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Plain Tough.

Those words could be used to describe Michael Cornell at the bridge table. He has never given an inch and never will! Yet, those words were used by Michael about one decision he had to make en route to winning the New Zealand Open Teams for the 14^th time.

This occurred in the semi-final match against his Chinese opponents. His opponents in this match were Wang Weimin and Liu Wiqian. If Michael says that he had not a clue what to bid, then the problem must be worth a look!

 

1 was Precision style, 11-15 and as short as 2 diamonds. His partner, Ashley Bach, made a standard take-out double and Michael had to find a bid. What would your choice be as East?

The choice surely would be about how many clubs to bid though there was the nagging feeling that perhaps the partnership should be in hearts. However, if his partner held a strong spade hand, his own hand would not fit very well. Michael decided to take “the low road” and hit on the gross underbid of 2. Someone, surely, would bid over that and hopefully then Michael would decide on what to bid next.

He was not to be disappointed as Ashley emerged with 2NT, strong around 19-20 hcp. Michael could still not really know the right level and had no way of finding whether his partner had the right cards for slam, or even game. The Vu-Graph commentators mused that this board would decide the fate of the match, coming just 3 boards from the end of the 42 board match and with the Cornell team leading just 79-74 imps.

For Michael, the hour had come. It was time to chance his arm. “6”. There was no further bidding. He awaited dummy with more than usual interest:

 

 Michael said afterwards that he did not get a dream dummy “but that it was OK”. The lead was an annoying K. South was strong favourite to hold the K. So, work had to be done before he could draw trumps. He won with A and played A discarding one heart. Next came a spade ruff and then a nervy diamond finesse.

While South was favourite to hold Q, there were 14 missing hcps and South did not have to hold all of them. However, J held this trick. Next came AK and with both opponents following suit, Michael could dispose both of his remaining hearts. Then, he could take the losing club finesse in relative comfort.

 

That was a finesse Michael was happy to lose and with North providing a couple of small clubs, the slam had been made.

Michael described that diamond finesse as probably the most important finesse of the event.

Meanwhile, at the other table, Peter Newell was in rescue mode after the double of his partner’s 12-14 1NT opening.

The leap to 5 saved Peter any further concerns and the declarer played somewhat dangerously after K lead (an immediate club finesse at trick 2) to make 11 tricks. Had Peter held only 2 hearts, the game would have been defeated. 
   New Zealand Teams winners 2024 along with...

 
Michael Cornell, Martin Reid, Ashley Bach and Peter Newell

The final result of this match was Cornell 102   Maoyuan 74. Cornell won what was scheduled as a 60 board final against Joel 132-108. The final was reduced to 53 boards. 

    ...... their Australian teammates  
   
Tony Nunn and Nabil Edgtton

The above deal was according to Michael one of the most exciting he has participated in for many years. He won his first National title in 1973 and this year's is the latest. 

Richard Solomon

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