Bulletin

Give and you shall receive (in English) author kaapo, 7.12.2010 at 23.03.
Summary: Young Latvian on play in match between Trophy and Latvia U-20

This board was played in the 3rd round NFL match between Trophy (Finland) and Latvia U-20.

        soljaboy
9       ♠                  North South
North   ♥A9843             1♥    2NT*    * = 10+, 3+♥
EW      ♦AT84              3♠*   4♥      * = short spades
        ♣K762
derric         kaapo
♠T73           ♠Q9654
♥52            ♥QJT
♦J63           ♦KQ972
♣AJ985         ♣
        phoenix214    
        ♠AKJ82
        ♥K76
        ♦5  
        ♣QT43.

Kari Patana led the queen of trumps which was taken by dummy's king. Declarer, Gints Freimanis, played a diamond to the ace and then ruffed a diamond. He ruffed a spade and ruffed another diamond to dummy.

Next declarer took the ace of spades pitching a diamond. It would be easy now to make by cashing another high spade, however, declarer played a club to the king which was ruffed. Kaapo shifted to a high diamond which the declarer ruffed, leaving:

9       ♠
North   ♥A9
EW      ♦
        ♣762
♠              ♠Q96
♥5             ♥J  
♦              ♦K   
♣AJ85          ♣     
        ♠KJ8
        ♥   
        ♦   
        ♣QT.

There was only one card declarer could now play in order to make the contract and Gints found it. The young Latvian played the nine of hearts, losing an unnecessary trump trick! East won and cashed the remaining high diamond. Again, declarer made the right choice by refusing to ruff, pitching a club instead. East had to play a spade, and soljaboy took the finesse in order to get rid of the losing clubs and to get two tricks back for the one sacrificed. He won the last trick with the well-preserved ace of trumps. Good job in the end!

Trophy had more than their fair share of luck on the other boards and went on to win the match with a wide margin. We wish the youngster good luck and more good play in the matches to come.