Open Teams Swiss: Round 1 Kalish v. Poland 1   by Jos Jacobs In 2003, the Kalish team, at the time consisting of three pairs (the third pair being the Herbst brothers) won the first Open European Team Championship in Menton, France. This looked a good reason to report about their first match in Sunday’s Swiss, even more so as they had to face a strong Polish team. The action started on board 2 when a good save was found at one table. Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.   ♠ 10 9 6 5 3 ♥ K 9 7 5 ♦ A 9 ♣ J 7 ♠ 8 7 ♥ 8 6 2 ♦ K 10 8 7 4 ♣ Q 6 2 ♠ 2 ♥ A 3 ♦ J 6 5 3 2 ♣ K 10 8 5 3   ♠ A K Q J 4 ♥ Q J 10 4 ♦ Q ♣ A 9 4 Open Room West North East South Kalish Martens Podgur Jassem     2NT Dble 5♦ Dble All Pass   Podgur’s gadget of opening 2NT for the minors shut out the opposition completely. Both North and South were strong enough to double once, but there it rested. Kalish –300. Closed Room West North East South Lutostanski D. Yadlin Krupowicz I. Yadlin     Pass 1♠ Pass 3♠ 3NT 4♠ 5♦ Pass Pass 5♠ All Pass       At the other table, Krupowicz’ interference came too late. They too found the save in 5♦, but the Yadlins judged well to bid one more and were allowed to score 650 and 8 IMPs. Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.   ♠ 10 9 7 6 4 3 ♥ Q J 3 ♦ 8 ♣ K Q 5 ♠ A 5 ♥ K 8 ♦ A J 6 2 ♣ A J 8 7 6 ♠ K Q ♥ A 10 7 6 4 ♦ K Q 9 5 ♣ 3 2   ♠ J 8 2 ♥ 9 5 2 ♦ 10 7 4 3 ♣ 10 9 4 Open Room West North East South Kalish Martens Podgur Jassem       Pass 1♣ 2♠ Dble 3♠ Pass Pass 3NT Pass Pass Dble All Pass   Well, Martens’ double may look a little over-optimistic, but, as he told me afterwards, he was in fact trying to beat his personal record. Once, about 10 years ago, he doubled the opponents in 3NT when they were holding 30 h.c.p. between them. This time, they were holding 31 h.c.p. so that part of the mission got accomplished. His side won IMPs on the board, as this was the bidding in the other room: Closed Room: West North East South Lutostanski D. Yadlin Krupowicz I. Yadlin       Pass 1♣ 2♠ 3♦ Pass 3♠ Pass 3NT Pass 4NT Pass 5♦ Pass 6♦ All Pass     This needs some explanation. Polish Club (strong variety) and 3♦ showed a heart suit. 3♠ showed a very strong hand and 4NT was a further invitation based on general values. Thus, 5♦ was not a number of key-cards but simply a second suit, happily accepted by West. Nicely done for a solid 1370 and a well-deserved 6 IMPs. On the next board, another solid slam was on, this time even a grand. However, it was missed at both tables. To me, it looks as if neither East realised the importance of his third-round control in hearts, but the readers should judge for themselves, of course. Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.   ♠ 10 8 5 4 ♥ 9 8 4 2 ♦ 3 ♣ K 7 6 3 ♠ A K Q ♥ K J 6 3 ♦ A K Q J 8 4 ♣ - ♠ 9 3 2 ♥ A 5 ♦ 10 7 6 5 ♣ A 10 8 5   ♠ J 7 6 ♥ Q 10 7 ♦ 9 2 ♣ Q J 9 4 2 Open Room West North East South Kalish Martens Podgur Jassem 1♣ Pass 1NT Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♣ Dble Redble Pass 4♥ Pass 5♥ Pass 6♦ All Pass Closed Room West North East South Lutostanski D. Yadlin Krupowicz I. Yadlin 1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass 2♦ Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ Pass 5♣ Pass 5♠ Pass 6♦ All Pass Anyway, no swing here. There was a swing on the next board when Martens ventured a light double: Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.   ♠ 2 ♥ A J 10 6 5 ♦ J 8 6 2 ♣ K 7 4 ♠ K J ♥ K Q 9 4 ♦ K Q 10 ♣ J 8 6 5 ♠ Q 10 9 8 7 4 3 ♥ - ♦ 9 5 4 ♣ A 9 2   ♠ A 6 5 ♥ 8 7 3 2 ♦ A 7 3 ♣ Q 10 3 Open Room West North East South Kalish Martens Podgur Jassem   Pass 3♠ Pass Pass Dble Pass 4♥ Dble All Pass     Jassem could not avoid two off. This should have been a reasonable enough score had his team-mates bid their vulnerable game one way or another, but… Closed Room West North East South Lutostanski D. Yadlin Krupowicz I. Yadlin   Pass 3♠ All Pass Low diamond led to the king, ♥K covered and ruffed, trump to the king and a club going on the ♥Q made this one an easy 11 tricks. Kalish thus won another 7 IMPs. Better timing of their aggressive actions once again brought Kalish a bushel of IMPs on the penultimate board of the set Board 7. Dealer South. All Vul.   ♠ A J 8 ♥ J 9 8 6 5 4 ♦ A 5 ♣ 9 2 ♠ 7 ♥ A Q ♦ J 10 7 ♣ Q J 10 8 6 5 4 ♠ K 10 9 6 3 ♥ 3 ♦ Q 6 3 ♣ A K 7 3   ♠ Q 5 4 2 ♥ K 10 7 2 ♦ K 9 8 4 2 ♣ - Open Room West North East South Kalish Martens Podgur Jassem       Pass 3♣ Pass 5♣ All Pass The preempt worked well as North was not strong enough, in his own opinion, to overcall. East had an automatic raise and there it rested. Down two. Closed Room: West North East South Lutostanski D. Yadlin Krupowicz I. Yadlin       Pass Pass 1♥ 1♠ 4♣ Pass 4♥ All Pass   When West did not even double 4♣ their last chance of finding the save had gone. Eleven tricks when the spades disappeared on the diamonds and 10 more IMPs to Kalish. The match ended 25-14 to Kalish or 18-12 V.P. A good start for the titleholders.

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