May 16, 2013
In the 8th Round of the Grand Prix of Portugal 2013, the team Debonnaire: Debonnaire – Souto – Ralha – Jorge – Teixeira – Lampreia (who was first) faced the M João Lara team: Palma – Barbosa – Lara – Capucho. The match was won by Debonnaire 23-13, on the road to their victory in the last board the Debonnaire – Souto partnership played a very well evaluated slam.
Barbosa after West pass decided to open his hand with a 1NT bid…his partner after finding out that they didnt have a major fit, and with 14 points closed the game in 3NT, declarer scored +520.
In the other table, Souto after West pass, chose to open his hand with a 1
bid and was rewarded …
East showed his heart suit and South doubled showing the two other suits. North continued showing his extras in distribution and strength with 3 and his partner showed his own extras with a heart cue-bid.
Souto without further to add said 3NT, but at this point nothing could stop Debonnaire, he continued showing his interest in playing a diamond slam. After some more bids they closed the 6 slam. The lead was a heart, declarer won the trick, drew trumps, ran the spades, pitched a heart loser on the fourth spade and after the club finesse claimed 13 tricks …
At the end of the Round 8 Fanha team: Louro – Fanha – Gonçalves – Corral had won his match 25-5 and recovered the lead…, so Debonnaire had to settle for the second place … just missing a match …