The Bridge tournament season started as usual in October and so far two events have been completed.
The Malta National Open teams championships, organised by the Malta Bridge Association and sponsored by Hennessy, were won by Albert Sacco, Marie Farrugia, Nathalie Marlin and Simona Ardelean with a score of 126VPs.
Seven teams contested this well-organised two-day event.
A four-round multiple team format movement was used although the actual scoring was on a head-to-head basis of 14 board matches.
Thus, the imps collected against each team were accumulated from all four rounds and the VP conversion was carried out at the end.
This is definitely more accurate than VP scoring three or four board matches, but has some inherent disadvantages. For instance, if you go into the last round against a team you know you already have maximum VPs from (25-5), you are surely going to play a different game than if you did not know exactly how you stand.
In second place, and just 3VPs behind, were Mario Dix, Margaret Parnis England, Alex Andreev and Ivan Zlaterev.
Charles Assouline, Cathy Williams, Joan Consiglio and Irene Naudi were third with 110VPs.
On board 12 from the first round of this tournament, four out of seven teams bid the somewhat aggressive four Spade contract. However, only one declarer pulled in ten tricks.
The best play for this hand is a pseudo elimination, giving opponents maximum chance to mis-defend. With best defence the game contract should always be defeated. But before looking at the full deal, let us look at this elimination play.
Imagine you are sitting West playing in four Spades. Unless the trumps break 4-0, the contract is unbeatable against any lead. Imagine say a Diamond lead and plan your play.
Of course, you can try and guess the Club finesse. But that play only gives you 50 per cent chance of success. Whereas with the correct play, the contract should never fail.
The declarer play necessary here is called simple elimination. Win the Ace of Diamonds, draw trumps, ruff dummy's last Diamond and exit with a Heart. After cashing their three Heart winners, the opponents have no option but to lead a Club, giving you a guaranteed free finesse or a ruff and discard.
Either way, ten tricks are now cold. In the event, the Club suit was placed differently. Here is the full deal.
So now it is not quite so straightforward. Indeed, against best defence, the contract should not make. But, surely, declarer must play the same as before and hope the opponents do not find the correct defence.
Looking at all four hands, it is easy to figure out how North can foil declarer's plan. Clearly he must lead Clubs every time he comes in with Hearts. That would clear the way for his partner to win his Club trick before he gets end played with the King of Hearts.
Gino Miceli, a founder member of the Malta Bridge Club, introduced the open pairs club championships, sponsored by Farsons, in the early 90s. Since his sad bereavement, this sponsorship was not followed up. But this year, the club have managed to revive it.
Fourteen pairs contested this four-round tournament and the new champions are Anna Vella and Yvonne Muscat Inglott. They finished up almost nine points clear of the rest of the field. This pair have made great strides in the last couple of seasons and have obtained many good results.
Only four points separated second to fifth position. Clearly, competition among the top pairs is becoming more fierce.