Semi Finals Day 2
Day 1 of the Semifinals ended 56-56 between Rampage and Samadhan, not counting the 12 IMP carry-over. DSM had their work cut out, trailing by 58 IMPs.
Unfortunately for DSM, the 3rd set did not go as they hoped. They had a brief revival here, when Swarnendu and Rana Roy over-reached to an impossible slam. But DSM gave it back over 2 boards. First, in board 29, Anal Shah elected to finesse the wrong suit to go down 2 in 3NT. Then, on board 30, Ashok Goel and Venky failed to bid a slam on board 30. To be fair to Ashok Goel, he may have thought too much was needed to make the slam. However, as the cards lie, all one needs to do to make the slam is bid it. With a deficit of 75 imps, DSM decided that they could probably spend their time in better ways than contesting here.
The giant killers continued to astound, as they won the third set by 18 imps to lead by 6 going to the final set. However, Rampage pulled up their socks even as Samadhan slipped to emerge winners by their original carry over of 12 imps! (We had mentioned this yesterday. Just kidding. - Eds)
Yesterday, at the start itself, Rampage decided to be charitable by giving 800 against a non existent game to wipe off the carry over.
Srini opened 3H in dealer position with a good 6 carder suit and favorable vulnerability. Manish, looking at a doubleton, enthusiastically pushed it to 4H and paid a huge price when they got doubled.
Insult was added to injury when their team mates played in an imaginative 3NT for -2.
On board 30, the Samadhan East-West too, were unable to find the slam and their bidding systems suggested to the stronger hand that there may be wastage while bidding the slam.
However, Uttam and Animesh did not allow such compunctions to get in their way towards bidding a slam.
This helped undo most of the damage caused in 25.
Having recovered, Samadhan pulled it right back again when NS bid a not so unreasonable 3NT on the hand on the right. When Samadhan held the NS cards,
Ravi Raman upgraded his hand after hearing the 2S bid from partner and pushed to slam notwithstanding partner's sign off indicating a minimum hand.
With both finesses working, 6 Spades is unstoppable and Samadhan won a well deserved 13 imps on that board.
However, Rampage did well regain the lead on the first board of the last session when RV and Arvind bid beautifully over a multi 2 diamond opening to reach 6 Clubs.
2NT showed 16-18 balanced. 3NT was a transfer to clubs. 4 Hearts was alerted as short spades and a mild slam try. Now RV bid 5 Spades which he alerted as Undiscussed - Intended as "Bid your longest Suit" (quotes are ours - Eds).
This is an exemplary form of proper disclosure which participants would do well to observe and induct into their bridge manners.
Once bid, the hand virtually plays itself.
At the other table, Animesh opened 3 spades with the North hand (a very aggressive preempt) over which East bid 3NT and there was no room for further exploration.
On the very next board, Mini virtually committed hara kiri by bidding 5 Diamonds violating all principles of bridge against a non existent game to give away 9 imps and virtually the match.
Notwithstanding the last blow, it was an extremely hard and well fought match and, at the end of the day, the more consistent team won.
We wish both winners all the best for the finals. The losers will be playing a play off for third place as well.
Program for the day
Today, the semifinals start at 600 pm as well. Arrangements have been made for kibitzers to see a delayed broadcast of the same.
Pairs Event
This is a gentle reminder to all of you that entries for pairs close very soon. We request those of you who are interested to sign up using the links below.