44th World Team Championships, SF (3/6)

September 25,  2019

Today were played the first three sets of the total of six of the semifinals.

1 of 4

In the Bermuda Bowl the day ended as below:

Poland – USA1, after USA1’s comeback in Quarterfinals it should be said that the match is almost  even. Poland has only a 37 IMPs advantage. In the other semifinal Netherlands exceeds Norway by more than 100 IMPs.

click on the images to enlarge

Let’s see some boards that generated big differences in the last set of the day:

Board 1 (SF, 3/6) (Netherlands vs Norway) 

At both tables, North opened his hand with a 4 bid, and in both cases West arrived to the heart slam.

At one table DeJiws (NTH) in North, chose to play saying 6, and Kvangraven (NOR) doubled, end of story. The declarer without possible escape had to lost a heart, a club and a diamond. Two down = -300 for Netherlands.

At the other table, North passed over West’s 6and Brogeland (NOR) doubled, end of story.

Brogeland (NOR) led his5, and his partner after winning the trick switched to a club. Declarer had to lose the diamond ace, the club king along with the spade ace for two down, again Netherlands scored -300 and 12 IMPs for Norway.

Board 3 (SF, 3/6) (USA 1 vs Poland) 

At one of the tables, Kalita (POL) passed, and Weinstein opened his hand with a 1NT bid. His partner transfered with 2, West informed about his four card spade support, but Levin (USA) re-transfered closing the bidding before game.

At the other table, Meckstroth opened the South hand with 1, and Meckwell didn’t stop before the 3NT game. After the heart lead, declarer easily arrived to nine tricks: two hearts, two diamonds, and four clubs. USA 1 added 9 IMPs.

At the other Semifinal, both tables played the same 3 contract by N/S.

Board 6 (SF, 3/6) (USA 1 vs Poland) 

At one of the tables Meckstroth found the Killing lead, theQ. Declarer won with the ace but along the play had to lose a spade, a diamond and a heart for down one.

At the other table Kalita (Pol) chose to lead a diamond and declarer had enough time to get rid of his heart loser making his contract and adding 12 IMPs to USA 1.

At the other semifinal things were a litlle different:

Board 6 (SF, 3/6) (Netherlands vs Norway) 

At one of the tables after Verhee’s (NTH) 5, North doubled and Brogeland chose to play in spades. Now was West who doubled. Declarer arrived to nine tricks for two down. At the other table 5 was one down and 9 IMPs for Netherlands.

Board 9 (SF, 3/6) (USA 1 vs Poland) 

Rodwell opened his hand with 2, East showed his spades and Meckstroth closed the heart game. Buras competed with spades. After Meckstroth 6, Narkiewickz (POL) chose to say 6, doubled by South. Declarer had to go down one. The club position prevented declarer to fulfill his nice contract.

At the other table Weinstein doubled 6. And again declarer was one down. USA 1 collected 7 IMPs.

At the other semifinal things were a litlle different:

Board 9 (SF, 3/6) (Netherlands vs Norway) 

Tundal (Nor) chose to play 6over Muller (NTH) 6, nobody doubled. At the other table over Van Prooijn 6, Brogeland (NOR) chose to play 7. 11 IMPs for Netherlands.