Bridge - The Scotsman 28/06/2012

Published on 28/06/2012 02:58

Thursday’s puzzle...

The Seniors European Champions are France: Patrick Grenthe, Guy Lasserre, Francois Leenhardt, Patrice Piganeau, Philippe Poizat, Philippe Vanhoutte and captain Philippe Cronier. The silver went to Poland, and Scotland won its first medal in a European Championship by finishing third.

This was a big board in France’s key match against Denmark. Over the strong no-trump South bid 2S, spades and a minor. West doubled for takeout, but North, with five-card support for partner, jumped to game. After a similar auction in the other room the French South was allowed to play in 4S, losing just three aces.

The French West did not sell out. His second double was optional, inviting partner to choose between passing for penalties or bidding on. East bid 4NT, showing two places to play. 5C was a suggestion, which East converted to 5D. West’s pass looks rather strange, but he was saved from himself by North’s double. South was not prepared to allow him to play in 5H undoubled, but this was a poor decision. North did not find the diamond lead; his spade was won in dummy, trump drawn in three rounds, and the ten of diamonds covered with the jack and queen. A spade ruff allowed another diamond play, and North could not prevent four diamond tricks so that all declarer lost was one club. The doubled overtrick brought 16 imps to France.