© WBF 2025

issued by the World Bridge Federation

Maison du Sport International

54, Avenue de Rhodanie

1007 Lausanne

Switzerland

ISBN: 978-1-77140-093-0

Contents

INTRODUCTION

WORLD TRANSNATIONAL OPEN TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP & BAM

MARK HORTON

THE d’ORSI TROPHY

MARK HORTON

THE WUHAN CUP

MARK HORTON

THE VENICE CUP

MARK HORTON

THE BERMUDA BOWL

MARK HORTON & DAVID BIRD

Introduction

The 47th World Bridge Team Championships took place in Herning, Denmark, marking the 75th anniversary of the event which first took place in Bermuda in 1950.

Herning had already demonstrated its suitability as a venue by hosting the 2024 European Team Championships. Ideal playing conditions, hotels, restaurants and shops all close by and the warmth of the welcome by the hosts made for a magnificent event. Aside from the four major championships, players contested the World Transnational Open Teams Championship and BAM Teams.

A major championship always produces a huge number of outstanding deals and Herning was no exception. This booklet of highlights is designed to provide you with a brief glimpse of what will be on offer in the upcoming book of the Championships.

Mark Horton
Shrewsbury, December 2025

Transnational Teams and BAM Teams

Seventy-eight teams set out in pursuit of a world championship title. They played twelve rounds of Swiss to determine who would qualify for the knockout phase. They could be joined by teams eliminated from the knockout phase of the main events.

It is always nice to discover that you were the only one to make a difficult contract, especially when there are 34 tables in play. Look at this deal from Round 5 of the Transnational Open Teams:

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.

North led the ♠8 and when declarer covered with dummy’s ♠10 South took the ♠A and switched to a diamond. Declarer won and tested the spades, please to see the suit divide. He played a heart to the ace, a heart to the queen, cashed the ♠7 pitching a diamond and came to hand with a heart.

At this point North was looking at ♦Q10 ♣Q963 and was helpless. He could discard a club, but after cashing the ♦K declarer could play a club to the ten to secure his contract (the only one to make 6NT) +990.

To be sure of defeating 6NT North must lead a club.

There is a beautiful line if North leads a diamond. Declarer wins with the ♦J and plays a heart to the queen, disclosing the 5-0 split. A second heart for the ten and king is followed by a club to the jack. Declarer cashes the ♣AK, plays a heart to the nine and cashes the ♦AK. If South discards a heart declarer takes the ♥A. In the three-card ending declarer has ♠K62 facing ♠Q104 and plays a spade to the queen. South, holding ♠AJ3 can win, but must then lead into the split tenace. If south discards the ♠3 declarer will need to divine the spade position, given that he must place South with the ♠A (if North has it there is no chance).

North led the ♠5 and South won with the ♠A and eventually collected a trump for -50 and 14 IMPs for Sam Dinkin’s team against Sunshine.

Maurizio Di Sacco reported this deal:

Agustin Madala is not new to brilliancies, but sometimes he even goes beyond that, and so he did in round ten.

Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.

Madala had opened a weak 2♦, and nobody could stop his partner from bidding slam. West led the obvious spade, East contributing an upside-down nine, and now the contract is doomed, since the ♥K does not cooperate. Is it not?

Agustin won the lead throwing the seven, and cashed two high diamonds in dummy, East pitching an encouraging heart deuce while west ditched the heart seven. Declarer continued with one more diamond, the ♣A and a further diamond ending in his own hand. On those two trumps East got rid of a club and the eight of spades, while West went for two more hearts, (if West calmly discards a small club, even Houdini would have no answer. Editor) leaving:

Declarer was now convinced that the ♥K was wrongly placed, and reading the position perfectly Agustin went to dummy with the ♥A and tabled the ♠10. West could win, but was endplayed.

Either black suit would concede the contract, and West resignedly chose a club.

Good gain for Madala’s team? No, just a big loss avoided, since in the other room the same contract was played by North and with nothing to guide him East led a heart.

The survivors from the round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals, Shourie and SPS Construction contested a thrilling final. After the first of the four sessions the teams were tied at 29-29 and they remained deadlocked after the second session on 56-56. SPS Construction took the third session 36-21 to lead 92-77 going into the last 14 deals. With just four remaining the score had advanced to 97-81.

Board 53. Dealer North. E/W Vul.

North led the ♥5 and declarer drew trumps and played three rounds of spades, claiming twelve tricks, +680.

The responses to the relays revealed that East held a 5332 minimum.

South led the ♣10 and declarer won with dummy’s ♣K, cashed the ♠A, came to hand with the ♣A and played a spade for the jack and queen. He took the return of the ♦6 with the ♦A, played a heart to the ten, cashed the ♠K and the ♥A and claimed, +1430 and 13 IMPs to Shourie, only 3 IMPs adrift at 94-97.

Board 54. Dealer East. All Vul.

North led the ♠7 and declarer quickly claimed, +180.

North led the ♣6 and declarer won with dummy’s ♣8 and played a diamond to the king. When it held he exited with the ♥4 and North won and returned the ♦5, South winning with the ♦A and exiting with the ♦J. North won, cashed the ♥A and continued with the ♣2. Declarer had to lose two spades at the end, two down, -200 and 9 IMPs to SPS Construction, now ahead 106-94.

Both teams bid and made a slam on the penultimate deal, Shourie collecting an overtrick IMP.

On the final deal EW held ♠A1042 ♥J10952 ♦6 ♣Q75 opposite ♠953 ♥– ♦AKJ852 ♣AK84.

3NT depends on diamonds being 3-3 with the ♦Q onside. they were 3-3 but the queen was offside. SPS Construction lost -50 in 3NT, while Shourie stopped in 2♣. That was worth 5 IMPs, leaving SPS Construction the winners, 106-100.

The d’Orsi Trophy

The current d’Orsi Trophy holders were the hosts, Denmark, and it would be fascinating to see how they reacted to being at home – would it be a boost or a burden? France, Poland and Sweden had to be contenders, but the main threat was likely to come from the teams representing the USA.

The last round of the qualifying competition can be nerve-racking for the teams in the in contention. It was certainly the case for India and Netherlands.

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.

India v Netherlands

North led the ♣7 to dummy’s ♣9 and declarer continued with the ♠K, covered and ruffed. the ♥A saw North pitch the ♣2 and declarer played two more rounds of the suit, claiming, +980.

When North doubled 6♠ East, appreciating that North would be able to ruff a heart lead, decided to try his luck in 6NT.

South led the ♣4 for the jack and king and North switched to the ♦J for the queen and king. Back came the ♣3 and when declarer put in dummy’s ♣8 North could win and exit with a club condemning him to four down, -200 and 15 IMPs for Netherlands.

Had East retreated to 7♥, declarer, knowing the heart position would have had a chance to make it. How to describe that? What would be the bridge equivalent of the Miracle of Medinah?

Five pairs made 6♥, once doubled, and two made 6♠ (one doubled) after a club lead (another was three down after a club lead). Seven Hearts went down three times, once redoubled, and 6♠ once. There was also one 7NT doubled going down and 6NT down four twice. Seven Spades doubled didn’t make either.

India’s apparent cruise to qualification had been thrown off course, their lead being reduced to just 2 IMPs.

The penultimate deal saw India record +120 which was worth an IMP. This was the last board:

Board 14. Dealer East. None Vul.

India v Netherlands

With little support for diamonds North had no obvious reason to try 3NT.

West led the ♠4 and East won with the ♠K as declarer unblocked the ♠J. The switch to the ♥Q was ducked, declarer taking the second round, playing a spade to the ten and discarding a heart on the ♠A. When the ♦8 took the next trick declarer continued with the ♦9, West winning and exiting with the ♥K. Declarer ruffed, cashed the jack and ten of diamonds, and claimed the rest for +130.

North’s hand rates at 11.25 on the Kaplan Rubens Hand Evaluator. Lacking a five-card suit and facing at most 13 points there was no reason to think in terms of game.

West led the ♠5 for the two, king and jack and a critical moment had arrived. If East switches to a heart the defenders will collect four tricks.

In practice East continued with the ♠8 and declarer could win with dummy’s ♠10 and play on diamonds for 11 tricks, +210 and 2 IMPs to Netherlands. India had won the match 24-23, 10.33-9.67 but that meant Netherlands secured eighth place by 0.07 VP. Had East found the heart switch India would have been the one to advance.

Larry cohen is the star of Bridge with Larry Cohen (www.larryco.com). A 25-time national champion, American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Hall of Famer, former ACBL Player of the Year, and one of the ACBL’s “Top 10 Living Most Influential Bridge Personalities”. His To Bid or Not to Bid: The LAW of Total Tricks is one of the best-selling bridge books of all time.

In 1998 he and David Berkowitz came agonisingly close to becoming the World Open Pairs champions. Larry’s Bridge World article, Losing in Lille is one of the best accounts of a major pairs championship ever written.

Despite the immense pressure involved as you get to the business end of a major championship he was kind enough to point me in the direction of this deal from the fifth session of the semifinals:

Board 57. Dealer North. None Vul.

You can see that 6♦ is a great contract (better than 6♥) but not so easy to reach. Larry and David have had to deal with this type of problem before, and you will find numerous examples in Larry’s My Favorite 52. Could they hit the top spot here?

USA1 v USA2

With perfect defence (North scoring a club ruff) the defenders collect six tricks, but in practice declarer escaped for three down, -500 and a 12 IMP pick up for USA1.

We were settling down to dinner after the first day’s play in the finals when David Berkowitz stopped by to describe a deal.

In the late sixties Jeremy Flint returned to the UK following what was then a record-breaking tour of America, becoming a Life Master in just 10 weeks (a record broken first by Sabine Auken and then Jakob Kristinsson). He asked Freddie North to collaborate with him to write Tiger Bridge. The book was many faceted, and included a chapter on the killer instinct in which the authors introduced the concept of the Tiger Double which aimed to punish unsuspecting opponents.

Long out of print you can read the book for free at: Tiger bridge: Flint, Jeremy, 1928-: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive

Board 53. Dealer North. E/W Vul.

USA1 v France

East led the ♥2 and when dummy’s ♥J held declarer played a spade to the jack and a second spade, West winning and returning a heart. Declarer won and ran the ♣Q, West winning and continuing with a third heart. Declarer won, crossed to the ♣A, cashed two spades, came to hand with a club and exited with a heart, East having to win and surrender the game going trick to the ♦K, +400.

An identical auction until Larry Cohen, knowing he had the diamonds under control and that partner could probably look after the spades produced an out of the blue double.

The early play matched that at the other table, but when he gained the lead with the ♣K, David switched to the ♦Q, covered by the king and ace. Larry could exit with the ♥5 and declarer had only eight tricks, -100 and 11 IMPs for the Tiger and USA1.

There are various ways in which 3NT can be made after the initial lead, which include playing a low diamond at trick two. Only a club lead puts the defenders one step ahead.

On the second day of the final this deal was a classic bidding challenge:

Board 58. Dealer East. N/S Vul.

Although not alerted, David Berkowitz’s 5♦ may been a Last Train slam try, rather than a spoof cue-bid. Hervé Vinciguerra led the ♠2, won with dummy’s ace. Berkowitz drew trumps, ending in dummy, and called for the ♠J, covered and ruffed. He then claimed +1430 (discarding a diamond and a club on the ♠109).

With the ♦A missing, and the opening lead coming through his ♦K, Bompis opted to stop in game. East’s opening bid at the other table perhaps made life easier for his opponents. It was 13 IMPs to USA1.

The same round also delivered two of the most exciting deals in the final:

Board 62. Dealer East. E/W Vul.

USA1 v France

It was a misfit deal where, on the lie of the cards, 13 tricks are possible only in the 5-1 club fit (7NT is possible, even if A spade is led). Larry Cohen did offer 7♣ as a possibility, but it was barely possible for David Berkowitz to accept this after the previous triplet of spade bids from North. The ♠2 was led, giving declarer some hope, but twelve tricks were the limit. One down, and N/S -50.

Bompis and Soulet beat a sensible path to 6♠ and were pleased to see the 4-2 spade break.

It was +1010 and a very acceptable +14 IMPs on the French scorecard.

Board 65. Dealer North. E/W Vul.

USA1 v France

With one eye on the vulnerability, Berkowitz judged well to pass his partner’s take-out double at the one-level. The defenders began with three club tricks and South then switched to the ♠3. It was too hard for Vinciguerra to rise with the king. When he played low, North won with the ♠Q and switched to the ♦7. Berkowitz won with the ♦Q, and declarer then ruffed his ♦A. The defenders still had three hearts and the ♠A to come, so that was three down for N/S +800.

There is no mention of Support Doubles on the French convention card, but that still seems a likely interpretation. Was Soulet’s move past 3NT premature?

The three subsequently alerted bids were also somewhat optimistic. With an additional hole in the heart suit, the trump holding was not quite good enough, even for an adventurous slam. East doubled and led a spade to the ace. Declarer crossed to his hand with a club and finessed the ♦Q successfully. The ♦A brought him no further good news, and one down meant 14 IMPs back to USA1.

USA1 David Berkowitz, Larry N. Cohen, Steve Garner, Mike Kamil, Jeff Meckstroth, Jeff Wolfson, Jan Martel (captain), Chip Martel (coach) were the World Champions, France Michel Abecassis, Marc Bompis, Philippe Chottin, Dominique Pilon, Philippe Soulet, Herve Vinciguerra, Guy Lasserre (captain), Wilfried Libbrecht (coach) the runners-up. USA2 Hemant Lall, Bobby Levin, Zia Mahmood, Reese Milner, Eric Rodwell, Alan Sontag, Philip Clayton (captain), Joyjit Sensarma (coach) finished third.

Wuhan Cup

The field for the fourth edition of the Wuhan Cup was arguably the strongest ever, with many teams including past world champions from both the Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup.

The current champions were USA2, but France, Israel, Poland, Sweden, China and USA1 would surely be in contention.

The opening round of the championships quickly delivered a noteworthy deal:

Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Vul.

Australia v India

South led the ♥3 and declarer finished one down. If declarer tries crossing to dummy with a diamond to take a club finesse that enables the losing heart to be discarded, but North can then score a diamond ruff.

South’s double was undoubtedly an attempt to extract a penalty. It succeeded but only to the extent that 5♣ doubled was seven down, -2000 and a 19 IMP swing.

What a way to start the championships!

This was also from the opening round:

Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.

Canada v Sweden

North led the ♥Q and declarer collected 11 tricks for +400.

When South jumped to 4♠, West could visualise the potential void in her partner’s hand and expecting the vulnerable overcall to be based on a decent hand jumped to the unbeatable slam.

North’s double meant the score was +1540, a 14 IMP swing.

The penultimate session of the quarterfinals included one incendiary deal:

Board 94. Dealer East. All Vul.

Denmark v China

West led the ♠4 for the nine, ten and jack and declarer played a heart to the jack and ran the ♠Q, West ruffing and playing the ♣K, ♣A and ♣7, East discarding two spades. Declarer exited from dummy with the ♦2 for the nine, ten and queen, and West cashed the ♣10 and then played the ♦8, East cashing two tricks in the suit and returning the ♥9. West ducked that to dummy and claimed the last two tricks with the ♥AQ for five down, -1400.

It might be heretical, but passing the double was an option. In theory 2♠ will make, but you never know.

South led the ♥5 for the queen and king and North returned the ♥10, declarer winning in dummy and cashing the top clubs to dispose of the ♥9. When declarer continued with a spade to the king (you wouldn’t do that in 2♠x) South won and exited with the ♣6, declarer ruffing and ducking a spade to North’s ♠Q. At this point playing the ♥J is enough for one down, as the defenders will score two spades and a diamond, but when North exited with a diamond declarer won with dummy’s ♦Q, played a diamond to the jack and exited with a spade, claiming, +110 and 15 IMPs for China.

The gold medals went to Italy, Dario Attanasio, Leonardo Cima, Federica Dalpozzo, Barbara Dessi, Gabriella Manara, Federico Porta, Valerio Giubilo (captain). The gallant runners up China Yichao Chen, Bo Fu, Yinghao Liu, Yan Lu, Jing Rong Ran, Zijian Shao, Yannan Wang (captain), Xiaojing Wang (coach). By defeating USA1 157-143, Poland, Katarzyna Dufrat, Maciej Hutyra, Danuta Kazmucha, Piotr Marcinkowski, Piotr Zatorski, Justyna Żmuda, Piotr Koluda (captain), Miroslaw Cichocki (coach) secured the bronze medals.

The Venice Cup

In the Venice Cup the current champions were Israel, but at the 2024 European Championships in Herning they concentrated on the Mixed Teams and did not qualify to defend their title. There were many contenders, especially türkiye, Poland, Norway, Sweden, China and both teams from the United States. Whether any of the old favourites, France, Netherlands and England could make an impression was open to question.

Every once in a while you see a play that sends a shiver down your spine. We can’t recall anything quite as amazing as this one from the Round 11 Venice Cup match between Poland and China:

Board 11. Dealer South. None Vul.

China v Poland

Ewa Morawska led the ♠7 for the jack, queen and king and declarer played a heart to dummy’s queen and ran the ♦J. Without batting an eyelid Ewa, appreciating that declarer had no way to get to hand, let it hold and when declarer continued with a diamond to the ten she could win and exit with a spade, the contract finishing five down for -250.

In the replay Poland also bid 6NT but declarer took 11 tricks which meant a 5 IMP swing.

Imagine that East had led the ♠10 against 3NT. Declarer can win with the ♠J, unblock the ♠A and run the ♦J. Now Ewa’s brilliant duck is an essential move.

Poland’s Piotr Kołuda reported two terrific deals from the fourth session of the quarterfinals:

Board 50. Dealer East. E/W Vul.

Poland v USA2

North led the ♠6 and declarer was off to a good start. However, she could not find a winning line, finishing one down, -100.

Here too North started with the ♠6 for the four, eight and queen. When Declarer continued with the ♠3 North discarded a diamond as South took dummy’s ♠J with the ♠A.

At this point a club switch would put the defenders in charge, but South exited with a low heart, North taking the ♥A and exiting with a heart. Declarer won in dummy and ran the ♠9, North pitching a club. A diamond to the queen saw North win and exit with a diamond.

Having won, declarer crossed to dummy with a heart and played a spade to the king, North pitching a club.

When declarer cashed the ♥K, North, down to ♦109 ♣KJ had no good move. Discarding a diamond allows declarer to score the ♣A and two diamonds, while parting with a club allows declarer to cross to the ♣A, cash the ♦J and then score the ♣Q. It was 12 IMPs to Poland.

Board 51. Dealer South. All Vul.

Poland v USA2

North led the ♦3 and declarer did not manage to find a winning line, finishing one down, -100.

Despite the lack of a sure entry North led a heart and declarer won in hand to play a spade to the king (in isolation it is best to play the jack, intending to run it) and ace. South switched to the ♦K and after that was ducked exited with a heart to dummy’s queen. Declarer played a spade to the seven North winning with the ♠10 and returning the ♦9. Declarer won with the ♦A, cashed the ♣AK, followed by two hearts discarding dummy’s spades.

On the first of these South discarded a winning diamond and the second left her with no resource. If she pitched a spade a diamond exit would force a lead into the club tenace, while discarding a diamond the ♦J becomes a winner. That was +600 and another 12 IMPs to Poland.

Murat Molva reported this deal:

Board 93. Dealer North. E/W Vul.

Türkiye v France

A trump lead and subsequent continuation would have produced two down, but West understandably led the ♣A. Declarer ruffed in dummy and played a heart, East taking the ♥A and continuing with the ♦AK. Declarer ruffed, ruffed a club and played a spade. Even now taking the ♠A will be enough to defeat the contract, but when East followed with the ♠2 declarer won with the ♠Q, ruffed a club, ruffed a diamond and could play three rounds of hearts followed by a diamond, scoring the ♠Q en passant for +590.

Although the ♣Q was onside, the bad breaks meant declarer could manage only ten tricks, -200 but 9 IMP for Türkiye.

Netherlands v Australia

South led the ♦10 and somehow declarer took all the tricks for +720! Declarer could not recollect exactly how things went; her partner thought that when declarer played a club from hand South followed with the ♣2 but where the extra tricks cam from is anyone’s guess!

South led the ♠K and declarer lost four tricks, two down, -200 and 14 IMPs to Australia.

French streamer Jean-Claude Legrix

(YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClqRZmdwv0rB-xrmPCjJz1w

Twitch:https://www.twitch.tv/sefclub)

noticed that on this deal five declarers (in all four series) had to tackle a contract of 5♣.

A spade was led at every table, and the contract always went down. How should declarer play?

Having won with the ♠A, the natural move is to play the ♣4. When South follows with the ♣2, Jean-Claude points out that following with the ♣3 is a possibility!

If North can win you ruff the spade return and cash a top club. If everyone follows to that you can claim, and if North shows out you return to the East hand and take the marked finesse.

Taking the club suit in isolation, the computer wants to start with the ♣8, running it if South follows with the ♣2. This gives you an 86.73% chance of scoring four tricks.

As the cards lay, to be sure of defeating 5♣ South must play any club other than the two.

China v Denmark

South led the ♠K and declarer could only come to ten tricks, one down, -100.

South led the ♠K and when it held she continued the suit, declarer taking 11 tricks, +660 and 13 IMPs for China.

This tremendous deal (also reported by Piotr Kołuda) occurred in the semifinals:

Board 102. Dealer East. N/S Vul.

China v Poland

West led the ♠J for the queen, king and ace and declarer drew trumps and played the ♠8 for a painless +600.

When East led the top hearts declarer ruffed. Appreciating that East was likely to hold the ♠K and with her trump holding under attack, declarer, not seeing any legitimate way to make the contract played the ♠Q at trick three. Naturally East did not cover and declarer continued with a spade to the ace, came back to hand and exited with a spade so she had an overtrick, +650 and 2 IMPs for Poland.

(There is a legitimate winning line – declarer must cross to dummy and play the ♠8, running it if West follows with the ♠4. If East wins and plays a third heart declarer makes an overtrick. If West covers the ♠8 declarer plays the ♠Q and East wins and plays a heart. Now declarer must ruff with dummy’s ♠A, come to hand and play another spade.)

This was perhaps the most sensational deal of the final:

Board 62. Dealer East. E/W Vul.

I think 2NT promised any game forcing hand with at least 5-5. South’s decision to pass 7♣ was inspired (you can make 7NT by squeezing West in spades and diamonds if you play the cards in the right order).

East led the ♦8 and declarer won in dummy, played a spade to the ace, ruffed a spade, ruffed a heart and cashed the ♣AKQ, claiming when the suit broke 4-3, +1440.

East led the ♦8 and declarer won in dummy, cashed the ♥A pitching a diamond and ran the ♠10 (a safety play that gives you an 87.60% chance of taking five tricks in the suit) for +1010 but 10 IMPs to Netherlands.

The Gold Medal winners were Netherlands: Merel Bruijnsteen, Judith Duursma, Magdalena Tichá, Doris van Delft, Wietske van Zwol, Martine Verbeek, Jacco van Egdom (npc), Aarnout Helmich (coach). Silver went to China: Guo Ke, Liao Zhengjiang, Wang Jian, Wang Nan, Yuan Xuefang, Zuo Xiaoxue, Guo Yujun (npc), Li Xin (coach). Poland won the bronze medals: Cathy Bałdysz, Sophia Bałdysz, Aleksandra Jarosz, Ewa Morawska, Anna Sarniak, Joanna Zalewska, Mirosław cichocki (npc), Piotr Koluda (coach).

The Bermuda Bowl

In the Bermuda Bowl, the reigning champions Switzerland were the favourites, but they were bound to face considerable competition, especially France, Italy, Norway Sweden and USA1.

See if you can spot an extra-chance play on this grand slam between Denmark and Belgium:

RR-12 Board 24. Dealer West. None Vul.

West’s 6♥ showed the ♥Q and no other king. North leads the ♣Q. The cards lie well, as it happens, but how would you have played the grand slam to give yourself every chance?

Geert Arts won with dummy’s ♣A and drew trumps in two rounds. When he then played more trumps, the defenders impatiently threw diamonds, seeing that a fourth diamond trick would give him the grand. It was +1510 to Belgium.

If North had held four diamonds and the marked ♣K, he would have been caught in a positional diamond/club squeeze. What if South held four diamonds, though? The second extra chance was a 3-3 club break. Declarer could have crossed to the ♦A, ditched a club on the ♠A, and ruffed a club. After a diamond to the king, a second club ruff would set up a 3-3 suit. Declarer could then cross to the ♦Q to discard his fourth diamond.

The Denmark auction stopped one level lower. They lost 11 IMPs but won the match 38-15.

In Round 16, fifth placed Denmark took on sixth placed England:

RR-16 Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Vul

Knowing that dummy held the ♥A West led the ♥6, hoping to force declarer to an early decision. With little choice declarer put in dummy’s ♥Q and when it held he cashed the ♣A, ruffed a club and played the ♦K, ruffing when West did not cover. He ruffed a club and when West discarded had a blueprint as to the layout. He ruffed a diamond, ruffed a club, ruffed a diamond and could claim the last four tricks on a high crossruff for +1510.

Declarer had no trouble collecting 12 tricks, but +980 meant the loss of 11 IMPs.

You would like to see one of the biggest swings of the round-robin? If you’re of a kindly disposition, not liking to gloat at others’ misfortunes, you can always turn the page. Meanwhile, New Zealand face neighbours, Australia, and the big cards lie in the E/W direction:

RR-19 Board 10. Dealer East. Both Vul.

I may be one of the more antiquated residents of Chandler’s Ford, but on this occasion I have not screwed up the bidding diagram. The Australian E/W pair did indeed play in 6♥ on a 4-0 fit.

David Wiltshire’s 4NT is not mentioned on their convention card, but is presumably RKCB. Both players alerted Sophie Ashton’s 4♥ and 5NT. Only East alerted 6♣. No-one alerted 6♥, according to the bidding record on the LoveBridge site, and the auction died a premature death. Five tricks were made and that was a windfall of +700 to N/S.

The 1♥ transfer response meant that East played the spade slam, avoiding a Lightner-triggered club lead from North. Twelve tricks were duly made after a lead of the ♦5. That was E/W +1430 and a total swing of 2130, worth 19 IMPs to New Zealand.

The fourth session of the quarter finals was one of the most exciting you could wish to see.

Board 46. Dealer East. N/S Vul.

USA1 v England

West led the ♠9, confident that it would just be a question of how many down 6♦ would be. Declarer ruffed and played the ♦7. Appreciating that declarer might be about to run it West covered with the ♦J (he subsequently wrote that the ♦K might be a better shot). When the ♦Q held declarer ruffed a spade, went to dummy with a heart, ruffed a spade, went back to dummy with another heart and ruffed yet another spade. After cashing two clubs, declarer faced the moment of truth. When he guessed to cash the ♥A and West followed he was home. He could play the fourth heart forcing West to ruff with the ♦10. Away went the ♣9 and West had to lead into dummy’s ♦A6, +1370.

East led the ♠K and although declarer took ten tricks for +630 USA1 had 12 IMPs.

The fifth session also offered a testing set of deals. Wonderful for the spectators, but very demanding for the players.

Board 57. Dealer North. None Vul.

USA1 v England

East led the ♥10 and declarer won with the ♥Q and played a diamond, East winning with the ♦A and switching to the ♠2. When declarer played low from dummy West took the ♠K and returned a heart, East winning and clearing the suit. When declarer played a second diamond East could win and cash out for two down, -100.

The winning line is for declarer to raise with dummy’s ♠A when East switches and then play on diamonds. Then he will never lose the lead to West, avoiding the damaging second round of hearts.

East led the ♦A and declarer had little trouble taking nine tricks for +150 and 6 IMPs to England. There was an identical swing to USA2, while Italy picked up 7 IMPs by making 3NT after the lead of the ♦A.

Switzerland v Sweden

East started with the top diamonds followed by the ♦9, West ruffing and switching to what was now the singleton ♥3. When declarer put in the ♥Q East won and exited with a diamond, West ruffing and switching to the ♣10. When the ♣J held declarer played a club to the king and a low spade. If West rises with the ♠K the contract is two down, but he followed with the ♠9 and declarer won with the ♠Q, cashed the ♣A, ruffed a club and exited with the ♥J to endplay West, one down, -200.

Suppose declarer goes up with the ♥A at trick four. He can then play three rounds of clubs, finessing the jack, ruff a club and exit with a red card. West is forced to ruff and play a spade, and declarer wins with the ♠Q and exits with another red card to endplay West for a second time.

The way to avoid this is for East to forget about diamond ruffs and switch to the ♠2 at trick two or trick three.

East led the ♥10 and declarer won with the ♥Q, played a club to the king and a diamond for the jack and ace. East switched to the ♠2 and when declarer followed with the ♠3 West decided to put in the ♠9 (we know that taking the king and returning a heart will be a winning move) and declarer could win with the ♠Q and play a diamond, emerging with nine tricks, +150 and 8 IMPs to Sweden.

When an impromptu VuGraph theatre was set up to transmit the final between Denmark and USA1, I arrived just in time to comment on the last deal of the second session:

Board 28. Dealer West. N/S Vul.

With an awkward hand to lead from, South started with the ♣A and continued with the ♣2 declarer taking North’s ♣Q with the ♣K, having unblocked the ♣J on the previous round. Declarer continued with a spade to the king and then tried a diamond to the king. South won, cashed the ♦Q and the ♠A and eventually scored the ♥K for one down, -50.

East led the ♥A and switched to the ♠2, West winning and returning the ♠3. Declarer won in hand, played a diamond to the jack and paused for thought. I explained to the audience that there was a good chance that he would play a low club from dummy, planning to take what is known as an intra finesse. He would subsequently advance the ♣Q pinning West’s ♣J. There was time to mention that West’s best shot would be to play the ♣J on the first round of the suit, but I doubt declarer would have gone wrong, don’t you?

Declarer emerged from thought with the ♣2, putting in the ♣5 when West followed with the ♣3. East won with the ♣10 and exited with the ♠4, West ruffing with the ♣J. Declarer overruffed, and ran the ♣8, claiming when it held for +130 and 2 IMPs for Denmark.

That sparkling piece of play saw the audience give Dennis a well-deserved round of applause.

This remarkable deal occurred in the sixth session of the final:

Board 77. Dealer North. N/S Vul.

North led the ♥4 and declarer won with the ♥10. At this point he could cash out for one down, which would be a decent result if NS had a making game available.

Declarer’s decision to stay where he was in 3NT doubled had already demonstrated a significant amount of sangfroid and he now demonstrated (in the manner of a Victoria Cross award winner) most conspicuous bravery, in the presence of the enemy by advancing the ♠Q!!

If that was ducked he could cash his clubs for nine tricks. The risk was that the defenders would switch to diamonds (here that would mean down five and -1100). North took the ♠A and seeing no danger continued with the ace and jack of hearts allowing declarer to claim, +550.

Zia described it as the greatest hand of the tournament.

East led the ♦4 and declarer won and played two rounds of hearts, easily coming to 11 tricks, +650 and 15 IMPs for Denmark.

In the penultimate session Denmark need to take a few risks:

Board 88. Dealer West. All Vul.

East’s double was a calculated risk. Give dummy the ♣10 and it might give EW a shot at -500.

West led the ♠K and when East followed with the ♠6 he continued with the ♠2, East taking the ♠A and switching to the ♦3. Declarer put up the ♦A and played a diamond, West winning with the ♦K. This was a critical moment. If East discards a heart, West can continue with the ♠Q forcing declarer to ruff. After that there is no way to come to more than eight tricks.

When East discarded the ♠5 West continued with the ♠Q and declarer ruffed and pitched a heart on the ♦J, East ruffing and returning the ♥8. Declarer won, cashed a second heart, played a club to the ten and claimed, +670.

West led the ♦6 and declarer won with dummy’s ♦Q and played a club to the ace, West discarding the ♦9. A club to the king (West pitching the ♥3) was followed by a heart to the nine, West winning and switching to the ♠2 which saw the defenders cash four tricks in the suit for one down, -100 and 13 IMPs to USA1.

In the final session Denmark took every opportunity to pressurise their opponents:

Board 105. Dealer North. N/S Vul.

North led the ♠Q and when South followed with the ♠2 declarer won with the ♠K and played the ♣10! It was a gallant attempt, but North made no mistake rising with the ♣Q after which the defenders had to score a spade and a heart for one down, -200.

North led the ♦K and declarer ruffed and played three rounds of clubs, North winning and exiting with the ♦6. Declarer ruffed and played two more clubs, but North carefully discarded the ♠Q and the ♠9 and the contract was two down, -300 and 3 IMPs to Denmark.

The Gold medals went to USA1: Kevin Bathurst, Adam Grossack, John Hurd, Adam Kaplan, Finn Kolesnik, Eddie Wold, Bob Morris (npc).

Silver went to Denmark: Michael Askgaard, Dennis Bilde, Kasper Konow, Christian Lahrmann, Andreas Plejdrup-Meister, Martin Schaltz, Morten Bilde (npc) Palle Reimann (coach).

Sweden won the bronze medals: Per-Ola Cullin, Marion Michielsen, Fredrik Nyström, Mikael Rimstedt, Ola Rimstedt, Johan Upmark, Fredrik Kronmarker (npc).