Demolition Experts

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday December 4, 2008

Ron Klinger

George Gaspar  Bob Richman had a sensational Spring Nationals winning both the Open Teams and the Bobby Evans Seniors Teams. In Round four of the Seniors Gaspar-Richman, Peter Buchen  Henry Christie blitzed Pauline Gumby- Bruce Neill, Edward Griffin-Mike Hughes 25-0. Full marks to the NEILL team, who recovered and reached the final.

Gaspar-Richman had a huge set against Gumby-Neill in the qualifying and chose to play against them for set one in the Seniors final. However, Neill won this set and led 47-36. For the second quarter, Gumby-Neill again faced Gaspar-Richman, but this time G-R had a dream run. They could not put a foot wrong. When the cards suit their style, Gaspar-Richman are one of the toughest pairs to beat.

Here are two examples:

Bd. 22: East dealer : E-W vulnerable

NORTH

Both Easts opened a weak 1NT, Pass from South. What should West do?

West North East South

Griffin Buchen HughesM Christie

--- --- 1NT Pass

Pass Dble All pass

South led a spade and the defence

collected eight tricks for +500.

West North East South

Richman Gumby Gaspar Neill

--- --- 1NT Pass

2C! Dble Pass 2S

Pass Pass Pass

Lead: D3

Facing a weak 1NT, Richman chose to run before a penalty double came. His decision could have backfired, but it didnt. He risked hearing 2S from partner, but it is harder for the opponents to penalise a suit bid than the 1NT opening.

East won the diamond lead and switched to a low spade to the king.

Two more rounds of spades followed and South was one down for 50 and

11 Imps.

Bd. 32: West dealer : E-W vulnerable

NORTH

West North East South

Griffin Buchen HughesM Christie

Pass 1C 1H Pass

2C 3C 3S 4C

4H 5C Dble All pass

Lead: SK

Declarer lost one spade, one heart and two diamonds for two down and 300.

West North East South

Richman Gumby Gaspar Neill

Pass 1C Dble Pass

2S 3C 4S All pass

Lead: CA

Declarer was able to hold the losers to one club, one diamond and one heart for

+620 and +8 Imps.

Nothing is impossible for the bridge player not actually playing the hand.

Tomorrows problem:

South dealer : East-West vulnerable

West North East South

--- --- --- Pass

Pass 1S 1NT 3S

Dble (1) Pass ?

(1) For takeout

What would you do now as East with:

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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