43rd GENERALI EUROPEAN BRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAILY BULLETIN Editor: J.-P. Meyer • Co-Editor: M. Horton • Web Editor: Th. Matziaris No.: 14 • Friday, 27 June 1997

Results	Contents
OPEN Round 31, Round 32, Round 33 LADIES Round 22, Round 23 SENIORS Round 12, Round 13 BUTLER scoring, Open Round 32 FINAL BUTLER scoring, Ladies	Open, Italy v Netherlands by Brian Senior Press Conference Table Presence by Radoslaw Kielbasinski Journalists Your last chance! by Alan Hiron From Portugal with love by Pedro Matos

The team of Sandra Landy, Michele Handley, Liz McGowan, Heather Dhondy, Pat Davies and Nicola Smith took Great Britain to their twelfth victory in the 43rd Generali Womens Team Championship.

A proud moment for them and their Captain, Jimmie Arthur and their Coach, Brian Senior. A dramatic last board saw France take silver, while Israel receives the bronze. The reigning World Champions, Germany, ensured a record breaking fifth consecutive appearance in the Venice Cup with their fourth place finish, and The Netherlands overcame their traditional last round nerves to secure the remaining place. Let us wish them all the best of luck in Tunisia and hope one of them will keep the Venice Cup in European hands.

Seniors Gold Medal goes to France

The general opinion was that Pierre Adad, Maurice Aujaleu, Claude Delmouly and Jean Marc Roudinesco could have represented France in the Open teams so it is not a big surprise to see this foursome winning the senior's event. The silver goes to Poland B and the bronze to Netherlands A. Congratulations to all three teams.

Farewell Address from Bill Pencharz, President European Bridge League

This evening the 43rd Generali European Bridge Championships will come to an end. The end of 14 days of top class international bridge competition. You, the players, are to be congratulated for your dedicated and skilful participation in the four Championships which have been held over the last fortnight. And you are also to be very warmly congratulated for your good humour and good sportsmanship.

In the Ladies Pairs - 158 pairs - and in the Open Teams and Ladies Teams - 35 and 24 teams respectively - we had the largest participation ever in a Generali European Bridge Championship. And, although there were only 14 teams in the Seniors event, the standard was as high as in the Open Teams. It is customary and right to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who made the Championships possible.

First of all I would like to thank everybody who worked in the Championships - The general organisation under the control of Federigo Castellani. Hospitality under Sylvia Valentini. Duplication under Alessia Orsi. Scoring under Marco Mazzurega. Mise en place under Fulvio Colizzi. And Caddies under Paulo Duranti.

The rocket science of Professor Gianni Baldi and all who had the pleasure of working with him, including the Bridgerama operators under Giuseppe Battistone and the FIGB Internet Site under Romano Grazioli and the Bridge Plaza site under Koen Gijsman.

The FIGB main office co-ordinated by Massimo Vanzanelli and supported by Marina Madia and Federica Zorzoli, amongst many others. The Press Room, serenely controlled by Elly Ducheyne and her brother Jan Swann.

The Line Up and Results Desk run effortlessly by Jeff Easterson, Annalie Kooijman and Corrie Louwerse. And the Systems Desk helpfully run by Annaliese Schmidt-Bott with the cheerful assistance of her husband and Monique Callon.

The Tournament Directors. This marvellous team under the direction of Claude Dadoun and his two lieutenants, Max Bavin and Antonio Riccardi.

The Daily Bulletin and WBF Internet Site edited with such Gallic flair by Jean Paul Meyer and his team. The Bridgerama Commentators with Peter Lund leading a host of analysts and wits at the microphone.

The Appeals Committee under Steen Moeller's masterful Chairmanship and with a special mention for Daniel Auby as Chief Scribe. And last by no means least that triumvirate in masterful Bridge Championship organisation - Jean Claude Beineix, Ton Kooijman and Anna Gudge.

To all of you who have worked in the Championship, of whom the people mentioned above are only a few, I again give my grateful appreciation. All of us who have spent the last fortnight in Montecatini have grown to love this charming town. On behalf of all of you, I am delighted to thank the Comune Di Montecatini Terme and especially their delightful representative Fabrizio Rafaelli.

It would be quite impossible to hold a bridge championship of the quality of the 43rd Generali European Bridge Championships without the generous support of our sponsor. Therefore, let me once again say how much the European Bridge League - and indeed all European Bridge Players - appreciate the sponsorship of the Generali Group and all that it does for European Bridge. My special thanks go to the Generali Group's President Antoine Bernheim for his personal interest and support. It has been a positive delight to spend the last fortnight here in Tuscany.

The Federazione Italiana Gioco Bridge has been a marvellous host in every possible way. FIGB and its dedicated workers have been warm and hospitable. FIGB and its dedicated workers have achieved new heights of technical performance in staging these, The 43rd Generali European Bridge Championships. And this has all been with good humour, style and Italian flair.

So, "Thank You" to all who worked in these Championships.

"Thank You" to the Town of Montecatini

"Thank You" to the Generali Group, and

"Thank You" FIGB But, most of all,

"Thank You" to all of you - the Bridge Players. It's your Championship and you have made it great.

Italy still led by a reasonable margin but this match against sixth-placed Netherlands was vital in their pursuit of the title and also in their opponents' battle for a place in Tunisia. The first half saw the host nation take a 23-11 lead but they could easily have been behind had the Dutch not missed an opportunity on this board.

Board 2. Dealer East. N/S Game 10 9 6 5 3 A Q 7 2 K 6 3 2 — J 8 A 7 4 9 6 4 K J 3 8 7 5 Q J 9 4 K 10 7 4 2 J 9 6 K Q 2 10 8 5 A 10 A Q 8 5 3 Closed Room West North East South Jansma Buratti van Cleef Lanzarotti 1 1NT 2 2 All Pass

The fall of the J meant that declarer was able to get out for the loss of just two hearts and one spade: +170.

Open Room West North East South Duboin Jansen Bocchi Westerhof 1NT Dble 2 3 Pass 3NT All Pass

The stakes were considerably higher in this room and it seemed that the same fortunate lie of the spade suit was likely to see declarer home after the opening lead of a low club to the jack and queen. Westerhof played K at trick two and Bocchi won and returned 9, ducked to Duboin who overtook with the ten to lead a heart through. Westerhof ducked that to the jack and won the club continuation. But on each of the three rounds of clubs declarer had pitched a diamond from dummy and his entries were beginning to get a little tangled. He now played a diamond to the king and led 10 and ran it. Had the finesse succeeded, Westerhof could have played a spade to the queen then cashed the A, but when the finesse lost he had to go two down. Duboin cashed K then exited with a heart and declarer had eight winners but could only get at seven of them; -200 and 9 IMPs to Italy when it might have been 10 to Netherlands.

The second half began well for Italy.

Board 13. Dealer North. Game All 10 9 2 A K 10 6 10 8 7 A Q J K Q 7 5 4 A J 8 4 2 9 3 6 5 4 2 A K Q 9 10 6 K 8 7 4 6 3 Q J 8 7 5 J 3 9 5 3 2 Closed Room West North East South Jansma Bocchi van Cleef Duboin 1NT Dble 2 2 3 3 All Pass

This became a competitive partscore deal with game never really in the picture; +170.

Open Room West North East South Lauria Jansen Versace Westerhof 1 Dble 3 3 Pass 4 All Pass

The pre-emptive heart raise worked badly here as it put the necessary momentum into the auction for East-West to reach game. Jansen did his best, leading Q, but Lauria had no real alternative to putting up the king and that was 10 IMPs to Italy. The next two deals saw Lauria/Versace go a total of eight off in 3NT, Netherlands scoring 10 IMPs to get back to the position at half-time.

Board 17. Dealer North. Love All A 10 5 3 2 J 10 5 4 3 Q 10 J K Q 9 8 6 — K 9 7 J 8 7 K 9 5 4 2 Q 10 7 4 A K 9 6 5 2 J 7 4 A Q 8 6 2 A 6 3 8 3 Closed Room West North East South Jansma Bocchi van Cleef Duboin 1 2NT 3 5 Pass Pass Dble All Pass

The contract looks booked for one down, losing two diamonds and a heart, however, Bocchi led A and now there was no heart loser; +550.

Open Room West North East South Lauria Jansen Versace Westerhof 2 Pass 2NT Pass 3 3NT 4 Pass Pass Dble Pass 5 Dble All Pass

2 was weak with both majors, at least 4-4, and 2NT enquired, 3 showing the 5-5 distribution. Versace passed the first time but his delayed 3NT was clearly for the minors. Lauria did not bid 5 directly but did so after Versace's second effort. Again the lead was A; no swing.

Or perhaps there will be. South's 4 bid took some time and so did Lauria's pass. The Dutch felt that Versace could work out that his partner had been thinking over 4 and therefore his borderline double was out of order. The director did not change the score but there was an appeal, the details of which can be found elsewhere in this bulletin. Briefly, the good Italian result was taken away and they were given 4-1, on the basis that the double was probably correct but not sufficiently clearcut given the tempo of partner's bid. Meanwhile, Netherlands kept their -550 on the grounds that the double of 4 was alerted and North should have asked, and discovered that it had lead-directing implications for spades, before leading.

Board 19. Dealer South. E/W Game A Q 7 5 4 Q 6 Q 10 5 4 3 8 K 10 9 6 J 8 10 8 2 A K 9 7 5 A 8 K J 7 2 Q J 6 5 9 3 3 2 J 4 3 9 6 A K 10 7 4 2

In the Closed Room, Duboin opened 3 as dealer and this ran round to van Cleef who overcalled 3. Jansma responded 3NT and played there on a low spade lead to dummy's jack. Declarer played a club and Duboin went in with the king to return a spade to the queen. Bocchi switched to a diamond now and Jansma played dummy's jack, which held, and played another club. This time Duboin ducked to hold declarer to one club trick but now Jansma played to duck a heart to South and the defence could not get at their A. Jansma had four hearts, three diamonds and one trick in each black suit for an excellent +600.

Westerhof did not open the South hand and Jansen opened 2, spades and a minor, in third seat. Westerhof responded 3. Natural. And this was passed round to Versace who made a well-timed reopening double. 3 doubled was two down after a heart lead and club switch. That looked poor at the time but the Dutch didn't know they had such a great result coming from the other room; -300 but 7 IMPs to Netherlands.

Board 20. Dealer West. Game All 7 5 A 10 3 K 8 3 K Q 5 3 2 A K 10 9 8 6 4 K Q 8 7 2 J 5 4 J 10 7 5 4 9 10 7 J 9 6 Q J 3 2 9 6 A Q 6 2 A 8 4

In the Closed Room, Jansma opened 2, hearts and a minor, and this came to Duboin (South), who doubled. They were soon in 3NT and that had nine on top for +600.

In the Open Room, Lauria opened 1. His side now had an uncontested auction: 1 - 1 - 2 - 2. Who, if anybody, should have bid for North-South? Anyway, the defense began with two rounds of clubs and switched to a trump to the ace and a second trump. Lauria played a diamond towards the nine and Jansen went in with the king to lead another trump. But Lauria could win in hand and lead diamonds from the top. With the 8 falling, declarer could establish two diamond tricks and was only one down; -100 but 11 IMPs to Italy.

Board 21. Dealer North. N/S Game 10 8 7 5 2 6 A Q 6 5 J 10 9 6 4 A Q J 9 A K Q 10 5 4 3 J 2 10 8 7 3 K 7 6 Q 8 4 3 K 3 9 8 7 2 K J 9 4 A 5 2

In the Closed Room, Jansma opened 4 after three passes. The lead was J and he won the king, drew trumps and took the spade finesse. The defense made no mistake from here; one down for -50.

As pointed out by Bulletin Editor, Jean-Paul Meyer, the contract is unbeatable after the club lead. Declarer wins the K and draws trumps as before but now exits with a diamond. What is North to do? If he switches to a spade the finesse is taken but, though it loses, North has no entry to lead a club through and the spades provide the necessary discard. If instead North plays a second club, declarer covers. This time the 8 provides a discard for the losing spade. So the defense is powerless.

In the Open Room, Westerhof opened 1 in third seat and Lauria overcalled 4. Tempted by his diamond fit, perhaps, Jansen tried 4. Versace licked his lips and doubled that and Jansen stood his ground. The defense was merciless. Versace led J and Lauria overtook with the queen and continued with the ten, ruffed and over-ruffed. Versace switched to a club in accordance with his partner's suit preference signal and Lauria won the king and played A, again ruffed and over-ruffed. Now Versace switched to a diamond. Declarer won in hand and played a spade but Versace could rise with the ace, give Lauria a diamond ruff, and get a third over-ruff in hearts for no less than four down, a bloody -1100.

That was 15 IMPs to Italy who, subject to the appeal, had run out winners by 60-28; 21-9 VPs. Italy were still top of the table while the Netherlands still had work to do if they were to book their place in Tunisia.

The President of the European Bridge League, Bill Pencharz, hosted a Press conference for some 30 members of IBPA. He introduced on the podium the President of the World Bridge Federation, Josè Damiani; the Executive Vice-President of IBPA, Jean-Paul Meyer; and the IBPA Liaison Officer with EBL & WBF, Panos Gerontopoulos.

Mr. Pencharz began with a report that:

1. These championships would be covered on European TV by Transworld International, a magazine programme that was to allocate half-an-hour to the championships. In Britain this would be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday, 5th July. Other countries should contact their own channels for information.

2. Internet servers would be treated as other newspapers in their requests for information.

3. The President was pleased with the Daily Bulletin in Montecatini, but wanted people to debate whether so much space should be allocated to the reporting of Appeals.

4. The President of the Austrian Bridge Federation was present to sign the contract for the European Youth Championships to be held in Vienna next July. The President then invited questions from the floor.

Mrs. Evelyn Senn, Clippings Secretary of IBPA, asked whether there would be a Clippings Competition as usual for these championships to promote Generali.

Mr. Damiani replied that there would be, and he would agree details later with Mrs. Senn, but the scheme would be on similar lines to others in the past. Details should be published in the Daily Bulletin and in the IBPA Bulletin. Mr. Damiani was pleased with the clippings on display in the Press Room but said more journalists should mention the sponsor's name in their reports. He realised that some newspapers did not permit this.

Heinz Guthwert, Finland, said it was very difficult for journalists to follow play at the table, even in the Open Room, and asked whether the EBL or WBF had plans to improve this. Mr. Pencharz acknowledged that even the chairs here were lower than was suitable. He would accompany Mr. Guthwert to the Open Room, and listen to how matters could be improved. The EBL policy was that spectators were allowed in the Open Room provided conditions permitted. Mr. Damiani said that the WBF was considering improvements for journalists at World Championships.

Patrick Jourdain, Daily Telegraph, London said his newspaper, with two million readers, mentioned Generali every day. He asked Mr. Damiani whether it was true that the Egyptian Ladies team which had won their Zonals had not been allowed to play in the Venice Cup in Tunisia.

Mr. Damiani replied that the WBF Council had passed a regulation four years ago under the former Presidency of Ernesto d'Orsi and Bobby Wolff that nations who did not compete in the Teams Olympiad would not be permitted to compete in the subsequent Bermuda Bowl or Venice Cup. This regulation had been re-affirmed in the WBF Executive Meetings in Beijing. It had affected two teams this year. Egypt, who had the Womens Zonals of Zone 4 did not have a womens team in Rhodes and therefore had been excluded from the Venice Cup.

As Egypt had an Open team in Rhodes there had been debate at the WBF Executive about whether the regulation applied independently to the Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup. The vote had decided it was separate for the Open and Women i.e. if a nation did not have a womens team in the Olympiad it could not qualify to represent its Zone in the Venice Cup. The regulation had also affected the Uruguay Open team, who finished second in the South American championships, but who did not have a team in Rhodes, and so would not be permitted into the Bermuda Bowl. This ban, determined by attendance at Rhodes, would also apply in 1999.

Mr. Damiani explained that the purpose behind the regulation was to encourage participation in the Teams Olympiad which had a record entry in Rhodes. The number of nations at the Olympiad had been a major factor in attracting support from the International Olympic Committee for bridge to become a sport.

Jean-Paul Meyer asked whether which events earned European Masterpoints had been published to the players. Mr. Pencharz replied that he had the relevant regulations in Montecatini and they would be available to the Daily Bulletin.

Nisan Rand, Israel, asked about the Transnational events in Tunisia. Would there be a Senior Teams? Mr. Damiani replied that there would be a separate Senior event if more than 20 teams entered, but even if less entered there would be a Senior Team ranking within the Transnational Teams. The World Mixed Teams in Rhodes had been a big success, with 86 teams, and he expected at least 60 teams in Tunisia. Journalists should give publicity to these new event sin their newspapers as they were open to all.

Heinz Guthwert asked about smoking policy in European and World events, particularly in the light of the application to the IOC. Mr. Pencharz said the matter was currently under debate, but there was a motion before the EBL that there would be no smoking at the table in future European Championships. Mr. Damiani said that he considered smoking at the table was incompatible with the application of bridge to be classified as a sport.

Nissan Rand asked for the latest report on the IOC application. Mr. Damiani reported that the two year probationary period for the WBF to join the IOC had recently been completed. Once confirmation had been received from the IOC Executive that the WBF had fulfilled its probationary period successfully, the next step would be to apply as a Sports Federation to become a full member at the September meeting of the full IOC in Lausanne. If this step was passed, and there was no reason to suppose it would not, then the WBF would apply for bridge to be part of the 2002 Winter Games. Bridge had already been accepted as a demonstration sport in the Asian Games to take place in Bangkok in December, 1998.

Sam Leckie, GB, asked what the WBF attitude was towards cash prizes, particularly in the light of the IOC application. Mr. Damiani replied that the WBF welcomed cash prizes, provided there was a high standard of ethical control. The WBF would offer cash prizes itself whenever finances permitted. Unlike smoking, he did not believe there was any conflict now between the IOC application and cash prizes within bridge.

Patrick Jourdain asked when the new Laws would be implemented and also whether the EBL would have a Simultaneous this year.

Mr. Pencharz replied that it was unlikely there would be an EBL Simultaneous in 1997. The last minoor items in the new Laws had been approved here in Montecatini and National Federations would be receiving the authorised version next month. The implementation date was left to each NBO except that it must be completed by the end of the 1997/8 season. Mr. Damiani reported that the new Laws would be in use in Hammamet for all events, but the old Laws would be in use for the World Junior Pairs and World Junior Teams.

Panos Gerontopoulos then reported on the forthcoming Junior events. The World Junior Pairs in two weeks time in Tuscany had attracted 160 pairs from 25 nations, including North America. The Camp which followed had 160 participants from more than 20 nations. Some places were still open. The World Junior Teams in Hamilton would have 18 nations. The qualifiers for Europe from Cardiff were Norway, Russia, Denmark and Israel. In July 1998 the next European Youth Championships would be held in the magnificent Vienna Town Hall. There was no smoking permitted at any Junior event.

An interesting hand came up in the third match of the Seniors teams. Andrzej Wilkosz, still one of Poland's top players and a well known figure on the world stage, proved he is still in great form.

Dealer South. Game All J 6 3 A K 10 7 4 J 3 2 A 5 10 9 8 4 A Q 7 2 8 6 5 2 10 8 6 4 9 5 7 6 4 3 K 10 9 8 K 5 Q J 9 3 A K Q 7 Q J 2 West North East South Szenberg Wilkosz 1 Pass 1 Pass 2NT Pass 3 Pass 4 Pass 4NT Pass 5 6NT All Pass

One Club was Polish, and the first rebid promised 18-23 points. The next one promised a minimum, but North had enough to drive to a slam. Thinking it would be safer to declare from the South hand, he opted for notrumps rather than hearts. As you can see, the cards are well placed if you play in hearts, but 6NT is not so simple!

West led the ten of spades and East played low. If he takes the ace and returns anything but a spade declarer can get home on a criss-cross squeeze. Declarer won with the king and cashed all his winners in the red suits. This was the thre card ending:

J — — A 5 9 A Q — — — — 7 6 K 5 — — Q J

Wilkosz played the queen of clubs and when West played the six he put up the ace, felling the king. If West has the K the slam is easy.

The match had not started too well, which is why declarer preferred to assume the squeeze had worked. At the other table the opponents played in game.

The Editor spotted a neat possibility on this deal from Round 30 of the Open series. He was just about to put fingers to keyboard when this article arrived in the office. You may use this deal in your column, completely free of charge, but donations to the 'Home for Overworked Bridge Writers' will be very welcome - Spanish address of this very worthwhile charity available on request. To my mind, this was an ideal hand for an article - easy bidding, sensible contract, and the winning play not too obvious at first glance. Construct your own bidding, but Four hearts seems a better resting place than 3NT.

Board 21. Dealer North. N/S Game 10 8 7 5 2 6 A Q 6 5 J 10 9 6 4 A Q J 9 A K Q 10 5 4 3 J 2 10 8 7 3 K 7 6 Q 8 4 3 K 3 9 8 7 2 K J 9 4 A 5 2

So, there you are on the lead of the J and, taking the slight risk of 5-0 trumps (unlikely after your opponents silence), draw trumps. Now, the winning coup - not always found!

You lead a diamond from hand and cut your opponents communications. If North switches to a spade, you finesse and later a club loser goes away; if North leads a second club, you cover in dummy and the thirteenth club provides a spade discard.

Assuming North has the ten of clubs this is a 100% line. If anyone spotted the right line of play at the table, please report to the Bulletin. Players it is also your last chance!

In Round 17 of the Open series, came a tricky jack that really came from the cold to give the Portuguese declarer the unpleasant chill of losing a routine contract.

As previously reported in Bulletin 9, that lead created the illusion of the spades 5-2, with AK9xx on the East hand. Trying to break communications, Manuel Oliveira, sitting South, made what seems a reasonable play by letting the jack hold. Unfortunately, it was soon all over, as he lost four spades and a club.

The contract looks helpless, after the deceptive lead had been a success, but Oliveira quickly changed his identity to secret agent 007, especially sent to Montecatini with the mission of resolving the problem of the Russian trap.

As "M" summoned him with maximum urgency, he brought no special weapons or devices, in particular he forgot his X-ray glasses that allowed him to see all four hands. Let's give him some help and have a look:

Board 24. Dealer West. Love All 10 8 5 2 K 10 3 2 Q 5 J 3 2 A J 7 K 9 6 3 8 5 J 9 7 6 8 7 6 3 K 9 2 Q 8 6 4 7 5 Q 4 A Q 4 A J 10 4 A K 10 9

Can you actually make the contract after such an initial disaster? Oliveira decided that the K on side wasn't enough as he would never get four tricks in the suit, so he put all his marbles on the Q being onside with hearts 3-3 or the jack falling, and threw two diamonds on the spades. Reasonable enough, but it really wasn't his day, so he had to go down.

Oliveira is a fine player and, once he left real life to jump into the screen as 007, he immediately saw the solution to the problem. Finding either the Q or the K onside are both a 50% possibility. However, the second option has some extra chances. The contract can still be made if the Q is falling or if the same hand which has this card also has the 4th diamond. Declarer has to be careful what he discards. Playing for his extra chances, 007 would most surely discard two clubs! Now East plays a club back, and South cashes AK and plays three rounds of hearts. The "Russian agent" is now himself under pressure, and getting a lot of heat as he's squeezed and has to give back the contract to declarer.

A nice piece of play, with a happy ending for another of 007's adventures! Unfortunately, life at the table is much more miserable and 10 imps went away. Between the Portuguese we heard, however, that Oliveira is already somewhere in the heat of the Caribbean, as 007, getting his deserved rest with a drink and a beautiful girl!

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