Dubious Logic

Tiredness Costs

The "is bridge a sport" debate has receded a little recently. Two years ago this was much to the fore; aside from domestic interest in attracting governmental and commercial sponsorship, there was a petition to include the game in the Olympic movement. That has gone quiet for the time being but there's no doubt that bridge does require much of the mental and motivational skill necessary in many sports and such abstract factors as determination, desire to win and sheer physical tiredness play a part. I speak as someone who is no longer playing in the most arduous national event, the Shapiro Spring Foursomes.

This requires the participants to play the equivalent of two 32 board matches each day until just one team remains. That's an awful lot of bridge and keeping focus is a big part of the game. See if you're up with the play here:

East's two no-trump was unusual, showing both minors. It is a doubled edged weapon; if you don't secure the declaration, you've given the declarer a blueprint to the distribution. South showed a raise in spades with a club shortage and North was emboldened by the prospect that his partner would have little wasted in diamonds.

East led the diamond king – even though you might usually play ace from ace-king it is sensible to reverse it against a slam; partner signalling count on the king, reserving the ace from unsupported holdings, looking for the king. West showed three, and three clubs when East switched at trick two. Declarer drew two trumps with the king and queen and advanced the club knave – should you cover?

The answer should be yes. If you don't then North will pitch a heart on the this trick and another on the club ace. That will allow him to ruff a heart and make the contract even when partner's holding in that suit is as good as QJ109. Today however, all you'll do is force him to take a winning finesse.

At the other table there was a divergence; instead of 2NT, East bid 1NT expecting it to have the same message. However, West missed his partner's initial pass and in response to enquiry, mis-explained this call. South doubled, West passed and East rescued himself. North-South only reached a spade game and asked for redress. The director ruled that the unauthorised information that his partner has misunderstood his bid had removed any ambiguity in West's pass (he might have had major cards and wanted to play there) and adjusted the score back to a no-trump doubled, down 800. Not as much as the slam but leaving East-West to deal with the emotions arising as well as the fatigue that caused the error.

Published Saturday 6.May.2006