In this section I would be putting together all the information regarding bridge facilites in the various cities in India.The information may be sketchy at present but would be made comprehensive in future.
Lucknow Allahabad Varanasi Meerut Dehradun Ghaziabad Kanpur Moradabad Delhi Chandigarh Jaipur Mumbai Pune Asansol Durgapur
Bangalore
Chennai
Ranchi
In this section I would cover tournaments happening in India and more so the tournaments happening in Northern part of India and in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
HINDALCO bridge tournament is took place at HINDALCO,Renukoot from July 30-Aug 1, 1999. A record 82 teams took part from 5 states & 19 different cities.
The show ,however, wasn't as impressive as it used to be in the previous years.The good thing is that the the organisers have promised to put
up a better show next year.
8th Open Bridge Championship is taking place at Netaji Bhawan, Durgapur from Aug 27-Aug 29,1999.
K.N. Modi bridge tournament is taking place at Boat House Club, Nainital from Oct 2-Oct 5, 1999.
Rajendra Golcha Memorial bridge tournament is taking place at Jai Club, Jaipur from Oct 9-Oct 11,1999.
In this section I would cover one good deal which appeared in the Weekly Bridge Tournaments at Lucknow or in a recent tournament with explanations.
This week's deal is from HINDALCO bridge tournament 1999.
| Dealer:East Vul: EW Lead:  K | NORTH 5 3 2 A 9 6 5 2Q 4 3 9 3 | |
| WESTK QQ 7 3A K 8 5Q J 10 5 | EASTJ 8 7K J 10 8 4J 7 2K 2 | |
| SOUTHA 10 9 6 4-10 9 6A 8 7 6 4 |
| East | South | West | North |
| Pass | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 1 | 1 | 4 | Pass |
| Pass | 5 | X | 5 |
| X | Pass | Pass | Pass |
At high level one should not defend with a void is advocated by Larry Cohen in his books on total tricks.
This is not a blind law but involves some amount of judgement.This week's deal shows where it is prudent to defend even when dealt with a void in opponents suit.
In the first session of matchpoint pairs elimination West opens strong 1 Club after 2 passes. North passes and East responds positive 1 Heart, South overcalls 1 Spade and West jumps to 4 Heart which is passed around to South who bids 5 Clubs which is doubled by West and is corrected to 5 Spades by North and which is again doubled by East.
4 Heart by EW would not make on likely Diamond lead by South but 5 Spades by South goes four down and results in bottom.
Explained North after the bidding was over that he didn't double because he thought South would be void in the suit and would think of taking out the bid and he would not be able to get the plus out of the deal.
While North was correct to think that way , most in field would double this 4 Heart contract and not doubling this may result in poor score anyway.
So for those who follow Larry Cohen's advice it is advisable that they double this 4 Heart contract because this gives correct picture of card count.
Now South would not think of taking out this bid as he has two quick tricks in the suit.
So quick tricks should deter you from taking out any bid and would tend to push you towards defending even when dealt with a void in a high level double situation.