India U16 teams makes the semis!

It is with a sense of elation that this article is being penned. In my opinion, the entire bridge population of the country would be having a warm feeling in their hearts at this victory by our young teenagers.

In this article, we will attempt to share with you the highlights of their quarter final victory.  In a separate post, I will later introduce you to the team members themselves (the combined post would be too long).

The under 16 team finished 7th in the Swiss League and were drawn to play Chinese Taipei in the quarter finals. Here is a coverage of their encounter. This is merely a commentary on what happened rather than the bridge skills of the team and should be taken in that spirit. Links to all 3 sets are giving in the title of each set.

Set 1

In the closed room, India had fielded the Zodypache brothers. Sitting North was Adhyian while Agilan was in the South Seat

India drew blood in the very first board when both teams reached 3NT. While the contract makes double dummy (by finessing the 8 of hearts), it is not that easy to make on the table. Yet, Agilan managed to make 9 tricks which their counterparts couldn't. 10 IMPs to India

The next few boards went by with the Taipeans recovering 4 imps. The next blow was struck on Board 4.

 

After West opened 1♠ and East bid 2♣, in the Open Room, the Tapiean South preempted 4♦. This was passed around to East who bid 4♠ which was promptly doubled by North. However, they could only collect 3 Spade tricks and Ananya scored +790. In the other room, Agilan boldly preempted  5♦. East could only bid 5♠ which was naturally doubled and went 1 down for 200 more and 14 imps to India.

It is interesting to note that both 6♣ and 6♥ are cold but unreachable after the preemption.

The remaining boards in the session saw a few imps exchanged and India ended the session 13 imps up at 32-19.

Set 2

The second session started disastrously for India! This time they were at the receiving end of the preemption, though the auction at both tables was fraught with perils. This was the board

In the Open Room, Ananya,  opened a weak 2♠ and North overcalled 2NT. South bid 3♣ as Stayman but North simply bid 3NT. Jasith led a heart and North had no difficulty making 10 tricks. However, just think what would have happened had Ananya got doubled in 2♠ (It went for 1100 at another table). In the closed room West passed and Prakhar bid 1♠. Now East boldly bid 3♥ and Viha bid 3♠ (she should have probably doubled). Prakhar raised this to 4 and got swiftly punished for 800 and 16 imps to Chinese Taipei

 

India had to wait until Board 19 to recover from the above blow when this deal came along.

In the both rooms, South opened 3NT,  showing a long solid minor. In the open room the Taipean North bid  4♣ (pass or correct). This gave Jasith a chance to bid 4♥, a good bold bid (5♥ is cold). South bid 5♦, which North elected to convert to 5♠. With the Spade King and the ♥ AK, Jasith elected to double and India duly collected 3 tricks to score 100.

In the closed room, Prakhar simply bid 4♠. Now it was difficult for East to enter the auction at 5 level vulnerable so he passed for 11 IMPs to India

Taipei did manage to recover a bit of that loss over the next few boards.

However, on Board 24, Jasith and Ananya bid beautifully to reach  6♦. Their auction is shown on the left. 2♦ is probably xyz and 4♦ a slam try. Not clear what 5♣ is, but was probably asking for help in clubs. Since Jasith had that amply, he bid the slam.

In the closed room Prakhar coolly preempted 2♥ over the diamond opening (presume this would have got discussed in the team meeting). This resulted in East not showing his diamond suit and they lapsed in 4♠ giving India 10 imps

The slam makes on many different lines, the simplest of which is a spade finesse which is also working. The full board can be seen here.

On the next board too, India scored when Ananya and Jasith were allowed to bid the no trump game without interference. In the closed room, Prakhar opened  1♦. This probably led East West to reach for the spade game.

Barring mis-defence,  declarer will have to concede 2 hearts, a diamond and a club to go 1 down (once again, 10 tricks are make able on a heart or club lead). The full board can be seen here.

India won the second set by 10 imps to go into the last set with a reasonable 23 IMP lead.

 

Set 3

India added to their lead in the very first board of the session when the Taipean East-West failed to bid a cold game giving 7 imps to India. However, Taipei fought back on board 2 when Ananya elected to preempt 3♥ with 5 hearts and 7 points. This allowed South to make a responsive double in the passout seat. North bid 3♠ and South went on to bid the cold game. In the closed room, the Taipeian East bid  4♥  over which North South could not compete. Chinese Taipei got 10 imps for their efforts here.

Chinese Taipei made further inroads into India's lead when they bid an intrepid 4♠ on a Moysian fit. The contract is cold as the cards lie. The full hand can be seen here. At this stage, with 3 boards to go, India's lead had been reduced to a mere 7 IMPs.
But the team battled grimly, and held on to their lead to lose the set by just 17 IMPs and emerge victors by 6 IMPs.

 

In the semi finals today, India takes on the USA. A match all of us will be watching with great interest and cheering.

Chak de India!!!!!

 

Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.