Ron Tacchi reports from Tignes on the quarterfinals of the Les Etincelles Cup at the fourth Edition of the Winter Games.

The snow-covered Alps provided a dramatic backdrop to the quarter-finals of the Les Etincelles Cup. After the first session, AZS Wratislavia led Orca 44-17, Wigoder were 10 IMPs up on Vinciguerra, France Green had outscored Multon 75-48 and Bernal had achieved the rare feat of keeping their opponents Zimmermann Silver scoreless while they amassed 61 IMPs. Incredibly, by the end of the third session Orca, Vinciguerra and Multon had taken the lead in their respective matches, and they all held on to advance to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Bernal’s lead had been drastically reduced to just 11 IMPs and, in the final session, Zimmermann Silver completed one of the greatest escapes in the history of the game by taking the last set 44-15.

The tie of the round for the spectators was Zimmermann Silver versus Bernal. In the first session Bernal romped away from Zimmermann Silver. Board 6 helping them to do so.

Open Room

I am not sure how North knew about South’s Heart control but the final contract was secure and with surprisingly kind breaks in the minors the contract was never in doubt.

Closed Room

South was not emboldened to enter the auction after the weak 2 bid but when his partner doubled, he went directly to the minor suit game. North could only pass and hope. There were the same twelve tricks but 11 IMPs to Bernal.

In the match Wigoder versus Vinciguerra, Wigoder gained the slam swing when the bidding was as follows:

At the other table:

This was the only table that failed to reach slam after South had intervened over the weak 2 opening. On the other four tables, three did not enter the auction with the South hand, and all three played at the game level, whereas the fourth found a bid and so the slam.

The third session saw Zimmermann Silver come roaring back and again. Board 6 played a part in that.

West realizing he was probably playing with a 30-point deck made a fine judgement call when he bid the Diamond slam. He could be sure of a genuine Diamond suit opposite.

West was in a difficult position when South’s pre-empted at the five-level after East had not opened the bidding. Perhaps East should try 5 Diamonds after his partner’s Double, his partner must surely have a fit somewhere, and he cannot have many Clubs. You have shown a Heart suit with the negative double and you have tolerance for Spades, so if he doesn't have six cards Spades or four cards Hearts, he must have a healthy Diamond suit.

The results on the other tables were varied, with one pair going overboard to 7 Diamonds when the opposition tried to sacrifice in 7 Clubs. Two tables languished in 4 Spades and one other reaching the slam. The final table saw the opposition sacrifice in 7 Clubs against the Diamond slam.

The fourth and final session saw Zimmermann Silver continue to fight strongly and eventually to overtake Bernal and progress to the semi-final. Board 22 helped them on their way.

The bidding was brief and in the Open Room 1♣-(1♠)-3NT, whereas in the Closed Room it was 1♦-(1♠)-3NT. In the Open Room, North had a decision as to what to lead. The losing option was a Diamond, the winning option a Spade – though a Heart lead would also have beaten the contract. The problem with leading a Diamond is that if it turns out that a Spade lead would have succeeded and a Diamond fails, partner will be less than content. On the more logical approach, the Diamond lead does need a very fortunate lie of the suit as there is no entry should they become established. Unfortunately for Bernal, a Diamond was led. In the Closed Room, where the opening bid was 1♦, it was much easier to lead partner’s suit and defeat the contract.

On the other tables 3 No-Trump was played by West four times and made once on the lead of a Diamond, the other three all failing to a Spade attack. The other two times when played by East, it was harder for the defense as the lead of the Jack of Spades did not allow setting up of the suit.

The end of the quarter-final round sees Multon facing Zimmermann Silver, and Orca taking on Vinciguerra in the semi-finals, which will to be fought over four fourteen round sessions.

You can see all results, further information and the Daily Bulletins on the website http://db.eurobridge.org/repository/competitions/23tignes/microsite/Results.htm