The 2005 Wc Book Is Here

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday July 31, 2006

Ron Klinger

`The 2005 World Championships, Estoril' is now available. The 336-page book includes reports on the Transnational Teams, the Seniors Bowl, the round-robins, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the Bermuda Bowl (Open Teams) and Venice Cup (Women's Teams) and is a must-read for all serious players.

There is much to be learned by studying the bidding, play and defence of the world's top players. This deal from the Transnational Open Teams is an example of fine declarer play: South dealer: Both vulnerable

If South had opened a weak 1NT, North should raise to 3NT. After the 1S opening, a

jump to 3NT would be attractive to show this hand type. On the actual auction North might well have raised 2NT to 3NT. A 4-3-3-3 opposite a 5-3-3-2 will usually make the same tricks in no-trumps as in the 5-3 fit. Note how much better the 3NT contract is, especially if played by North.

On the C5 lead, declarer, Allan Graves of Canada, ducked in dummy and captured East's C6 with the king. The contract looks to have a trump loser, two diamond losers and a club loser. Skilful play by Graves transformed the shaky game into a near certainty. He continued with three rounds of spades hoping that East would win the third round. No such luck. West won with the SJ and exited with the H10. When dummy's HJ held, Graves figured that the C5 lead was a singleton, else why did West not continue clubs? West's switch to hearts rather than to diamonds also suggested that either East had DA-Q or West had the DQ. With DA-x-x West might well have shifted to a low diamond.

The solution found by Graves was very neat. He cashed the HA and led a low diamond from dummy to his jack. West won with the DQ and this was the position: South dealer: Both vulnerable

If West exited with the D6, the D8 would endplay East. If he exited with the D10, the DK would endplay East. If he played a heart, South would win and play a diamond. By covering whichever diamond West played, he would again achieve the endplay to make his contract. The reward was no more than satisfaction for Graves, as there was no swing on the board. The contract was the same at the other table and the lead was also the C5. Declarer played the CJ: queen -' king. He continued with the SK, SA, heart to the jack, HA and a heart to the king. He then led a club. est

could not gain by ruffing this and so CA and a third club endplayed East.

`The 2005 World Championships, Estoril' can be obtained from The Bridge Shop (02) 9967 0644, or bridge@bridgeshop.com.au for email, or from Paul Lavings Postfree Bridge Books (02) 9388 8861 or postfree@bigpond.net.au for email.

Bridge at the Movies: `Made it, Ma! Top of the World!' (James Cagney as Cody in `White Heat') In Verona: Karen McCallum - Matthew Granovetter, winners of the World Mixed Pairs. Tomorrow's problem:

North dealer: East-West vulnerable

West North East South

--- 1D Pass 1S

Pass 2H Pass 2S

Pass 3S Pass 4S

Pass Pass Pass

Lead: CA.

Which club should East play? Your agreements are low encouraging, high discouraging.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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