The World Bridge Federation held the 2004 championship tournament in Istanbul, Turkey from October 23 to November 6. The Women's Team Championship was won by a team of previously unknown Russians who bested the United States by 12 International Match Points.
The Russian team was comprised of Olga Galaktionova, Victoria Gromova, Natalia Karpenko, Maria Levedeba, Tatiana Ponomareve and Irinia Vasilkova. The Silver Medal winners from the United States were Jill Meyers, Randi Montin, Janice Seamon- Molson, Tobi Sokolow, Carlyn Steiner and Marinesa Leitzia.
Today's hand was played early in the finals. The hand was played at two tables in the open finals and at two tables in the Women's finals. South declared three no trump at three of these tables. West took four diamonds and when that suit broke, all three declarers were able to claim the contract.
At the fourth table, Ponomareva, for Russia, opened three no trump and Seamon-Molson made a four heart bid. When this came back around to the Russian, a double would have proven worthwhile, even if the Americans took it out to four spades, which should also be doubled. Pomonamreva decided to bid five clubs. West took the first two diamond tricks for the defensive book. Declarer trumped the third diamond and appeared to have only ten tricks.
Pomonamreva cashed all of her clubs but one and the two major suit aces, leaving this end position:
In the three card ending, Ponomareva led her last club and West was fatally squeezed in the major suits.
Unit 125 of the American Contract Bridge League held the Buckeye State Sectional Bridge Tournament in Solon on November 5 - 7. The following players were successful in their respective events on November 5. Additional results will be listed in future columns.
Afternoon Open Pairs (59 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Marjorie Baldwin, Akron, and Pat Chisholm, Macedonia. 2. Niel Waletzky, Shaker Heights, and Phillip Becker, Beachwood. Stratum B. 1. Harriet Adelstein, Chagrin Falls, and Bernard Heyman, Shaker Heights. 2. Henry Essig, Westlake, and Chet Jain, Willoughby. Stratum C. 1. Patricia Petruzzi, Independence, and C. Daniel Sommer, Brecksville. 2. John Viola, North Ridgeville, and Carol Cooperider, North Olmsted.
Womens Pairs (12 pairs). 1. Maureen Depenbrok and Bonnie Pisching, Chardon. 2. Lynn Giesler and Dorothy Rendlesham, Cleveland.
Afternoon 299er Pairs (26 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Stephanie James, Chagrin Falls, and Jean Sulzberger, Aurora. 2. John and Fran Holland, Fairlawn. Stratum B. 1. The Hollands. 2. James Wise, Cambridge Sptings, PA, and Melvin Skol, Erie, PA. Stratum C. 1. The Hollands. 2. Ann Frankel, Moreland Hills, and Lynda Gillinov, Chagrin Falls.
Scholarship Pairs (65 pairs) Stratum A. 1. Bernie Greenspan, Beachwood, and Frank Aquila, Fairlawn. 2. Rosalyn Sukenik, Cleveland, and William Kane, Willoughby. Stratum B. Sukenik and kane. 2 Marilyn Cagin, Miami, FL, and Ernest Humbert, Uniontown. Stratum C. 1. Cagin and Humbert. 2. Richard Sweet and Dilip Maniar, Mentor.
Evening 299er Pairs (20 Pairs). Stratum A. 1. Doug
Henderson, Cleveland, and Edith Dus-Garden, Fairview Park.
2. Donald and Susan Huber, Canfield. Stratum B. 1. Kathleen
Horan and Emme Hawn, Erie, PA. 2. Mary Kay Covington, Beachwood,
and Jane Post, Shaker Heights.
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Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon.