USA I wins women's Venice Cup<\/p>\n
By Djanwar Madjolelo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Venice Cup final was a repeat of last year's
\nOlympiad final but with new members in the USA I team, playing
\nagainst China.<\/p>\n
The American players in this women's competition were Tobi
\nSokolov-Milbreed, Jill Meyer-Randi Montin, Marinesa Letizia, Lisa
\nBerkowitz and nonplaying captain (NPC) Sue Picus.<\/p>\n
The Chinese team was Gu ling-Zhang Ya lan, Sun Ming-Lu Yan,
\nWang Wen Fei-Zhang Yu and NPC Zhang Wei Li.<\/p>\n
China has looked stronger each year, and their time must
\nsurely come one year.<\/p>\n
The surprise in the round-robin stage was the failure of the
\nholder, Germany to make the cut. In the semifinals a photo finish
\nbetween the two American teams went against USA II; USA I won
\n173-168.<\/p>\n
In USA II Lynn Deas earned great respect for her courage in
\nplaying well after spending the first few days in hospital.<\/p>\n
In the playoff for third place USA II beat France 114-66 over
\n48 boards.<\/p>\n
Round-robin final rankings (20 boards and 17 matches):
\n 1. France 298
\n 2. USA I 291.5
\n 3. USA II 289
\n 4. China 288
\n 5. Great Britain 287
\n 6. Canada 283
\n 7. Netherlands 272
\n 8. Italy 259
\n 9. Germany 257
\n 10. India 254
\n 11. Australia 254
\n 12. New Zealand 254
\n 13. Argentina 238
\n 14. South Africa 224
\n 15. Chinese Taipei 217
\n 16. Colombia 206
\n 17. Brazil 205
\n 18. Tunisia 169<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals (the best 8 teams, 96 boards):
\n 1. France-Netherlands 253-133
\n 2. USA I-Italy 214-190
\n 3. USA II-Canada 164-162
\n 4. China-Great Britain 231-157<\/p>\n
Semifinals (96 boards):
\n 1. China-France 241-220
\n 2. USA I-USA II 173-168<\/p>\n
Final round (160 boards):<\/p>\n
Total IMP
\n 1. USA I: 36 4 21 35 44 40 12 57 249
\n 2. China: 5 27 41 14 15 30 29 23 184<\/p>\n
Board: 30<\/p>\n
Vulnerable: Neither<\/p>\n
Dealer: East<\/p>\n
NORTH<\/p>\n
(S) 7 5 3 2<\/p>\n
(H) 7 6 3 2<\/p>\n
(D) 8 5 2<\/p>\n
(C) 4 3<\/p>\n
WEST EAST<\/p>\n
(S) K 9 (S) 10<\/p>\n
(H) Q 10 5 4 (H) K J<\/p>\n
(D) A K Q J 6 (D) 10 9 7 3<\/p>\n
(C) Q 5 (C) J 10 9 8 6 2<\/p>\n
SOUTH<\/p>\n
(S) A Q 8 6 4<\/p>\n
(H) A 9 8<\/p>\n
(D) 4<\/p>\n
(C) A K 7<\/p>\n
Closed room:<\/p>\n
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH<\/p>\n
Zhang Yu Meyers Wang Montin<\/p>\n
- - Pass 1S<\/p>\n
Double Pass 2C 2S<\/p>\n
Double Pass 3D Pass<\/p>\n
3NT Pass Pass Double<\/p>\n
4D Pass Pass 4S<\/p>\n
All pass<\/p>\n
West cashed a Diamond and switched to a Heart. The Contract
\nfailed by one trick but we cannot tell you why as there is no
\nplay record!<\/p>\n
Open room:<\/p>\n
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH<\/p>\n
Lisa Zhang Letizia Gu<\/p>\n
- - Pass 1C<\/p>\n
Pass 1D Pass 1S<\/p>\n
2D 2S 4D 4S<\/p>\n
All pass<\/p>\n
West came in on the second round after passing the precision
\nClub opening. She led the Diamond Ace and East played the ten. If
\nthat was meant to direct West to Hearts it went unnoticed and a
\nsecond Diamond was led.<\/p>\n
Declarer ruffed and cashed her top Club. She then took the
\nSpade Ace and led a Club. West exited with a Heart to the king
\nand Ace.<\/p>\n
South played the eight of Hearts -- the nine is more subtle-
\nand after long thought West rose to the occasion in every sense
\nof the word by going up with the Queen.<\/p>\n
A crocodile coup on Vugraph got deserved applause.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/usa-i-wins-womens-venice-cup-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }