Don’t Cry for me Argentina
By Mark Horton In 46th World Bridge Teams Championships On 27th August 2023
In the d’Orsi Trophy Argentina drew their final match against South Africa and then had to see if Sweden who trailed China 19-15, could pick up the big swing they needed on the two deals that remained.
In the Open Room, Sweden stole the pot in 2
, which failed by two tricks. The auction, might have been 1NT-(2
*)-2
-(2)-All Pass (2 promising spades and another suit).
In the other room NS bid up to 4 and someone doubled.
The spotlight was on East. A minor suit lead allows the defenders to score the }A and play three rounds of diamonds, forcing dummy to ruff and ensuring a trick for the K for one down (it was only achieved once in the event). When East went with the 6 declarer could win with the king and advance the Q which resulted in 12 tricks, +1190 and 14 IMPs.
That moved Sweden into the final qualifying spot but they lost 6 IMPs on the final deal. When the scores flashed up that still left ) 0.17 of their advantage over Argentina intact.
Phew!
