Forget Fear Of Failure
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday January 16, 2002
The greatest surprise at the 2001 Bermuda Bowl was the drubbing received by USA1 at the hands of Italy. After 64 of 96 boards, it was Italy 138, USA1 137. Then Italy scored 57-0 and followed with 67-9 in the last set. This is how they did it.
The auction at both tables:
West North East South
Duboin Hamman Bocchi Soloway
M'oth Versace Rodwell Lauria
Pass Pass Pass 1D
Pass 1H Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Meckstroth led a top club, a strange choice given the more solid spade suit. Rodwell unblocked with the CQ and Lauria won. He played DA, followed by DQ. East won, cashed the CA and hoping West had started with four clubs, continued with DJ and a club. Lauria claimed 9 tricks, +600.
At the other table Duboin led the SJ. Soloway won, played a heart to dummy and finessed the DQ. When West showed out on the DA, Soloway abandoned diamonds and made four more tricks, minus 100 and 12 Imps to Italy.
See top of next column for the next board:
West North East South
Duboin Hamman Bocchi Soloway
-- 1C* 2H** 2NT
4H Pass Pass Dble End
*Artificial, strong
**hearts and spades
The excellent bid by Bocchi saw East-West bid game on 11 HCP and go just one down for minus 100. Given South's 2NT, it would not take a mighty leap of imagination for North to bid 5 clubs over 4 hearts. Chalk up that pass to 'fear of failure'.
At the other table, Versace also opened 1 club but Rodwell timidly passed, a losing strategy at this vulnerability where you do not need points to bid, just shape and courage. Of these, shape is the lesser requirement. North-South then had an artificial unopposed auction to reach 3NT played by South.
5C N-S is unbeatable but 3NT is risky. A heart lead will defeat it but West naturally led a diamond. 11 tricks, +660 and 11 Imps to Italy.
Italy now led 161-137.
Bridge problem for tomorrow
South dealer; both vulnerable
West North East South
-- -- -- 2S*
Dble** Pass 3NT All Pass
*weak two
**takeout double
What would you lead as South from:
' AQ9754
? J104
? 762
? 3
Daffynition: 'Dummy': To be stuck in partner's mouth after each hand before his standard comment is made.
© 2002 Sydney Morning Herald