When the East players looked at their cards on board 19, it looked to be a very ordinary affair. Yet there were nearly as many results as there were matches. They varied from 4ª by North-South, sometimes doubled and all failing; various levels of heart contracts which, too, were not a success; and those conservative pairs who stayed at the optimum 3ª level, (once doubled!), to make their contract. However, at one table only, when Turkey were defending against Israel, was Three Spades defeated.

Dealer South. EW Game ª J 10 9 © Q 8 6 2 ¨ K Q J § J 8 5 ª — ª A 8 6 2 © K J 10 9 7 4 © 5 3 ¨ A 10 9 6 ¨ 7 5 3 2 § A 4 2 § K 6 3 ª K Q 7 5 4 3 © A ¨ 8 4 § Q 10 9 7 West North East South Uz Amit Alper Zack 1ª 2© 2ª Pass 3§ 3¨ Dble Pass 3ª All Pass

Uz led a heart to declarer's bare ace and Zack led a spade towards table, finding out about the bad break. Alper ducked this and now Zack might have got home if he continues with spades but he felt he had to do something about the club suit so called for dummy's §5.

Alper shot up with the king and led his second heart. Declarer ruffed and now led a diamond. However Uz took the ace and played his heart king! Alper was able to throw away a club and the setting trick was a club ruff when Uz regained the lead with the )A!

By the way, I was impressed by the meticulous disclosure by Alper, (my side of the screen) of any partnership understanding implied by a bid. This included, for instance, the volunteered information that Alper's 2¨ overcall over 1ª categorically denied a four card heart suit.