Jack Retains Title of World Computer-Bridge Champion

By Al Levy

Jack defeated Bridge Baron in the 64-board final, 188-117, to retain the title of World Computer-Bridge Champion. This is Jack's third year in a row as title holder. Jack won the 2000 championship in Maastricht by defeating Micro Bridge in the final and the 2001 championship in Montreal by defeating Wbridge5 in the final. Jack started with a 2 IMP carryover. To get a carryover you have to have beaten your opponent in your head-to-head round robin match and end up higher in the round robin standing.

Carryover 1-15 16-32 33-47 48-64 Total
Bridge Baron, USA 26 29 6 56 117
Jack, The Netherlands 2 79 34 56 17 188

Jack accumulated an early lead, in part due to board 7, and never looked back.

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

West	North	East	South
BB	Jack	BB	Jack
Pass	1§	Pass	1ª
Pass	2ª	Pass	2NT!
Pass	3©!	Pass	4ª
All Pass

After 2ª by North, South made an asking bid and North showed good trumps and a minimum hand. South judged that game was over 40% and bid the vulnerable game. BB led the §Q. Of course Jack ducked and eventually ruffed out the §A to set up the §K for a diamond pitch. + 620 to Jack

In the replay,

West	North	East	South
BB	Jack	BB	Jack
Pass	1§	Pass	1ª
Pass	2ª	Pass	3ª
All Pass

South made a general game try and North, with minimal values, passed. Jack led the ¨5. BB won the ¨K in hand and led a club to the king and ace. Eventually, BB lost a heart, club, spade and the fourth diamond. + 140 to Bridge Baron, and 10 IMPS to Jack.

No Escape

By Mark Horton

Here is a neat piece of play from the third session of the pairs qualifying contest.

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

West	North	East	South
	Burg		Buchmayr
Pass	1§	1¨	1©
Pass	1ª	Pass	4©
Dble	All Pass

The defence started with three rounds of diamonds, forcing declarer to ruff. As there were ten top tricks if hearts were 4-1 declarer was not prepared to risk playing a heart to the nine, although it must have been tempting. Instead he played a heart to the ace and continued the suit when East showed out.
When he played the last heart this was the position:

	ª K Q 6 5 © - ¨ - § A 10
ª 7 © 10 ¨ - § 9 7 5 4		ª J 10 4 3 © - ¨ - § K J
	ª A 9 8 © 2 ¨ - § Q 8

West won his side’s third trick with the ten of hearts but when declarer discarded the ten of clubs from the dummy East had no answer.

What a preference!

It’s not often that you find yourself looking at seven-card support for the suit partner has overcalled. It happened in the third session of Semifinal B of the Open Pairs. North-South preferred to remain nameless, but we can report that they are from England.

The South hand itself is remarkable, but South’s actions in the competitive sequence are even more noteworthy.

Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul.
	ª 10 9 7 © A Q 6 5 3 ¨ A J 10 6 4 § -
ª K 6 4 2 © 7 ¨ K 8 § A Q 10 9 8 2		ª A Q J 8 5 3 © - ¨ 9 7 3 § K 5 4 3
	ª - © K J 10 9 8 4 2 ¨ Q 5 2 § J 7 6

West	North	East	South
1§	1©	1ª	4©
4ª	5¨	5©	Pass
5ª	Pass	6§	Pass
Pass	6¨	Dble	All Pass

Imagine holding seven-card support for partner’s overcalled suit and taking one bid. Imagine, also, giving preference to partner’s second suit with only three cards. Here’s what led to the unusual action.

West took some time to bid 5ª, and South surmised correctly that he did so because he held the ¨K, meaning it was well placed for declarer in a diamond contract. South also reasoned that the opponents would probably bid 6ª if 6© became the contract. That contract would be defeated on the lead of either minor suit, but South couldn’t tell, and there was a virtual certainty that 6¨ was going to make. Why not take the sure plus? As it happens, had the opponents bid 6ª, that might have prompted North-South to “save” in 7© or 7¨. Both, as you can see, are makers.

When North wrapped up an overtrick in 6¨, the opponents were annoyed, particularly on viewing the dummy, but that might be because they need some lessons in logic.