The bridge world is experiencing an explosion of junior talent and enthusiasm. One of the very best is Sweden’s Sanna Clementsson, who may be only 21 but has already won two world titles in the Venice Cup (the Women’s World Championships), was the youngest female to become a World Grand Master, and was part of the Mixed Team who took silver in the WSB in Wroclaw, partnering Swedish International Fredrik Nystrom.
This hand attracted attention when it was played, and deservedly so. Here is Sanna declaring 4 ♥.
The contract was 4 ♥ at both tables and both Wests led a top Spade.
In the first room, play took just a few seconds; South won, drew trumps and finessed in Clubs. East won and played the obvious ♦J, and the defence had four tricks.
At the other table, Sanna worked harder on the hand, and eventually played low at trick one! West led another Spade, which Declarer took. She then drew two rounds of trumps, ending in dummy, and threw a Club on the master Spade. Now came ♣Ace and the Jack, which held when East didn’t cover. Even if West could have won this, the safe hand would have been on lead and declarer would have been fine. The next Club wasn’t covered either, so West could ruff but could only cash the Ace of Diamonds at this point.
It’s quite funny, when you look at the whole hand, that Declarer lost one Spade, one trump and one Diamond.point.
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