The recent Champions Cup held in Boarium saw the presence of a large representation of the fairer sex. In addition to the open teams, the champion teams of their respective countries also crossed their cards women's national championships. As a Host country Italy was able to participate with two teams, the best ranked in the 2023 Italian championship, representing the GSA idea di companies Turin and Palcan of NaplesThe Turin team in particular achieved a brilliant and at the same time unfortunate second place, having lost the final by just one point against the strong English champions.
We are at 30th episode of the column "Play with champions” for all Bridge enthusiasts, the result of the collaboration between FIRST online , Italian Bridge Game Federation. Every Saturday will be the occasion to test yourself with the highest level Bridge with the publication of a particularly interesting hand, which will be played at an international level or highly spectacular. Competitive bridge is fun for everyone. You can see the previous deals by clicking on the banner on the front page, or here.
Deal number 30: Gabriella Olivieri and the “Vienna Coup”
This week's hand sees Gabriella Olivieri struggling with the small slam a no trumps after the 9♥ lead and after South had shown a strong balanced hand with five diamonds in the bid and his partner had bid hearts. The Italian won her bid using a particular technical maneuver, known as Vienna Coup. Can you imagine how the game went and how the champion managed to keep the slam? The solution next Saturday here.
Solution to hand number 29 of Saturday 23 November
Despite having a singleton and two aces, Andrea chose the trump lead. From the bid, the dummy could not be long in diamonds, a suit that was easily a fifth in his partner's hand, so South would have had an easy time cutting his losers in dummy. Taking the trump lead, declarer moved diamonds to the K♦ for Di Franco's A♦, who repeated the trump without cutting his partner. When South tried to cash the Q♦, Andrea ruffed with his last heart. At that point he found himself in difficulty on the return. By playing clubs he would have given the K♣ to the player and by cashing the A♠ he would have given South the opportunity to discard a club from his hand on the dummy's K♠. Where technique could do nothing, psychology came into play. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Andrea put the Q♠ on the table! South, who could not see the cards, assumed that he had ♠QJx. He then decided to leave him in the lead to force him either to return to the suit under the jack or to lead clubs. Manno consistently continued with the 7♠ and on the 10♠ of dummy came the J♠ of Max. The hand was resolved with the fall of two tricks for a double score in favor of Addaura.
