Dubious Logic

IMPs from nowhere

In match play there is a dangerous line between pressing hard and going berserk. When your team is behind you have to do something. It would be resignedly passive just to sit there and hope for a miracle, so your game plan must be different to the one you would adopt if you were in front by a distance. The danger is you will 'go on tilt'; become so punch drunk with your own bravura that you do not evaluate the risks you are taking. In the world championships Italy found themselves trailing Norway with the end in sight. On the last day, after twenty four of the thirty two deals to play, the team many had down has favourites still trailed by their overnight deficit of 46. Action was called for.

For Italy Lauria made his two diamond bid in perfect tempo – not a soul suspected it was bereft of values and (almost) of shape too. Was it over the edge? It succeeded in getting partner off to the best lead and there was no 'point counting' double from him either. Was that good or bad news?

South led the three of diamonds to the knave. Aa took his time but eventually analysed that he couldn't make the contract by winning the king so he ducked. Back came a diamond and he showed his resolve by playing low again. Partisan supporters cheered. A third diamond was played only now (and both the audience and the Vugraph teams had had ample time to see this) did anyone spot that he was in trouble. Dummy was squeezed on the third diamond. Naturally he let go a spade (a winner) and put his faith in the heart finesse. The next play of ace other spade must have left him in no doubt that wasn't working. A great duel all round.

Despite Aa's credit on the that board be seems to take it badly. 34 IMPs up he comes in at game all opposite a passed partner over an all-strong 2♦ opening (usually balanced) with KQ96, K10874, 83, J9. Doubles started fluttering and his partner had to declare 2♠ with 742, J9, J1092, K854. He was lucky to get four tricks for –1100 to go with 3NT-1 from team-mates and a loss of 15 IMPs. If there was any evidence of lack of stability it had to be the Norwegians. But then there was no fairy-tale ending for the chasing team. They narrowed the gap still further but on the last board they faltered, perhaps exhausted by the earlier efforts. That's another cost – you have to keep a little energy just for the technical.

Published Saturday 15.Dec.2001