The 16th World Bridge Games got underway Buenos Aires, Argentina on the 22nd of October.
The World Bridge Games differ from the World Bridge Championships in as much as there is no 'qualification' for the event. Every country can send one team for each event.
Another difference between this event and the World Bridge Championship is that each event has a different number of boards. While the open matches are of 16 boards each, the seniors and the ladies play 12 boards per match. Surprisingly, the mixed teams play 10 board matches
BridgeFromHome will attempt to cover them in an overall manner. Given the timings, it would be difficult to cover each match individually. Every day, there are 16 matches being played. As it were, the coverage is primarily from the scoresheets of each round. If possible, we will remark on a board, but that will be rare. We will, however, provide hyperlinks to each match and, when we comment on them, individual boards as well.
We would welcome reports of hands, or detailed matches from anybody. Will try and post them in the day's coverage. Photographs from the venue would be really welcome.
For India, the day appeared to be fairly decent. While the seniors have warmed the cockles of our hearts by leading the field at this stage, the mixed teams are also well poised in 5th place.
Do follow our mini bulletins. And all contributions, especially photographs are welcome.
The Open event saw the debut of Binod Shaw and Sanjit Dey, an event we all have been waiting for. The pair were clearly not overawed by the situation and played as they are known to do. Sanjit also took the time to be photographed with one of the modern legends of the game, Eric Rodwell.
This pair will be an infusion of fresh blood in the Indian team and we hope this is the first of many such representations.
The Indian Team started their campaign against Canada. Essentially, two big boards settled the match. In Board 7, the Canadians managed to make 4 ♠ whereas Ajay Khare went down. I confess I cannot analyze what could have happened but, as you can see from the traveller, as many people made the contract as went down. Board 14 was a disaster for India. In the open room, Ajay Khare and Raju Tolani allowed the Canadians to play in 4♥ making 11 tricks. In the closed room, the Canadians bid the 4 ♠ sacrifice. Binod Shaw and Sanjit Dey not only failed to bid one more, they also misdefended, allowing the sacrifice to make for a whopping 14 imp swing. These two boards comprised 24 imps in what was a 23 imp loss.
In the second round, they faced bottom ranked Kuwait and hammered them 104 - 26 to secure a full 20 VPs. As you can see from the number of IMPs exchanged, it is too vast to cover.
In the third round, India faced a strong Brazilian team. They indeed were too strong for India, picking up 67 imps in the first 7 boards. In the second half though, India managed to pick up a few imps to prevent a total washout.
At the end of the day, India was in 12th place (with 8 to qualify). Today, they will be playing Poland, Italy and Norway.
India's scorecard, as well as their upcoming matches can be seen by clicking here.
We remember the start of the APBF tournament, where Indian teams were invited to participate. After losing the first two rounds pretty badly, one wag commented on how India continues to compete for the wooden spoon. At that time, Alka Kshirsagar had hotly responded that they expected better support from their countrymen for the team.
To be honest, something exactly similar happened yesterday. The team had really resounding defeats against Brazil (0.08-19.92) and Sweden (1.72-18.28) in their opening two encounters. At this stage, they seemed to have won the bottom place. However, they picked up their game to post strong results against USA (16.91-3.08) and Ireland (13.97-6.03) to lie in 15th place (16 to qualify).
Today, they will be playing Spain, Chile, Hong Kong China and Argentina. India's scorecard, as well as their upcoming matches can be seen by clicking here.
The India Seniors were the best performing team yesterday, winning all 3 of their 4 matches to lead the field into the second day.
They started their campaign with a facile 16 imp (14.70 - 5.30) win against Turkiye. They followed this up with a near whitewash (19.44-0.56) of Germany and a total washout (20-0) against Chile. However, they succumbed to much tougher opposition from Brazil to whom they lost by 26 imps (3.27-16.73).
Today, they will be playing Argentina, England, Canada and Morocco. India's scorecard, as well as their upcoming matches can be seen by clicking here.
The mixed team also saw the debut of a fresh pair in the form of TV Ramani and Bindiya Kohli. While Ramani has played for India before, Bindiya had her first taste of International bridge yesterday.
The mixed team's performance on day 1 was quite heartening. After losing the first match to table leaders, Germany by 15 imps (5.20-14.80), they posted four consecutive victories against Hungary (19.26-0.74), South Africa (11.14-8.86), Israel (14.54-5.46) and Ireland (13.43-6.57) to end the day in 5th place.
India won their rather close match against South Africa with 2 swings on Board 25, where Himani Khandelwal scored an overtrick in 3♦ X and Board 26 where TV Ramani and Bindiya Kohli collected 1100 by doubling opponents in 3♠ . In the other room, North South played a sedate 3NT making 12 tricks. Earlier, on Board 23, Bindiya was unable to make 6♠ by dropping the ♠QJ doubleton, thereby conceding 13 imps
Today, they play New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden and England with a bye in Round 8.
India's scorecard, as well as their upcoming matches can be seen by clicking here.
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.