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District 25 News for April 2008
The bulk of this month's news is a Grand National Teams update. Other events in New England bridge are briefly covered far below.
District 25 Grand National Teams Update
On Sunday, April 6, 2008, in conjunction with the WMBA Sectional
Swiss held at the Melha Shriners in Springfield, I kibitzed the
Grand National Teams district finals for Flight A, between Allan
Wolf's Connecticut team of
(left to right in the picture)
Bernard Schneider, Frances Schneider,
Allan Wolf, and Russell Friedman
and Derrick Niederman's Massachusetts team of
Adam Grossack, Donald Caplin, Margaret Malaspina, and Derrick Niederman.
Flight A was open to any District 25 player with fewer
than 5000 masterpoints (Flight B, which I reported last
month, is limited to 2000). Nine entrant Flight A teams
had played a full round-robin in January, to qualify
for semifinal matches, with Wolf and Niederman surviving.
Now they'd play a 56-board final with no carryover, the winner
to be subsidized on a trip to Las Vegas this summer to represent the District.
Friedman-Wolf, the Schneiders, and Niederman-Malaspina all play standard, more or less, while Caplin-Grossack play a strong club and four card majors. To distinguish between the Schneiders, I'll call them Bernard and Frances. Board 1 (none vul, N deals):
North
S-J1053
West H-AJ1054 East
S-98762 D-K9 S-KQ
H-K3 C-AK H-Q62
D-AQ D-8532
C-J942 South C-Q1076
S-A4
H-987
D-J10764
C-853
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - 1NT P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - 1H P
P 1S P P
2H P P P
Friedman-Wolf play Flannery, but Wolf thought
the North hand too strong for that. He didn't
want to reverse, so chose an odd
notrump. When Malaspina led clubs (best), Wolf,
not knowing the cards lay so favorably, played
hearts from hand. Clubs, hearts, clubs. Wolf had
to discard two spades on the third and fourth clubs,
which looked like down one to Wolf, but the cards lay so well,
with the spades blocked and the diamonds onside, that
the defense could do nothing to prevent his making 90.
The North cards weren't a strong club for Caplin. With a benign SK lead and everything friendly, his 2H contract made 140 (double-dummy, he can even make 4 on this very favorable lie). 2 imps to Niederman. Board 2 (NS vul, East deals):
North
S-J963
West H-A2 East
S-AK D-Q954 S-10874
H-10963 C-1083 H-K8754
D-K32 D-10
C-A765 South C-KQ2
S-Q52
H-QJ
D-AJ876
C-J94
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
P 1C P 1H
P 2H P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - P
P 1C P 1H
P 2H P 2S
P 3D P 3H
P 4H P P
P
Frances Schneider's game try proved a winner when
she bought a great dummy and a nice lie of cards.
420 vs. 200 meant six imps to Wolf, who led 6-2.
Board 3 (EW vul, South deals):
North
S-J84
West H-6532 East
S-AQ5 D-KJ92 S-10973
H-KQ C-104 H-AJ84
D-Q7654 D-8
C-KJ5 South C-A976
S-K62
H-1097
D-A103
C-Q832
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P 1NT P 2C
P 2D P 2NT
P 3NT P P
P
Caplin led diamonds and scored
four tricks in the suit, but Bernard had the rest
no matter which black suit finesse he chose
to take when he entered dummy.
Wolf led a heart. Niederman lacked dummy entries. As the cards lie, he could have made 3NT in either of two ways. He could have monotonously played diamonds (with or without cashing his second heart), forcing his opponents to either start a black suit for him, give dummy an entry in hearts, or set up his fifth diamond. Or, he could have overtaken his second heart and tried a club to the jack, CK, CA, HJ. The clubs don't drop, but the hearts do, so he could take a spade finesse for his ninth trick. Instead, Derrick cashed his two hearts and ran the CJ to CQ. The defense cashed four diamonds for down 1, 12 imps to Wolf, who led 18-2. Board 4 (Both vul, West deals):
North
S-752
West H-108 East
S-10843 D-AQ873 S-AQJ
H-KJ973 C-AJ3 H-652
D-96 D-KJ5
C-97 South C-Q1065
S-K96
H-AQ4
D-1042
C-K842
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P P 1C
P 1H P 1NT
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P P 1C
P 1H P P
P
The play with hearts trump isn't interesting - declarer
loses a spade, a heart, a diamond, and two
clubs, for 110. Friedman led the S6 against
1NT. Declarer won SQ, played a heart to
dummy's HJ (H8 from Wolf), and ran the C9 to the jack,
queen, and king.
Friedman-Wolf play upside-down signals, and
Russell couldn't read Wolf's H8. Was it low from
108, or high from 8xx? He decided on the latter,
and cashed the HA to extract declarer's exit card,
then shifted to a diamond to the ace for a spade
back. Malaspina took her 7 tricks for 90. This looked
like awful defense, but in fact Friedman couldn't beat 1NT
on winning the club - whatever he does works badly,
whatever declarer tries will work.
It takes a diamond opening lead to find seven winners for
the defense. An imp to Wolf, 19-2. Board 5 (NS vul, North deals):
North
S-9
West H-K653 East
S-A852 D-763 S-K1073
H-1092 C-KQ642 H-J7
D-85 D-KQJ2
C-AJ107 South C-985
S-QJ64
H-AQ84
D-A1094
C-3
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - P P
1D P 1H P
2H P 3C P
3H P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - P P
1H P 2NT P
3D P 3H P
3NT P 4H P
P P
Friedman turned down a
game try most players would accept, judging that his
club singleton wasn't what Wolf wanted. Caplin's
passed hand 2NT showed hearts plus a minor.
Grossack was in a similar situation to Friedman, but
Adam went to game. Both defenses got two diamonds and
the black aces, 6 imps to Wolf, now leading 25-2.
Board 6 (EW vul, East deals):
North
S-105
West H-J952 East
S-KQ972 D-AQJ97 S-AJ43
H-43 C-93 H-AK8
D-863 D-K102
C-AK6 South C-1054
S-86
H-Q1076
D-54
C-QJ872
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - 1NT
P 2H P 2S
P 3NT P 4S
P P P
Everybody's 4S was a matchpoint exercise -
Frances found an overtrick to win an imp. 26-2.
Board 7 (Both vul, South deals):
North
S-K93
West H-107 East
S-A854 D-KQJ2 S-J10
H-AK86542 C-J753 H-QJ93
D-10 D-A7643
C-10 South C-92
S-Q762
H-
D-985
C-AKQ864
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
1C 1H 2C 3H
P 4H P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
2C 4H P P
5C P P 5H
P P Double P
P P
Par on this board is 6C doubled by NS, -500 when
West gets a diamond ruff, but is the diamond
opening lead by West so obvious? Friedman went quietly
over 4H, but Grossack saved. Caplin doubled 5H with
few hearts and many clubs, an action I do not
recommend, and lost 5 imps for 850 vs. 650
(6C would gain 4 at least), upping Wolf's lead to 31-2.
Board 8 (Neither vul, West deals):
North
S-7543
West H-10653 East
S-A986 D-J7 S-QJ
H-Q C-A32 H-J2
D-KQ432 D-A65
C-KQ8 South C-J109764
S-K102
H-AK9874
D-1098
C-5
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- 1D P 1NT
2H 3D 3H 3S
P 4C P 4D
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- 1D P 1NT
P 2D P P
2H 2S P 3D
P P P
North-South take 9 tricks at hearts, East-West
11 at clubs. 5C isn't impossible to reach.
Malaspina, for example, must have thought of raising
4C to 5, and Frances had a couple of opportunities to
at least mention the suit. A club ruff holds diamonds to
10 tricks, but that defense would be indicated only
against 5D. Against partials, both Souths played HAK. Bernard
ruffed, cashed DKQ and switched to clubs, assuring 10 tricks.
The defense still didn't take its ruff, so he scored 11.
Niederman ruffed the second heart and drew three rounds of trumps before
playing clubs. Wolf ducked both the CK and CQ. Friedman had
thrown two hearts on the third diamond and second club,
clutching his S-K10x.
Niederman led a spade from his hand to Friedman's SK. Another
heart would have beaten 4D, but Friedman returned a spade.
The S10 dropped, Niederman made 130, but an imp to Wolf, 32-2.
Board 9 (EW vul, North deals):
North
S-AQ5
West H-KQ98 East
S-K73 D-K63 S-J942
H-A102 C-1073 H-54
D-A10752 D-984
C-A6 South C-J942
S-1086
H-J763
D-QJ
C-KQ85
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - 1C P
1H P 2H P
P 3D 3H P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - 1H P
2H P 3C P
4H P P P
Niederman offered 500 trying to jostle Wolf
too high, and succeeded. Had he led a spade,
he'd beat 3H unless Friedman made a miraculous
guess in clubs. Instead, Niederman led ace and a
club, but could find no entry among Malaspina's
trash. The spade loser got away on a diamond
and that was 170. In the replay, Grossack-Caplin
overbid all the way to 4H, without jostling.
Frances led a spade for down 2 on normal play.
7 more imps to Wolf, 39-2.
Board 10 (Both vul, East deals):
North
S-843
West H-1085 East
S-AK10 D-Q753 S-J65
H-J732 C-1083 H-AK9
D-A109 D-42
C-A97 South C-KQJ54
S-Q972
H-Q64
D-KJ86
C-62
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - 1C
P 1H P 1NT
P 3NT P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - 1C
P 1H P 2H
P 2S P 3C
P 3NT P P
P
Friedman led a spade. Malaspina hooked the S10 and
ran clubs. With horrid discards to make, Friedman
eventually let go a heart, and so Malaspina took
all the tricks. Caplin led a diamond, but Grossack
was also hard pressed to pitch on the clubs. He did
eventually manage to get one trick, to win an imp
for Niederman, down 39-3.
Board 11 (Neither vul, South deals):
North
S-Q96
West H-AK82 East
S-10875 D-A853 S-AJ3
H-QJ109 C-J7 H-765
D-42 D-K1096
C-Q82 South C-954
S-K42
H-43
D-QJ7
C-AK1063
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
1C P 1H P
1NT P 3NT P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
2C P 2D P
2NT P 3NT P
P P
Both declarers ducked the HQ opening lead.
Niederman continued a second heart, and a third
upon winning his CQ, but declarer led a spade
to his king and took a diamond finesse.
Malaspina didn't cash her SA, and mispitched
on the run of the clubs, allowing an overtrick,
but this defense wasn't beating 3NT in any case.
At the other table, Bernard Schneider found an
excellent switch to the S10 at trick 2. Grossack
made his best play of covering in dummy, but Frances
won the ace and played hearts. When Bernard got in
with his CQ, he put the S8 through, and 3NT was
doomed. There's no strip squeeze because declarer
hasn't been able to cash dummy's second heart winner.
Go back to trick one. Is ducking really a good idea? If dummy just wins and takes a club finesse, declarer can duck a second heart, run any spade shift to his king, and take a diamond finesse for 9 tricks. There's no defense. Anyway, that was 11 imps to Wolf, for 50-3.
Board 12 (NS vul, West deals):
North
S-K107
West H-63 East
S-A6532 D-A853 S-Q8
H-A975 C-8764 H-QJ1082
D-4 D-J1092
C-QJ10 South C-92
S-J94
H-K4
D-KQ76
C-AK53
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- 1S P 1NT
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- 1S P 1NT
P 2H P P
P
Frances Schneider's 1NT was forcing, and 2H lost
two clubs, a spade, and a diamond, for 140.
Malaspina's 1NT was not forcing, but still,
Niederman chose a bad time to pass.
The defense took two top diamonds, played
three rounds of clubs, won the SK, and cashed
out for 50, 5 imps to Wolf, making the score 55-3.
Board 13 (Both vul, North deals):
North
S-J1076
West H-A7 East
S-AKQ52 D-K6 S-9
H-53 C-AKQ95 H-KQJ10986
D-Q105 D-742
C-763 South C-82
S-843
H-42
D-AJ983
C-J104
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - 1C 2H
P P Double P
3D P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - 1NT 2H
P P P
Grossack's Rusinow C10 opening lead put
Caplin in a quandary - was it J10x or 10x?
A switch to the diamond king would beat 2H
with a ruff, but after the actual three rounds of clubs,
Frances ruffed, discarded two diamonds on
dummy's spades, and knocked out the trump
ace for 140. Had Friedman-Wolf competed to
3C, they couldn't go down, but they wound up
in 3D where they had a trump loser, so any
early heart play would beat them. Instead, Niederman
cashed his three top spades, Malaspina discarding
both her clubs. Giving Malaspina a club ruff would
work, as would a heart shift,
but Niederman continued with a fourth spade,
which she ruffed. Now Friedman could have overruffed
and played on trumps to make the hand,
but he pitched his heart loser and had to lose a
trump as well to go -100. An imp to Wolf, for 56-3.
Board 14 (Neither vul, East deals):
North
S-K53
West H-762 East
S-AQ2 D-A8 S-1098
H-AK1085 C-AQ1054 H-94
D-Q94 D-J107652
C-K8 South C-J2
S-J764
H-QJ3
D-K3
C-9763
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
P 1H 2C P
P Double P 2H
3C P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - P
P 1H P P
P
Caplin-Grossack were never beating 1H. In
practice, Caplin led a trump, and
Bernard played on diamonds, eventually
emerging with 140. Against Wolf's 3C, Malaspina
led the H9 to the HJ and HK. Had Niederman
given her a ruff, he could wait for two spade
tricks because of Malaspina's helpful spots,
and thus beat the contract. Instead, he switched
to a trump, but Wolf finessed his CQ, drew trumps, and
played on spades keeping Malaspina off play,
eventually establishing the fourth spade for a
heart pitch and +110, 6 imps to Wolf, who led
62-3 after a Blitzkrieg first quarter.
One of the glories of the GNT is that it's New England's only local opportunity to play really long matches. Although the Wolf squad was in wonderful position, the match was not over, and both teams knew it, with 42 boards to play. The Niederman team switched seats, the traditional gambit for a change of luck.
Board 15 (NS vul, South deals):
North
S-
West H-AJ108654 East
S-Q9 D-Q105 S-J1063
H-2 C-1073 H-K73
D-AK98 D-J764
C-AKQJ42 South C-96
S-AK87542
H-Q9
D-32
C-85
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
3S 5C P P
P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
3S 4C P P
P
East-West could make 3NT or beat 3S doubled 800,
but West can't see the whole deal and not
bidding clubs seems bizarre.
Since North has no spade to lead, the
declarers got to pitch a spade on dummy's HK.
The DQ didn't fall, so 130 vs. 50 sent
5 imps to Wolf, who led 67-3.
Board 16 (EW vul, West deals):
North
S-Q
West H-Q5 East
S-87542 D-AQ S-AK1093
H-86 C-AK1098542 H-AJ
D-J642 D-K875
C-73 South C-J6
S-J6
H-K1097432
D-1093
C-Q
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- P 1C 1S
Double 3S 5C P
5H P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- P 1C 1S
P P 3C P
4H P P P
Niederman's 4H is cold. The defense played two
rounds of spades, and he knocked out the HA to
make 450. The miraculous diamond position means
East-West could escape for -200 in 4S doubled,
but that's surely too risky at adverse vulnerability.
Friedman had a preemptive 3H response available, but chose an odd negative double instead. He did well to pull 5C, which Caplin could beat either by eventually ducking the first round of hearts, or immediately by cashing one spade and switching to ace and a heart before trumps are drawn. Grossack led a trump against 5H, ducked to Friedman's HK. Major suit plays couldn't work, as Caplin would cash three tricks. Russell can make 5H by overtaking his CQ and pitching a spade on a club, then playing trumps. That requires clubs 2-2, however. Instead, Friedman cashed his CQ and took a diamond finesse, playing Caplin for a stiff club and no diamond king, which seems anti-percentage on the bidding. Caplin won the DK and cashed out for down 2, 11 imps to Niederman, who trailed 67-14. Board 17 (Neither vul, North deals):
North
S-K10
West H-J104 East
S-AQ73 D-K974 S-9542
H-A972 C-K752 H-KQ
D-108 D-AQJ63
C-AJ3 South C-Q9
S-J86
H-8653
D-52
C-10864
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- - P 1S
P 2NT P 3NT
P 4S P P
P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- - P 1D
P 1H P 1S
P 2C P 2D
P 2S P 3D
P 3H P 4S
P P P
Caplin-Grossack open some bad four card
majors. Both Wests made slammy noises, but
subsided when the Easts showed disinterest.
Friedman led a diamond, Caplin won and cashed
dummy's trump ace. Returning to hand, he guessed
to duck a trump to make six. Niederman led a club.
Declarer lost the CK, didn't guess trumps, and so
made 420, 2 imps to Niederman, 67-16.
Board 18 (NS vul, East deals):
North
S-K
West H-AK53 East
S-J984 D-854 S-A1053
H-42 C-85432 H-J107
D-AK72 D-1063
C-AKQ South C-J109
S-Q762
H-Q986
D-QJ9
C-76
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- - - P
P 1NT P P
P
Both Norths led clubs. Grossack played
on spades for 120, Schneider on diamonds
for 90, an imp to Niederman, 67-17.
Board 19 (EW vul, South deals):
North
S-Q7
West H-AQ7 East
S-A54 D-1098532 S-10862
H-10653 C-J3 H-J984
D-AJ4 D-Q76
C-A65 South C-K7
S-KJ93
H-K2
D-K
C-Q109842
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
P 1H P 3H
P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
1C P 1D P
1S P 2D P
P P
The Niederman team declared
two hopeless partials. Grossack had to lose
3 hearts and 2 spades. Malaspina had to lose
3 diamonds, 2 clubs, and a spade. 100 plus 50
meant 4 imps to Wolf, 71-17.
Board 20 (Both vul, West deals):
North
S-10742
West H-K1074 East
S-J95 D-J1096 S-AKQ6
H-62 C-3 H-J9853
D-A52 D-Q
C-AQ942 South C-J76
S-83
H-AQ
D-K8743
C-K1085
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- P P 1H
P 1NT P P
P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- 1C P 1H
P 1NT P 2D
P 2NT P 3NT
P P P
The Schneiders were overboard.
Both Norths led the DJ, both declarers
took a club finesse and tried to drop
a doubleton king, and so ended with
seven tricks. Even double-dummy, Bernard
can't score more than 8 tricks, as South
can cover every club from dummy, to stop
the suit with his C5. 200 plus 90 meant 7 imps to
Niederman, who trailed 71-24.
Board 21 (NS vul, North deals):
North
S-K5
West H-82 East
S-10943 D-10543 S-J7
H-10975 C-Q8654 H-A64
D-J2 D-KQ9876
C-AKJ South C-109
S-AQ862
H-KQJ4
D-A
C-732
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- - P P
1S P 1NT 2D
2H P 2S P
3C P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- - P 2D
Double 3D P P
3S P P P
Both Souths bid a lot. The Schneiders' 3D
would have been one down, but Niederman
pressed onwards. Three rounds of clubs
for a ruff, plus the HA and a trump trick
meant -100. Friedman would surely make 2S,
but he thought game was still possible. Wolf
did well to pass 3C. Grossack
led the DJ to the DA. Friedman knocked out the HA,
and ruffed the DK. Caplin had passed
in second seat with D-KQ and HA, and Grossack
hadn't raised and led the DJ, all
suggesting that West held the CAK and only two diamonds,
so Friedman really should find the winning
play of a trump towards dummy, which actually
makes 4 for 130. But Russell played two
hearts to sluff one diamond from dummy, and three
spades to park the last. Alas, East ruffed, and returned
a diamond. West overruffed South with the CK (dummy
had to underruff) and
played a fourth heart to score two more trump tricks. Down 1
for a push.
Board 22 (EW vul, East deals):
North
S-QJ10
West H-K102 East
S-542 D-KJ543 S-K873
H-J95 C-97 H-A7643
D-962 D-A108
C-K1062 South C-4
S-A96
H-Q8
D-Q7
C-AQJ853
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- - - P
1NT P 3NT P
P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- - - 1H
2C P 2NT P
3NT P P P
Grossack led a spade from three small and
dummy's queen held. The club finesse lost,
and Adam continued spades. Friedman
drove clubs, and Adam spades, dooming 3NT,
as East had three winners for 50. Friedman
might make 3NT by going after diamonds when he
sees the bad club split.
Frances led spades from the other side. Malaspina ducked to her hand and took a club finesse. Bernard ducked. Malaspina turned her attention to diamonds, and the defense was helpless. Frances couldn't keep her out of her hand to cash winning diamonds, and Malaspina actually made 460, losing only 2 aces. 11 imps to Niederman, now down 71-35. Board 23 (Both vul, South deals):
North
S-J1062
West H-1095 East
S-K9873 D-QJ9 S-Q4
H-A3 C-J76 H-KQ86
D-AK10 D-87
C-A105 South C-KQ984
S-A5
H-J742
D-65432
C-32
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
P 1C P 2C
P 2S P 3H
P 3NT P P
P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
P 1S P 2C
P 2D P 2NT
P 3C P 3NT
P P P
I'm disappointed by these East-West auctions. Neither
the big club and game-forcing natural 2C response,
nor the two-over-one game forcing
2C over a natural 1S, led to this excellent and
easy-to-make club slam. Both systems are well designed
for this situation, yet they both fizzled. Push for 660.
Board 24 (Neither vul, West deals):
North
S-KQ74
West H-KJ7 East
S-A D-AK985 S-J1032
H-Q8632 C-J H-A109
D-1032 D-64
C-Q984 South C-A1072
S-9865
H-54
D-QJ7
C-K653
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- P 1D P
1S P 4C P
4S P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- P 1D P
1S Double 4S P
P P
Both Souths dredged up a spade response, and
both Norths drove to a low percentage game.
Both Wests led hearts to the jack and ace,
but there is no Santa Claus. Push at -50.
Board 25 (EW vul, North deals):
North
S-QJ94
West H-AK84 East
S-A1073 D-6 S-K2
H-J6 C-A1063 H-9753
D-Q5 D-A9742
C-KQJ95 South C-87
S-865
H-Q102
D-KJ1083
C-42
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- - 1C P
1D 2C P 2H
P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- - 1C P
1D 2C Double P
2D P 2NT P
3D P P
The Niederman pairs had bidding misunderstandings
at both tables. West's 2C would probably finish down
one, but it's close. However Caplin, who thought he was
asked to bid, wound up down 3, and Niederman,
who expected a support double, wound up down 2.
9 imps to Wolf, who led 80-35.
Board 26 (Both vul, East deals):
North
S-Q1075
West H-8 East
S-KJ83 D-965 S-9642
H-J62 C-QJ1085 H-K9754
D-J72 D-AQ4
C-A32 South C-4
S-A
H-AQ103
D-K1083
C-K976
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- - - P
1NT P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- - - P
1D P 1S P
2C P P P
Nobody knows how to bid the South cards,
but Friedman and Niederman coped. West
led trumps against 2C, but with every side
suit onside, Niederman scrambled 9 tricks.
The defense couldn't do much
against 1NT either. On the run of the clubs,
it scored 120 for a push.
Board 27 (Neither vul, South deals):
North
S-KJ72
West H-93 East
S-AQ3 D-Q2 S-1086
H-KJ82 C-AKJ52 H-A1065
D-K8 D-1094
C-10763 South C-Q94
S-954
H-Q74
D-AJ7653
C-8
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
P 1H 2C 3H
P P P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
2D Double 3D P
P P
With the spades sitting as expected
on the bidding,
Niederman lost only two hearts, a
spade and a diamond, for +110. Against
Grossack's 3H, Wolf led the CK, eyed
Friedman's upside down C8, and shifted
to a dismal spade to the 6, 9 and queen. Grossack
picked up trumps, led towards the CQ, and
then towards the DK to make 140. 6 imps to
Niederman. Score: 80-41.
Board 28 (NS vul, West deals):
North
S-A5
West H-A53 East
S-32 D-QJ97632 S-KQ976
H-J8764 C-J H-Q
D-A5 D-K8
C-A987 South C-Q5432
S-J1084
H-K1092
D-104
C-K106
South West North East
Friedman Grossack Wolf Caplin
- P 1D 1S
Double P 2D P
P 2S 3D P
P
Niederman Bernard Malaspina Frances
- P 1D 1S
Double 2H 3D P
P P
The half concluded with both Norths
making 3D by winning the singleton HQ
with the ace and playing trumps, and
subsequently guessing clubs right.
The defenses could get two diamonds, a club,
and either a spade trick or a heart ruff, but not both.
If East-West somehow got together in clubs, a
good guess in trumps would make 4. Anyway, push
at 110, and Niederman had subtracted 20 imps from
their deficit during the second quarter,
leaving Wolf ahead by 39 imps with 28 boards to play
after the sandwich break.
I used my second set of boards numbered 1-28 for the second half, but I'll report them as 29-56. This will make the vulnerability and dealer appear wrong, but there's no mistake. It's just that we skipped over 4 boards in the usual cycle. The players switched opponents again, so they were back to the seats they chose in Q1. Board 29 (Neither vul, North deals):
North
S-653
West H-AK9 East
S-1087 D-KQ86 S-J4
H-Q1087432 C-A105 H-J5
D-932 D-J7
C- South C-KQJ8742
S-AKQ92
H-6
D-A1054
C-963
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - 1NT 3C
3H P 3S P
3NT P 4S P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - 1NT P
2H Double 2S P
3D P 3H P
4D P 5C Double
5H Double 6D P
6S P P P
Both Souths started with transfers to spades,
but parted ways thereafter.
With 3-2 splits in both spades and diamonds,
there's no stopping 12 tricks in 6D, 6S, or 6NT.
In fact, South can even make 7D.
980 vs. 480 meant 11 imps to Niederman, making the
score 80-52.
Board 30 (NS vul, East deals):
North
S-107
West H-K4 East
S-8543 D-KJ84 S-A96
H-QJ C-AJ987 H-109862
D-97 D-AQ63
C-KQ542 South C-6
S-KQJ2
H-A753
D-1052
C-103
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - P
P 3C Double P
P P
Wolf threw in a deal that was his for a partscore.
Bernard chose a bad time for an offbeat
3C preempt, because Grossack-Caplin were
playing Fishbein - double for penalties with
3D for takeout. Bernard scrambled
5 tricks with a diamond finesse and diamond ruffs,
but -800 lost 13 imps, and the score narrowed
to 80-65.
Board 31 (EW vul, South deals):
North
S-K10873
West H-Q65 East
S-962 D-AK S-AJ5
H-A94 C-1042 H-K1032
D-J532 D-1094
C-A53 South C-KQ8
S-Q4
H-J87
D-Q876
C-J976
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
P P 1S Double
P 2D P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P P 1S P
P P
Frances led a heart against 1S. The
defense didn't cash its clubs, so she
was in a pickle when Caplin unblocked
diamonds and led towards the SQ. If she
ducked, a club loser would go on the DQ, but
if she rose, she'd lose a trump trick. -80.
The play in Niederman's 2D went: C to CK,
D10 to DA, C to CA, D to DK, C to CQ, D to DQ,
Thirteener C, winning the trick as Niederman pitched a
spade from hand and a heart from the table.
Friedman switched to his SQ, but that wasn't good
enough, as Derrick won dummy's ace, crossed
to his HA, drew the last trump, and led towards the SJ
for +90. When South's last club held, only a trump exit and best
defense thereafter will beat 2D.
5 more imps to Niederman, to trail 80-70.
Board 32 (Both vul, West deals):
North
S-K84
West H-KQJ10 East
S-Q2 D-8 S-A103
H-A754 C-Q8764 H-862
D-Q10954 D-632
C-102 South C-AKJ5
S-J9765
H-93
D-AKJ7
C-93
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P P 1C
P 1H P P
1NT P 2S P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P P 1C
P 1H P P
Double P 1NT P
P 2D P 2H
P P P
Friedman's 1NT showed 5 spades and 4 diamonds.
Wolf played East for the S10, and so
lost two clubs, two spades, and a heart
for +110. I can't find any way to beat him.
Bernard's 2H looks to be in trouble, but he
ducked the first heart, won the second, took
a club finesse, and played diamonds from
the table. With
spades frozen, all the defense got was
3 trumps and 2 diamonds for another 110. I
can't find a way to beat this either. 5 imps
to Wolf, 85-70.
Board 33 (NS vul, North deals):
North
S-J853
West H-KJ106 East
S-74 D-AQ4 S-Q109
H-7543 C-Q3 H-Q98
D-KJ82 D-1096
C-K94 South C-J862
S-AK62
H-A2
D-753
C-A1075
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - 1D P
1S P 2S P
4S P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - 1H P
1S P 2S P
3C P 3D P
3H P 4H P
4NT P 5D P
6S P P P
These North-South cards just don't reach
for slam. Grossack needed the SQ to drop
and lotsa luck in the reds, but as I already
pointed out, Santa Claus is mythical. 650
and 200 meant 13 imps to Wolf, now up 98-70.
Board 34 (EW vul, East deals):
North
S-10875
West H-10932 East
S-AJ64 D-10 S-2
H-KJ654 C-AQJ2 H-87
D-K53 D-QJ8764
C-3 South C-K954
S-KQ93
H-AQ
D-A92
C-10876
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
1NT 2D P 2H
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - P
1S 2H 3H P
4S P P P
4S isn't a bad gamble, even knowing the HK is wrong.
All you need is the club finesse or maybe luck in trumps.
Alas, on the singleton club lead, Grossack had to
try for his contract and thus went down 2, -100.
Niederman's 2D showed majors. Had Malaspina
passed it, Niederman would probably make 4 to
win an imp. Her 2H contract, however, suffered from
inadequate trumps, and Malaspina wound up down 1, -100,
after numerous ruffs by both sides.
5 imps to Wolf, 103-70.
Board 35 (Both vul, South deals):
North
S-3
West H-AKQJ9874 East
S-54 D-Q86 S-AKJ987
H-2 C-K H-53
D-J109 D-A752
C-QJ98754 South C-A
S-Q1062
H-106
D-K43
C-10632
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
P P 4H 4S
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P 3C 4H Double
P P P
Against 4S, Friedman led a heart to Wolf
for a trump back. Malaspina won, ruffed
her heart, and tried the DJ. In due course,
she lost 2 spades and 2 diamonds for down 2.
Had she thought to cash her CA before ruffing the
heart, the contract would have been interesting,
as she could pitch two diamonds on the CQJ, ruff the fourth club,
and exit with DA, D. But South can duck to North's DQ,
overruff the third heart, and exit in diamonds to
avoid being endplayed in trumps. Still, that would
be down 1, and if South took his DK on the second
round, it would be fatal.
Defeating 4Hx is easiest when looking at the hand record. You must cash both your black winners, exit with a trump, hold three diamonds as long as North retains a trump, and then duck if declarer leads a diamond towards dummy. If you don't cash both black winners, you get endplayed with either of them after trumps are drawn. Frances did cash SK and CA, but she couldn't read the spade spots and tried to cash her SA, and so -790 meant 11 imps to Niederman, and 103-81.
Board 36 (Neither vul, West deals):
North
S-A82
West H-KQ1097 East
S-Q1093 D-853 S-K765
H-A642 C-65 H-85
D-42 D-AKJ97
C-Q87 South C-K3
S-J4
H-J3
D-Q106
C-AJ10942
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P P 1D
P 1H P 1S
2C 2S P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P P 1D
3C P P P
Grossack's 3C went down 2 after three
rounds of diamonds ruffed by West for
a spade switch. Malaspina in 2S
ducked the HJ, H to HA, S to SK,
S to SJ, SQ, and SA. She ruffed the heart
return, but had no further
entries to her hand except in diamonds, so
she couldn't ruff out diamonds and run them,
and so was held to 140. An imp to Niederman,
103-82.
Board 37 (EW vul, North deals):
North
S-AK
West H-QJ109 East
S-763 D-7 S-QJ1095
H-A863 C-KJ9642 H-K5
D-AJ103 D-KQ64
C-A10 South C-75
S-842
H-742
D-9852
C-Q83
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - 1C 1S
P 2C 3C 3D
P 4S P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - 2C P
P Double P 4S
P P P
At the favorable vul, North-South do best
to save over the cold 4S, but nobody did.
Push at 620.
Board 38 (Both vul, East deals):
North
S-K872
West H-Q108 East
S-A54 D-A10542 S-QJ
H-AKJ952 C-5 H-743
D-963 D-J
C-A South C-KJ97632
S-10963
H-6
D-KQ87
C-Q1084
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
P 1H P 2H
P 4H P P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - 3C
P P P
Wolf led a spade, giving Niederman an
overtrick in his cold 4H. Frances's preempt
left Bernard speechless, and she didn't
even make 3C after trumping the second diamond.
She could have, via CA, spade from dummy, to lose
only a diamond, a spade and two trumps, although
that would only reduce a 13 imp loss to 11.
Wolf now led by only 8 imps, 103-95.
Board 39 (Neither vul, South deals):
North
S-AQ852
West H-943 East
S-K10 D-K75 S-J9
H-102 C-107 H-AQJ87
D-86432 D-J9
C-KJ54 South C-AQ93
S-7643
H-K65
D-AQ10
C-862
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
P P 2S 3H
3S P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P P P 1H
P 1NT P 2C
P P P
With everything lying pretty as can be,
Wolf's 3S is cold. So is the Schneiders'
contract of 2C. They even scored an overtrick
on misdefense. 110 and 140 gave 6 imps to Wolf,
making the score 109-85.
Board 40 (NS vul, West deals):
North
S-9
West H-AQ9654 East
S-1076 D-A43 S-AQ54
H-32 C-Q72 H-8
D-Q1075 D-KJ2
C-10984 South C-AKJ63
S-KJ832
H-KJ107
D-986
C-5
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P 1H Double
4H P P Double
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P 1H Double
2H P P Double
Redouble 2NT P 3C
P P 3H P
4H P P P
Oddly enough, it was Frances, embroiled in
a far murkier auction, who declined to increase
the stakes at 4H. Right she was.
Both Easts cashed a top club, saw dummy,
and failed to find the killing diamond
switch. The declarers set up spades for
two pitches. 990 vs. 650, 8 imps to Wolf,
who led 117-85.
Board 41 (Both vul, North deals):
North
S-Q10854
West H-K73 East
S-AK93 D-94 S-J7
H-82 C-654 H-J10654
D-Q5 D-KJ8
C-Q10987 South C-AK3
S-62
H-AQ9
D-A107632
C-J2
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - P 1H
P 1S P 1NT
2D P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - P 1H
P 2C P 2H
P 2NT P 3NT
P P P
The Schneiders' 3NT was cold. They knocked
out the DA and had nine tricks.
Niederman surely didn't bid enough. The
defense scored 2 spades, 2 clubs, and 2
diamonds to defeat Friedman, but 100
loses 11 to 600. Wolf led 128-95.
Board 42 (Neither vul, East deals):
North
S-106
West H-Q9875 East
S-Q D-J6 S-K932
H-432 C-A542 H-J
D-K9853 D-Q102
C-K986 South C-QJ1073
S-AJ8754
H-AK106
D-A74
C-
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
1S P 1NT P
3H P 4H P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - P
1C 1D 1H 3D
4D P 4H P
6H P P P
The third quarter ended with a bang.
Frances could have defeated 6H by leading
a diamond, but Grossack sounded ready for that,
so she tried a club. Caplin ruffed in dummy, cashed the
HA dropping the HJ, cashed the SA dropping the SQ,
and played a spade. There was no defense. Bernard
in fact ruffed to play a diamond, but Caplin could
win DA, S ruff, HK, S ruff, C ruff, S pitching
D, S, D ruff, CA. He scored 7 trumps, 3 spades, and
the minor aces for 980. Nor is it any good for Bernard
not to ruff the second spade - Caplin still makes his slam.
Niederman led a low diamond against 4H. Friedman won his ace and played HA dropping the HJ, H to dummy, and ran the S10 to SQ. Niederman cashed DK and played a club. Friedman won dummy's ace pitching his last diamond, and led dummy's spade. When East followed, he could finesse and claim, no matter whether it won, lost or got ruffed. Inexplicably, however, he put up his ace! Niederman ruffed and played a club, tapping poor Friedman, whose crossruff now came up a trick short - he lost dummy's last club in the end for -50, 14 imps to Niederman, who thus trailed 128-109 at the three-quarter turn.
The players all elected to retain their seats for the last set. Board 43 (NS vul, South deals):
North
S-J107
West H-J832 East
S-A843 D-Q97654 S-KQ92
H-A10 C- H-KQ4
D-AJ D-832
C-AK1052 South C-Q76
S-65
H-9765
D-K10
C-J9843
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
P 2NT P 3C
P 3D P 3H
P 4S P 4NT
P 5D P 5S
P 6S P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P 2NT P 4C
P 4D P 6NT
P P P
Grand slams are system testpieces,
such as this delicate layout, on
which the only grand that makes against
best defense is 7S by West.
Unaware of partnership nuances, I'm unwilling
to critique these auctions in detail.
Should Niederman, for example, after
showing a good 20 points, 4 spades (to puppet Stayman), and 4
aces (to 3014 Blackwood), bid 6C over Malaspina's 5S? And if
he did, might she consider bidding a grand, holding the club, rather
than the diamond, queen? And should Frances tell Bernard
more about her hand after she hears a four ace response?
All I know is that Niederman won an imp for 1460 vs. 1440,
when 13 were available to anybody with the right tools in the shed.
Wolf led 128-110.
Board 44 (EW vul, West deals):
North
S-85
West H-KJ873 East
S-J9 D-A63 S-AQ106
H-Q42 C-853 H-A9
D-852 D-QJ104
C-AKJ92 South C-1076
S-K7432
H-1065
D-K97
C-Q4
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P P 1D
1S 2C P 2NT
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P P 1D
P 2C P 2NT
P 3NT P P
P
Grossack led a spade against 3NT. Frances picked
up clubs, drove out the SK, and had nine tricks.
Friedman led a killing heart against Malaspina's 2NT.
After picking up clubs, she tried a forlorn spade
finesse, going down two instead of one. 13 imps
to Wolf, who led 141-110.
Board 45 (Neither vul, North deals):
North
S-7
West H-KJ643 East
S-A942 D-A1053 S-KQJ106
H-10 C-543 H-982
D-Q876 D-942
C-A1098 South C-K2
S-853
H-AQ75
D-KJ
C-QJ76
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - P P
1C P 1H 1S
2H 2S 4H P
P 4S Double P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - P 2S
Double Redouble 3H P
P 4S P P
P
East-West's 4S (and similarly North-South's 4H)
should be defeated by careful defense, as Friedman
demonstrated by just leading trumps at every opportunity.
Grossack led his HA. Caplin-Grossack play suit-preference
when dummy has a singleton. Caplin tried the H6, but
Grossack didn't read it, and switched to clubs.
11 more imps to Wolf, up 152-110.
Board 46 (NS vul, East deals):
North
S-AJ1096
West H-J1053 East
S-875 D-1042 S-K2
H-KQ94 C-K H-8762
D-J986 D-K7
C-76 South C-AQ1043
S-Q43
H-A
D-AQ53
C-J9852
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - 1C
P 1H 1S 2H
3H Double 3S P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - 1C
P 1H P 2H
P P 2S P
4S P P P
I can't find a defense that beats 4S
by North, and neither could either pair of defenders.
620 vs. 170 meant 10 imps to Niederman, down
152-120.
Board 47 (EW vul, South deals):
North
S-A43
West H-AK8 East
S-K95 D-K73 S-Q1062
H-Q9642 C-Q632 H-J7
D-J8 D-AQ652
C-1084 South C-K7
S-J87
H-1053
D-1094
C-AJ95
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P P 1NT P
P P
Both Easts led a diamond to declarer's DK.
Both declarers picked up clubs and ran the suit.
Caplin made 2, Wolf 3 on misdefense. An imp
to Wolf, 153-120.
Board 48 (Both vul, West deals):
North
S-KJ53
West H-92 East
S-A84 D-AK743 S-Q96
H-Q3 C-KQ H-AJ75
D-J9862 D-Q
C-953 South C-J8742
S-1072
H-K10864
D-105
C-A106
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P 1D P
1H P 1S P
1NT P 2NT P
P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P 1NT P
2D P 2H P
P P
Niederman-Malaspina kept playing monotonous
clubs against Friedman's 2NT. Nothing worked
for him, and he wound up down 2, -200. In 2H, Caplin
lost two spades and 3 hearts for 110, 7 imps to
Niederman, 153-127.
Board 49 (NS vul, North deals):
North
S-KJ985
West H-93 East
S-1063 D-65 S-Q
H-AJ654 C-QJ104 H-102
D-1094 D-AKJ32
C-K3 South C-A8752
S-A742
H-KQ87
D-Q87
C-96
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - P 1D
P 1H P 2C
P 2D P P
P
Malaspina made 3, Frances 4, an imp to Wolf,
154-127.
Board 50 (EW vul, East deals):
North
S-K954
West H-K982 East
S-QJ1087 D-Q2 S-A6
H-AQ3 C-KJ7 H-J74
D-9873 D-AJ105
C-10 South C-AQ95
S-32
H-1065
D-K64
C-86432
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - 1NT
P 2H P 2S
P 2NT P 3NT
P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - 1NT
P 4H P 4S
P P P
Friedman led a club against 3NT.
Malaspina knocked out the SK, and soon chalked up 630.
In 4S, Frances ducked Grossack's heart lead to the
king, and Caplin switched to a killing DQ.
If Frances ducked, the next diamond would
destroy the entries to finesse clubs and set up the C9
by ruffing.
When instead she won her DA, she couldn't avoid
losing the SK, DK, and a ruff. Double-dummy, she
could make 4S by rising the HA at trick 1, taking
a club finesse, and driving spades, but I think
you'd have to peek to foresee Caplin's devastating
shift and play the hand in such a desparate
manner. Anyway, down 1, -100,
12 imps to Niederman, 154-139.
Board 51 (Both vul, South deals):
North
S-KQ52
West H-A3 East
S-986 D-A92 S-J
H-K1084 C-Q863 H-Q972
D-K10 D-Q6543
C-K1094 South C-J52
S-A10743
H-J65
D-J87
C-A7
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
P P 1NT P
2H P 3S P
4S P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
P P 1NT P
2H P 2S P
3NT P 4S P
P P
Both Easts led hearts. The declarers drew
trumps and set up the CQ for a diamond
pitch. A diamond lead works no better,
because they're blocked. Push for 620.
Board 52 (Neither vul, West deals):
North
S-AK
West H-108732 East
S-87532 D-J63 S-QJ109
H-K6 C-Q108 H-54
D-A8742 D-K1095
C-2 South C-AJ3
S-64
H-AQJ9
D-Q
C-K97654
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P P 1D
2C Double 2D 2S
3H 4S P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P P P
2C 2S 3H 3S
4H P P P
Friedman led his singleton DQ, so 4S was
quickly down one. Frances led the SQ.
Caplin took the heart finesse, lost
to the king, and also lost two aces and a ruff, down 1.
He can make 4H double-dummy by playing trumps from
the top and guessing clubs, but I can't see any
reason why he should.
A pair of 50's meant 3 imps to Wolf, 157-139.
Board 53 (EW vul, North deals):
North
S-A653
West H-9843 East
S-94 D-2 S-J72
H-J1065 C-QJ54 H-A7
D-J1098 D-A63
C-A32 South C-109876
S-KQ108
H-KQ2
D-KQ754
C-K
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - P P
1D P 1H P
2NT P 3S P
4H P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - P P
1D P 1H P
1S P P P
Our North-South pairs didn't shine here.
Perhaps fatigue was becoming a factor.
Caplin thought Grossack couldn't be strong
enough to make game a decent bet,
since Adam hadn't opened a strong club.
Adam lost only three aces. Friedman
thought Wolf had shown longer hearts than
spades, and veered into the wrong game.
Down 2, -200, 7 imps to Niederman, 157-146
with 3 boards to play.
Board 54 (Both vul, East deals):
North
S-Q42
West H-AJ5 East
S-K1097 D-J876 S-J63
H-K943 C-AQ10 H-10876
D-AK4 D-Q1052
C-KJ South C-86
S-A85
H-Q2
D-93
C-975432
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- - - P
P 1NT P P
Double P P Redouble
P 2H P P
P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- - - P
P 1NT P P
P
Caplin led the D6. Bernard somehow emerged with
7 tricks for 90. This contract could have been
defeated in several different ways. Friedman's double indicated a
one suiter in a minor or both majors. North
converted although he had no idea what Russell had.
Malaspina ran. North led diamonds, but Niederman
had at least six losers, and ended down 1, 5 imps to Wolf,
162-146.
Board 55 (Neither vul, South deals):
North
S-873
West H-Q10985 East
S-Q4 D-K72 S-KJ6
H-AJ762 C-K4 H-3
D-QJ5 D-A8643
C-Q105 South C-9876
S-A10952
H-K4
D-109
C-AJ32
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
1S 2H P P
Double P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
1S P 1NT P
2C P 2S P
P P
Grossack lost 2 diamonds, a heart, and two trumps,
for 110. Niederman lost a spade, 2 clubs, and 4
trump tricks, down 2, -300, 5 imps to Wolf, 167-146.
Board 56 (NS vul, West deals):
North
S-K2
West H-Q86 East
S-A10653 D-A95 S-Q8
H-973 C-J10943 H-542
D-Q842 D-10
C-8 South C-AKQ7652
S-J974
H-AKJ10
D-KJ763
C-
South West North East
Friedman Niederman Wolf Malaspina
- P P 3C
Double P P P
Grossack Bernard Caplin Frances
- P P 3C
3D P 3NT P
P P
Malaspina took only 5 clubs and the SA,
down 3, -500. You can't duplicate that
result playing Fishbein, but
Frances led an unfortunate CA,
cutting defensive communications, and was
caught in a trap. If she didn't take her
clubs, declarer could set up diamonds. When
she did take them, declarer could just lead
towards the SK. An inspired opening lead of
the SQ would beat this contract. A passive
heart isn't good enough double-dummy, because
declarer can win his HQ and play CJ to put
you back in the same trap. 600 meant 3 imps to
Niederman, making our final score 167-149 in
favor of Wolf.
The team of Allan Wolf, Russell Friedman, and Bernard and Frances Schneider can be very proud of their performance. They made lots of good bids and plays, and deserved to win. We wish them victories in Las Vegas. I think the losing Niederman team can hold their heads up also. They had their chances, and had triumphs among their tragedies. I'd also like to thank those players who commented on the first draft and helped fix my many annoying errata. Any errors that remain are mine.
Boston Nationals News
|
The Fall 2008 Boston NABC has selected a turkey as its logo,
an appropriate choice for a Thanksgiving tournament in the district
the Mayflower came to shore in.
Look for the logo on documents and memorabilia.
In December 2007, the ACBL put up a web page for the 2008 Boston Fall NABC. Please give it a scan and report any errata. Bridge players all over the world look to the Internet when planning for big tournaments these days, and we hope information on the Boston page will be timely and accurate. District 25's 2008 fall nationals co-chairs, Kathy Benjamin and Frank Lombardo, have filled the various committee chairs. Expect more Boston NABC information in District News as the time approaches. |
The webmaster solicits New England bridge-related written matter of suitable quality for posting. District 25 web site material is volunteer only, but you'll see your name in lights. Short is best.
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