WEBER FLOODS CAVE The two round robins in the women’s event will each produce four qualifiers to contest the quarter finals. In Group B the Round 6 math between Weber’s Anglo/German side and the USA’s Cave was my pick. Weber was looking to consolidate her position in second place while Cave was hoping for a big win to get back into contention. Its surprising how often you can tell from an early stage which way the wind is blowing and right from the start the German pair made their intentions clear – aggression at every opportunity. Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.   ♠ K Q J 10 4 3 2 ♥ - ♦ A 10 7 ♣ A 7 5 ♠ A 7 ♥ A K J 10 8 6 2 ♦ K J ♣ J 8 ♠ 9 6 ♥ 5 3 ♦ Q 9 2 ♣ K 10 9 6 4 3   ♠ 8 5 ♥ Q 9 7 4 ♦ 8 6 5 4 3 ♣ Q 2 West North East South Weber Sulgrove Gromann Sprung   1♠ Pass Pass 3NT 4♠ Pass Pass Dble All Pass     Don’t you get the feeling that after the first three bids the West hand is of the type favoured by the conductors of bidding panels? When West selected the aggressive option North decided to take no risks and rebid her powerful suit. West’s double on the way out was not automatic, but her partner produced two important cards, enough to ensure the contract failed by one trick when East led the two of diamonds. West North East South Henner-Welland James Radin Brock   1♠ Pass Pass Dble 4♠ Pass Pass 5♥ All Pass     Once West had started with a double she felt compelled to introduce her suit at the five level. South was close to doubling – as it was the obvious two down meant a 5 IMP pick up for Weber. Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.   ♠ Q J 8 7 ♥ 3 ♦ Q 7 5 2 ♣ Q 6 5 2 ♠ 10 4 ♥ Q 6 ♦ A K J 9 4 3 ♣ A 9 4 ♠ K 6 5 ♥ A K 8 7 5 4 2 ♦ 10 ♣ K 8   ♠ A 9 3 2 ♥ J 10 9 ♦ 8 6 ♣ J 10 7 3 West North East South Weber Sulgrove Gromann Sprung   Pass 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT* Pass 5♥* Pass 5NT* Pass 6♣* Pass 6♥ All Pass     East’s rebid promised more or less what she had – a stronge rhand would have been developed differently. With a source of tricks and two good looking cards on the side, the ]Q and the }A West powered into the slam. When South led the ace of spades she may have been worried, but only for a moment, as East was able to claim at trick three. Declarer would have had to work harder on a passive lead, as she will need to pick up the diamonds. +980 looked good on paper. West North East South Henner-Welland James Radin Brock   Pass 1♥ Pass   ♦ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♣ Pass 4♥ Pass 5♦ Pass 5♥ All Pass West made a couple of cue bids, but East was not interested, perhaps taking the view that if all West needed was spade control she would have bid differently. So, East/West’s piece of paper at the other table was worth 11 IMPs. Weber continued to gain steadily and a couple of swings near the end completed an impressive performance Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.   ♠ 9 8 3 ♥ J 5 4 2 ♦ 4 3 ♣ J 8 3 2 ♠ A J 10 7 2 ♥ A Q ♦ A J 6 ♣ A Q 7 ♠ 6 5 ♥ K 9 7 ♦ 9 7 5 2 ♣ 9 6 5 4   ♠ K Q 4 ♥ 10 8 6 3 ♦ K Q 10 8 ♣ K 10 West North East South Weber Sulgrove Gromann Sprung     Pass 1♦ Dble Pass 2♣ Pass 3NT All Pass     With a powerful hand full of tenaces West made a practical decision that proved to be a winning one. North led the four of hearts and declarer won with the queen and played the jack of spades. South won with the king and returned a heart. West won and exited with a low club to South’s ten. She won the heart return in dummy, took the spade finesse and cashed her winners, the fall of the queen of spades and the king of clubs giving her ten tricks and +430. West North East South Henner-Welland James Radin Brock     Pass 1♣ Dble Pass 1♦ Pass 2NT All Pass     West’s scientific approach was reasonable, but unsuccessful and Weber had another 7 IMPs. The match finished as it had started, with an aggressive action by the German pair paying a big dividend Board 16. Dealer West. E/W Vul.   ♠ K Q J 10 7 2 ♥ J 5 2 ♦ 6 5 ♣ A 9 ♠ 9 8 3 ♥ A K 10 8 3 ♦ J 8 2 ♣ 7 2 ♠ - ♥ Q ♦ K Q 10 9 ♣ Q J 10 8 6 5 4 3   ♠ A 6 5 4 ♥ 9 7 6 4 ♦ A 7 4 3 ♣ K West North East South Weber Sulgrove Gromann Sprung Pass 2♠ 5♣ 5♠ Dble All Pass     Did South bid 5[ in the hope/expectation it might make? That’s asking a lot facing a weak two bid, even a disciplined one. East led the queen of diamonds and declarer won, drew trumps, played a club to the king and a low heart. When West went up with the king declarer had saved a trick, down one, -100. West North East South Henner-Welland James Radin Brock Pass 1♠ 4♣ 4♠ All Pass       This time it was essential for East/West to be spot on in the defence, but at the point when declarer led a low heart West went up with an honour, so that was +420 and 11 IMPs. Weber had won 51-3 IMPs, 25-4 VP and was looking good for one of the four qualification spots, but Cave was in serious trouble.

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