Quarter Final Standings
The top two finishers of the Swiss League, Rampage and Parting Gift, stamped their dominance over their selected opponents, Bangur Cement and Poddar Housing to lead by 45+ imps at the half way stage.
Aristos found themselves needing some rearguard action as Dhampur Sugar Mills established a 27 imp lead over them. The fourth placed Samadhan team were facing the far stronger (on paper) team of Texan Aces. Their match is closely poised with just 12 imps separating the teams.
Click here for detailed results.
Swiss League
Rampage comfortably held on to their overnight lead to win the league. Teams Parting Gift (we will attempt to find out the meaning of the name), Aristos and Samadhan all scored two strong rounds in the morning to take the next 3 spots in that order.
We have to admit that it is good to see the name of Dhampur Sugar Mills among the qualifiers today. They have had an extremely indifferent performance for most of the year and this resurgence is welcome.
The complete results, along with the team rosters and other details, can be seen here.
Interesting Hand
Before we embark on a fresh hand for today, we have the benefit of additional inputs on the first board yesterday from none other than Sandeep Thakral, one of the top Indian players today. He points out:
By winning in dummy you go down if Spades are 6-1 or hearts 3-0. Winning in hand gives you additional chances should either of the above happen. Once trumps break 2-1, you should ruff the second spade in dummy with the KING of hearts to protect against a 6-1 break. Once that doesn't happen, then you can embark on the plan mentioned yesterday (retaining the 2 of hearts to enter hand).
If East has 6 spades, then there is a marked ruffing finesse. If not, then too you can consider playing for a squeeze
If trumps break 3-0, then there is a sort of 'semi swindle' available when North is the declarer since East has no clue how many spades are available with declarer (spades have rarely been mentioned whenever North is the declarer). Many Easts pitched spades to guard the diamond queen on the run of the trumps (where enough communication was not maintained) In practice, East will get a count on spades on the play of the Ace and a small spade. But when the spade queen is played the third time, it takes a truly world class player to duck in tempo.
Thanks Sandeep, for your insights.
On Saturday, in addition to the two Grand Slams we reported, there was one more. On Sunday, we saw a 4th possible grand slam arise on this board. Unfortunately, only 5 pairs bid it of whom 2 went down. The key to this slam (double dummy) is essentially a ruffing finesse of the spade queen after drawing trumps. The pairs who played for the drop (tempted, no doubt by North's false carding), paid the price (and a very costly one at that).
Program for the day
Today features the remaining two legs of the quarter finals, which consist of 2 rounds of 12 boards each.
Play starts at 6:00 pm. Arrangements have been made for kibitzers to see a delayed broadcast of the same.