Dubious Logic

Matchpoint Malaise

The first weekend of Brighton – Swiss Pairs – has been and gone. It saw the combination of Heather Dhondy, recent English European Women's champion, and open international David Burn victorious. Once there used to be a slew of local players making the journey to the South coast but though I scanned the list twice, I could make out only a few familiar names. Jane and Andrew Moore were best placed, 25^th in the huge field. I too was an omission this year but one I will be rectifying in the Swiss Teams as you read this.

My decision to miss the pairs has much to do with being increasingly out of step with the match-point game. This is a hand from the Ipswich Swiss earlier this month.

NS Vul.

Three hearts is the contract. I won't inflict the auction upon you suffice to say that South had made a strength showing double and North had bid diamonds once and been supported to the three level in competition. The lead was the diamond knave and a continuation to the queen. After ruffing I decided to play on spades; ace and another saw North with the KJ9 and the third round was cashed, South discarding a club, now a third diamond. You have lost three tricks and the position is:

With a trump loser more or less a certainty and the concern the hand would drift out of control, it was time to think and at pairs that means evaluating what others will do. Here four spades was a reasonable contract but with spades foul that might well go two light – it therefore seemed essential not to be defeated more than one in my lesser contract. Moreover, I couldn't see a clear way to make the hand. Accordingly I discarded and dutifully achieved my down one for about 15% of the match-points.

Not only that, the sole player I spoke to in four spades lost two spades, took a club finesse and notched up her game. Worse still, contemplation of the hand on the way home discovered the line of cashing two clubs and attempting to ruff the third round. South would have the choice of ruffing but as she held both missing heart honours, as soon as one is played you discard a spade. Ruff the other spade with the trump Ace and repeat the process – South can come to only one more trick. Remember, to play match-point you must also play bridge.

Published Saturday 18.Aug.2001