Bridge | 27 June 2013

What a week! Ostend by the sea was host to this year’s European Championships which kicked off with two mixed events (pairs and teams). I arrived on Friday and went straight to the playing area. Who was the first person I ran into? My favourite column buddy, Susanna! For the next week we hung out like teenagers, with teenagers, laughed, drank, stayed up late — and played bridge. What could be more thrilling?

Of course the mixed events are always a rollercoaster of emotions, and this year was no exception. One of the best players in the world walked out when his wife let through 3NT! Sadly, too much partying does not a great tournament make, but you can’t have everything. The mixed pairs was won by Bulgaria’s adorable Dessy Popova playing with her regular partner, Rosen Gunev.

Dessy was South, and ended up in 4 hearts after opening a constructive Weak Two. She won the diamond lead and lost the trump finesse to West, who continued diamonds. Now she won in hand, drew the last trump and played a club to the Queen and King, East returning his last diamond.

A club was ruffed, dummy re-entered with a trump and the last club ruffed.

Elimination completed, Dessy now tabled the Queen of spades, and West had no answer: he must take it, but then has to lead away from his Jack.

Another Gold Medal for Dessy and Rosen. Congratulations!

By the way, my team made the play-offs in the Open Teams and we are playing now for the possibility of a medal. Fingers crossed!