Independent Pursuits: Bridge

ON THEIR way to the Gold Medal in the 2001 European Championships Italy's Giorgio Duboin brilliantly brought home this doubled contract against France. After two passes West opened One Diamond which North doubled for take-out. East bid One Spade; South, Duboin tried Two Hearts, and West Three Diamonds. North doubled again; Duboin confirmed a five-card suit with Three Hearts and West bid Three Spades. North's Four Hearts bid was doubled by East, and West cashed two diamonds then switched to a spade.

Dummy's clubs needed establishing, and the final double suggested that East held heart length, so Duboin took his 4A, then played !10 to the jack and queen, and was relieved to find West following. Ace, king and a club ruff established that suit. Now came the key play; #10 to #Q on which dummy's 42 was discarded. Back came a fourth diamond, which Duboin ruffed with !A. Next came a winning club, ruffed in hand, then his last spade, trumped with !8. Another club completed the trump coup against East, for his doubled game.

The English Ladies Team had a bidding coup on this hand against Netherlands. Heather Dhondy opened the East hand with the Helgemo Two Diamonds, showing at least 5-4 in the majors in a weak hand. West, Nicola Smith passed, North bid 2NT and Nicola's Three Diamonds bid ended the auction, she making the obvious nine tricks.

Love all; dealer East

North

4 A 2

! A 10 8

# J 7

2 A K J 6 5 2

West East

4 K 10 6 4 Q J 8 7 5

! 2 ! J 9 6 3

# A K Q 9 8 5 2 # 6

2 7 3 2 Q 8 4

South

4 9 4 3

! K Q 7 5 4

# 10 4 3

2 10 9

Copyright 2001 Independent Newspapers UK Limited
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