Dec EB P01 Front-cover 14/11/07 10:17 Am Page 1 EnglishBridge December .

15/11/0711:23 amThe Two-minute InterviewPhoto: Shireen MohandesJames MatesAWARD-winning journalist JamesMates is ITV News’ Senior Correspondent. He mostly plays at theAndrew Robson Bridge Club inLondon, and also used to play inWashington when he worked thereas ITV correspondent.How did you start playing bridge?My girlfriend, now wife, taught me atthe kitchen table.How often do you play?As often as I can, and not nearly oftenenough. On average, about once aweek.What does playing bridge mean toyou?Paradoxically, it’s a combination of areal intellectual challenge and greatrelaxation. I’ve met so many people Inow call friends around a card table,and hope I’ll continue to do so.If you could change one thing aboutbridge, what would it be?I would keep on moving down theroad away from ‘alerts’ and towards‘announcements’ of partnership agreements.What are your hobbies outsidebridge?Riding my mountain bike and playingtennis.Name up to six people you wouldinvite to your Dream Dinner Party.To make up a bridge four: ZiaMahmood, Omar Sharif and AndrewRobson. To put the world to rights:Lance Armstrong, Nelson Mandelaand Arnie Schwarzenegger.www.ebu.co.ukPage 5Play for allthe tricksyou can makePAIRS TACTICSDEC EB p05 Robson MatesONE should never underestimate thedifference between pairs and other formsof the game. Say you are in a routine 4 –every pair holding your cards at othertables (your real opponents) will be in 4 .Question: What is your trick target?Answer: You do not have one. Thenumber ten has no significance whatsoever. You are playing in spades (youcould all be playing in 1 , or 7 , andit would make no difference). Youmust simply maximise the number oftricks you can win.Take our featured deal: 1Love All. Dealer South. KJ876 A J 10 765 K29 32NQ8432 K95WESQ J 10 9 83210 9 5 AJ764 A Q 10 5 4 76 AK4 Q83WestNorthEastPass4 1All PassAndrew Robsonyou a real chance of two tricks and a discard(for your third diamond); assuming the aceof clubs does not ‘beat air’, there is only oneclub trick to be had, and consequently nodiscard.)East wins the king of hearts andreturns a second diamond. You win theace and lead a second heart towards theace-jack, West again playing low. Crunchtime. Do you finesse the jack or go upwith the ace? Finessing the jack will yieldeleven tricks if successful (you can thenthrow your diamond loser on the ace ofhearts), but only nine tricks should thefinesse lose to East’s queen (the defencewill promptly cash their diamond plusthe ace of clubs). Going up with the acewill see you settle for a safe ten.Andrew’s Tip: When in a normalcontract, risk your contract for anovertrick if you think the overtrick ismore likely than the undertrick.South1 If you like to play that a jump to 4 is apre-emptive ‘shut out’, then you need away to describe a raise to 4 expectingto make. The best tool is Jacoby 2NT.You as declarer win West’s queen of diamonds lead with the king, draw trumpsfinishing in your hand, then lead to a heartto the ten. (Note that you play on heartsrather than clubs, as it is the suit that offersYou should finesse, because this action islikely to be successful. This is because ofthe Principle of Restricted Choice, whichstates that when one opponent has turnedup with a critical card in a suit, his partneris about twice as likely to have the adjacentmissing card. You will make eleven tricksabout two-thirds of the time, and nineabout one-third of the time – good oddsat pairs when playing in a normal contract(although clearly not at teams and rubberbridge). Selected articles can now be found in the English Bridge web Library atwww.ebu.co.uk/publications/EB-web library/index.htmDecember 2007 English Bridge 5

Dec07 adverts new.qxd15/11/071:04 pmPage 61869Bridge licensedby the EBUMERCIAN BRIDGE & BOWLINGMERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEWYEAR FROM ALL AT MERCIAN BRIDGE!Luxor,EgyptGet away from the British winterand enjoy some winter sun!We have limited availability inTenerife from 11 January;20 January Barbados;06 February Luxor;02 March Dubrovnik or31 March Petra, plus much more.Please call Mercian to checkavailability. Please call Mercian onfreephone 0800 035 8372 for furtherinformation and to check availability.www.merciantravel.co.ukMercian Bridge Holidays 2008From 28 Oct – 7 to 147 nts Sol Don Pablo, TorremolinosFrom 04 Nov – 7 to 133 nts RIU Green Park, Tunisia11 Jan – 7-14 nts Mare Nostrum, Tenerife11 Jan – 7-28 nts Playa La Arena, Tenerife20 Jan 08 – 14 nts Hotel Accra Beach, Barbados06 Feb 08 – 14 nts Land of the Pharaohs, Egypt02 Mar 08 – 14 nts Hotel Bellevue, Dubrovnik31 Mar 08 – 10 nts Crowne Plaza, Jordan11 Apr 08 – 7 nts Danubius Health Spa Resort, Budapest12 Apr 08 – 14 nts Dedeman Hotel, Turkey200109021203012609Apr 08 – 5 nts Toorak Hotel, TorquayMay 08 – 14 nts Hotel Astarea, CroatiaMay 08 – 14 nts Hotel Regina Elena, ItalyJun 08 – 4 nts Gisborough Hall, N. YorkshireJun 08 – 10 nts Grand Hotel Regina, TuscanySep 08 – 14 nts Golf Hotel, Lake BledOct 08 – 10 nts Lake Hotel, KillarneyOct 08 – 7 to 140 nts Sol Don Pablo, TorremolinosNov 08 – 7 to 140 nts RIU Green Park, TunisiaPlease call Mercian on Freephone 0800 036 8372 if youwould like a copy of our brochure or further informationon any of our holidays.JOHN AND MARY DOWNING, MERCIAN TRAVEL CENTRE LIMITED109 WORCESTER ROAD HAGLEY WEST MIDLANDS DY9 0NGTel: (01562) 887557 (4 lines) Fax: (01562) 886454FREEPHONE 0800 036 8372E-mail address: JDowning@merciantravel.co.uk Website: www.merciantravel.co.uk6English Bridge December 2007www.ebu.co.uk

DEC EB p07 Xmas-Quiz15/11/0711:24 amPage 7XMAS QUIZNed Paul’sChristmas QuizEntries must reach the Editor (23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR or e-mail elena@ebu.co.uk)not later than 4th January 2008. The first correct entry out of a hat will win a copy of PeterHasenson’s ‘British Bridge Almanack’; EBU vouchers to the value of 15 and 10 respectivelyto second and third. Solutions and winners’ name in the February issue.Q1.Bridge evolved from whist towardsthe end of the nineteenth century.In which year were the first Lawsof Bridge published in England?Q2.The modern version of bridgedates from 1925 when Americantycoon Harold Stirling Vanderbiltintroduced a new scoring tableduring a cruise from San Franciscoto New York. What was the nameof the ship on which Vanderbiltsailed?Bermuda Bowl first played andwhich nation was the firstwinner?Q9.Q3.Q4.Q5.Q6.The first international bridge matchwas held in 1930 when an American team captained by Ely Culbertson played an English team atAlmacks Club in London. TheAmericans won by 4835 totalpoints over 200 deals (no trumpsdeclarations were worth 35 pointsa trick at the time). Who was theEnglish captain?The Acol system of bidding cameto prominence in England in the1930s. It was named by its foundersafter a bridge club in the AcolRoad, Hampstead, in London.Who were the original four Acolplayers?In which English county is thevillage of Acol?England hosted the EuropeanBridge Championships in 1933but had to wait until after WorldWar II to win. In what year didEngland first win the EuropeanChampionships?Q7.And when did England first winthe Women’s European Championships?Q8.The Bermuda Bowl is awarded forthe World Team Championship ofbridge. In which year was thewww.ebu.co.ukThe Venice Cup, the Women’sWorld Team Championship wasfirst played in 1974. How manytimes and in what years haveBritish teams won?Q16. How should you play this cardcombination to ensure threetricks?Q10. In the following auction South’sdouble is generally played for takeout, showing support for the unbidsuits.AJ85NWWestNorth1 East1 SouthDbleThis is the ‘Negative’ or ‘Sputnik’Double, so called because it wasintroduced in the same year thatRussia launched the first everartificial satellite. In which yearwas Sputnik 1 launched?Q11. The famous Blue Team, undefeated in World and European bridgefrom 1957 to 1969, representedwhich country?ESK942Q17. What is the score at duplicate for2 doubled plus two overtricksvulnerable?Q18. Which famous British player wasthe first woman World BridgeFederation Grand Master?Q19. Playing Roman Key-Card Blackwood, what is the correct bid withthe following hand?Q12. The World Seniors Pairs was firstplayed in 1960. Who were the firstwinners?West1 4NTNorthPassPassEast3 ?SouthPassQ13. How many master points do youneed to become an EBU PremierRegional Master?Q14. Charles Anderson-Pelham, secondEarl of Yarborough, was famousfor offering 1000 to anyone whoheld a thirteen-card hand with nocard higher than a nine – oncondition they paid him 1 eachtime they did not! What are thetrue odds against holding a‘Yarborough’?Q15. In which EBU competition do‘honours’ count? KQ53J 10 7 6A7J87Q20. The following quote is attributedto which famous woman champion from a different sport?‘Bridge is a lot more than just acard game. It is a cerebral sport.Bridge teaches you logic, reasoning,quick thinking, patience, concentration and partnership skills.’ December 2007 English Bridge7

Dec07 adverts new.qxd15/11/0712:38 pmPage 8Bridge At The Berystede24th Annual OpenCornwall CongressSet in beautiful grounds, the Berystede hotel offers an ideal weekendretreat. Each room is individually furnished in a traditional stylewhilst boasting all modern amenities.Join us for a weekend dedicated to Bridge, hosted by David & JuneBrown. 3 Nights full board from only 230.00 per person.Call our reservations team on 0870 4008111 to book now.25th – 27th April 2008Enjoy the superb facilities of theFALMOUTH BEACH HOTELDates for breaks in 200822nd – 25th February 2008 230.002nd – 5th May 2008 230.0010th – 13th August 2008 230.0017th – 20th October 2008 230.00Macdonald BerystedeHotel & Spa,Bagshot Road,Sunninghill, Ascot,Berkshire SL5 9JHGyllyngvase Beach, FalmouthBooking at special Congress rates (Stating Bridge Congress)tel 01326 312999email info@falmouthbeachhotel.co.uk Sumptuous 4 star accommodation Luxurious Health & Beauty Spa available Excellent English Cuisine No single supplements - limited single rooms Friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere Situated close to the Royal Town of Windsor Easy access by road & rail plus free parking Master points awarded and prizes Bridge licensed by the EBUFriday 25th Open PairsSaturday 26th Championship PairsSunday 27th GREEN POINT SWISS TEAMSTelephone:0870 4008111Facsimile: 01344 872301www.berystede.comEntry forms: J.S.King – Tel 01208 815212jonkin@burlawn.freeserve.co.ukor download from the Cornwall Websitewww.jkeast.freeserve.co.ukBridge Licensed by the EBUBest for Bridge!Weekend Courses and SummerBreaks for Beginners andExperienced Players(minimum age 18)Earnley Concourse, near Chichester, offers the prefect environment forbridge courses – comfortable accommodation, delicious food, excellentleisure facilities and a delightful location in rural West Sussex. Ourprogramme for 2008 includes the following:IIIIILearn Bridge weekends with Chris BonserBridge for Beginners weekends with Diana SavillBridge Clinics with Diana SavillImprove Your Bridge summer week with Sue MaxwellEaster & Christmas Bridge Parties with John & Norma AllenFor full details call 01243 670392 or go online atwww.earnley.co.ukEarnley8Concourse,English Bridge December 2007Earnley,C h i c h e s t e r,PO207JNwww.ebu.co.uk

DEC EB p09 Venice-Cup16/11/0710:05 amPage 9England faced the very strong Chineseteam. The match was very close until thelast set of sixteen boards, where China hada tremendous run to win 218-128 IMPs.Here is a masterpiece of defenceproduced by England’s Michelle Brunner: Game All. Dealer West. 10 2 Q6 Q542 Q 10 9 8 5764 J5J 10 9 5 2 W N E K 8 4 3SKJ98 A 10 7 6 3K 64 AKQ983 A7 Void AJ732EastSouthGoldenfield WenfeiWangWestNorthBrunnerYi QianLiuPassPassPassPassPassPassPassPassPassAll Pass1 2 3 5NTPass1 2NT4 7 1 was strong, 1 negative, 2 gameforcing with spades, 5NT a grand-slam try,Photo: EBUTHE 38th World Bridge Teams Championships took place in Shanghai from September 29th to October 13th 2007. Twentytwo national teams competed in each series:Open for the Bermuda Bowl, Ladies for theVenice Cup, and Seniors for the SeniorBowl. In the second week, there was a Transnational Teams tournament, open to allplayers wishing to participate, and this mostenjoyable event attracted 148 teams.For a country to send a team to competein one of the three main events, theirnational team must have finished in thetop few positions of their zonal championships. In England’s case, this was theEuropean Teams Championships that washeld last year in Warsaw, Poland. TheEnglish Ladies won a bronze medal andearned their place in the contest for theVenice Cup. We had no representation inthe Open and Seniors.The format of all three competitionswas a round robin of twenty-one sixteenboards matches, with the top eight teamsqualifying for the quarter finals. TheEngland Ladies team (Heather Dhondy –Nicola Smith, Michelle Brunner – RhonaGoldenfield, Cath Jagger – Sarah Teshome)did extremely well to reach the last eight,considering that a previous winner – theNetherlands – and other strong teams didnot reach the knock-out stages.In the ninety-six board quarter-finalThe England Venice Cup Team, from the left: Nicola Smith, Rhona Goldenfield, MartinJones (npc), Catherine Jagger, Sarah Teshome, Heather Dhondy and Michelle Brunnerwww.ebu.co.ukREPORTS2007 ShanghaiWorld Bridge TeamChampionshipsNevena Seniorwhich North accepted because of the fifthtrump. Rhona Goldenfield led the jack ofhearts, dummy played the queen andMichelle . . . smoothly produced the four!Glad she was in dummy, declarer took theclub finesse and went off. Had Michellecovered the queen, declarer would havebeen locked in hand and, with no otheroptions, would have cashed the ace of clubs.Michelle had listened carefully to thebidding: she knew declarer had runningspades, so the heart loser would disappearanyway. She also knew that 5NT instead ofBlackwood was suggesting a void in a sidesuit, so her only hope to defeat the contractwas a trump winner for the defence.Playing low on the queen of heartscreated a 29-IMPs swing for England, asthe North-South pair in the other roomhad played in 4 .China later on lost the semi final to theeventual winners- USA1, but won the playoff for the bronze medal against France.The new Venice Cup holders are JillMeyers, Jill Levin, Jo Anna Stansby, DebbieRosenberg, Irina Levitina and Hansa Narasimhan. Germany finished second.The Bermuda Bowl winners are Norway(Boye Brøgeland, Eric Sælensminde, GeirHelgemo, Tor Helness, Glenn Groetheimand Ulf Tundal). USA1 finished secondand the Netherlands third.There was another gold medal for theUSA in the Seniors: Roger Bates, GrantBaze, Bart Bramley, Rose Meltzer, AlanSontag and Lew Stansby beat Indonesia inthe final.The Transnational Open Teams was wonby a team from Italy, France and Switzerland: Fulvio Fantoni, Claudio Nunes,Franck Multon, Thomas Bessis and PierreZimmermann defeated a strong PolishRussian formation in the final. December 2007 English Bridge9

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16/11/0710:12 amPage 11Inadvertent blunders,deliberate snubsDIRECTOR, PLEASE!DEC EB p11 SwansonThe Tournament Director was soon at thetable and, much to John’s relief, allowedhim to change his bid, explaining: ‘Youmay substi

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