March 2020 - 38

Problem 2

East deals. N-S vulnerable.
West
♠A8
♥K853
♦9432
♣K73

East
♠Q763
♥-
♦ K Q J 10
♣ A J 10 6 2

Savchenko

Perlin
1♦
1♠
2♦
Pass

1♥
2♣
3♦

East-West have discretion with
4=5 shape in the minors, but often
open 1♦ based on rebid options. 1♠
showed an unbalanced hand over
which Savchenko invited in diamonds
by using 2♣ to relay to 2♦ and then
raising. Perlin briefly considered both
3NT (with clubs a possible source of
tricks) and 5♦, but ultimately passed.
Botta
1♥
1NT
3♦

Tuncok
1♦
1♠
2♣
Pass

A similar auction, though 1♠ did
not show an unbalanced hand at the
time, so Botta made the practical 1NT
rebid. Tuncok anticipated this start
and prepared for it by opening 1♦. 2♣
completed the three-suited picture,
over which responder invited in diamonds, although opener had nothing in
reserve.
Bridge Bulletin auction: As Botta-
Tuncok
Scores: 2♦ 11; 2♣ 10; 3♦ 9; 3♣ 8;
4♦ 6; 4♣ 5; 5♦ 4; 5♣ 3; 1NT 2; 2NT 1
Savchenko-Perlin 13, Botta-Tuncok 11

Problem 3

South deals. E-W vulnerable.
West
♠QJ
♥K8752
♦ K 10
♣ 10 6 5 4

East
♠AK
♥AQ
♦A965
♣AKJ93

38 Bridge Bulletin March 2020

Savchenko
Pass
2♦
2♠
3♦
4♣
6♦
Pass

Perlin
2♣
2♥
2NT
3♥
5♥
7♣

2♦ was game forcing. Opener's 2♥
followed by 2NT ("Kokish") showed
25-26 balanced (not hearts). 3♦ was a
transfer, and 3♥ showed a likely doubleton heart. 4♣ was optional keycard
in clubs again, but this time opener was
more than pleased to cooperate. Perlin
had to take off his shoes to count the
steps, with 5♥ ultimately showing all
five key cards. Savchenko showed the
♦K via 6♦, and opener took a shot
at the club grand. Responder has the
wrong black queen, but there are still
strong chances in 7♣.
Botta
Pass
2♦
2♠
3♦
5NT
6NT

Tuncok
2♣
2♥
2NT
3♥
6♣
Pass

After an identical start, Botta chose
not to look for a grand in light of partner's failure to super-accept over the
transfer, instead giving opener a choice
of slams with 5NT. Tuncok introduced
the club suit, but with a grand not in
the picture, Botta retreated to the
higher-scoring small slam at matchpoints.
Bridge Bulletin auction: Pass-2♣;
2♦-3♣; 4♣-4♦; 4♥-4NT [RKCB
clubs]; 5♣ [zero key cards]-5♦
[♣Q?]; 6♣ [No]-Pass.
Scores: 6NT 11; 6♣ 10; 7♣ 8; 6♥ 7;
5NT 5; 7NT 3; 5♥ 2; 5♣/7♥ 1
Savchenko-Perlin 21, Botta-Tuncok 22

Problem 4

West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
♠J7643
♥-
♦K98
♣AK432

East
♠Q2
♥AQJ4
♦ Q 10 7 6
♣Q97

Savchenko
1♠
3♣
Pass

Perlin
2NT
3NT

This pair treats 2NT as natural,
13-15 HCP, over which opener could
show clubs and pass 3NT comfortably.
Botta
1♠
3♣
Pass

Tuncok
2♣
3NT

2♣ is game forcing, but could show
as few as two clubs, allowing initial 2♦
and 2♥ responses to show five. Botta
raised, but Tuncok had 3NT in mind
from the start.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♠-1NT
[forcing]; 2♣-3NT; Pass. Or 1♠-2♦;
3♣-3NT; Pass.
Scores: 3NT (E) 9; 3♣ 7; 3NT (W) 5;
3♠, 4NT 3; 4♣, 4♠ 2; 5♣ 1
Savchenko-Perlin 30, Botta-Tuncok 31

Problem 5

North deals. N-S vulnerable.
North opens 2♠ (weak). South bids
3♠ if possible.
West
♠J2
♥AK42
♦ J 10 9 7
♣A86

East
♠-
♥ Q 10
♦AK864
♣KJ5432

Savchenko North
Perlin South
(2♠)
3♦
(3♠)
Dbl
(Pass)
5♣
(Pass)
5♦
All Pass
Perlin started with a prepared 3♦ to
leave him the option to bid clubs later,
though he also considered an initial
4NT overcall for the minors. Double
March 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2020
