Hennessey teams tournament

The Malta National Teams Tournament, organised by the Malta Bridge Association and sponsored by Hennessey, was won by Albert Sacco, Marie Farrugia, Nathalie Marlin and Simona Ardelean.

Seven teams contested the tournament and this was the line-up on the final ranked list.

1. A. Sacco, M. Farrugia, N. Marlin, S. Ardelean - 218 (imp), 533 (vps)
2. A. Ganado, F. Consiglio, J. Consiglio, I. Naudi - 151 (imp), 512 (vps)
3. M. Dix, M. Parnis England, C. Assouline, G. Penney - 89 (imp), 482 (vps)

The Union Club Open Pairs Championships were won easily by Nathalie Marlin and Simona Ardelean with an average score of 58.98%.

After four rounds it looked like this pair was easily going to cross that elusive 60% average barrier, but a disastrous fifth round result pulled them back from a fairytale result.

The average of their other five scores is a whopping 62.26%. Elizabeth Zammit and Freddie Triccas were second with 54% and Margaret Parnis England and Anna Vella third, 52.05%.

The Monday afternoon Sigma Pairs Tournament, also at the Union Club, was won by Charles Assouline and Triccas 59.16%. Marlin and Marguerite Critien were second with 58.64% and Joan Consiglio and Irene Naudi third with 56.43%.

Mario Dix and Parnis England won the Gladys Marson Tournament at the Malta Bridge Club. Alice and Celia Portelli were second and Marlin and Ardelean third.

Here is an interesting defensive hand from the third round of the Hennessey Tournament (above, right). At most tables, both North and South overcalled in their respective suits, pushing East West away from a rock solid three no trump contract into a precarious four Heart contract.

Imagine you are sitting South defending against four Hearts.

You obviously lead the Ace of Clubs and lo and behold, partner shows out, discarding the nine of Spades. What next?

There is just an outside chance of beating four Hearts.

Can you find it?

If partner has the Ace of Spades, it is not going to run away. It is unlikely that declarer has only two Diamonds. So, he cannot discard his Spade losers anywhere. No, a switch to Spades is not the answer, try again.

If declarer has no losing Spades and no losing Diamonds, what other hope is there?

Look very closely at that trump holding in your hand. By itself it will not make a trick. But if partner has any one of the top four honours in the trump suit, there is a chance for an upper cut. This was the full deal (above, left).

So, after playing out your top three Clubs, you continue with the ten.

Partner knows his trump suit Queen is doomed and must therefore ruff with it hoping to promote something in your hand. Your ten of Hearts now becomes the setting trick.