N°55 • November 2024

In the final of the Open series Poland trailed Italy 33-88 after two sessions, but then posted a remarkable 62-0 in the one that followed to give them a lead they never surrendered.

In the play-off for the Bronze medals in the Women’s series, China held a seemingly unassailable lead of 58 IMPs entering the final 16-board session, but the USA produced a stunning display to win it 88-0!

In the Seniors final India led the USA 74-67 after two sessions, but the powerful American team came roaring back by winning the third session 53-7 after which they always held the whip hand.

In the final of the Mixed Teams, Poland led 71-51 after 32 deals, but were then blitzed 0-52 by China, who also dominated the next two sessions to go into the last one with a healthy 173-111 advantage. Miraculously, Poland took it 84-11 to capture the World title.

These incredible results demonstrate that there is no such thing as a lost cause. As you can see, given the right set of deals it is possible to overturn massive deficits. Teams that have a healthy lead sometimes inadvertently adopt a conservative approach, hoping to avoid errors as opposed to pursuing their normal aggressive approach and that can make them vulnerable.

Remember, no one ever won a bridge match by making a concession!

Number 55 – Monthly – November 2024 – Director of publication Olivier Comte – Publisher Éditions de Presse Spécialisée Le Bridgeur – 33 avenue Emile Zola, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt  – France – Executive Director Karine Meyer-Naudan – Editorial Committee Michel Bessis – Muriel Clément – Philippe Cronier – Mark Horton – Vincent Labbé – Norbert Lébely – Karine Meyer-Naudan – Assistant Editor-in Chief Vincent Labbé – Editorial Secretary Muriel Clément – Adverts Bridgerama+ Muriel Clément 01 42 96 25 50  – Subscriptions 01 42 96 25 50 – Art Director Isabelle Le Squer-Fontaine/Maya – mayatom@me.com – Translation Monika Kummel – Legal Deposit november 2024, N°7.680 – Joint Committee – 1118 K 85690 – ISSN 0184-8127.