The finals - 4 boards - part IV

This is the last of four posts about swing hands in the second set of England-Italy. The first set Italy won by 16 IMPs (60-44), the third set Italy lost by 13 IMPs (17-30), and it was the second set (46-4) that gave them most of their 45 IMPs lead (123-78). We have looked at four boards that delivered a total of 41 IMPs to Italy.

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East, Sementa, opened 1C, natural. For the Hacketts, South overcalled 1NT, North used Puppet Stayman to show 4 spades but not four hearts, and then they arrived in 3NT. West led the jack clubs, knocking out dummy's entry. Declarer tried a spade, and Sementa smartly climbed up spade ace and fired back a spade to declarer's king. Now declarer tried a heart to the ten, but when East won the jack there was no way for 3NT to make here, and that was -200.

In the other room, East, Malinowski, open 1C, either 18+ any, or, as here, 12-14 balanced. South, overcalled 1NT, North used Stayman, South showed four hearts, North showed four spades and they ended in 3NT. West, Sandqvist, did not know which minor partner was best in. He knew East had not doubled 2C, but perhaps that was only done with a 18+ hand and/or really good clubs. Anyway West guessed to lead diamonds from the J9s in the minors, declarer quickly won and played back diamonds, and soon had +630 and 13 IMPs to Italy. This was a hand where it paid to be able to open 12-14 balanced with the longer minor.