European Championships (2)
The European Championships are warming up. As mentioned in last week's column, the proliferation of countries in Europe obliged the organisers to hold a qualifying phase for the Open event. That is now complete and the English team cut it as close as they could, tying for the last qualification place - fortunately with Finland who they had beaten in their individual encounter. England thus progressed and were fast out of the blocks, playing as a team transformed, and were leading after three rounds.
The Women's event started after the Open. Here England have a strong tradition (though part of it gained as Great Britain) and after leading for many early rounds, have settled into a top group with the 'usual suspects', France, Germany, the Netherlands and a revitalised Italy. This competition is another all-play-all and I have a sneaking regard for France, the holders, currently in fourth.
In the Open, England was poorly placed against an out of form Portugal but turned the match around in the last five boards, running off 43 IMPs to win 18-12. This was one of the deals in that surge that shows the value of getting your blow in first:
| NS Vul. Dealer East | ♠ J864 | ||
| ♥ K976532 | |||
| ♦ 53 | |||
| ♣ --- | |||
| ♠ AQ2 | ♠ K73 | ||
| ♥ 10 | ♥ QJ | ||
| ♦ AK9 | ♦ 102 | ||
| ♣ KQJ1062 | ♣ A97543 | ||
| ♠ 1095 | |||
| ♥ A84 | |||
| ♦ QJ8764 | |||
| ♣ 8 | |||
England NS:
| West | North | East | South | |
| Castanheira | Holland | Pessoa | Armstrong | |
| Pass | 2♦ | |||
| 3NT | End | |||
England EW:
| West | North | East | South | |
| Waterlow | Barbosa | P. Hackett | Pinto | |
| 1♣ | Pass | |||
| 4NT | Pass | 5♦ | Pass | |
| 6♣ | End | |||
The English east-west had a straightforward auction after Paul Hackett opened the east cards (no-one else's choice except for a pair playing a strong club who started with two clubs). I think Castanheira's selection of 3NT would attract support in a poll - too strong for a simple overcall, unsuitable holdings in the majors for a double - however, at the table, it enjoyed no success on north's heart lead whereas there were no problems in six clubs. Relatively few souths had a weak two in diamonds at their disposal, where they did:
| West | North | East | South | |
| Levy | Drijver | Mouiel | Brink | |
| Pass | 2♦ | |||
| X | Pass | 3♣ | Pass | |
| 3♦ | X | Pass | Pass | |
| XX | Pass | 3NT | Pass | |
| 5♣ | Pass | 6♣ | End |
Double worked out very well for Frenchman Alain Levy against the Netherlands: he was subsequently able to describe a great hand for clubs, no interest in no-trumps and first round diamond control. Norway had to deal with some 'Germ Warfare' from the Russians in the shape of a two-way artificial opener, either any game-forcing hand or weak diamonds.
| West | North | East | South | |
| Lund | Khiouppenen | Helgemo | Kholomeev | |
| Pass | 2♣ | |||
| 3NT | Pass | 5NT | Pass | |
| 6♣ | End | |||
If World-Champion Geir Helgemo thinks five no-trump is the right reply to three no-trump then you have to say it merits attention. Though it isn't the same team that won the Bermuda Bowl, I'm tipping Norway for the Open.
Published Saturday 28.Jun.2008