A look at the semifinals and other events in the World Bridge Championships in Marrakech

In the Bermuda Bowl, Switzerland had a toughbattle with USA2, but always appeared to have something in hand before they eventually pulled away in the final session. In the final they will meet Norway, who won a thrilling encounter against Italy.

Israel withstood a determined counterattack by China in the Venice Cup before securing their place in the final while Türkiye managed to overcome Norway.

In the d’Orsi Trophy, Denmark won the last three sessions against Poland to advance to the final where they will meet USA1 who narrowly edged out USA2.

France and USA2 were always in control of their matches against Romania and Belgium in the Wuhan Cup.

The Transnational Quarterfinals saw Knottenbelt and Barr get the better of Paco and Payen, while the other two matches were closer, Slow Horses and Amistad eventually getting the better of Rosenthal and Orca.

In the BAM, Poland Open and Vinciguerra tied for first place in the race to qualify for Final A

All the finalists might be dreaming of a golden moment – and who could blame them!

There were some wonderful deals – here is a small selection.

Sensational Start

There was barely time to catch your breath when the Bermuda Bowl semifinal between Switzerland and USA2 got under way:

Open Room

The Americans superbly detailed convention card lists nine possible rebids after 1♦-1♠ (in an uncontested auction) but stops at 3♥. However, interpreting the meaning of 3♠ is not the hardest task one might face.

East led the ♦K followed by the Ace and declarer ruffed and was soon claiming eleven tricks, +600.

Closed Room

With a five-card suit that had been supported, and the inference that partner would be short in Clubs, West took what he thought would at worst be a good save.

North led the ♦Q and declarer won with dummy’s Ace, played a Spade to the Ace and ran the ♠10. When that held he could draw the outstanding trump and claim, +650 and 15 IMPs.

Ruff Justice

On this deal one of the defenders made a rare but instructive mistake.

Open Room

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

South led the ♦J and a Spade went away on dummy’s Ace. When both defenders followed to the top trumps declarer turned his attention to the Club suit. He cashed dummy’s King, crossed to the ♣A and played the ♣J. When South ruffed with the master trump declarer could pitch one of dummy’s Spades, win the Spade return and play to ruff a Spade and a Club in dummy, his remaining Spade going on dummy’s ♦K.

In an analogous situation in the other semifinal Helgemo made no mistake, discarding a Diamond on the third round of Clubs to defeat 6 Hearts.

Sensational Finish

The opening stanza of the Bermuda Bowl semifinal between Switzerland and USA2 finished as it started, with a bang!

Open Room

In the Bulletin Room we were willing South to double 6♠, mainly because it introduces the possibility that it will result in at least -800 assuming North leads a Club, or at least +1440 if West runs to 6NT.

After South’s pass, while North was deliberating his opening lead, Mark Horton made a passing remark about the well-known trump leader Brother Hubert. At that precise moment, the ♠8 was tabled and moments later +1460 was being inscribed on the card.

Closed Room

North led the ♣2, ensuring the demise of the contract. When declarer put up the ♣A it meant a swift two down for 17 IMPs to USA2, who had made a magnificent comeback, winning the opening session 48-42.

An unfortunate series of events

Alas for the watching world, including the VuGraph audience in Marrakech and the staff of the Daily Bulletin, BBO was the victim of some Global Thermal Nuclear Meltdown which prevented if from transmitting play from the second session of the eight semifinals.

Not wishing to starve you of little morsels, here is another somewhat bizarre story involving the preceding deal:

In the Open Room of the Venice Cup match between China and Israel, West opened 1NT and East raised to 3NT. North led the ♣2 and declarer put up dummy’s Ace and when South discarded she played a second Club, North winning and cashing the ♦A, +660.

Before we move to the other room, how many tricks should you make in 4 No-Trump if North leads a Spade?

Closed Room

South bid 6♣ to attract a Club lead against a possible 6♠, but then forgot to retreat to 6♦ which is only four down. A most unfortunate way to record -2300 and lose 17 IMPs.

The answer to the question I posed earlier is all of them, as North can be squeezed in the minors if you take the Club finesse.

Brilliant

The match between Switzerland and USA2 was a classic. When the final session got under way, it did not take long for another special deal to surface:

Open Room

We can be sure about the early part of the auction, but Al Hollander’s notes stop after 3♦.

East led the ♣3 and declarer won with the Ace (a far-sighted move) and played the ♦10. East went up with the Ace and exited with a Club, but now declarer could win, ruff a Diamond, draw the outstanding trump, cash dummy’s ♥AK, come to hand with the ♠A and cash the ♣Q. West, down to ♠108754 ♦K had no answer and when he pitched the ♦K declarer claimed, +1370 and 12 IMPs.

If East had played low on the ♦10, West wins and returns a trump. Declarer wins, ruffs a Diamond, draws the last trump with the ♣J and carefully plays a top Spade followed by a Spade to the Ace. When East discards, declarer can advance the ♥10 and survive the unlucky Spade break.

What a brilliant piece of play!

Norway Breaks Italian Hearts

Norway went into the last session of their semifinal against Italy trailing 149-163. By the time the penultimate deal was tabled they had taken the lead, 177-175.

Open Room

On the lead of the ♥9 declarer came to nine tricks, +400.

Open Room

South led the challenging ♣5. Declarer tried dummy’s Queen, took North’s King with the Ace, crossed to dummy’s ♥K and played three rounds of Spades, ruffing. The ♥A took care of the losing Club and the 2-2 trump split meant there were twelve tricks, +920 which was worth 11 IMPs, the 13 IMP lead proving to be decisive.