The results in the pre Quarter Finals for India were pretty much as expected. The seniors won handsomely whereas the Mixed Team was roundly thrashed.
In other matches, there was a near miraculous recovery by the England Ladies team to overcome a 60-110 deficit against New Zealand to enter the quarter finals with a narrow, 6 imp victory.
In the open event, Korea surprised Sweden. While Sweden picked up the first set, the Koreans kept nibbling back at the lead to finally emerge victors by 5 imps.
But, before we go on to more about the goings on, some more photographs courtesy Simon Stocken. For those of you who may not be aware, Simon spent a lot of time in India during the first half of 2023; over which period he has developed a considerable fondness for India and Indians. Having played regularly with Binod and Sanjit, he is extremely free with the duo. Given their commendable performance in the butler rankings, he recommends they be considered for further, international training. With luck, some sponsors would step forward!
Senior Teams TrophyOpen Teams Trophy
Senior Coach, Girish Bijoor with Badal and BardhanSanjit, Devi Bhatnagar, Asha Sharma and Binod
Anal Shah, Asha Sharma, Alka Kshirsagar and Binod Sanjit, Badal and Binod
Sudhir Agarwal, Girish Bijoor, Arun Bapat and Anal Shah
SeniorsMixed
The India Seniors took on Scotland as their opponent for the pre quarter finals and, as expected, won their match comfortably 134 - 88, a difference of 48 imps. They had pulled comfortably ahead in the first 3 sessions, winning them 35-13, 46-17, and 35-20 before the Scots pulled back the last session 18-38.
In the quarter finals, India face Canada.
The Indian team would have to have done something truly exceptional to overcome their opponents, USA given their performance against them in the Swiss League. That did not happen as they lost by 110 imps (216-106). The session scores were 45-71, 21-67, 27-27 and 13-51.
In Board 8 of the first session, India were the recepients of a gift of 2200 as the US team suffered a rare misunderstaning.
In the open room, the auction went as shown alongside. North Opened 1♣ and South responded 1♥ which, as per their system, was either balanced, or diamonds and hearts. It is not clear why North opted to pass 5♦ XX. Even in the absence of a spade fit, she was guaranteed a heart fit and none of South's actions seem to suggest a long diamond suit.
In the closed room, Bindiya and Ramani bid a routine 4♠ to make the total difference 2650 and a whopping 21 imps!
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.