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The One and Only

The One and Only

By In 44th World Bridge Teams Championships On 15th September 2019


This deal from the opening round saw many double-digit swings:

On a bad day, you might go down in 3NT after a diamond lead, a fate that befell several players, including one multiple world champion.
6Fiori was attempted several times, but when a diamond was led no-one had enough information to get the trumps right.
A couple of declarers were favoured by the lead of the PiccheQ, after which only the overtrick was at issue.
At two tables, one in the Venice Cup, the other in the Bermuda Bowl the opening lead was a heart. Declarer wins with the king and cashes the top trumps. When the FioriQ declines to put in an appearance you play a third round pitching a diamond, win the likely diamond exit, cash the CuoriA, ruff a heart and continue with two more rounds of trumps to reach this position:

When declarer plays the last trump South must part with a spade. Having done its work, the Cuori9 is discarded from dummy and declarer scores three spade tricks. In the match between Sweden and Israel the latter made 12 tricks after a diamond lead – but they were only in 5Fiori, and Sweden’s Fredrik Nystrom (partnering Johan Upmark) followed this line to pick up a big swing.
Alas, the other declarer could not find the winning line.


About the Author

Mark Horton
Mark Horton

Mark Horton British journalist and expert player, was Editor of Bridge Magazine 1995-2017 and now edits the online publication Bridgerama+. At one time, his business cards were inscribed: Have Cards will Travel, but following the death of his most famous sponsor, the Rabbi Leonard Helman, he has tended to concentrate on his writing exploits (in 2018 he had five books published!). Anyone wanting to discover how to lose at bridge on a regular basis (and pay for the privilege) should feel free to contact him. He currently lives in Shrewsbury with his wife Liz.