The quarterfinals of the World Bridge Championships were full of drama, especially in the last session where the deals offered numerous chances for the teams needing swings.

In the Venice Cup, Israel and Norway recorded famous victories over the stars of the Round Robin, Poland and Sweden, while China and Türkiye withstood spirited rallies by France and USA2.

In the d’Orsi Trophy, USA2, Denmark and Italy consolidated their overnight advantages against Norway, Italy and Sweden, but Poland turned their match around against Netherlands.

In the Wuhan Cup, USA2, France and Belgium all recorded convincing wins against USA1, China and Germany, but the remaining match was a thriller, Romania finally squeezing past Italy by 2 IMPs.

In the Bermuda Bowl, USA2 had to withstand a sensational charge by USA1. The latter had started the last set trailing by 59 IMPs, but closed to within just 7 IMPs before running out of steam at the end. Italy had to overturn a fourth-quarter deficit to get past Poland, while Switzerland needed an exceptional last session to overcome Israel. Norway and China was a classic, the lead constantly changing hands. Norway trailed 177-196 deep into the match, but somehow found a way to get past their formidable opponents.

Here are some of the best and most exciting deals.

Saving the best till Last

This deal from the first session of the quarterfinals was a tough test for EW.

Closed Room

It was tempting for South, despite the vulnerability, to bid 5♥, but re-advertising the massive fit persuaded East that playing with what was effectively a 30 point pack his side might have a slam. Rather than settle for a direct 6♠, he went via a route that allowed his partner a say in the matter and was delighted to pass when 6♣ came back to him.

North led the ♦2 and declarer won with the 10, drew trumps, cashed dummy’s ♠K and then ran the ♠J, claiming all the tricks when it held, +940.

In the other room EW stopped in 5 Spades – just as well, as North led the ♥A forcing dummy to ruff after which the defenders were sure to take two tricks. Even so it meant 10 IMPs for Norway.

Two other teams reached 6 Clubs, USA2 in the Wuhan Cup and Italy in the Bermuda Bowl, although the auction developed in such a way that East was able to introduce the Club suit:

Open Room

The Red Zone

Aggressive bidding, especially in the vulnerable game zone, is often rewarded, because the inherent danger of the opening lead and the difficulty of defending can combine to give declarer a significant advantage – given that one has the necessary skills to take advantage of the opportunities that might arise.

Here is an eye-catching example from the second session of the Bermuda Bowl match between Poland and Italy:

Open Room

In the Closed Room, East had managed only 7 tricks in 2 Spades for -100.

Meanwhile in the Open Room, East’s 2♥ was limited by his failure to introduce Gazzilli. Perhaps seduced by the lure of a vulnerable game, the combination of his 2NT and West’s acceptance resulted in a contract that appeared to have little chance.

However, there was the small matter of the opening lead.

If you consider that the auction suggests that EW may be struggling for tricks then a passive lead may be in order. You must balance that against the possibility that you might be able to cash five Diamond tricks ‘on the go’. Here a passive lead would have left declarer with too much to do, but North led the ♦8 (you must judge if he was misguided or merely unlucky) and declarer won with the ♦10 and played a Club for the 5, 10 and King, South switching to the ♠5. Declarer won with the King, played a Club to the Ace and a Spade. South went up with the Ace, denying declarer access to dummy’s winning Clubs, and exited with a Diamond. Declarer won perforce with dummy’s Ace, cashed three Spades discarding a Club and two Diamonds. Now a low Heart left South helpless – he could not prevent declarer from scoring two Heart tricks, +600 and 12 IMPs.

Open Room

In the Closed Room, China had played in 3 No-Trump scoring +460.

In the Open Room, the partially artificial auction eventually saw NS exchange a series of cue-bids before settling in 6 Clubs.

East led the ♦6 and declarer won with dummy’s Ace and played a Club for the Jack and King, East exiting with the ♣5. Declarer won with dummy’s 8, ruffed a Diamond, crossed to the ♥A, ruffed a Diamond and claimed his contract – he could go to dummy with the ♠K to draw the outstanding trump for +920 and 10 IMPs that put Norway in with a shout.

By the time this deal settled on the table Norway had taken the lead, China going down in a slam that required no more than a 2-2 break in trumps.

Open Room

In the Closed Room NS had played in 4 Clubs, declarer managing ten tricks for +130.

In the Open Room, when 3NT was doubled, time stood still as Helgemo deliberated. The thousands watching online appreciated that if he passed the penalty would be substantial, more than enough to give China a likely winning advantage. After what seemed to be an eternity, Helgemo decided discretion was the better part of valour and to the relief of the Norwegian supporters he removed to the calmer waters of 4♣.

West found the potentially killing lead of the ♥J and declarer took dummy’s Ace and played the ♦Q, East winning with the Ace. Cashing the ♥K at this point sets up a potential ruff, but East switched to the ♠3 and declarer won with the King and played the ♣10. When that held he went to dummy with the ♠K and played a Heart, East winning with the King and exiting with the ♦6. Declarer ruffed, and appreciating that every IMP might be vital, attempted to cash the ♥Q only to see East ruff. It meant a loss of 5 IMPs, but Norway survived the last two deals to advance to the semifinals.

In the match between Switzerland and Israel, Klukowski and Kalita, who had topped the Butler Scores in the Round Robin, were in devastating form, bidding four successful slams in the final session. This was the only one that resulted in a swing:

Open Room

In the Closed Room, Israel had stopped in 4 Hearts.

Meanwhile, in the Open Room, declarer ruffed North’s lead of the ♦4 in dummy, ran the ♠Q to North’s King, took the Spade return with the Ace, ruffed a Diamond, cashed the ♥K, drew trumps and claimed.