 1{ then it should not be too difficult to reach a slam. In the match between Scotland and Wales Punch and Peterkin bid 1{-3[*-4}*-5}*-6{ which was worth 11 IMPs when Rees and Salisbury stopped in game after 1{-(1[)-2[*-(Dble)-Rdbl-3}-3[*-5{. Moran and Boland also got home via 1{-3[*-4}*-4{-4NT*-5]*-5NT*-6{ for a big swing against Goodman and Coyne’s 1NT-2}*-2[-3}-3NT.
Starting with a splinter or 2{ can’t be bad, but the other possibility is to respond 2}. That might lead to this sequence: 1{-2}-2[-4{-4]*-4[*-5}*-5{-5[*-6{. East could ask for keycards over 4[, but I think the first auction gives you a better chance of reaching a good grand slam.
Giorgio Duboin1NT. In theory with diamonds and spades the best bid is 1{, but because my two
doubletons are honour-one...
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
Carousel is the second musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The 1945 work was adapted from Ferenc Molnár’s 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline. The story revolves around carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker Julie Jordan comes at the price of both their jobs. The show includes the well-known songs If I Loved You, June Is Bustin’ Out All Over and You’ll Never Walk Alone, the latter being adopted as an anthem by the supporters of Liverpool FC in the early 1960’s. In 1999, Time magazine named Carousel the best musical of the 20th century.
If I Loved You contains the line I’d let my golden chances pass me by! and when Lavazza faced Coldea in Round 9 it proved to be a match where one of the teams missed a number of opportunities.
Board 12. Dealer West. NS Vul. [ 7 6 ] K J 9 5 3 { A 10 } Q 9 8 7 [ Q J 8 5 [ A 9 2 ] — ] 10 7 6 4 { K 8 6 3 2 { Q 9 4 } A K J 3 } 10 5 2 [ K 10 4 3 ] A Q 8 2 { J 7 5 } 6 4
Open Room West North East South Stegaroiu Bianchedi Ionita Madala
1{ 1] Pass 2NT* Pass 3} Pass 3] All Pass
2] Heart support
East led the four of diamonds and declarer took West’s king with the ace and returned the ten, East winning with the queen and exiting with the two of spades. When declarer played dummy’s three the defenders quickly cashed two clubs and a spade for one down, -100.
Closed Room West North East South Duboin Coldea Bidle Marina
1{ 1] 1[ 2NT* 3} Pass 3{ 3] All Pass
2NT Heart support
The play started in identical fashion, but when East switched to the two of spades declarer put up dummy’s king and pitched a spade on the jack of diamonds, soon claiming an overtrick,+170 and 7 IMPs.
Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul. [ A Q 7 ] K 8 2 { Q J 8 7 6 4 } 10 [ J 8 6 4 3 2 [ K 5 ] 6 3 ] 10 7 4 { A { K 10 9 5 3 2 } 9 8 4 3 } K 2 [ 10 9 ] A Q J 9 5 { — } A Q J 7 6 5
Open Room West North East South Stegaroiu Bianchedi Ionita Madala
West led the ace of diamonds and declarer ruffed, cashed the ace of clubs and ran the queen, East winning with the king and returning the three of diamonds. Declarer ruffed, ruffed a club with the king of hearts, drew trumps and cashed his clubs. With the king of spades offside he was one down, -100.
If declarer had adopted a different line he might have taken all the tricks - but I can’t think of any obvious reason why he should have done so - can you?
Under no pressure, declarer ruffed the ace of diamonds lead and played a club to the ten and king, finishing with eleven tricks, +650 and 13 IMPs for Coldea.
Board 18. Dealer East. NS Vul. [ K J 7 4 3 2 ] A { J 10 2 } A 7 6 [ 9 [ Q 8 6 5 ] J 10 8 ] 9 5 { 9 8 5 { K 7 6 4 } Q 10 9 4 3 2 } J 8 5 [ A 10 ] K Q 7 6 4 3 2 { A Q 3 } K
Open Room West North East South Stegaroiu Bianchedi Ionita Madala
Declarer won the club lead in hand, played a heart to the ace, pitched a diamond on the ace of clubs, ruffed a club, drew trumps, cashed the ace of spades and cashed his trumps, catching East in a show up squeeze, +1460.
Closed Room West North East South Duboin Coldea Bidle Marina
West led the eight of hearts and after winning with dummy’s ace declarer came to hand with a spade and drew trumps. It is unclear what happened next, but
there was no way to go down, +2210 and a second 13 IMP swing to Coldea.
Board 19. Dealer south. EW Vul. [ J 9 7 ] 8 7 { K Q 10 6 5 2 } Q 4 [ K [ 6 4 3 2 ] K Q 9 5 3 2 ] 6 { 4 { 9 8 7 3 } J 9 7 6 2 } A K 8 3 [ A Q 10 8 5 ] A J 10 4 { A J } 10 5
Open Room West North East South Stegaroiu Bianchedi Ionita Madala
For my money at this vulnerability its enough to bid 4} over 3[ - if partner has a decent hand they can decide if it is a good idea to go on.
North led the king of diamonds and South overtook it and returned the jack, declarer ruffing, crossing to the ace of clubs and playing a heart. Do you blame South for putting up the ace? It cost a defensive trick as all South could do now was cash the ace of spades, -200.
Closed Room West North East South Duboin Coldea Bidle Marina
— — — 1[ 2] 2[ All Pass
West led the king of hearts and South won and cashed the ace of spades - the appearance of the king resulting in twelve tricks, +230 and an IMP.
Imagine you were in 4[?Now you must choose between cashing the ace of
spades a la Rabbi, or taking two rounds of diamonds ending in dummy and then playing East for a doubleton king of spades.
It was Coldea who took the lion’s share of the VPs winning 36-14.
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
MEET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDONESIAN BRIDGE FEDERATIONby Jean-Paul Meyer
Most impressively, not less than 6 teams Indonesian teams came here for the second European Winter Games in Monaco. We wished to know more about it and for that M. Michael Bambang Hartow, chairman of the IBF was kind enough to answer our questions.
You came here with 6 teams, we are most delighted to welcome you and your players. Bridge must be important in Indonesia.
We are not a very big federation - with 8000 members, but we get big support from our Government. In our country, Bridge is considered as a sport, we are rather proud of that and try to get the best results for our national teams.
A big event is organized this year in Indonesia. Could you explain?
Yes, bridge has been invited to take part in the most important sporting event on our continent -the Asian Games 18th August to 2nd September. We hope this is the first step towards Bridge being invited to the Olympic games.
In this event, only Asian people can participate. Each country can send one team in each category, Open Teams, Ladies Teams, Mixed Teams, Super Mixed teams, plus two Pairs tournaments.
Super Mixed Teams, that’s something we do not know.
Teams are 2 men and 2 ladies but men play as partners and ladies face the men of the opposite side.
What do you hope for Indonesia in this competition?
2 gold medals out of 6 would be a very fair result. We came here as a training exercise and are very glad to be playing in Monaco, bringing 2 teams in each category, men, women, and mixed. Of course it is tough as the level is very high.
Apart from this participation to the Winter Games, do you have other sorts of preparation?
Four coaches work with our teams but most importantly, Krystof Martens came to Djakarta for 12 days which was highly appreciated.
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONSby Mark Horton
A Man For All Seasons is a play by Robert Bolt based on the life of Sir Thomas More. It was first performed in London opening at the Globe Theatre on 1 July 1960. It later found its way to Broadway, enjoying a critically and commercially successful run of over a year. It was subsequently made into a multi-Academy Award-winning 1966 feature film.
The plot is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England, who refused to endorse King Henry VIII’s wish to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon, who did not bear him a son, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, the sister of his former mistress. The play portrays More as a man of principle, envied by rivals such as Thomas Cromwell and loved by the common people and by his family.
In Round 10 we were treated to a deal on which one of the best known and most popular players of modern times was given an opportunity to demonstrate his skills. We start with an excerpt from the match between Netherlands Juniors and NoName.
Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul. [ Q J 9 ] J 9 7 { A 8 7 6 4 2 } 6 [ 7 5 [ A 4 ] A Q 8 2 ] K 10 6 5 3 { J 10 9 5 { Q 3 } 10 8 2 } A J 7 4 [ K 10 8 6 3 2 ] 4 { K } K Q 9 5 3
Open Room West North East South Gundogdu Kiljan Imamoglu Tijssen
— — — 1[ Pass 2[ Pass 4[ All Pass
West led the jack of diamonds and declarer won in hand with the king and played a spade to the queen, East winning with the ace and accurately switching to the three of hearts. West won with the queen and continued with the ace, declarer ruffing and playing the king of clubs. East won and returned a spade and
declarer could manage only nine tricks, -50.
Closed Room West North East South Sprinkhuiz Unal M. de Leon Sen
— — — 1[ Pass 2[ Dble 4[ All Pass
The play was almost card for card - the only differences being that East returned the five of hearts and declarer played the queen of clubs - no swing.
This was from Mahaffey - Coldea:
Open Room West North East South Stegaroiu Meckstroth Ionita Zia
— — — 1[ Pass 2[ 3] 3[ 4] 4[ Dble All Pass
Once again West led the jack of diamonds. Time stood still as declarer calculated - eventually he put up dummy’s ace of diamonds (!) and played a club. East found the fine play of ducking, but to no avail. Declarer won, ruffed a club with the queen of spades, ruffed a diamond, ruffed a club with the nine of spades, ruffed a diamond and ruffed a club, West pitching the eight of hearts. Declarer ruffed another diamond and played the king of spades. He could not be prevented from making an overtrick, +690.
Melih Osman SenTEAM NONAME
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
Closed Room West North East South Brogeland Coldea Lindqvist Marina
— — — 1[ Pass 2[ Pass 4[ All Pass
For the fourth time the lead was the {J. Declarer missed the winning line and having won with the king he played the queen of clubs from his hand. East won and switched to a third and fifth three of hearts, West winning with the queen. A spade switch now leaves declarer a trick short, but West tried to cash the ace of hearts and declarer could ruff two clubs in dummy for +420 so Zia’s brilliant play was worth only 7 IMPs.
Before we leave this deal it is worth making a further point. Suppose that having won the king of diamonds declarer plays a spade to the queen. East wins and must switch to a heart. West wins and might now play a second spade (a heart comes to the same thing). Declarer wins in dummy and plays a club. Now East must withhold the ace (we saw a similar situation in the previous round). It’s a well known defensive principal - but never easy to find at the table.
Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul. [ Q 7 6 3 ] 9 5 { K 7 6 3 } 5 4 2 [ A K [ J 8 5 ] K Q 6 4 3 ] 8 7 { 10 5 4 { A J 8 2 } A K J } Q 9 8 3 [ 10 9 4 2 ] A J 10 2 { Q 9 } 10 7 6
Open Room West North East South Gundogdu Kiljan Imamoglu Tijssen
North led the five of clubs and declarer won with the ace and played the three of hearts for the nine, seven and ten. South returned the four of spades and declarer won with the king, cashed the king of clubs, overtook the jack with dummy’s queen, cashed the nine of clubs throwing a diamond as South parted with a spade and North a diamond and played a heart. South took the ace and exited with a spade, but declarer had ten tricks, +630.
If South withholds the ace of hearts and declarer plays an honour he will then have to play the ten of diamonds to get home.
Closed Room West North East South Sprinkhuiz Unal M. de Leon Sem
Once again North led the five of clubs. Declarer won with the ace, cashed the king and then took the jack. His next move was the ]K, South taking the ace and switching to the four of spades. Declarer won with the ace, cashed the queen of hearts and continued with the three, hoping that the suit would break. It was a forlorn hope, as South won and played a second spade, which doomed declarer to defeat, -100 giving NoName 13 IMPs.
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
Board 9. Dealer North. EW Vul. [ 7 ] K 7 4 { K 10 6 } Q 9 8 7 5 4 [ A K Q 6 2 [ J 10 9 3 ] 9 6 5 ] A Q J 8 { 9 5 4 { A Q J 2 } A J } K [ 8 5 4 ] 10 3 2 { 8 7 3 } 10 6 3 2
Open Room West North East South Gundogdu Kiljan Imamoglu Tijssen
— 3} Dble 4[ Dble Pass Pass 5} Dble All Pass
East led the ace of hearts, which looks like a good start for declarer, but the reality is that the defenders have an almost infinite way to take the contract six down. East switched to the jack of spades and West overtook it and now made a mistake, playing a second spade instead of going back to hearts or playing a diamond. Declarer ruffed and played a club to East’s king and won the heart return with dummy’s king. Best now is to exit with a heart, but declarer played a second club and West won and switched to a diamond, East winning with the jack, cashing the jack of hearts and exiting with a spade. Declarer still had two diamonds to lose, down 6, -1400.
Closed Room West North East South Sprinkhuiz Unal M. de Leon Sem
Endgame, by Samuel Beckett, is a one-act play with four characters. It was originally written in French (entitled Fin de partie); Beckett himself translated it into English. The play was first performed in a French-language production at the Royal Court Theatre in London, opening on 3 April 1957. It is commonly considered, along with such works as Waiting for Godot, to be among Beckett’s most important works.
Bridge players are all too familiar with the endgame - frequently one of the most important phases of the contest. Would it have a role to play in the Round 11 match between K1 and De Botton?
Board 12. Dealer West. NS Vul. [ 8 7 ] 7 5 4 3 { J 10 6 3 2 } 9 7 [ A J 3 [ 9 6 5 4 2 ] A K J 6 ] 10 9 { 5 { K 9 8 } A Q 10 8 3 } 6 5 2 [ K Q 10 ] Q 8 2 { A Q 7 4 } K J 4
Open Room West North East South Aronov Padon Damyanova Bakhshi
1} Pass 1]* 1NT Dble 2} All Pass
No doubt North was planning to do something when 2} was doubled, but we will never know what cunning plan he had in mind.
East led the ten of hearts which led the trick. If East now switches to a club West wins, cashes a top heart and plays a third heart for East to ruff. Another club allows West to draw trumps and now cashing two more clubs and the master heart sees declarer (still to discard) reduced to {AQ [KQ10. As you can see he is squeezed and will take only two tricks.
In practice East played a second heart and West won and played two more hearts, South ruffing, and playing the king of spades. When that held he cashed the ace of diamonds and exited with a diamond, West pitching the [J as East won with the king. A careless
spade exit endplayed West allowing declarer to score a trump trick, so only four down, -400.
Closed Room West North East South Charlsen Stefanov Hoftaniska Nanev
South led the king of spades and declarer ducked, won the spade continuation with the jack and played the ace of clubs and a club, South winning and exiting with the queen of spades. Declarer won in dummy and exited with a club, claiming nine tricks when South cashed the ace of diamonds - so 6 IMPs for K1.
Meanwhile we were in time to see what happened in Lavazza-Zimmermann.
West North East South Versace Bocchi Lauria Sementa
With an awkward choice South opted for the eight of hearts and declarer won with the ten and played a club to the queen. When it held he continued with dummy’s jack of spades. South could win, but had no good move, declarer soon claiming +420.
Superficially it may appear that leading a top spade is better, but that is not the case. Say declarer wins and plays three rounds of hearts, ruffing and playing a club to the queen. After cashing the ace of clubs declarer plays the fourth heart pitching his last club and the defenders have no answer.
What is more, if declarer ducks the opening spade lead it is even possible to make an overtrick! I’ll leave you to work that one out!
In the other room EW played in 3} recording +130 to hold the loss to 7IMPs.
West led the three of hearts and declarer put up dummy’s ace pitching the two of diamonds and played two rounds of diamonds, East winning and returning the king of hearts. Declarer ruffed and played a club for the jack and king. Declarer then embarked on a cross-
ruff and West ruffed in with the }Q on the third round of spades and exited with a club for one down, -200.
Closed Room West North East South Charlsen Stefanov Hoftaniska Nanev
— — — 2}* Pass 2{* 4}* Dble 4] Dble All Pass
2} Precision2{ Inquiry4} Majors
North led the nine of clubs and declarer ruffed in dummy and played the king of spades. South won, cashed the ace of diamonds and exited with a diamond, declarer winning in dummy and playing the ten of hearts (the [Q is best). North ducked and when declarer now played the [Q he ruffed, cashed the ace of hearts and exited with a heart. Declarer won and cashed the king of diamonds pitching a spade. When South also parted with a spade it cost his side a trick as declarer could now play the queen of clubs. South won and returned a club, but declarer put in the eight and had escaped for only two down, -300, still a loss of 11 IMPs.KI won 18-2 - a great start to the day for them.
What do you like most of the Winter Games II? What could be improved?
Francisco BernalWhat I like most is the quality of the field.
I wish that they had a pair game.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FROM MONACO
May SakrI love the professional organization. I also love the format. About improvements... I suggest free coffee all the time!
Tim VerbeekI am enjoying very much the weather! It is much warmer than in the Netherlands.
I would recommend changing the format to two days of qualifications, and 32 qualified teams.
Kay PreddyI love the quality of Bridge. I don’t see any possible improvement, it’s perfect!
Jacek KalitaThe place is great, the format is superb, the hotel is very nice and the organization is perfect.
What should be improved is the way we played!
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
L’étoile is an opéra bouffe in three acts by Emmanuel Chabrier with a libretto by Eugène Leterrier and Albert Vanloo.
The opera has been performed with increasing frequency and further afield over recent years, including an Opera North production in 1991(which was the first time I saw it) and has subsequently been performed all around the world, the Royal Opera House in London giving several performances in early 2016.
Act 1King Ouf 1 roams his city, in disguise, searching
for a suitable subject to execute as a birthday treat. Hérisson de Porc-Epic, an ambassador, and his wife, Aloès, arrive, accompanied by his secretary, Tapioca, and Laoula, the daughter of a neighboring monarch. They are traveling incognito, and the princess is being passed off as Hérisson’s wife. Their mission, of which Laoula is unaware, is to marry her to Ouf. Complications arise when Laoula and a poor pedlar, Lazuli, fall in love at first sight. Scolded for flirting, Lazuli insults the disguised king and thus becomes a desired candidate for death by impalement. But Siroco, the king’s astrologer, reveals that the fates of the king and the pedlar are inextricably linked; the stars predict that they will die within 24 hours of each other. Fortunes change again, and Lazuli is escorted with honours into the palace.
Act 2Lazuli, feted and well fed, grows bored with luxury
and longs for Laoula. Ouf, still unaware of the disguises, furthers the lovers’ hopes of marriage by imprisoning the supposed husband, Hérisson. The lovers depart but Hérisson escapes and orders the pedlar to be shot. Gunfire is heard, but although Laoula is brought in there is no sign of Lazuli. Ouf bemoans his impending death.
Act 3Lazuli, having escaped harm, overhears Ouf, Siroco
and Hérisson discussing the situation, and eventually reveals himself to Laoula. They plan a second elopement. The king and Siroco try to raise their spirits with a large glass of green chartreuse. Ouf, desperate to produce an heir to the throne, plans to marry Laoula, even if for an hour, but finds that
he has run out of time. However, when the clocks strike five and nothing happens, Ouf declares that the astrologer’s predictions must have been wrong. The Chief of Police then appears with Lazuli, who was caught on his way out of the country. The King blesses Lazuli and Laoula’s marriage.
Although the opera ends happily for everyone, that is not generally the case in a bridge match. When Zimmermann faced Russia in Round 12, whose star would be shining brightly when the curtain fell?
Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul. [ K Q 5 ] K 7 { A K 9 8 7 } A K 2 [ J 2 [ 9 ] Q 10 4 ] A 8 6 3 { J 10 4 { Q 6 3 2 } Q J 10 9 5 } 8 7 4 3 [ A 10 8 7 6 4 3 ] J 9 5 2 { 5 } 6
Open Room West North East South Dubinin Multon Kazantsev Zimmermann
West led the two of clubs and declarer played low from dummy, allowing East’s queen to hold the trick. The nine of clubs went to dummy’s ace and declarer now elected to duck a diamond - a potentially losing idea. West won with the seven and switched to the four of hearts. When declarer played low from dummy, East won with the queen and now had to find the difficult defence of switching to a spade. Not unnaturally it was far too tempting to cash the ace of hearts and continue with the three and now declarer was in command, soon claiming the rest, +600.
What do you make of the play in the heart suit? If declarer did not have the ]J would he not have
taken his only shot by rising with dummy’s king? If that is right then perhaps the spade switch is not impossible to find?
On the other hand, if declarer had won the first round of diamonds and cashed the king of clubs he would always have taken nine tricks.
Closed Room West North East South Helgemo Gromov Helness Orlov Pass 1{ Pass 1] Pass 1[ Pass 2} Pass 2{ Pass 3{ All Pass
East led the three of clubs for the jack and ace and declarer played a club to the ten and pitched a heart on the }K. He cashed the top diamonds and Had he gone flat out (taking the spade finesse) he would have made six, but he contented himself with just two overtricks, +150, a loss of 10 IMPs.
Board 6. Dealer East. EW Vul. [ 7 3 ] J 8 6 4 { Q J 9 5 } J 4 3 [ A 8 6 2 [ Q 5 4 ] 2 ] K Q 9 7 { A K 10 4 3 { 7 6 } 10 9 5 } K Q 8 2 [ K J 10 9 ] A 10 5 3 { 8 2 } A 7 6
Open Room West North East South Dubinin Multon Kazantsev Zimmermann
— — 1} Dble 1[ Pass 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass
South led the eight of diamonds and declarer won with dummy’s ace and ran the ten of clubs. When it held he played a club to the eight and cleared the clubs, South returning the two of diamonds. Declarer won and exited with a diamond and North won and played the seven of spades. South won with the nine and could play any of remaining cards - he opted to cash the ace of hearts and continue the suit and declarer could not get beyond eight tricks, -100.
Closed Room West North East South Helgemo Gromov Helness Orlov
— — 1} Dble 1[ Pass 2[ Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
3NT appears to have little chance, but when North led the queen of diamonds declarer had a glimmer of hope. The first trick was completed by the six, two and three of diamonds. Imagining he had struck gold, North continued with the five of diamonds only to discover that his motherload was pyrites (fool’s gold) and declarer won with the ten and played the ten of clubs covered by the jack and king. Declarer played a club to the nine, cashed two diamonds pitching hearts and then went back to clubs. South won, cashed the ace of hearts and exited with a heart, declarer claiming +600.
Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul. [ K 3 ] K 9 6 3 2 { K Q 9 6 } J 2 [ A 8 7 2 [ Q 10 9 ] A 7 5 4 ] Q J { A J 4 { 8 7 5 2 } 9 5 } Q 8 4 3 [ J 6 5 4 ] 10 8 { 10 3 } A K 10 7 6
Open Room West North East South Dubinin Multon Kazantsev Zimmermann
1} 1{ All Pass
Somewhat mystified by North’s overcall I asked Jean-Paul if he could offer an explanation. He suggested it might be a transfer - a French convention called Cachalot. That looked plausible, but when I checked the convention card it confirmed - as I suspected - that overcalls are natural.
I suggested that perhaps North had removed the wrong card from the bidding box and when Jean-Paul said we should ask I suggested that he would be the perfect man for the job.
He then reminded me of the classic comic sketch involving Peter Cook and Dudley Moore as an officer and a pilot, Perkins, during the war.
Officer: I want you to lay down your life, Perkins. We need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the war. Get up in a plane, Perkins, pop over to Bremen, take a shufti, don’t come back. Goodbye, Perkins. God, I wish I was going too.
Perkins: Goodbye, sir - or is it au revoir?Officer: No, Perkins. It’s goodbye.(Now substitue Jean-Paul for Perkins and you should
see the point.)Anyhow, on this layout declarer was not hard
pressed to make 1{. (I trust you will forgive me for not giving you a trick-by-trick account of this riveting contract).
Closed Room West North East South Helgemo Gromov Helness Orlov
1] Pass 1NT Dble All Pass
I’m not sure if South’s double was conventional - perhaps showing four spades and a longer minor?
South led the ten of hearts and declarer was allowed to win with dummy’s jack. He played the queen of spades from dummy (unlucky, running the ten saves a trick) and North won and switched to the jack of clubs. That gave the defenders the next five tricks when declarer withheld dummy’s queen after which South’s heart exit ensured two down, -300 and 5 IMPs for Russia who went down 24-12.
Imps. Dealer North. None Vul.
W N E S1{ 2} Pass
Your cards:[ 8 7 5 3 2 ] K Q 7 6 { A 5 3 } K
What's your bid?! The answers of our champions will be published tomorrow!
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
Your cards:[ 8 7 5 3 2 ] K Q 7 6 { A 5 3 } K
1 MAHAFFEY 201.092 DE BOTTON 196.233 ZIMMERMANN 196.054 K1 191.965 TEAM VENTIN 179.926 VYTAS 178.447 LAVAZZA 175.248 NETHERLANDS RED 173.649 COLDEA 172.0010 RUSSIA 171.8111 THE CLUB ENTHUSIASTS 170.5812 INA MAN RED 170.3813 DELTA TV PROGRAMS 170.1414 NETHERLANDS JUNIORS 168.9015 WARD PLATT 167.8116 BERNAL 167.7317 ERA 166.2918 KHYUPPENEN 166.1119 NONAME BLACK 165.4820 EMERALD 165.3321 BRIDGE ACADEMIE 164.2921 BLACK 164.2923 SALVO 163.2724 AJ DIAMENT 162.7025 COOREMAN BELGIUM 162.0426 THE BUSH 161.1527 KVANGRAVEN 158.8628 NONAME 157.7929 NETHERLANDS BLUE 157.0330 NONAME RED 156.7631 CRISTAL 156.6332 HAMMELEV 154.2133 LES BRAS CASSES 153.8734 FRANCE B 153.5135 INA MIXED WHITE 152.9736 OAKSEY 152.8837 NONAME MASK 152.4638 DE FALCO 151.4539 ADDAURA 149.75
40 BLUE CHIP SWEDES 149.5541 IRG 148.3642 GEORGIA ON MY MIND 147.5643 GILLIS 147.3844 PHARMASERVICE 147.1145 GAMAX 144.9146 EXPERTCOOKING 144.8847 WILLANS 144.6148 INA MIXED RED 141.8449 BAK 141.5650 FILIPPO5 140.0351 HARRIS 139.8952 DENMARK 139.7753 CONNECTOR 137.7654 MONACO 137.2955 1 NONE BLONDE 137.1356 CHINA LADIES 136.4557 BRENO 135.5158 BLONDES ARE MORE FUN 135.0359 BRIDGE24PL B 133.7260 ROUGH DIAMONDS 133.4561 NEVER CLAIM 133.2762 MORAN 131.8363 TEXAN ACES 130.0364 JANDM 129.8165 LR INTERNATIONAL 129.0066 SEOUL 128.2067 ESCARGOT 127.7268 RIGAINVITES 127.6369 ALLY 125.9270 INA WOMEN WHITE 124.8071 LUPOVELOCE 124.6472 RICH 124.2773 MAGMA 123.2874 INA MAN WHITE 119.3875 INA WOMEN RED 115.2276 NEVEU 112.1677 LES CALANQUES 109.4178 KOSING 108.92
RANKING AFTER ROUND 15
Full details about each match are published in the microsite: http://db.eurobridge.org/Repository/competitions/18Monaco/microSite/Results.htm
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
2nd European Winter Games - Monaco, 17-23 February 2018
Butl CntBrd
WRANG Thomas WRANG David -0,09 150
VAINIKONIS Vytautas OLANSKI Wojtek -0,09 80
RASMUSSEN Arild BAKKE Christian -0,09 150
KUBAC Nezih ZORLU Nafiz -0,09 150
GROVE Mads ANDERSEN Michael Krogh -0,09 150
NAWROCKI Piotr WIANKOWSKI Piotr -0,11 109
KOKSOY Enver KAHRAMAN Ahmet -0,11 150
NYSTROM Fredrik PALMA Antonio -0,12 60
HOYLAND Sven Olai HELNESS Fredrik -0,12 150
PSZCZOLA Jacek SAKR May -0,12 90
CRONIER Philippe CRONIER Benedicte -0,13 150
BIANCHEDI Alejandro MADALA Agustin -0,14 80
VENTIN C Juan Carlos PALMA Antonio -0,14 50
SCHAFFER Lauge HOUMOLLER Jonas -0,15 150
FAILLA Giuseppe DE MICHELIS Luca -0,15 100
BERGER Heinrich LAUSS Wolfgang -0,17 70
LAWRENCE Oliver LAWRENCE Patrick -0,17 140
RUBINS Karlis ERIKSSON Sveinn Runar -0,17 150
KUSTRIJANTO Agus SANTOSO Sie -0,18 120
KHIUPPENEN Yury STERKIN Alexei -0,18 60
KORDOV Mehmet Ali YILMAZBAYHAN Can -0,20 40
VENKATESH Gopal BANERJI Swarnendu -0,20 100
COENRAETS Philippe ENGEL Zvi -0,21 110
BESSIS Thomas AMOILS Leslie -0,21 140
KOWALSKI Apolinary ROMANSKI Jacek -0,23 110
AKSUYEK Ender OYMEN Can -0,23 70
PREDDY Kay SELWAY Norman -0,23 150
FELLUS Robin GIUBILO Gianmarco -0,25 100
LE PODER Jean CURETTI Nicole -0,30 150
VIVALDI Antonio CIMA Leonardo -0,32 60
GIARD Olivier MAROTTA Luca -0,32 50
ROMANOVSKA Maija NEIMANIS Janis -0,32 150
KREFELD Camilla Bo HAMMELEV Johan -0,33 150
GAUTRET Eric CABANES Bernard -0,35 150
PULGA Ruggero MINA Aldo -0,36 90
LOO Choon Chou NG Kelvin -0,36 149
SRINIVASAN Sundarram SRIDHARAN P -0,37 150
KHOKHLOV Jouri MATUSHKO Georgi -0,38 100
VENKATARAMAN K R BANERJI Swarnendu -0,40 50
MICHAUD-LARIVIERE X DE MENDEZ Thierry -0,40 50
HOILAND Tom STORNES Helge -0,40 150
GRAVERSEN Hans Christian BRONDUM Freddi -0,41 150
HEIN Soren ELLERBECK Max -0,42 150
TOKAY Mustafa Cem DONATI Giovanni -0,43 110
Butl CntBrd
NINGTIAS Elsya Saktia SIBUEA Fortina Mora -0,44 90
SUMAMPOUW Conny ANDHANI Rury -0,45 150
BOJOH Lusje Olha ASBI Taufik Gautama -0,45 150
KARWUR Franky Steven BOJOH Jemmy -0,46 120
HARTONO Michael B SUGANDI Paulus -0,48 60
BASKIN Ben ROSENTHAL Nir -0,50 100
SUHENDRO S Supeno GONTHA Leslie -0,51 110
BARTKOWSKI - DALECKI Mark -0,54 70
BOLAND Rory MORAN Mark -0,54 90
DE FALCO Dano BORTOLETTI Carlo -0,55 99
HARRIS Jonathan ROOT STEVEN -0,57 90
DINC Sedat SEN Melih Osman -0,58 60
HUANG Yan WANG Nan -0,59 100
LU Yan LIU Yan -0,64 100
BURGAY Leandro VIVALDI Antonio -0,65 40
SEFITA Ernis FYTRY Yunita -0,65 150
PAVLUSHKO Olga RUDAKOVA Elena -0,67 90
ROSENTHAL Lee GREEN Marcia -0,68 138
ERINDA Nettin YULIANTI Nunung Tri -0,70 100
LAKATOS Peter BIRMAN Alon -0,70 150
BESANCON Helene NEVEU Loic -0,74 90
COMBESCURE Sarah BENIERE Jean-Christophe -0,78 80
BESTRZYNSKI Olech SEREK Cezary -0,79 70
BEAUVILLAIN Olivier BEAUMIER Dominique -0,79 90
DABROWSKI Maciej PAWLAK Andrzej -0,79 100
JEANNETEAU Yves LIPSZYC Laurent -0,81 150
HELNESS Gunn SIVERTSVIK Ranja -0,83 149
ATTANASIO Dario FRANCHI Arrigo -0,83 90
POON Hua KWON Haeryung -0,84 149
CARROLL John GARVEY Tommy -0,87 100
HOOGENKAMP Ed HELLE Rob -0,87 100
SIELICKI Tomasz TUCZYNSKI Piotr -0,87 150
SZENBERG Stefan MILASZEWSKI Miroslaw -0,99 150
LORENZINI Cedric WARD-PLATT Kiki -1,07 70
MADSEN Christina Lund ALPERT Claire -1,09 150
DRAGAN Volodymyr PORKHUN Volodymyr -1,11 90
ROMIEU Michel GIOVANNI Patrick -1,12 110
GLOYER Andreas KRIFTNER Georg -1,19 90
KIM Daehong ROH Seungjin -1,19 89
KOLUDA Piotr JELENIEWSKI Marek -1,32 60
MARTENS Krzysztof MILLENS Joan -1,39 70
FRANCESCHETTI Pierre SETTON Hilda -1,40 70
VAINIKONIS Erikas ARLOVICH Andrei -1,47 70
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EXCLUSIF
Sans titre-1 1 15/02/2018 16:02
MAHAFFEY
INA MAN RED
R1 R2 R3
NED RED
WARD PLATT
R1 R2 R3
VYTAS
NED JUNIORS
R1 R2 R3
K1
BERNAL
R1 R2 R3
ZIMMERMANN
RUSSIA
R1 R2 R3
LAVAZZA
COLDEA
R1 R2 R3
THE CLUB E.
VENTIN
R1 R2 R3
DE BOTTON
DELTA TV P.
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 R3
Z I M M E R M A N N C U P K OMAHAFFEYBROGELAND, LINDQVIST, MAHMOOD, MECKSTROTH
DE BOTTONBAKHSHI, CHARLSEN, DE BOTTON cpt, HOFTANISKA, MALINOWSKI, PADON