may1

English 2020 מאי 201 גיליון 47 The third edition of the European Winter Games in Monaco turned out to be the last high-level bridge event to be completed, just prior to the forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The main event was the Zimmermann Cup, a transnational team event. Pierre Zimmermann, the sponsor of the event was a member of the winning team, the newly formed "Swiss Team" which included three top pairs (formerly) representing Poland, Netherlands and Monaco: Klukowski – Gawrys, Brink – Ba. Drijver, Zimmermann – Multon. The Swiss team beat team Gupta (Zia – Meckstroth, Helgemo – Lorenzini, Gupta – D. Rosenberg) in the final match. Here are two interesting deals from the final. Dealer South. Vul None - AKT84 86 KT8654 KQJT63 852 QJ762 9 J3 954 - AQ9732 A974 53 AKQT72 J This was the bizarre auction at the closed room: West North East South Helgemo Drijver Lorenzini Brink 1 ♦ 4♠ 4NT 5♣ All Pass West has 6-5 in the majors, but Helgemo decided against a Michaels cuebid due to the disparity in suit quality. He overcalled 4♠, but Drijver competed to 4NT showing length in both unbid suits (preferably with torlerance for diamonds). East decided that a lead-directing 5♣ would do no harm on the way to 5♠. Having no club to lead, Helgemo did not mind being dummy in five clubs, undoubled. Drijver decided to take a sure plus, albeit in multiples of 50. Probably he was worried that his opponents might have a big fit in spades. Optimal defense would have beaten five clubs by seven tricks, but the Dutch pair had to be content with plus 300 when they might have taken plus 1100 in five spades doubled. Strangely, the Swiss Team won 5 IMPs, because this was the auction at the other room: West North East South Multon MeckstrothZimmermann Zia 1 ♦ 2 ♦ 2 ♥ Pass 3 ♦ Pass Pass Pass The Zimmermann Cup // Ram Soffer