Monday's blog

One full day completed with our team in 13th place. This leaves us with lots of work to achieve the top 8 to qualify out of the round robin.

In a 16 board team match against each country slams bid and made, and also staying out of slams with no hope can make all the difference. Board 1 of the evening session against Spain Kiz opened one heart and I held this beautiful array of high card points: Qx AQxxx AJ10 AJx. After a Jacoby 2NT Kiz replied 3H denying a singleton. My next bid was 3NT a convention known as "serious" 3NT. This tells partner I have slam interest please Qbid (1st &2nd round controls up the line). Kiz bid 4 clubs showing the King. I bid 4 diamonds followed by 4 hearts by Kiz. What to do next? If Kiz holds the spade King I want to be in slam. The bid here is 5 hearts asking for a control in the unbid suit. (If I wanted to know about her trump holding I could simply bid 4NT Keycard.). Partner responds 5 spades with first round control, 6 hearts with second round control ( King in this case as she has already denied a singleton) and pass with no control. Kiz passed, the opponents cashed the Ace and King of spades and Kiz claimed 5.

It is exciting to be here mingling with the famous names in bridge and meeting people from all over the world. Today we play Morocco, Jordan and France. Everyone is professional, friendly and courteous, and whether winning or losing, it is an honour to be here.