The Joy Of Bridge By Kees Tammens Captain, coach or supporter of a junior team, you always want your favourites to win. Being the coach of the Dutch juniors since 1991, I have experienced many different emotions. Of course I want, or expect, them to win, but usually something happens which prevents the Netherlands winning a medal. And of course the coach is the one to be blamed. This is not an unfamiliar situation. When the coach, decades ago, himself participated in international competition, he was used to critics. When a board produced a minus score, or a wash, of course he was the one to blame; in case of a plus everything was easy. These days, not being an active player, he wants his juniors to play perfectly. But bridge is a difficult, sometimes impossible game (although Barry Rigal does not think so). So during the middle matches of this championship your writer decided to enjoy the game. His eye caught some interesting boards, although mixed with some chauvinistic thoughts. And of course the experiences of the Dutch teams have the main interest in this report. Chance Decides Board Round 10. Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.   ♠ 9 8 7 5 3 ♥ 10 3 ♦ A Q 10 3 ♣ J 5 ♠ A K 2 ♥ A 8 4 2 ♦ 9 7 6 5 ♣ 10 7 ♠ Q 10 4 ♥ 6 ♦ K 8 4 ♣ A K 9 8 4 2   ♠ J 6 ♥ K Q J 9 7 5 ♦ J 2 ♣ Q 6 3 West North East South Pass Pass 1♣ 2♥ 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass Against Italy, really overpowering this championship, the Dutch East/West pair reached 3NT on the lead of the ♥10, ducked twice for the ♥A in West. The double club finesse or cubs three-two with three cards in North as well as the ♦A? Nothing worked and the Netherlands went down a couple of tricks. West North East South 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass And a spade lead for nine tricks. The Netherlands never recovered and lost by 9-21. After the dramatic loss to Turkey (5-25) the day before, and also on vugraph, the Dutch chances for a medal dramatically diminished. Thirteen Tricks In Round 11 the Czech Republic, captained by my dear friend Zdenek Frabsa, really held on well in the first eleven boards, only trailing 13-22. The rest is history and I think Zdenek .had to take some strong drinks after the match. In every board are thirteen tricks although it not always seems so. Round 11. Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.   ♠ 9 8 7 2 ♥ 8 7 5 ♦ J 3 ♣ A 8 4 3 ♠ K 6 ♥ A 9 4 3 ♦ 6 4 ♣ K Q 10 5 2 ♠ Q J 10 3 ♥ Q 10 6 ♦ A 10 5 2 ♣ J 9   ♠ A 5 4 ♥ K J 2 ♦ K Q 9 8 7 ♣ 7 6 West North East South Danny Merijn Pass Pass 1♦   Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT All Pass       West led ♣K, ducked all around. A small heart switch went to East’s queen and declarer’s king. Declarer played a small diamond for jack and ace and back came the jack of clubs to dummy’s ace. A successful finesse for the ♦10 and declarer had seven tricks. On the run of the diamonds West led go two hearts so declarer could duck a heart for an overtrick West North East South Pass Pass 1♦ Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass The ♦K was lead and again there were some difficulties with the position of a jack. A small spade was led for the king then a club to the jack and a second club for the ace. The ♦J for the ace and a spade for South’s ace. 3NT, however, was home and even made with an overtrick when South played a heart. Good Debut In the Schools Teams Jamilla and Sigrid Spangenberg (twins!) made their first appearance in the third match. Schools Round 3. Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.   ♠ 8 5 3 ♥ 3 ♦ 9 6 4 ♣ A Q J 10 5 4 ♠ 10 7 4 2 ♥ K Q 10 8 ♦ K Q 5 ♣ 8 6 ♠ K J 9 6 ♥ J 9 5 ♦ A 10 3 ♣ K 3 2   ♠ A Q ♥ A 7 6 4 2 ♦ J 8 7 2 ♣ 9 7 West North East South Jamilla Sigrid Pass Pass 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT All Pass     Jamilla (even I can be mistaken) led the ♣Q followed by ♣J and, when that held, the ♣A. After cashing all the clubs, a spade switch put the contract down three, a nice way to start your championship. Nice Endplay Round 13. Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.   ♠ 3 2 ♥ A Q 9 7 ♦ J 10 8 3 ♣ Q 10 4 ♠ A K 7 ♥ K J ♦ K Q 7 5 4 2 ♣ 9 6 ♠ J 8 4 ♥ 10 8 ♦ 9 6 ♣ A K 8 7 3 2   ♠ Q 10 9 6 5 ♥ 6 5 4 3 2 ♦ A ♣ J 5 West North East South Merijn Danny  1NT Pass 3NT All Pass The lead was the jack of diamonds to South’s ace. South returned a spade for declarer’s ace. Three rounds of diamonds put North on play and he returned a spade to the nine and king. Declarer took his diamonds and played ♣A, ♣K and a third club to endplay North. It all looks very fine. After writing this story I go to the vugraph, only to my distress, as Hungary, already strong last year in Prague, batters my team. It seems that the Dutch hopes for a good result have been demolished. And your reporter has to be satisfied with the joy of the game.

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