7 OCTOBER 1995, Page 65

MADEIRA

BRIDGE

Northern lights

Andrew Robson

THE INAUGURAL World under 25 Pairs Championship this August was contested by 152 pairs from 20 nations. Geir Helgemo of Norway underlined his reputation as the world's finest junior by winning with his partner Boje Brogelund. In second place were fellow countrymen Espen Erichsen and Thomas Charlsen who performed remarkably well on the following deal: Dealer South Neither Side Vulnerable The Bidding South West North East IV 14 2+ Pass 3+ Pass 341 Pass 3V Pass 4V All pass South's planned rebid in Notrumps seemed less attractive after West's 14 overcall — his choice of 3+ was more sensible. His 3V bid implied a decent five card suit, so North's raise to 4V was clearly correct. It is rare that a good auction ends up in a contract with a minority of trumps, but the Norwegians silenced their sceptics in the play.

West led 4A and continued with 4K and a third spade on which South correctly dis- carded a diamond. East switched to a trump which declarer won with dummy's VA and drew three more rounds of trumps discard- ing two diamonds from dummy. He cashed *A and K and when West discarded on the second diamond, he could count West for five spades, three hearts, one diamond and therefore for four clubs. He played +A and K and led his third club. When West fol- lowed low, he finessed dummy's +10 and made his contract. Note that the only suc- cessful game contract is 4V — 3NT is defeated providing West starts with a top spade (not his fourth highest) and East unblocks his jack on the second round.

Norway is not the only Nordic country to excel at bridge. Iceland won the World Championships in 1991 and Sweden have been one of the three or four most consis- tent teams in the world over recent years. Maybe it's those long winter nights?