Last trump traps Wolff
By Djanwar Madjolelo
JAKARTA (JP): The 5th Forbo-Kromenie International Bridge Tournament was held in the Hague from Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, 1997 with an Open Team Event.
This interesting hand from the Open Team Event was played by Nickell of the USA team -- which won the World Champion Bermuda Bowl -- against Zandvoort of the Dutch team.
Dealer: South
Vulnerable: North/South
NORTH
(S) A K J 5
(H) 10 8 7 6 4
(D) 3
(C) A K 5
WEST EAST
(S) 9 3 (S) Q 10 8 7 6 2
(H) J 2 (H) 9
(D) K J 10 6 4 2 (D) Q 9 7
(C) 8 7 4 (C) Q 10 6
SOUTH
(S) 4
(H) A K Q 5 3
(D) A 8 5
(C) J 9 3 2
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
Hamman Stomphorst Wolff Kranenborg
- - - 1H
Pass 2S Pass 2NT
Pass 4D Pass 4S
Pass 4NT Pass 5D
Pass 7H All pass
Benthem Freeman Zandvoort Nickell
- - - 1H
Pass 2NT Pass 3C
3D Pass Pass 4NT
Pass 4NT Pass 5D
Pass 5S Pass 6C
Pass 7H All pass
Bert Kronenborg showed excellent foresight by taking the Hearts lead and immediately playing the Ace of Diamonds and ruffing a diamond.
Now he knew to ruff the last diamond, cash the high clubs and return to his hand with a trump, reaching:
NORTH
(S) A K J
(H) -
(D) -
(C) 5
WEST EAST
(S) 9 3 (S) Q 10 8
(H) - (H) -
(D) K (D) -
(C) 8 (C) Q
SOUTH
(S) 4
(H) 5
(D) -
(C) J 9
On the last trump Wolff (East) was trapped and had to discard a Spade, after which Kronenborg had to choose between a finesses and a Club-Spade squeeze.
Before the tournament one of the bulletins had promised Bert a drink for a good story, so the choice was easy: Spade to Ace and King feeling the Queen of Spades.
This meant 20 IMPs for his team, since Nickell mistimed the play, cashing Hearts before ruffing a diamond.
The winners of the Open Team Event:
1. Italy: Versace, Bocchi, Buratti, Lanzartti, Bernasconi.
2. USA: Zia Mahmood, Weichsel, Gawrys, Lev.
3. France: Alan Levy, Christian Mari, Bompis, Szwarc.
The winners of the Pairs Event:
1. Sance Panelewen - Franky Karwur (Ina) 65,31%
2. Fransen - Nurmohamed (Ndl) 65,13%
3. Schipperheyn - Kleinberenbrink (Ndl) 64,95%