Everyone knows the great Champions playing in the Women's series. They will take centre stage in due course, but to begin with let's take a look at two of the less well know sides.

Having handed over the microphone to EOK it was time to resume operations on the writing front. Conditions in the playing rooms are, well shall we say, hot (I was going to write sultry, but it was suggested no one would understand what it meant) so I sat as close as possible to one of the water coolers.

The first thing I noticed was the very classy convention cards that were in use - maybe we should have contests for the best cards and the best-dressed teams. The second thing was that North was a player I recognised from previous Championships, Nikica Sver, who has previously represented her country in the Open series. Her father is here representing Croatia in the Seniors. Her mother plays as well, but surprisingly she was not taught to play by her parents. The action started on the very first deal:

SVER Nikica, Croatia

Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
	ª 7 © A K 10 8 6 3 ¨ A Q 10 2 § 10 6
ª K Q 6 © Q 5 ¨ 9 7 6 4 3 § J 9 2		ª A J 10 9 5 4 2 © 9 7 4 ¨ 8 § K 5
	ª 8 3 © J 2 ¨ K J 5 § A Q 8 7 4 3

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
	1©	1ª	2§
2ª	3¨	4ª	Dble
All Pass

East's overcall was very conservative, but it still led to the excellent save. As you can see on this layout declarer will make twelve tricks in hearts, but it was hardly obvious for either North or South to bid on. Declarer was able to ruff a heart in dummy for two down, -300.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
	1©	3ª	4§
4ª	Pass	Pass	Dble
All Pass

The more aggressive course of action chosen by East led to a similar outcome, so it was 0-0 after one deal.

Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
	ª J 7 © 10 ¨ J 10 3 § A K 9 8 5 4 2
ª K 4 © K J 8 3 ¨ A K Q 7 2 § Q 3		ª 8 6 3 2 © Q 7 6 5 2 ¨ 6 § J 10 6
	ª A Q 10 9 5 © A 9 4 ¨ 9 8 5 4 § 7

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
		Pass	1ª
Dble	2§	2©	Pass
4©	All Pass

East's decision to make a free bid saw her side get too high and it was easy enough for the defenders to take their four tricks, +50.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
		Pass	2¨*
Dble	2©	All Pass

Two Diamonds was a multi and when West doubled North bid Two Hearts, presumably asking partner to bid her major (one method is to pass to show diamonds, and redouble to ask partner to bid) but their was a major misunderstanding and North was left to stew.

A trick disappeared in the play and declarer finished five down, -500 and the first big swing to Croatia, ahead 11-0.

Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
	ª K 9 6 © 10 7 5 4 2 ¨ Q J 8 5 § 2
ª J 10 7 © J ¨ A K 7 6 3 2 § 10 9 4		ª A Q 2 © A 9 8 ¨ 9 § A K J 8 6 3
	ª 8 5 4 3 © K Q 6 3 ¨ 10 4 § Q 7 5

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
3¨	Pass	3NT	All Pass

South led the right suit, hearts, but alas she selected the three and declarer must have been elated to win the trick with dummy's jack. She gave up a trick to the queen of clubs and in desperation South switched to a spade. Twelve tricks, +690.

However, the other table came to the rescue:

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
Pass	Pass	1§*	Pass
1ª*	Pass	2§	Pass
2¨	Pass	3§	Pass
4§	Pass	4©*	Pass
5¨*	Pass	6§	All Pass

One Club was strong and the response promised three controls. East had lose a trump trick, but the spade finesse was right, so she was +1370 and Croatia had collected another 12 IMPs.
(As an aside, P.O.Sundelin told me he had foolishly bid to Seven Clubs. Particularly as the contract in the other room was Three Diamonds!)

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
	ª K 9 8 © K 9 4 ¨ 9 8 7 2 § K 6 3
ª Q J 7 © 7 2 ¨ A K 10 6 5 § Q 4 2		ª 6 5 4 © J 10 6 5 3 ¨ Q 4 3 § 8 7
	ª A 10 3 2 © A Q 8 ¨ J § A J 10 9 5

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
		Pass	1¨*
Pass	1NT	Pass	2NT
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Dble	All Pass

If East leads a heart, declarer might well make 3NT, placing the club length with West. However, Remen saved her side with her lead directing double. The defence started with five diamond tricks. West elected to exit with the queen of spades and declarer won in dummy, cashed three hearts and the ace of clubs and then ran the ten of spades for one down, -200.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
		Pass	1§
1¨	1NT	Pass	2NT
All Pass

West's overcall left North awkwardly placed. Pretending to have a diamond stopper was the alternative to double, and when South raised North did well to pass, as the defenders again took the first five diamond tricks. Declarer discarded a heart from her hand and two spades and two clubs from dummy. West exited with a heart, but declarer took three rounds of the suit, squeezing West in the black suits, +120 and a useful pick up for Norway.

Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.
	ª Q 9 8 © K 5 2 ¨ K J 10 4 § 6 5 2
ª 6 4 © A 10 9 8 ¨ A Q 9 5 2 § J 8		ª J 3 © Q 7 6 4 ¨ 7 § K Q 9 7 4 3
	ª A K 10 7 5 2 © J 3 ¨ 8 6 3 § A 10

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
			1ª
Pass	2ª	Pass	Pass
Dble	Pass	3©	3ª
Pass	Pass	4§	Pass
4©	Dble

Meckwell-s law says that South should close her eyes and bid Four Spades when her six card suit is raised. It's a poor contract to be sure, and it can be beaten if the defenders find their diamond ruffs but they won't. East adopted a subtle approach, anticipating that the opponents would go on to Three Spades and got both her suits in. However, Four Hearts was too high and with such good defensive cards North doubled. Declarer had to lose four tricks, -100.

PILIPOVIC Marina, Croatia

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
			1ª
Dble	2§*	2©	2ª
3©	3ª	4©	4ª
All Pass

West's aggressive double meant everyone was quickly into the auction. West led the ace of hearts and a second heart, so declarer won, drew trumps and took the diamond finesse. Ten tricks and +450 for 8 Norwegian IMPS.

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
	ª K 8 2 © 9 ¨ K 10 4 § A 10 7 5 4 2
ª J 6 5 3 © Q J 7 3 2 ¨ A J 8 § 6		ª 10 9 4 © A K 5 ¨ Q 7 6 2 § J 9 3
	ª A Q 7 © 10 8 6 4 ¨ 9 5 3 § K Q 8

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
All Pass

I was considering writing a couple of pages about this auction but fortunately Tacchi suggested going for a drink.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
Pass	Pass	1NT	Pass
2¨*	Pass	2©	Pass
Pass	3§	3©	3NT
Dble	All Pass

East opening bid promised 11-13, so it was not much of a stretch. North did well to protect, but then things got out of hand, South's final bid having little merit.

The defenders stated with five rounds of hearts and declarer had to make four discards from dummy. She parted with two spades and two clubs and West could delay taking the ace of diamonds that meant two down and +500 for another big swing to Croatia.

Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
	ª K J 10 9 7 6 3 © A ¨ J § A J 9 5
ª 5 2 © K 7 4 ¨ A 10 9 6 § K 10 7 2		ª 8 © Q J 10 8 5 2 ¨ K Q 5 § 6 4 3
	ª A Q 4 © 9 6 3 ¨ 8 7 4 3 2 § Q 8

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
	1ª	Pass	2ª
Pass	4¨*	Pass	5ª
Pass	6ª	All Pass

East led a heart and declarer won, crossed to a spade and played the queen of clubs. West covered with the king and declarer was able to take the ace and jack and ruff her club losers for a not too shabby +1430.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
	1ª	2©	2ª
3©	4ª	All Pass

This time declarer did not bother with the club finesse, so +650 and more points for Croatia. However, Norway were picking up points here and there and they did rather better than that on our next deal:

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
	ª K 9 6 © A J ¨ J 8 4 § K 8 7 6 3
ª J 10 7 4 © 10 9 6 5 3 ¨ A 10 § J 5		ª 8 3 2 © K 8 7 4 ¨ K Q 9 6 3 § A
	ª A Q 5 © Q 2 ¨ 7 5 2 § Q 10 9 4 2

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
			Pass
Pass	1¨*	Pass	2NT
All Pass

South's choice of bid led to the club fit being missed.

West led the ten of hearts and declarer tried the jack. East took the king and switched to the king of diamonds. West overtook and played the ten of diamonds. When that held she knocked out the ace of hearts. Declarer tired to sneak a club trick, so she was held to three tricks, -500.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
			Pass
Pass	1§	1¨	2¨*
Pass	3§	All Pass

East led the king of diamonds and West overtook and returned the ten. North did not cover, but East overtook and played a third diamond. West strangely discarded a heart, so eight tricks had turned into nine, +110 and 12 IMPs for Norway.

Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.
	ª A 9 8 5 3 © 7 ¨ 6 3 § A K 8 6 2
ª Q 6 2 © A Q 6 2 ¨ A J 10 9 § 10 5		ª K J 10 7 4 © 5 ¨ K 8 5 4 2 § 4 3
	ª - © K J 10 9 8 4 3 ¨ Q 7 § Q J 9 7

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
1¨	1ª	All Pass

I confess I would not be able to bring myself to pass with the South hand
East led the two of diamonds and the defenders took two tricks in that suit and played a third round, forcing declarer to ruff. She tried a heart to the jack but West won and forced declarer again. She ruffed, crossed to a club and tried to ruff a heart. East overuffed and declarer finished two down, -100.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
1¨	1ª	Pass	2©
Pass	2ª	Dble	3©
Dble	4§	Pass	Pass
Dble	All Pass

As you can see, Three Hearts is unbeatable and West was perhaps unwise to double. However, North decided to run and struck gold. When West, doubtless thinking her opponents were now overboard, double again, she presented Norway with +510 and another 12 IMPs.

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
	ª Q 9 6 © 5 4 3 ¨ 10 7 4 § K 10 6 2
ª A K 5 2 © A K 9 ¨ K 9 § A J 5 4		ª 10 8 4 3 © Q 10 ¨ A J 8 3 2 § Q 8
	ª J 7 © J 8 7 6 2 ¨ Q 6 5 § 9 7 3

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Remen	Sver	Thoresen	Pilipovic
2§*	Pass	2¨*	Pass
2NT	Pass	3§*	Pass
3¨*	Pass	3©*	Pass
3ª	Pass	4¨	Pass
4NT*	Pass	5¨*	Pass
5©*	Pass	6NT	All Pass

Something went wrong here as the puppet Stayman auction had located the spade fit and Six Spades is perhaps a better slam that 6NT.

North knew that East had the ace of diamonds and hoping to give nothing away she selected the seven of diamonds. That was enough to give the contract as now declarer had five diamond tricks and could afford to lose a club. +1440.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Jurisic	Breivik	Brkljacic	Harding
1§*	Pass	1©	Pass
2NT	Pass	3§	Pass
3ª	Pass	4ª	All Pass

Declarer took twelve tricks for +680 but the 13 IMP swing here saw Norway turn the match around right at the end to win a high scoring encounter 61-52 IMPs or 17-13 VP.