bridge

August 27, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xK 6 3 2

uA K Q 7 2

vVoid

wA 9 5 2

WEST EAST

xQ 10 7 5 xVoid

u5 uJ 10 4 3

vK Q J 10 8 7 2 v9 6 3

w4 wK Q 10 7 6 3

SOUTH

xA J 9 8 4

u9 8 6

vA 5 4

wJ 8

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w 1u 1x 2v

5v 5x 6x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of w

In 1965, we were invited to edit the Daily Bulletin at the European Championships in the beautiful Casino in Ostend, Belgium, and won by Italy. We were made honorary members of the Belgian Press Corps, which enabled us to enjoy the superb cuisine and delightful wines of the Casino restaurant.

Recently, the Casino played host to the Golden Jubilee European Championships. This was the first deal of the opening match between defending champion and tournament favorite Italy against Iceland.

With Iceland North-South, not even vigorous pre-emptive bidding by the Italians could keep their opponents out of the spade slam, after North opened with a strong club. With terrible breaks in all suits, especially trumps, the slam went down one trick — 50 points to Italy.

This was the auction in the other room:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 3w 4v

Dbl 5v Pass Pass

Dbl Pass Pass Pass

South’s three clubs showed a heart raise, so spades were never mentioned. The contract went down two, so Italy picked up another 300 points for a gain of 8 Imps. Italy went on to win the event.

2010 Tribune Media Services