A Grandy Flat

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday September 1, 2008

Ron Klinger

The late Hans Rosendorff of Perth captained the Australian Women's Team to a number of wins in the Far East Championships. Part of his formula for success was to forbid his players to bid a grand slam, no matter how clear it might be. On Board 19 from the 2007 Bermuda Bowl semi-final match between South Africa and the USA, the North-South players would have done well to heed the Rosendorff advice.

East dealer : North-South vulnerable

Norths 5D suggested slam values with at least two places to play. With two good suits and a 5-loser hand, that was a reasonable assessment, particularly as South was expected to hold the majors. South could tell which suits North held and might have bid 6C. The trouble was that North would correct that to a major, and then what? Perhaps 6NT? South also had much more than expected and tried to show that with 6D. North reasonably interpreted that as "pick-amajor" and bid 6S.

South should have removed that to 6NT, but he chose to go all the way. West's double indicated that it does not pay to gamble on a grand slam. It is true that 7NT would make if North had the HA instead of the HK-Q or if West led a diamond. Even then you need a 3-2 break in spades. East-West +200.

West North East South

Cope Garner Holman Weinstein

--- --- 2D (1) Dble

3D 4D Pass 4NT

Pass 5S Pass 7C

Pass 7H All Pass

(1) Weak two in diamonds

Lead: C2

South intended 4NT as asking for aces, but North took it as "pick-a-suit". Reading 5S as two key cards and the queen in one of the majors, South jumped to 7C. North, still thinking that 4NT was searching for the best trump suit, read 7C as offering a choice between clubs and hearts and so bid 7H. West could have doubled this, but what if 7H was removed to 7S? East would be on lead and would the heart lead be obvious?

West decided to take his profit undoubled and that would normally have been a considerable gain.

North took the club lead with the C10 and played a heart to the jack and ace. Back came a club, ruffed. Declarer later ran the H9, came to hand in spades and drew the missing trumps. That held the result to down two. Just another flat board.

In the other semi-final, Norway played in 6C, the Netherlands 6NT. In the semi-final of the Venice Cup (Womens Teams) there was a swing in both matches. China played in 4S, while the USA made 6C.

Germany made 6C after South opened 2NT, while France stopped in 5S after a 2C opening by South. Behind every winning team are many amazed opponents.

Tomorrows problem:

East dealer : East-West vulnerable

West North East South

--- --- Pass 2C

Pass 2D Pass 3NT

Pass Pass Pass

West leads the CK: two  ten... How

do you plan the play?

Suppose West leads the C6: two  ten...

How would you play now?

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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