As the old saying goes, you know you’re getting old when policemen start looking young. But you know what makes you feel really old? It’s when bridge players start looking young. The higher the level, the truer that is. Whenever I go to international tournaments, I’m struck by the number of players in their twenties and early thirties, many of them already world-class. And while they may make those us over 50 feel a little ancient, it’s also a wonderful sight: the future of the game is alive and well.
The recent open World Championship held in Denmark was remarkable for having two exceptionally young stars in the final. Finn Kolesnik, playing for the USA, is just 21. When his team eventually won, he became the youngest American ever to do so. The other, Christian Lahrmann, playing for Norway, is 22. I have to admit I was rooting for him, as I’ve met him a few times at TGRs in London, where he’s been coming to play rubber bridge since he was just 18. Towards the end, with the USA far ahead, the two young bulls locked horns in a most thrilling set. Norway didn’t quite manage to turn things around, but came breathtakingly close. This spectacular hand shows exactly why you want someone with all the courage of youth in your corner:
In the other room, West passed 3♠ and North bid 4♥, which made with an overtrick. Christian chose to bid 3NT, and when Finn (North) doubled, he didn’t run. Finn led the ♥4 to Christian’s ♥10. This had to be good: the opps could make a vulnerable game or could have taken him five down. One down was a great result. But no, Christian had higher aims. Cool as anything, he played the ♠Q! Finn won and – quite reasonably – continued with ♥A and another heart. Christian won with the ♥Q and claimed the rest of the tricks.
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