Dubious Logic

Spring Fours Final

While I was writing last week's column the final of the Schapiro Spring Fours was in progress. Playing in that match was Suffolk Captain and regular at Clare Bridge Club, David Price.

David was on the Mossop team (John Carroll & Adam Mesbur [both Ireland], David Mossop & Gojko Zivkovic [Switzerland], David Price & Colin Simpson) who were against the undefeated quartet Allfrey (Alexander Allfrey & Andrew Robson, David Bakhshi & Tony Forrester). Reminding you that it is a 'double elimination' tournament, where you must lose twice to be expelled, the undefeated team has some useful cards up its sleeve. Not least of these is that if behind after 32 deals, it can call up an extra eight; thus, you have to beat them twice.

When the thirty second deal was placed on the table, Mossop, having been 25 IMPs ahead before the quarter started, still enjoyed a slender advantage of three IMPs:

Matters were relatively quiet with the Allfrey team East-West: they bid their game, made eleven tricks and recorded +450. It was different in the other room:

Both South's two spades and North's raise seem very well judged to me. Some souths might have doubled but once the opponents had hearts, the advantages of discovering a diamond fit were much reduced. Moreover, double might have suggested four spades and longer diamonds and it would take a courageous North to support with knave-ten-low – even on the actual auction, David Bakhshi's decision to sacrifice showed appreciation of his 'playing' rather than defensive hand.

The defence got their club ruff and four spades doubled was down two for -300. But that was 4 IMPs and, for the first time in the match, Allfrey were an IMP in front – without needing any extra boards they were the 2009 Schapiro Spring Fours Champions.

Published Saturday 16.May.2009