bridge in shanghai, day 1
A great first day of play is behind us. I managed to get in the full range of kibitzing — watched much of the first match on BBO, sat at the table with George for about half of the third match and spent an hour in the VuGraph theatre. Skipped the second match entirely to run team errands with George.
It was particularly exciting to watch the third match in the VuGraph theatre; got to watch France versus China in the Venice Cup. When I sat down about half way through, China led the defenders 16 to 1. The French girls battled back to win that match 26 to 17. Boards 10 and 11 were my favorite of the day; one for a push and the other an eight IMP pickup for France:
On 10, the French girls pulled out one of my favorite gadgets (Ghestem). Catherine D’Ovidio held :S: 7 / :H: AQ972 / :D: AQ986 / :C: A9 and bid 3 :C: over West’s 1 :S: opener (showing diamonds and hearts). It’s a pretty great treatment on these cards — in other matches, North either bid 2 :S: (Michaels) or overcaled 2 :H: and hoped partner wouldn’t pass. What’s your plan with these cards over 1 :S: ?
On the next board, D’Ovidio held :S: KJ6 / :H: AK63 / :D: K9853 / :C: 8. What’s your call over a strong NT opener on your right? Check out the diagram. After 1NT, D’Ovidio chose pass and East bid 2 :S: (transfer to clubs). Gaviard passed, West bid the obligatory 3 :C: and now D’Ovidio doubled. East passed, Gaviard went into the tank and came out with 4 :C: which she corrected to 4 :H: over D’Ovidio’s 4 :D: . I was interested to see that pairs who took action directly over 1NT seemed to play in partscores, pairs who started with pass got to game.
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Good Luck and best wishes from Hinsdale. The Eddins family is rooting for the good guys. We will try to keep informed by visiting your web page. Lets get together on your return to regale in your adventures.