Match 4 - Japan

Our first opponents on the second day of the competition is Japan, another fellow Zone 6 competitor. Japan was the runaway winners in PABF 2005, furthermore, our 2 matches against them in PABF 2006 have been very very close. Thus, there is no chance we will take this match easy.

Many people have asked about the qualifying system for World Youth Championships in Zone 6. Well, it is similar to that in Europe, the top 3 teams in PABF Youth 2006 will represent Zone 6 in WYC. Singapore earned its first ever appearance in WYC in convincing fashion. It won all 16 matches in the round robin on the trot to finish clear leaders and took it's first ever win in PABF Youth 2006 also held in Bangkok early June. China HK and Japan took the other 2 spots.

My favourite match in PABF 2006 was that against Japan. After 12 boards, we won 9-6 in imps, losing one partscore swing and earning 9 purely on overtricks and undertricks. That should show how close the match was.

Well, for spectators following the results online, our match against Japan didn't look like it was going to be a close thing. After a partscore swing, Japan drew first blood by some excellent bidding:

♠ J 8
♥ Q 2
♦ A J T 8
♣ A Q J T 5



♠ A Q 9 7
♥ A 9 6 4
♦ K 6
♣ K 6 4

The pair at our table bidded efficiently to the thin slam which was missed at the other table. With both major kings favourably placed, there was no problems in the play. 12 imps out.

We lost another partscore swing owing to system difference before the next big swing came:

♠ K 9 8 5 2
♥ K 4 3
♦ A 9 8 2
♣ 5


♠ Q 3
♥ Q 8 6 5
♦ K Q 6
♣ A J 8 4

Both tables stretched to the thin(bad?) 3NT. Our side had no chance to make after opps made no mistake in the defence and S didnt break favourably. At the other table, an unfortunate lead and a slip in the defence let the game through. Another 10 imps.

Things got worse the next board when our teammates had a bidding misunderstanding to land in the wrong game. Another 11 imps away. At the midway point of the match, we were trailing 3- 46 in imps, it surely didnt look good for us.

Luckily, we came back with 2 big swings in the second half.

♠ Q J 7 4
♥ K Q 9
♦ 2
♣ J T 7 4 3


♠ 9 6 2
♥ A 4
♦ Q J 8 3
♣ A K 8 6

At our table, we reached 3NT which presented no problems when clubs came in. Atthe other table, opps lost their way after Kelvin opened a semi-psychic 1H in third seat and was allowed to play in 2H-2. 9 imps for us.

The next board could have gone either way:

♠ T 9
♥ A K Q J 8 5 3
♦ K 5
♣ A 6


♠ Q 7 5 4
♥ 6 4
♦ A Q 8
♣ Q T 9 8

The other table settled peacefully in 4H. At out table, after some terrible overbidding by me, we reached 6H by South. On most days it would have no chance. But when our opponent led away from the K C on the opening led, my partner quickly wrap up the slam. A lucky 13 imps.

Credit to our opps for not losing their focus after this board as they proceeded to play steadily and push the remaining 5 boards of the match. Eventually, the score was 51 - 31 imps (19-11 VP) to Japan. It didnt feel good to lose but still we managed to contain the damage and we remained in second place after the match. It was a long tournament and we knew we had to refocus to play Hungary after lunch.