From Verona: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

By Ron Klinger

When one is a reporter for the city's sole newspaper (a typical situation these days, save in Toronto, where there are four dailies, New York, three, and a number of major cities with two) there is a tendency to make each report sound the same. However, when one views hands of variable quality, it can almost look like an old spaghetti western of the late 60s.

At Verona, even with world class players, there can be brilliancies, mental blocks, blind spots, and misunderstandings. Ron looks at three hands from the Rosenblum Cup while following the Australian team.

The Good

Lead: ªA

The defence took the first three spade tricks and West shifted to the §2: queen-seven-five. Wiltshire crossed to the ©A, cashed the thirteenth spade and then ran the hearts. This was the position with one heart to go:

Wiltshire played his last heart and everyone threw a diamond. Wiltshire now had the choice of playing West to be down to §A and ¨K-x, but he picked the position perfectly and played the ¨A to drop the singleton king.

The Bad:

In another match, after the same auction, East at one table led the §J to the ace. West returned the §2, won by North who took the diamond finesse next. West Ducked smoothly and declarer ran home for nine tricks.

At the other table, after a similar auction (3¨ rather than 3©), East began with ªA, followed by ªK. West unblocked the ªQ to allow East to run five spades. Oops. No swing.

The Ugly

Lead: © 5

No doubt South was hoping for a little more from North's vulnerable overcall opposite a passed hand and doubled because of his favourable club holding. The heart lead went to the ten and queen and West ran the §10 to the jack. Back came the ª10, won by the king, North playing the ª7. South won the next club and agonised whether to play another spade or lead a heart to reduce the loss to 'just' 1000.

He opted for the ©J return, Hoping against hope that South might have ¨ Q-x-x (where was West's opening bid in that case!), North ducked and declarer had the rest for +1200

Ron has a regular column in the Sydney Herald, and has articles from various competitions through the Daily Bulletins. Check the WBF website for daily bulletins from most major competitions.

For ordering any of Ron's books, including his new Five-Card Major Stayman and a CD that includes material on Rubensohl, Losing Trick Count and other topicsor finding his next bridge holiday, visit his website www.ron-klinger.com.au.