Predictions and the rest of the round of 16 results

October 11th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  No Comments 

Round 16 Ladies and Seniors

In the women’s the overdogs prevailed in these matches:

Germany beat Brazil, USA beat Spain, England beat Singapore, China trounced Poland. 

The Netherlands-Denmark match was not surprisingly pretty close and Denmark beat the Netherlands by only 12 imps (one game swing or so).  Rounding out the women’s it was France over Sweden, Turkey over Finland and Russia over Italy.

In the Senior USA had an easy time with Belgium.  (Sob) Canada lost to Hungary.  Australian defeated Pakistan, Indonesia defeated China Jong King, the Netherlands took out the last Chinese team (Chinese Tapei), Japan defeated Germany and Poland lost to England.  One match was a heartbreaker.  France lost to Egypt by 1 imp.  What is happening to French luck.  First their open team bowed out to Romania on a tie breaker and now the seniors lose by 1!

Open Round of 8

Italy versus Poland

This is a hard one to call.  Both these teams are very good.  I can’t decide.  I really can’t decide.  I pick Poland but …

China versus Norway

Home field advantage only gets you so far.

Romania versus England

I don’t think lightening is going to strike twice.  Heroic Romania is going down.

Netherlands vs Germany

Another hard one.  I am going with Germany. 

Women’s Round of 8 – my choices are in bold

Germany vs China

USA Denmark

England vs France

Turkey vs Russia

Senior’s Round of 8 – choices in bold (no real idea but tossed a coin)

USA vs Hungary

Australia versus Egypt

Indonesia versus Netherlands

Japan versus England

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Round of 16 World Sports Mind Games Open (corrected) and Board 19 of the second stanza

October 11th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  1 Comment 

When I first wrote this I thought the Round of 16 was a two day event but I now realize that it is all over, although I bet some of the teams including the USA Open team wish otherwise.  Here are the final results.

Italy vs India

135       69

Poland  vs USA

127          100

Brazil vs China
124         134

Norway vs Turkey

145            84
Israel vs Romania

102        170

England vs Bulgaria

143            98

Netherlands vs Estonia

99                      89

Germany vs Belgium

210              89

The teams in bold are the teams I predicted to win  and the score in bold are for the team that won.  The only match that went against my expectations is the match between Israel and Romania where Israel had dominated the round robin in their division and Romania squeaked in on a tie breaker.

As expected some of the matches were quite close.  I am off to Vancouver early tomorrow morning on my way to New Zealand and will not be blogging for a few days, although I will check the results.

For results, team lineups, scorecard and more try this link.

Results Swan Games

Board 19 in the second stanza was an interesting board and a look at the strength and weakness of one of the USA pairs,  I had noticed that Hamman and Compton were not doing as well as American supporters would hope.  We all know that this is not an experienced partnership but a temporary move to fill in a gap after the untimely death of Paul Soloway.

I have temporarily rotated the hand.  East-West Vulnerable

You are in the quarterfinals of the world championships in a close fought match.  You are in a slam which has become a much better one after the double of 5♥.  The opening lead is the ♥Q and Jassem wins the ♥A and returns the trump five.  What is your plan?

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

This is a pretty aggressive slam and I am going to need some more luck.  I have five trump tricks, a club, a heart and two spades for 9 tricks.  I need three more.  I am obviously going to need to make some ruffs.  To start with I am going to need spades 4-2.  For transport I am going to have to ruff one or two clubs back to my hand.  The good news is that the takeout doubler is likely to have at least three clubs and three spades.  After all he made a takeout double without a lot of points so he has reasonable shape.

I cash the ♥K and throw a spade from dummy and ruff a heart.  Now I play the top spades ending in hand.  I ruff a spade high.  If I am very lucky the spades are 3-3 and I can claim.  If not I am going to need to get back to hand twice on club ruffs, once to get to hand to ruff the last spade and once to get home to draw the remaining trump.

All this said I must win the first trump in hand.  Is there a better approach?    Let’s look at Compton’s idea.  One other approach is to try to set up clubs.  On the auction they are fairly likely to break.  How about a kind of dummy reversal?    You will also need either a 2-2 trump break or the ten of diamonds singleton.  You win the diamond in hand, cash the  ♥K throwing a spade and play club,ruffing, to reach this position.

You cross to dummy on a trump and ruff a club with a trump honour.  You cross again on the ♠A and ruff the penultimate club with another honour.   If trump were 2-2 your work is done if clubs have split.  If trumps were 3-1 and the 10 was singleton you ruff a heart to dummy to draw the last trump.

You can also play the hand on a cross-ruff.

Which one did you chose?  Which way is best?  It doesn’t really matter they all work!  But Compton played some in between line and it didn’t work.  Here is what he did.  He won the diamond return in dummy playing the ◊J.  Martens played the ◊10.  Winning the diamond is dummy was a fatal error.  The hand can no longer be made without both a 4-3 club break and a 2-2 diamond break (or a 3-3 spade break).  He loses the chance to make it when as was the case diamonds are 3-1 and the 10 is singleton.  You can try it and see.

This is a very complex hand and you are under a lot of pressure.  But if you want to win this event you have to make these hands.  Most imps at this level are won or lost on bidding.  But every so often they are lost on play or defence.  This was one of those times.  The other table was in 5◊.   As a result the US lost 10 imps, making the slam would have been worth 11 imps.  That is a 21 imps swing.  The USA lost to Poland by 27 imps.

Stanza 1 of the Quarterfinals of the WSMG

October 11th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  No Comments 

Since they are started this match at a civilized time for this continent (10PM EST) I am going to live blog it.  Looking at the schedule I have picked the USA against Poland as the match to watch.  Readers may recall that I have actually (sorry !) picked Poland as the winners but I think this will be a thriller and the USA could easily win.

It’s 9:53 PM and I am going to get my seat warmed up and just check out the Meckwell convention card.

 meckwell convention card

As I am watching  the Poles quickly and efficiently bid to 6♠ Jim (Flash) Gordon on BBO made the somewhat unpleasant comment that he heard Canada had cut off relations with Trinidad-Tobago. Hmmm.  Did they really win imps on that hand?  I have to check out the other table.

I guess it itsn’t all that easy to get to slam in standard.  The fourth suit forcing auction is awkward.  I suppose Nickell might have tried 4◊.  No really huge mistake but 11 imps.

Board 2 Meckwell white on red pushed the Poles as much as they could but the Poles took the push to 5♠ which they made for a push.

The running scores are on Running scores on Swan but they must be delayed since there are no scores up right now and we are on board 3, 3NT which Poland are now playing for overtricks.

Two quite dull pushes and Board 4 looks like one too.  While they play 4♠ in each room I think I will check the other matches.  Interesting that a lot of teams are not getting to the slam on board 1.  I better relook at the auction the Poles had and see how they reached it (so did China).  Well Chagas and Villas-Boa are bidding Board 1 right now let’s see how they do. 

Chagas thought a long time and passed.  Was South worried about a club control?  Should North make another try? 

For the record here is the Poles auction

I assume they must play 3♠ as forcing.  It saved some room making it easy for Martens to cue bid clubs and give Jassem the confidence to push for slam.  I can see from the running score which is now up for Board 1 that this has been a swing board in a lot of matches.

Ray just came in and reported that the Denmark Women’s team had a remarkable result to beat 4♠ on Board 4.  It was made at both tables in this match.   It is an opening lead problem but I will leave it to Ray to report it since it was such a shining result for the ladies.

Only an overtrick has changed hands as we come to Board 5.  On Board 7 it appears that Meckwell have a decent score they are in 3♥ which is going to make right on.

Back to Board 6 in the closed room and both tables have ended in a notrump partscore in notrump but in different directions.  Well it looks like an imp.  Down 1 at this table for US +100 and making 2NT in the other table for +120 Poles.  Taking the score to 12-1.

On Board 7 the Poles did get to 4♥  when Freeman-Nickell were more active in the auction.  This is going down for a swing for the US – down 2.  9 imps at the US.  Here is the hand

On a diamond lead Meckstroth drew trump and claimed.  In the other room here was the auction

In the competitive auction Skrzypczak used 3◊ as a game try and Gierlski liked his diamonds.  NIckell started a spade and the punch worked quite well to get two down.

Back with Meckwell in the Open Room there is some excitement they are defending 1NT doubled.  Nobody Vulnerable.

Martens opened 1NT (11-14) NV and Rodwell doubled.  This went down 2 for 300.  At the other table where they were playing strong notrump played in a heart part-score making three.  4 imps for the Americans.  The score after 8 boards in 13-12 for the USA.

I am looking at Board 9 and I like Freeman’s bid.  He has

He is at favourable vulnerability and Nickell opens 1♣ in third.  Gierlski overcalls 1♠ he bid 4♣ and they end up saving in 5♣ doubled down 1.   Same result at both tables but on the lie of the cards you can’t make 4♠.  This does seem to be the usual result.

Board 10 and Board 11 are both possible slams.  Martens and Jassem fail to bid either of them.  Freeman and Nickell missed the first one and our bidding the second now.  Let’s see how they do.

Nickell is thinking about what to do and chose 5♣, this is a strange bid with both spade honours.  Freeman pretty well has to bid 5◊ unless 5♣  has a meaning I don’t understand.  And here they play it in the diamond game for a push.  Ray came in with a highlight from his match.  One table the Danish ladies got to the slam and the Dutch ladies stopped in a partscore!

At the end of eleven boards the USA is leading Poland by 1 imp 12 VP – 13VP.   But Board 12 is a big swing though.

All vulnerable

The play in four hearts went pretty quickly 790. Meckwell took the save in 5◊ down 1.  12 imps for the US.

Board 13 looks like a possible minus position for Meckwell.  3NT is cold on the lie of the cards.Woops.  The Poles bid the game at the other table.  Not often you see Meckwell miss 3NT.  There is only 24 HCP but that doesn’t usually stop the dynamic duo.

Here is the hand.

All vulnerable

Ray tells me this is the same auction that the Danish ladies also got to game.  And Meckwell?

They play 15-17 notrump here.  Jeff’s pass seems normal. 10 imps to China.  The score was 25-22 for the USA going into the fourteenth and last board.

The last board was a small swing.  Poland played in 1NTmaking 2 for +120 but Meckwell reached 2NT. 7 tricks was no problem but on a passive defence Rodwell couldn’t find an eighth. 5 more to Poland who finish up 27-25 in a hard fought match.  If I had to make a prediction it would be that this match is going to be close right to the end.  These are two very good teams fighting it out.

The last of the round robin Women Denmark vs France

October 11th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  No Comments 

I decided to spend my last session in the round robin with the women.  I have played this event and I have some feel for what it is like (hard) and the quality of the bridge (good but with some weaker teams).  It is fun to play, I liked most of my opponents and most of my team-mates.  I think it is fun to watch because I can identify with the problems that the players have.  I used to think more strange things happen in the women’s events but lots of them happen in the open too.

Going into the seventeenth and final round Group F was up for grabs.  Here is the leader board and you will see what I mean.

1. Finland 304
2. France 299
3. China 298.5
4. Russia 294
5. Denmark 287
6. Spain 281

As you can see this was a very important match for both teams.  The first board provided an interesting defensive problem for Hugon.  She held 

Hugon led the ♥K and saw this dummy.

Partner followed with the ♥6 and declarer won the ace.  Declarer ruffed a heart and cashed the ♣A partnering following with the ♣4 and declarer with the ♣3.  Declarer now played the ◊J, partner followed with the ◊2, declarer with the ◊3 and Hugon won the ◊Q.  What now?

There is exactly one diamond left the ◊K.  I think part would have covered the diamond with king and one.  In that case declarer has the ◊K left.  That gives you two possible winners.  If your side has a slow spade trick and you don’t cash your ◊A then there is the danger (as on the hand) that declarer can set up a slow spade winner by losing a spade trick to partner and ultimately throw a diamond on dummy’s fourth spade.  On the other hand you can’t cash you ◊A because it sets up the whole suit for declarer while dummy still has an entry.  The only approach is to lead a small diamond for partner to trump.  Are there dangers with this approach?   What if partner has a slow club trick like the jack fourth.  But declarer wouldn’t have played on diamonds if she had the top spades so you will defeat the hand anyway.  I can’t think of a position where this play allows the contract to make when it might go down other than that one.  Maybe you can. 

The whole hand is

North-South Vulnerable Dealer North

In the closed room North South were allowed to play 3NT which was no challenge at all for a push.

Board 2 was the first swing when the French bid a slim vulnerable game.  Do you want to be in this game?  Here is the hand.

North-South Vulnerable

It’s a vulnerable game so generally I am in favour of them.  I would start with the assumption that the ♠K is more likely to be offside (no guarantee here).  You have three losers for sure if you guess clubs and you can’t really try both the spade finesse and try to develop an extra club trick but there might be an end play.  And there is always a chance you will get a little help from the defence (as here) when Thuillez got a spade lead.  Now all that was needed was to guess clubs and have nothing bad happen in trumps or diamonds.  10 imps to France. 

Things were pretty quiet now until board 8 when the Danes in the closed room made 3♥ which failed in the open room.  Hugon had an accident.  She was in a position to claim when she called for an inappropriate trump from dummy.  On BBO when I make a mistake like that I explain after the hand that I mispulled.  Maybe she did.  In any case it was 5 imps away.

On board 12 the Danes pushed the French into 5♣ with some aggressive preemptive bidding.  This was one club too many and 6 imps for Denmark when the Danes in the closed room stayed safely at the four-level.  Going into Board 13 with all the to’s and fro’s it was a tie score.  Board 13 was an interesting play hand in 3NT and that was the Danish contract in the Open Road.  In the closed room the French arrived in a rather strange contract.  Looking at the French convention card

Hugon-Dauvergen convention card

I see that an opening 2♥ bid vulnerable shows 5 hearts and 4 in a minor and 4-10.  That seems a little extreme to me. ( I like to play it 5-5 and vulnerable probably a bit stronger than that.)  This caused a problem for Hugon who had

She bid 3♣ pass or correct and took her lumps in the 4-3 diamond fit which has the virtue of being cold on the lie of the cards.  3NT was not cold but the defence was tricky and declarer emerged with nine tricks for 10 imps

Board 15 was a huge swing.  Denmark was leading France 25-15.  What do you open this hand?  You are not vulnerable against vulnerable in second chair.

I like 4♠ but I suppose some purist will argue with that.  Hugon also liked it and the auction was short and sweet in the Open Room.   The Danes teamed up to find the perfect defence to let her make it and it all seemed sort of logical.  Here is the whole hand.

Can you come up with a logical defence that allows the hand to make?  …………………………………………………………….

Farholt started with a high club.  Rahel followed with the ♣7 and Hugon with the ♣6.  Not quite sure of the count, Farhold switched to a heart (which I admit is unlikely to be right).  At this point Rahelt must switch to a club to defeat the contract (since the defenders have set up the ruffing finesse in hearts but she returned a trump.  Is that logical enough?  4♠ making.

Meanwhile in the Closed Room the auction went more slowly. 

As a result East-West got doubled.  (Should have opened 4♠.)  This time Jeannin-na for the French found the spade shift at trick 2 and this was diabolical for declarer who went down the regulation.  14 big imps for France who took back the lead 29-25.

On the very last board Hugon underbid her hand a lot and the French stopped in 2♣ get to game on a hand that was cold for slam.  Yes cold without a ruff on the opening lead.  That was 10 imps for the Danes for 10 imps. 

The final score was Denmark 35 – France 29 giving the Danes the bragging rights (and 16 VP).  Both teams had enough to make the top 5 and the quarterfinals.

Predictions for the Open Division Round of 16 in the WSMG

October 10th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  1 Comment 

Italy vs India

Poland  vs USA

Brazil vs China

Norway vs Turkey

Israel vs Romania

England vs Bulgaria

Netherlands vs Estonia

Germany vs Belgium

In the four cases where the top team is playing the bottom qualifier in a crossover division are their going to be any surprises?  I don’t think so.  So Norway, Germany, Italy and Israel are going to go on. 

In the Poland versus the USA match, normally I would say the USA would be the winners.  But they have not been playing in form.  Poland has been having a decent tournament.  I am going to pick them.  In China versus Brazil I am going to pick the home team.  I think the home field advantage will be the deciding factor here.  In Netherlands versus Estonia I think the Netherlands is going to be too tough for the upstart Estonians.  It seems to me to be a toss-up between England and Bulgaria but Rule Britannia in the end. 

Okay over to the beer card to see Paul’s picks.

http://thebeercard.blogspot.com/

He hasn’t listed any.  Just looked at how his picks for the round of 16 did.  I did notice that Scotland like Canada didn’t do as well as they would have liked in the round robin. 

Now to check out Glen Ashton.  I am reproducing here… his picks but you will want to read his whole article.  Glens Picks

Italy vs India

Poland  vs USA

Brazil vs China

Norway vs Turkey

Israel vs Romania

England vs Bulgaria

Netherlands vs Estonia

Germany vs Belgium

I have highlighted in red where Glen and I differ which is in almost every one of the matches that doesn’t involve a first place team.  We do both agree on the Netherlands and that’s it.  I think that shows how hard it is to pick between these relatively closely matched teams.  Or maybe it shows I don’t know what I am doing (or both).

I am going to leave predictions in the women’s to Ray.

On My Goodness! The Results of the Round Robin

October 10th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  No Comments 

Open

The finish was unbelievable in Group A.  Italy wen into the final day as a shoe-in to qualify number one.

Nine teams were fighting it out for the other three spot all with very close scores.

Things changed slightly after the fifteen round.  France had beaten Italy, Canada had a small loss to Finland and  seventh place Romania had curshed South Africa.

These were the standings with two matches to go.

1. Italy 301
2. Estonia 264
3. Brazil 262
4. France 260.5
5. Denmark 256
6. Canada 254.5
7. Romania 254.5
8. Ireland 249

In Round 16 it was Brazil’s turn to trounce the fading team from South Africa.  Canada had a much needed win against Denmark 20-10.  While Ireland defeated France with a big 21-9.  Romania had a narrow loss to Slovakia a team that was near the bottom of the group.  This left the standings as

1. Italy 317
2. Estonia 286
3. Brazil 286
4. Canada 274.5
5. Ireland 270
6. France 269.5
7. Romania 268.5

While three of the four playoff spots had pretty much been decided it was a race for the last spot.  Most of the contending teams were playing tailenders.  Canada was playing Trinidad and Tobago,  Ireland was playing Pakistan and France, Chinese Macau.   Romania had a bye so only 18VP.  and some group to catch up.  It did appear pretty hopeless for them.

But Canada lost badly to Trinidad and Tobago,  Ireland lost to Pakistan and France narrowly beat China MacCau.  Whatever was going on in the last round.  This left France and Romania tied for the fourth spot and France lost on a tie breaker.

Group B was a bit less exciting but India blitzed Portugal to take the last qualifying spot from Hungary.  Israel, Netherlands and China were the top three.

In Group C the top three Norway, Poland and Bulgaria held their positions but in the battle for the last spot Belgium had a near blitz against Chile to beat out Spain which unexpectedly lost to SIngapore in the last round.

There was no dramatics in Group D where the fourth top finishers held their spots ending Germany, England, USA and Turkey.

Women

Group E

The top four finishers were no surprise have done well all the way through: England, USA, Poland and Italy.  Brazil had a good day yesterday scoring 62 VP to take over the fifth spot from Japan who lost their last match to the USA.

Group F

Very little changed on the final day as it turned out with Finland Russia, France and China holding their qualifying spot.  Denmark beat Scotland in the 16th round and took the fifth spot.  However Spain did easily take the sixteenth wild card spot to make it to the quarterfinals.  As things unfolded Canada had a poor finish but it wouldn’t have matter because even three blitzes would not have allowed them to qualify.

Group G

Germany and the Netherlands were easy qualifiers/ Sweden and Turkey held onto their spots.  But somehow SIngapore jumped up the field to move from 8th to 5th in the tight race for the fifth spot.  The teams above them Morocco, Hungary and South Afirca all had big losses while Singaport blitzed Mexico.

Round 14 Open – India versus the Netherlands

October 9th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  Comments Off on Round 14 Open – India versus the Netherlands 

Going into Round 14 the Netherlands was in second place well behind group leader Israel, who had pretty well locked up the first spot.  But holding on to a qualifying position was by no means certain, so of course the DUtch needed to do well. 

India had more problems.  They were in the fourth and last qualifying spot but there were a number of teams nipping at their heels.  They needed a good win.

The match started off with a good push when both tables got to a nice slam.  The odd imp changed.  Board 18 was a small loss when nothing much made and the Dutch bought the hand at both tables for a minus each way and so it went while the teams settled in.

Board 21 was the first deal to see a bit of action.  We are playing the blame game.  How do you assign the blame?  You get to adjudicate. 

North-South Vulnerable Dealer North

This was the auction in the Open Room where the Indians were sitting North-South.

Problem 1: Bidding.

I am not sure what went wrong.  Apparently East’s double was not penalty but suggested something extra.  What Ray and I call a responsible double.  It says partner I am leaving this one up to you and whatever happens you are responsible.

Would a double of 2NT be a desire to penalize?  I guess so.  Nothing East did seems terrible.  What do you think? 

West: I don’t love this pass.  I have diamonds under the diamond bidder and a soft trick in clubs and the heart ace.  I know that this is going to be mighty close.  But what should I bid?  I wish that I was in the pass out chair and could make the responsible double. 

Opening Lead:

If you are going to double them out then your side better find the right lead on the hand.  Bertens got it right with the ♥K the best lead.

Trick 2

Bakkeren Bertens Convention Card

I checked their convention card and they are playing upside carding.  It appears that at trick one they give count and they are playing upside down carding.  Bakkeren played the ♥ 9 showing exactly 5.  Why did Bertens switch to a spade?  I know there are only two spades missing but North is at least 5-5 and he is known to have two hearts.  He cannot have more than one spade and he is quite likely to have zero.  Not continuing a heart is a major blunder as far as I am concerned.

But maybe he took the ♥9 as something else, a spade suit preference?  I still don’t get it.

The spade switch was a disaster and there was no defence at this point.  So perhaps this is 60-40.  70% for Bertens for screwing up the defence and 30% to Bakkeren who probably should have pulled the double.  What do you think? +870 for the Indians. 

In the closed room they did avoid going for a number East-West.

The auction here was similar to a point.

This is a tough bid I admit.  I sort of like 3♠.  It’s not perfect though and if 3NT is the right contract you will be playing it from the wrong side or not at all.  I am sympathetic.  Superficially 4♠ looks like the best spot but the bad break is going to doom it.  Best of all Dalal avoided getting doubled as they surely would have been in a major suit.  3NT had no play with the bad breaks.  Do you think Muller should have doubled 3NT by the way?  His vulnerable partner must have a very good minor hand.  I think he might have doubled, even if only to encourage them to play in a major.

In the end 13 imps to India.

On the next board you have a decision to make.  Here is your hand

♠ J854 ♥ AK52 ◊ J65 ♣ J6

Board 22 East-West Vulnerable

This is the auction and this is your decision point.  What do you do?  If you like you can change your earlier call.  I “follow the law”.  I am bidding to the three-level.  Larry, you listening.

If you let them play 3♣ (as the Indians did) you will lose 6 imps.  Going into Board 23 it was India 19 imps the Netherlands 7 imps.

Board 23 is fascinating because it is a battle between declarer and the defenders and it can go either way.  Let’s look at it in closed room first.

All vulnerable

You arrive in 3NT with no opposition bidding and South (Muller) leads the ♠3.  How do you play the hand? 

On the positive side there is no suit that the opponents can attack that is going to provide them with a lot of tricks.  On the negative side my communication is not good at all. 

Gupta won the ♠Q in dummy and played a heart from dummy.  It seems to me that it is possible for North to figure out what to do at this point.  If he rises on the ♥A the hand is down for sure if his partner has the ♠A and the ♣ K.  Of course there are times when rising on the heart gives up the heart suit (if say partner has the jack) and declarer has an entry to his hand in a black suit.  Maybe it is just too easy double dummy.

The rest of the story isn’t very exciting but Wijs run the heart continuation and got out hearts and Gupta had no problems from there with the favourable club position and all.

In the open room trick one was the same but Bertens decided to go after diamonds and played a high diamond.  This was going to be a good path for eight tricks anyway.  Venkataram lead a heart back from the ace and now it seemed that Bertens was home.  He continued a diamond won by Venkataram.  But a funny thing happened on the way to nine tricks.  When Venkatarm cashed the HA dummy had a very awkward pitch.  Here was the position.

What should dummy pitch?  The defence already has three tricks in the bag and has to make the ♠A.  If Bertens throws a club then Venkataram will continue clubs and the defence will come to the ♠A and the ♣K.  So can he make it?  What does he need to pitch?   This one is for Francine!  I love this ending.  … I am giving you time to work it out… do you see it because Bertens missed it and it cost the Dutch 12 imps.

………………………………………

You have to pitch a spade to set up the eventual endplay.  You are going to want to come down to a three card ending where Chokshi has to keep two clubs and the ♠A.  If you throw a spade you are ready for it. 

If you pitch a diamond then there is no squeeze.   He comes down to the same ending as dummy, equal spades and clubs.  He wins the first spade and puts you right back into dummy on the second spade.

But look what happens when you pitch a spade.  Venkataram puts you back in dummy with a diamond best.  You lead a spade from dummy and duck in your hand.  If Chokshi wins it you have an entry to get to your hand to finesse clubs.  If he ducks you run all the diamonds and eventually throw him in on a spade for a club lead.

Wow and 12 imps to the rampaging men from India who now led 31 imps to 7.

Board 27 was going to help the Netherlands, a lot.  This time both Dalal and Gupta got a terrible result and both were responsible.  I consider it bridge pornography.  I can’t be bothered to writeup the hand other than to say that with the minimum of interference both East and West dramatically overbid their hands to get to 6◊ doubled with no fit and only 23 high card points.  The cards didn’t lie all that well to compound matters and they ended up going for1400 not vulnerable and losing 16 imps.  This brought the score close with India still leading by 6, 32-26.

By the time they reached Board 32, the final board India and the Netherlands were tied.  Board 32 was the final chance for India to win the match.

East-West vulnerable Dealer West

Bertens was right.  North-South were not going to make 4♠ and perhaps he should have left it there.  5♣ is in fact an easy make.  Getting and opening club lead Chokshi cashed a spade and conceded a spade trick to the king and ruffed the heart return..  He cashed ♠J and saw the ♠10 drop.  He now made one fatal error.  He didn’t press the claim button.  With only three trumps out and all his spades high he had eleven tricks.  Okay it was late.  At the other table the Dutch reached 6♣ and went one down for a strange push and a strange tie.

Our WMSG Contest and a Scottish viewpoint of the WMSG

October 9th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  2 Comments 

I was reading Paul Gipson’s blog

the beer card

and enjoying how he was reporting on the very same things I was but with a Scottish burr.

For example in the women’s he was planning out how the Scottish ladies who are in the same group as Canada could take a qualifying spot I was hoping might go to Canada.  Maybe they both can qualifying.  In the same blog

down to the wire

he also talked about how his picks are doing in our contest for picking the WMSG winners.  At the moment Paul has 11/16 and I am 10/16.  So bragging rights at this stage go to Paul.  I still have some chances to improve.  Well see at the end.  My picks below.

I also decided to take a peek at some of the other entries.  I stole the worksheet off Becky’s desk and I did a bit of analysis without paying attention to the names of the entrants.  Here is a couple of interesting things I found.  Who were there any teams that every entrant picked and how are they doing.

Here they are: China, Italy, Norway, Poland and the USA.  All 5 of these teams are in qualifying position right now.  But the voting group did not all get two of the leaders Israel and Germany.  Germany was a frequent selection but by no means universal and almost no one picked Israel.  (I know you did Paul).

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the tournament to our contest participants was Estonia who are currently second in their group.  No one at all picked them.

Here are my picks and how I am doing so far.

Group A

I did expect Italy to win Group A and they have it locked up right now.  My other three choices were:

South Africa

Brazil

Canada 

While only Canada is in a qualifying spot at the moment Brazil is within 5.5 victory points of Denmark (3rd place) and even South Africa has chances 10.5 VP back.  This group is still up in the air.  I think Estonia will qualify and I definitely missed that.  (As did Paul apparently). 

Group B

I did forecast the second place team Netherlands and the third place team China.  But I completely missed Israel.  I picked Sweden (which would need a miracle) and Russia which has no chance.

Group C

I did get Norway and Bulgaria who look sure to finish first and second.  Bulgaria which I picked is in third place 13 VP ahead of fifth but accidents can happen.  I picked Egypt who are somewhere up the Nile River.

Group D

Here I have Germany and the USA who are almost certain to qualify.  I have Turkey who is in fourth spot only 8 ahead of fifth with sixth way back.  However my fourth choice Australia is somewhere in the outback.

Who is this Israel team that is doing so well at the WSMG

October 9th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  1 Comment 

It is Yom Kippur today so it seemed appropriate to think about Israel.  Is it a surprise that Israel is doing so well in the open division of the WSMG a top its group with a lock on that first place spot?  I googled a little and I found this:

ISRAEL: World Schools champions 2006

I can see that Israel has had some success in bridge at the world level. 

This year at the world championship in Pau Israel was 16th.standing in Pau.  So-so.

………………………………………………………………………………..

This is the team that is in Beijing. 

Gadi LEIBOVITZ NPC

Eldad GINOSSAR

Ilan HERBST

Ophir HERBST

Avi KALISH

Ron PACHTMAN

Leonid PODGUR

Eldad Ginossar                    Ilan Bareket

Eldad is just out of juniors having played in Bangkok in 2006 on the Israel Junior Team.  And I notice that he was on the winning team at the third European Open Bridge Championship in Antalya in 2007.  Not bad.  Young and good.  He did play on the team in Pau.  Ilan Barket’s  record includes a number of open team championships going back to Montreal.  He was on the Pau team.

As was Ron Pachtman.  Ron was on the winning team (Bessis) along with Eldad in Antalya.  He was in the juniors in 2003 so he is young too.  But the rest of the team is different.  Who are the Herbst’s

Ophir Herbst

Ophir was a junior in the early 1990’s and has played a lot of open events since then winning the first European Open Bridge Championship in Menton in 2003.

And there is a story about Ilan Herbst at the European championships in Tenerife.  He was playing in the mixed pairs with Ron Barr.

http://www.eurobridge.org/bulletin/05_1_Tenerife/pdf/Bul_07.pdf

The Herbst team got its revenge when the Israeli pair bid to an easy grand on board 10:  Here is the hand so you can try bidding it.  If you want to see there auction check out the bulletin.

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.

The Herbst have played in the Spingold and other events around the world together.

Avi Kalish                           Leonid Podgur

Avi Kalish and Leonid Podgur have  been on the Israeli team many times and were part of the team that won in Menton.  They also were on a team that finished third at the world championships in Verona in 2006.

This is a team with some young players and some older ones and with a lot of experience and some success so perhaps it isn’t so surprising that they have performed so well in Beijing.

Here is a hand from there 14th round rout of Russia yesterday

In the open room the Israeli NorthSouth stopped at 3♥  scoring +140.  Here after Ophir opened 1◊ Khyuppenen overcalled his six card spade suit.  I have no idea what West’s club was.  Perhaps it showed hearts.  North showed his minor two suiter now and I guess Khyuppenen thought he better show his sixth spade.  In any case Kholomeev persisted to the pushy 3NT.  The problem was that they didn’t have enough aces.  With such a percarious diamond stopper it seems to me that if Kholomeev wanted to play game he should have tried 4♠.  At least it had a play.  Ilan doubled 3NT.  What a great double.  He has spades wired and something in hearts too.  He was not going to complain if they ran to a major.  After the opening diamond lead the hand was booked for 800 and a 12 imp picup for Israel.

Happy New Year Israel.  Shannah Tova. gmar hatima tova

And good luck with the rest of the tournament.

Sports Psychology and bridge

October 9th, 2008  ~  linda  ~  1 Comment 

I was reading Glen Ashton’s blog just now and it reminded me of my first world championship in Istanbul and how I prepared for it.

Glen Ashton – Mind Sports and the next board

My biggest problem was that I knew I wanted to play my best but I was worried that my emotions would get in the way.  I tried to find a book that would help me.  The most useful one was by an Olympic Athlete who talked about his fear of winning.  In the end I found a sports psychologist and it really helped me quite a bit.  She disappeared when I tried to find her about a year later.  I wrote an article about what she taught me in the Bulletin in Istanbul.  Here it is.

http://www.greatbridgelinks.com/gblTOUR/World2004/Bul_04.pdf

Anyway after I wrote the article I was surprised at the number of players who came up and told me that they had the same problems I did.  I really thought I was one of the few and I found out I was one of the many.

I believe that the difference between a winning team (or player) and a losing one is mental toughness.  Any time I look back at events that I coulda shoulda woulda done better in, the cause has always been to some extent a problem in my head (or within the partnership’s combined heads).

I am not sure how much team matters although team mates can support you through the tough patches.

How do you handle a specific bad board?  I have passed on this advice to whoever I can.  You know you can’t dwell on it.  Put it aside mentally.  The psychologist suggested using an imagine.  She said you can’t fool your brain into letting it go but you can tell it to put it away for now.  She suggested something like a safe or a jewelry box or anything like that.  You take the problem, wrap it up and put it in the box.  Locking the box might be good.  You plan to come back to it – just not now.  Then you go through your normal set and routine before you start the next hand.  For me that might be drinking a sip of water, picking up my cards, deliberately checking the board for dealer and vulnerability, counting my cards etc.  I try to get into my space.

The same thing can be used when you lose a match.  The captain has to decide if the players should be put back in again after a bad match or changed out to let them calm down.  I almost always want to play.  I almost never want to sit out.  I could play all the sets.  If I say sit my out the captain should know I need it.  When I do and things then go wrong of course I get down on myself.  I should have played.  Well another mental challenge.

I think there are winners and losers.  Winners want to win.  They find ways to win.  Losers don’t.  There is one bridge player I know why I believe doesn’t want to win.  I can count on beating her when it is important.  Francine Cimon is a winner.  She usually wins.  She hates to lose.  She is very mentally tough.

The only way the Canadian women will get all the victory points they need tomorrow night is to follow the cliche.  There is no pressure on them.  They are very unlikely to win.  Stay loose.  Take it one match at a time.  Go in determined to do their best and not let anything get away.  Place themselves in a zone of maximum concentration.  Focus on each deal one at a time.  

The Canadian men have a harder challenge because there is more pressure on them because they are so very close to qualifying.