Editors: Cathy Chua and Robert Zajac Bulletin #9

43rd PABF Championships - Open Series 2nd Round Robin (FINAL)

1	China (Champ)	431	1.8080
2	Chinese Taipei	382	1.3524
3	Australia	365	1.2009
4	Japan	350.5	1.1481
5	China H K	350	1.1148
6	Indonesia	346	1.0984
7	New Zealand	338	1.0367
8	Singapore	321	0.9916
9	Thailand	295.5	0.8751
10	China Macau	262	0.6960
11	Philippines	254	0.6789
12	Korea	234	0.6255

Match Results

Round 10
China	-	Chinese Taipei	47	-	39	16	-	14
China Hong Kong	-	Indonesia	53	-	22	21	-	9
Singapore	-	Australia	28	-	48	11	-	19
Japan	-	Philippines	104	-	20	25	-	0
Thailand	-	New Zealand	40	-	21	19	-	11
Korea	-	China Macau	60	-	34	20	-	10
Round 11
China	-	Indonesia	49	-	26	20	-	10
Chinese Taipei	-	Australia	18	-	47	9	-	21
Singapore	-	China Hong Kong	25	-	50	10	-	20
New Zealand	-	Japan	26	-	74	5	-	25
Philippines	-	China Macau	49	-	61	13	-	17
Korea	-	Thailand	19	-	41	10	-	20

Open Series Playoff Results after 1^st Segment

Open Series	Segment				Total
	1	2	3	4
Chinese Taipei	31				31
Japan	32				32
Open Series	Segment				Total
	1	2	3	4
China Hong Kong	4				4
Indonesia	60				60

Ladies Series Playoff Results after 1^st Segment

Ladies Series	Segment				Total
	1	2	3	4
Japan	37				37
Indonesia	26				26
Ladies Series	Segment				Total
	1	2	3	4
China Hong Kong	22				22
Singapore	48				48

Youth Series Playoff Results after 1^st Segment

Youth Series	Segment				Total
	1	2	3	4
China Hong Kong	20				20
Chinese Taipei	54				54
Youth Series	Segment				Total
	1	2	3	4
Singapore	31				31
Indonesia	45				45

43rd PABF Championships – Senior Series 2nd Round Robin (FINAL)

Ranking (1/7/05)
		VP	IMP Quotient
1	Japan – Yamada (champ)	507	1.8778
2	Australia	483	1.6272
3	China	467	1.5806
4	Chinese Taipei	460.5	1.4691
5	China Hong Kong	445	1.2930
6	Indonesia	429	1.2653
7	New Zealand	406	1.1760
8	Queens & Knight	399	1.0968
9	Japan - Yokohama	349	0.8482
10	Thailand	316	0.7069
11	Japan - PS Jack	309	0.6620
12	Japan - Wakasa	301	0.6632
13	Korea - Ivy League	273	0.5626
14	Korea - Joy Club	259.5	0.5485

Match Results

Round 12
Australia	-	China	20	-	29	13	-	17
Indonesia	-	Chinese Taipei	34	-	35	15	-	15
Japan - Yamada	-	Japan - Yokohama	67	-	17	25	-	4
China Hong Kong	-	New Zealand	27	-	42	12	-	18
Japan - PS Jack	-	Queens & Knight	5	-	62	3	-	25
Thailand	-	Japan - Wakasa	32	-	55	10	-	20
Korea - Joy Club	-	Korea - Ivy League	45	-	22	20	-	10
Round 13
Australia	-	Chinese Taipei	15	-	46	8	-	22
China	-	Japan - Yamada	21	-	48	9	-	21
Indonesia	-	China Hong Kong	63	-	41	20	-	10
Queens & Knight	-	Japan - Yokohama	32	-	17	18	-	12
Japan - Wakasa	-	New Zealand	6	-	91	0	-	25
Japan - PS Jack	-	Korea - Ivy League	33	-	55	10	-	20
Korea - Joy Club	-	Thailand	37	-	39	15	-	15

Playoff for Senior Series will start later today

Japan - Youth Champion

Profile of the Ladies Team Champions – China

Gu-Lin and Zhang Ya Lan: WBF Life Masters

9 times PABF Champions

3 times world’s runners-up

Sun Ming: WBF Life Master

8 times PABF Champions

2 times world’s runners-up

Liu Yi Qing: WBF Master

3 times PABF Champions

1 time world’s runners-up

Wang Ping: WBF Master

2 times PABF Champions

1 time world’s runners-up

Wang Jing: WBF Master

3 times PABF Champions

NPC – Wang Xiao Jing: WBF Master

1 time PABF Champion

13 National Champions

Coach – Ju Chuan Chen: WBF Master

10 times PABF Champions

Appeal Case No.1

Youth Series RR 2 –7

Bd 18	ª 8743
Dlr E	© AQ92
Vul NS	¨ Q
	§ K962
ª 10		ª QJ62
© J8643		© 105
¨ KJ10652		¨ 973
§ 7		§ A1053
	ª AK95
	© K7
	¨ A84
	§ QJ84

West North East South

Dewi Gabby Wahyu Matthew

1§⁽¹⁾

2NT⁽²⁾ Dbl 3¨ Pass

Pass 3© Pass 4ª

Pass 5§ All pass

(1) Playing Weak NT

(2) East to North = ¨+M

West to South = ¨+©

Final Contract, 5§ by South

Result, 11 tricks, +600 NS

Statement of Facts: The Australian NPC came to the TD after the match and told the TD that on Board 15 the explanation was different at two sides of the screen. East explained to North that the 2NT bid was ¨ + M. On EW’s convention Card, 2NT jump overcall is stated as two lower unbid suits. The subsequent bids now have different meanings to N & S. The final contract was 5§ by South, making. The Australian NPC said they only discovered the erroneous explanation subsequently and claim damages. The TD determined North has misinformed and damage had resulted. The TD, in accordance with Law 21B3 and 40C, adjusted the score to 4ª by South making 5.

Decision of the Appeal Committee: The Committee supports the TD’s ruling and acknowledges that the damage was caused by the confusion in explanation. However, players are advised to check with their opponents’ conventional card to prevent this kind of irregularity in the good spirit of bridge.

The Committee believes that in a 4ª contract, a singleton club lead may hold it to ten tricks. However, in the good spirit of the Law, the favourable result should be awarded and hence the Committee agrees with the score adjusted by the TD.

Deposit returned.

BBO Vugraph Report for Friday – by Rick Wakeman

Well our spectator numbers were down somewhat today and I made some mistakes. My apologies for not being more organized for the play-offs. However, the day was saved by four excellent young operators – 3 from the Japanese Youth Team – Ruri Miss Ote; Yuichu, Ikemoto; and Motoaki, Shiga and a wonderful young lady from Korea by the name of Ko Jae-hyun. They were simply great – once we managed to get the 4 tables up and running, it was smooth sailing thanks to these fine youngsters and future stars of the PABF. Dr. Hahn, Chairman of the 43rd PABF Championships asked me to express his warm and heart felt gratitude for your world class contribution to this event.

Our four table broadcast last night was one of the few ever held on BBO and what is more significant is our numbers were about 700 viewers when the European Championships from Tenerife came on-line and we lost about 200 viewers. So running side-by-side with the European Championships, who only had one table on broadcast, we managed to split the BBO audience with them 50/50. They had 500 viewers and we had the same.

I think tomorrow is going to be a red letter day for the 43rd PABF BBO vugraph for many reasons – the Indonesians are all primed to enjoy a day of watching their teams perform, with commentary in their native language. Japan won’t be left out either – I am hoping that we will broadcast several sessions in Japanese, featuring those talented teams out of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Not only are the youth teams coming out in force to operate the vugraph, but Steve Robinson of the Singapore Open Team, Dagmar Neumann and Jillian Hay of the Australian Women’s Team and Fu Zhong of the powerhouse Chinese Open Team will taking their turn behind the monitor to help us show the world that the PABF is where bridge is happening – BIG TIME! Oh yeah - almost forgot – some guy that owns BBO by the name of Fred Gitelman messaged me last night to say he could tell he was missing the big party and asked if it was okay to drop by and commentate a session or two. What do you think? Should we let him?

So when do you want me to slot you in for a session of operating? If you wait much longer you might have to pay me for the opportunity. Have a great day in this bridge heaven called the 43rd PABF.

BBO STARS by Rick Wakeman

Here is an e-mail from Fred Gitelman of BBO that talks about how one qualifies to have a star on their BBO profile. I anyone is interested in further information, please feel free to contact me – you likely can find me around the vugraph tables.

Hi Rick,

I hear the PABF vugraph has been great – congrats and thanks! Most likely I will be around some time this weekend to help with commentary.

Representing your country in certain World Championship events is enough to qualify for a star regardless of your results. The events that count are things like the Bermuda Bowl,  and Olympiad. Events like the World Open Pairs and the Rosenblum do not count (since anyone can play in them). Women, Juniors and Seniors can qualify for stars in this way as well (by playing in appropriate World Championship events).

In addition, all new stars must agree to use their full real names and proper countries in their user profiles.

Winning one of the major events at a Zonal Championship (like the PABF) is another way to get a star on BBO (as are winning ACBL National Events and major invitational tournaments like the Cavendish.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Regards,

Fred

Kumho Tires – Major Sponsor of the 43^rd PABF

Friday’s Play

Cathy Chua

Open Series 2^nd Round Robin Match 11

Board 18 saw a play I’ve missed since Stephen Burgess moved back to NZ from Australia.

Bd 18	ª Q43
Dlr E	© KQ5
Vul NS	¨ A9752
	§ 86
ª KJ9		ª 8762
© AJ74		© 632
¨ J64		¨ 10
§ A42		§ KJ1093
	ª A105
	© 1098
	¨ KQ83
	§ Q75

It was one of those 1NT 3NT auctions you scrape together and then wish you hadn’t. Nakamura for Japan began with a low heart to the king. Now Burgess tried a low club off dummy: the Statue of Liberty play. Shimizu was probably regretting his play of the three when he saw the rest of this round of the suit: queen and ace. Maybe the jack would alert partner to what is going on. Still, he had an easy §K pitch on the second round of diamonds and so the Burgess con was doomed to failure. Japan +100 and 12 IMPs to Japan when 3NT got home in the other room!

Another Burgess caper on board one:

Bd 1	ª K8764
Dlr N	© A98
Vul Nil	¨ 87
	§ J85
ª Q		ª 10532
© 642		© KQ5
¨ AQJ653		¨ K1094
§ 632		§ Q7
	ª AJ9
	© J1073
	¨ 2
	§ AK1094

North’s 2ª opening was passed around to West. He balanced with 3¨, and East, not sure what his hand was worth cued 3ª. Burgess doubled, passed back to East who gave it another shot with redouble. But West had zero interest in game and bid 4¨. This was passed around to Burgess who backed in with 4ª. Double said West!!

west	north	east	south
Nakamura	McLeish	Shimizu	Burgess
	2ª	Pass	Pass!
3¨	Pass	3ª	Dble
Pass	Pass	Redble	Pass
4¨	Pass	Pass	4ª
Dble	All Pass

East began with a trump, nine, queen, king. Now declarer ran the §J, it held: good news. Now he crossed to the spade ace: West showed out, bad news. He tried clubs from the top and East ruffed the third round. Now East continued the ¨K. His plan is to play another diamond next. If declarer ruffs that he’ll be down. If he pitches on it, to ruff the next diamond in hand, he’ll make. All irrelevant as West overtook the diamond – a play which is hard to understand as partner did not have to lead the king – and shifted to a heart. That was +590 to NZ.

In China vs Indonesia, North for China, Fu Zhong, got a diamond lead to the ace and a heart shift. He won the ace and took a spade hook: jack and queen, eventually ending 2 down. In the other room Indonesia made via: ¨K overtaken by the ace and another diamond. Now Tobing tried ace of spades – good news. He overtook the next spade, conceded a spade and banked on the club finesse. That was +450 and 11 IMPs in.

Australia started off diamond, diamond against CT and declarer ruffed, but after next cashing the ªA he let the next hold in dummy. Now a club to the eight was a treat for that queen of clubs. One down was a flat board.

Board 7 was another 3NT which didn’t seem to have nearly enough tricks.

Bd 7	ª 10854
Dlr S	© K4
Vul All	¨ K52
	§ KQJ6
ª AK632		ª Q
© 983		© AJ75
¨ A764		¨ Q8
§ 7		§ A109543
	ª J97
	© Q1062
	¨ J1093
	§ 82

For NZ McLeish began with the §K. Declarer won and continued the suit, pitching a spade from hand. Next the ©K fed into dummy’s heart suit: ace of hearts and another club to North. Declarer didn’t have a chance and was one down, -100 and 3 IMPs away when 3NT failed by an extra trick in the other room.

In the Chinese Taipei vs Australia encounter, Nagy played 3NT from the East cards. Perhaps this made all the difference… Play began with a heart to the king and ace. Now the ªQ and a heart won by the ten. South switched to the ¨J, won by North with the king. North now shifted to the §8!! When his ten held, Nagy started to perk up a bit. He played a heart won by the queen and then won the diamond return. Don’t forget North can’t see East’s cards. So his pitches on the hearts were a club and a diamond. Now ace and another club forced him to give transport to dummy: 9 tricks and +600.

On board 10 when South was the declarer in 4© West could get into trouble…

Bd 10	ª A862
Dlr E	© K98752
Vul All	¨ J76
	§ ---
ª 1097		ª J43
© J3		© A106
¨ K8542		¨ A93
§ K95		§ J743
	ª KQ5
	© Q4
	¨ Q10
	§ AQ10862

After Nagy opened 1§ on the East cards for Australia, South, Huang Kuang Hui, overcalled 1NT…I guess 6 stoppers is enough! Now a transfer saw South as declarer in 4©. Spotlight on Hinge: he was tempted to go for the club lead on the basis that his personal preference is to overcall 1NT unfussily when the club opening is short as this one was. Nonetheless he went for the diamond and so it was an easy beat.

In the other room Richman did super-well. He won the spade lead in hand, heart to the queen and heart to the jack. Now he won the spade continuation in dummy and tried a low club at no cost. West rose king and that was the end of that. +620 and 12 IMPs to Australia in a good finish for them: 21-9 VPs vs Chinese Taipei.

The Singapore West also found themselves on lead to 4© and began with the ©3…12 IMPs to HK when 4© failed in the other room.

A gin grand on board 13….

Bd 13	ª AQ
Dlr N	© Q6
Vul All	¨ AKQ1042
	§ A43
ª 9765		ª 108
© 8753		© K10942
¨ 5		¨ J98
§ KQ52		§ J97
	ª KJ432
	© AJ
	¨ 763
	§ 1086

…but who wants to bid a grand when nobody is even bidding small slam? For a start it was always played by North, so the heart lead is an issue. Only two pairs in the field bid to 6¨. Richman-Gaspar picked up 12 IMPs for Australia and Furuta-Chen picked up the same for Japan.

I don’t know if that means the North field was showing this hand as a 2NT opening, but it is way too good for that!

Board 9 saw conservative part-scores mostly, but not everywhere…

Bd 15	ª J972
Dlr S	© AK105
Vul NS	¨ 9
	§ KJ86
ª Q10		ª AK843
© J62		© 7
¨ AQ86		¨ K42
§ 10532		§ AQ74
	ª 65
	© Q9843
	¨ J10753
	§ 9

Japan, who murdered NZ 25-5 VPs, played 4ª from the East seat. Burgess began with the singleton §9. Not a good start for his side, but then, North had opened 1§ so it had to be the preferred lead. At any rate, trick one went §9, 10, king and ace. Next declarer drew three rounds of spades and set about the club suit: diamond to dummy and a club to the eight and queen. Another diamond to dummy and another club: in all this meant he lost 1 club, 1 heart and 1 trump: +420 and 7 IMPs in when 3ª made 3 in the other room.

Japan have looked dodgy this whole tournament so far, but a strong run home: 2 25s on the last day means maybe they have saved their best for the playoffs. That is, the teams that finished 2-5 are playing off for the other World Championship berth available for the Pacific Asia zone. All will be revealed over the next couple of days.

In China-Indonesia both teams played 3NT. When West played it for Indonesia, North having opened 1§, North had an easy try of the hearts for +50. In the other room same thing except that hearts were blocked. North had to win the fourth heart and he exited with a club which lost to the queen. Now declarer played spades from the top and then diamonds….North was squeezed in the blacks and that meant 10 IMPs to China.

A sea of games failing on the next board, mostly 3NT, but a couple of imaginative major suit games, both hearts and spades going down…

Bd 3	ª A52
Dlr S	© J74
Vul EW	¨ 83
	§ AKQ82
ª KJ		ª Q1086
© Q62		© 1095
¨ 97		¨ AJ104
§ J76543		§ 109
	ª 9743
	© AK83
	¨ KQ852
	§ ---

North may only have been dummy in China-Indonesia, 3NT by South each time, but what happened on the board was all his fault.

After the auction begins, as it will, 1¨ 2§ 2¨ the Chinese West heard North bid 2ª next, and so he led a heart to 3NT: 10 tricks, while the Indonesian West heard North rebid 2© and so he led a spade: one down and 10 IMPs to Indonesia in a match won by China 20-10 VPs.

Stage one of the Bermuda Bowl Qualifying Playoff

Before I knew the scores I’d picked this board out as interesting:

Bd 7	ª 10
Dlr S	© KQ76
Vul All	¨ 10853
	§ K952
ª 5		ª AKQ87643
© A9842		© J5
¨ AKQJ		¨ 94
§ 1083		§ 4
	ª J92
	© 103
	¨ 762
	§ AQJ76

Not as it turned out. No-one got close as far as I can tell.

Board 16 had big fits for both sides on which to bid away:

Bd 16	ª AQJ9875
Dlr W	© ---
Vul EW	¨ AQJ42
	§ J
ª K2		ª 106
© AKQ543		© J10862
¨ K10		¨ ---
§ 732		§ AQ10954
	ª 43
	© 97
	¨ 987653
	§ K86

But still nothing all that interesting happened. In the Open match Japan-CT Japan got to buy it in 5ª, while CT bid 2 6¨.

There was an inventiveness in the Youth match HK-CT on this board: against 5ª Wang for Taipei did try the club underlead for the ruff, and declarer did put up the king – a surprise entry to dummy…+450! In the other room EW managed to get to 6§, -200.

Secretariat Prediction Results

Calculation: 1^st choice correct = 5 points

2^nd choice correct = 3 points

3^rd choice correct = 1 point

Total score:

Tadayoshi: 5+5+3+5 = 18

Anthony: 5+8+0+5= 18

Bobby: 0+8+0+5 = 13

Dr. Hahn:5+0+0+5 = 10

Cathy: 0+5+0+0 = 5

The winners: Tadayoshi and Anthony

Today’s Schedule