Team Orange put the Squeeze on Miroglio As in their earlier matches Team Orange 1 were fast out of the blocks against Miroglio in the first segment of the Open Teams final and within the space of just five boards they led 33-0. Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.   ♠ A K Q 9 8 7 ♥ J ♦ 6 2 ♣ A 10 4 3 ♠ 5 4 3 ♥ 9 2 ♦ A K J 7 3 ♣ K J 8 ♠ J 10 6 ♥ Q 6 5 ♦ Q 10 4 ♣ Q 7 5 2   ♠ 2 ♥ A K 10 8 7 4 3 ♦ 9 8 5 ♣ 9 6 Open Room West North East South De Wijs Romanski Muller Stepinski   1♠ Pass 1NT 2♦ 3♠ All Pass   With the potential for seven quick tricks North was happy to jump at his second turn, but with nothing in reserve and an unsuitable hand South was surely right to pass. The defence was accurate, starting with two top diamonds followed by a club switch to hold declarer to nine tricks, +140. Closed Room West North East South Kowalski Bertens Tuszynski Bakkeren   1♠ Pass 1NT* Pass 3♠ Pass 4♥ Pass 4♠ All Pass   North’s 4♠ meant he moved from a contract that was unbeatable to one that was not. I have already polled a number of experts and taking into account certain systemic differences they are inclined towards a pass with the North hand. East led the jack of spades and declarer won, drew trumps and took an extra round of spades. That proved to be an astute move as East discarded the ♣2 and suddenly the hand was over, declarer discarding a losing diamond on a top heart and then playing on clubs. West had followed with the five, three and four of spades (would the five, four then three be better to suggest something in diamonds?) So, +420 and a somewhat fortuitous 7 IMPs for the Orangeman. Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.   ♠ 8 3 ♥ A Q J 8 6 2 ♦ J 9 ♣ 8 3 2 ♠ A Q 10 4 ♥ 7 5 ♦ Q 7 6 ♣ A K 10 9 ♠ J 7 6 2 ♥ K 10 4 ♦ K ♣ Q J 7 6 5   ♠ K 9 5 ♥ 9 3 ♦ A 10 8 5 4 3 2 ♣ 4 Open Room West North East South De Wijs Romanski Muller Stepinski     Pass Pass 1NT 2♦* Pass 2♥ Dble* Pass 3♥* Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass When North led a trump declarer had an easy ride and was soon claiming on overtrick, +450. Closed Room West North East South Kowalski Bertens Tuszynski Bakkeren     Pass 2♣ 2NT Pass 3♣* Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass North led the jack of diamonds and South won with the ace and switched to the four of clubs. Declarer knew South had a weak hand with diamonds and the club switch was surely a singleton. Should declarer win in dummy and take the spade finesse, or simply play ace of spades, spade? When declarer went for the latter he was a speedy one down, South winning and putting North in with a heart to get a club ruff. +50 and another 11 Orange IMPs. Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.   ♠ K 8 5 ♥ K Q 10 6 4 ♦ 5 4 3 ♣ 9 5 ♠ Q 9 7 4 3 ♥ J ♦ 10 8 2 ♣ A J 8 2 ♠ 10 ♥ 7 3 ♦ K Q J 9 6 ♣ Q 10 7 6 4   ♠ A J 6 2 ♥ A 9 8 5 2 ♦ A 7 ♣ K 3 Open Room West North East South De Wijs Romanski Muller Stepinski   Pass 2NT* 3♣* 5♣ 5♥ All Pass   North was left with a nasty decision once South had shown a liking for hearts over the weak opening. Five Hearts was too high on this layout and in due course declarer lost three tricks, saving one by endplaying West to lead away from the queen of spades or give a ruff and discard. Still, +100 was a decent result for East/West. Closed Room West North East South Kowalski Bertens Tuszynski Bakkeren   Pass 2NT* 3♣* 5♣ Dble All Pass   This time North South went for the money – and he was proved right. North led the ♠5 and South won and switched to ace of hearts and a heart. Declarer ruffed and tried the ace of clubs. When the king did not appear he was two down, -200 and 9IMPs to continue the one way traffic. There were a few minor swings in both directions but then the Dutchmen in the Closed Room finished the set as they had started it, with a slice of luck. Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.   ♠ J 6 ♥ A 10 ♦ A Q 5 3 2 ♣ K 6 3 2 ♠ 7 3 ♥ K 9 7 4 ♦ K 10 9 8 ♣ 9 7 5 ♠ 9 4 ♥ Q J 6 5 3 ♦ J 6 4 ♣ Q J 4   ♠ A K Q 10 8 5 2 ♥ 8 2 ♦ 7 ♣ A 10 8 Open Room West North East South De Wijs Romanski Muller Stepinski       1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♣* Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT* Pass 5♥* Pass 5NT* Pass 7♠ All Pass   Seven Spades is clearly a poor contract, needing the diamond finesse plus a reasonable break in the suit (with slight additional squeeze chances in the event of a bad break.) Declarer won the trump lead in hand, closed his eyes and played a diamond to the queen. When he opened them it had held and after a diamond ruff, spade to dummy and a diamond ruff he could claim +2210. As you will already have guessed the Polish players did not duplicate this result. At the end of the set Team Orange 1 held a commanding lead, 54-11 IMPs. When you are playing well – and in luck – you are going to be hard to beat.

Page 5