The World Championships are taking place in Marrakesh, and when I log on to Vugraph I feel like a child in a sweet shop, spoilt for choice about who to watch.
And yet an old expression which I heard as a child keeps coming back to me: you know you’re getting old when policemen start looking much younger. That’s how I’m beginning to feel about bridge players. The new generation – world champions like Michal Klukowski (27) and Sanna Clementson (23) – make me feel decidedly long in the tooth. It’s wonderful to see so many young stars representing their countries, of course, but I’m pleased the old-timers are out in force too: Zia Mahmood (77), Jeff Meckstroth (67), Alfredo Versace (54) and Geir Helgemo (53), for instance, are still at the top of their game. It gives hope to us oldies! At the time of writing, all have reached the QFs.
Here is Versace (Italy) in an earlier round vs USA:
West led the ♦️10. Versace won with the ♦️K and cashed the ♥️Q, East discarding the ♦️4. Rather than draw trumps and rely on a club finesse, he then turned to spades, leading the ♠️Q.
West won with the ♠️K and played a second diamond. Versace won in dummy, played a heart to the ace and a second spade to the ♠️9 and East’s ♠️A. He ruffed the ♦️J return with the ♥️J (West pitching the ♣️2), crossed to the ♥️K, cashed the ♠️J and ruffed a spade. He now exited with a heart, forcing West to lead a club into the ♣️AQ.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in