What an extraordinary two weeks for Richard Plackett and his team. First, they went to Tignes in France for the European Winter Games, where they fought some of the world’s best teams over seven gruelling days, and emerged with the crown. Elated but exhausted, three of them – Richard, Espen Erichsen and Peter Crouch – flew straight on to Bristol, where they teamed up with Andrew Robson, Alexander Allfrey and Peter Bertheau for the Spring Fours. Another five days of battle –another triumphant victory.
Both events were thrilling to watch, and I’m delighted for them – particularly my old friend Espen, whose mental toughness has always dazzled me. He pushes himself harder than anyone I know; he was dog-tired in Bristol, but still fighting for every trick as though his life depended on it.
This deal from the Winter Games shows Espen and Richard bidding with their usual precision to reach slam (see diagram).
[1♥ = ♠, 1NT = 17-19, 2NT = transfer to ♣, 3♥ = shortage; 4◆ = keycard, 4NT = 2 without the Q♣.]
South led the ♥10 to the ♥Q and ♥A. Espen (E) cashed the ♣A and finessed the ♣J. North won and returned a club. Espen crossed twice to the ◆AK to ruff two hearts, then returned to the ◆Q, squeezing North, who couldn’t guard the ♥K and keep 4 spades (South would have been squeezed had he held 4 spades and 4 diamonds).
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