The maximum swing

By Djanwar Madjolelo

JAKARTA (JP): The biggest possible swing on a board in a team match is 24 IMPs and it happened in the Grand National Teams Championships 1997 (a series of annual National American Championships: district-system).

Dealer : West

Vulnerable: Both

NORTH

(S) void

(H) A 5 4

(D) A K Q J 10 8 7

(C) Q 8 5

WEST EAST

(S) K J 10 6 5 3 2 (S) A Q 9 8 7 4

(H) 8 7 2 (H) J 10 9

(D) 4 (D) 3

(C) 9 6 (C) 7 4 3

SOUTH

(S) void

(H) K Q 6 3

(D) 9 6 5 2

(C) A K J 10 2

Open Room:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Kraft Compton

2S Double 4S 5S

Pass 7D 7S Pass*

Pass 7NT** Double Pass

* South, with first round control of the opponents' suit may have passed before spotting this is illogical when the trump suit is Spades, and you are void. Where can you go?

** North quite naturally assumed his partner's pass guaranteed the Ace of Spades.

Compton led the Ace of Spades, saying "Down six". "Wrong!" said his partner, James Kraft. "Down seven! I have seven Spades!" That was 2000 to Compton and Kraft

Closed Room:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Tchmatich Kaye

3S 5D 6S 7D

Double All pass

West wasn't sure what was going on -- who was bidding to make and who was saving?

He thought his double meant he did not have a first round control in Diamonds, but partner left the opposition it their contract.

And of course 13 tricks came home for Haig Tchmatich and Dick Kaye, result: plus 2330. That was a total swing of 4330 (2000+2330) points and all 24 IMPs.