Shantanu Rastogi's Bridge Page

issue 49 (September 6, 1999)

For your comments please e-mail tosrastogi@lw1.vsnl.net.inPage updated on:September 6, 1999

Keep Foreigner Away, Vote the BJP & National Democratic Alliance Way

dear bridge friends I don't mix bridge with politics but the issue of foreigner being thrusted on India is too important to be not spoken about.

Bridge Facilities in India

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

Tournament News

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.

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.

Deal of the Week

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 also shows importance of playing Diamond at trick two.

Dealer:North Vul: NS Lead: Q	NORTH 10 A K 7 6 3 Q 8 4 2 A 6 5
WEST 9 7 6 5 3 9 4 K 10 9 7 Q 2		EAST - Q J 8 5 A J 5 3 K J 10 8 7
	SOUTH A K Q J 8 4 2 10 2 6 9 4 3

Bidding

North	East	South	West
1	2	4	Pass
Pass	Pass

I've picked this beautiful deal from Terence Reese & Julian Pottage written The Extra Edge In Play.

South is playing in 4 Spades and receives Club queen lead.

Look at this deal (only North South cards) and you would say what is there in this deal.There are 10 tricks on top 7 Spades ,2 Hearts & a Club.So with ease you pick Spade 10 from dummy after winning the Club ace and East shows out.

Damn!

Now there is no quick entry into South cards to take out the Spades.

If you cash ace, king of Hearts and try to ruff the third Heart small , West would over-ruff. If you ruff high, you would have to concede a Spade trick. If you play a Diamond now East would win , would cash two Clubs and promote a Spade by playing the fourth Club.

So what is the solution!!

Play Diamond at trick two!

Now at the most East can cash two Clubs but when he plays fourth Club you would ruff and if West over-ruffs you would still have Spade 10 in dummy to score the trick. Now you can ruff a Diamond , take out trumps and claim the contract.

The previous week's deal was slightly easy, this deal is difficult. But concept shown in both the deals are same ie of creating a solid entry early.