On Sunday, November 6, I spent the day monitoring Adam Kaplan through a two session, 64-board match to qualify for the USBF World Junior Championships to be held in Tai Chang City, China (outside Shanghai) July 24 to August 4, 2012. For more information, go to the website "usbf.org."

The logical analysis of hands and determining an opponent’s shape and strength are the greatest challenges bridge players face. Adam’s ability in doing this rivals that of Jim Logan and Charlotte Kartsonis - two of the best I have ever seen at any level. The following hand illustrates that to the nth degree. In the qualifying phase, teams not only had to win two 32-board matches, but they had to try and acquire as many match points as they could. Winning simply was not enough, you had to clobber your opponent.

Adam and his partner, Zach Brescoll play a relay version of the Meckwell Precision system. So a lot of bids that they make are artificial and forcing and beyond my comprehension even though I played bridge with Adam for 5 years (the last 3 using Precision).

 

In fourth seat, red on red, Adam holds: S-Qx, H-Qxx, D-J9xx, C-Axxx. LHO opens 5C, Zach doubles, and RHO passes. Adam now goes into a deep funk, mumbling as to what his options are. He could pass for penalty - Adam notes that Zach probably has a 19-20 point hand. He could bid any of the other three suits, but determines that if LHO has a 9-card suit, Adam would be caught in a ruffing crossfire. To be safe from such an attack, Adam opts for no trump - but how high.

 

Adam jokingly says that 5NT is undervaluing the combined hands, so he bids 6NT - don’t forget you can’t just beat your opponent you’ve got to clobber them. LHO leads the CK and dummy holds: S-AKJ10, H-AKxx, D-A10xxx, C-void. Adam thinks long and deep before making his first play.

 

"LHO must have a 9-card suit, so he probably is void in one of the majors," Adam says. "So I have to make a discovery play." Adam discards a low heart from dummy while winning the CA. Then he leads a low heart toward dummy. When LHO follows suit, Adam is home free. He plays the DA dropping LHO’s stiff queen and claims - four spades, three hearts, one club, and four diamonds.

 

By the way, Adam and Zach won the first match by 43 MP’s, taking first place in the 14-team qualifying round by a wide margin. At the end, Adam and Zach were named Team USA1 to compete for the 2012 Damiani Cup. 

Watching Adam play at this level has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I hope that this success carries on throughout his life.

 

Sincerely,
Jim Somma

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