Kaplan Nuggets I: prior to 1980
In addition to the few brilliancies and many errors reported here, each player made thousands of sound, accurate decisions which go unheralded because the right play or bid is unspectacular.
"Analysis of the 1958 World Championship", TBW 1958, as reprinted (abridged) in TBW 1.1998, p. 21
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And there was Forquet’s incredible auction on Deal 58. He held:
8 6 / Q J 4 / A J 10 7 / J 10 9 4
With both sides vulnerable, Siniscalco opened with one spade. Forquet responded one notrump. Siniscalco rebid two spades. Forquet rebid two notrump. Opener ran to three spades, and, so help me, Forquet persisted with three notrump, and went for 500. I know a few players who bid like that, but they are all either occasional club players or dentists, not World Champions.
Ibid, p. 22
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[North opens 1D; at both tables E-W finish in two diamonds on a 3-3 fit]
Seemingly, East-West are inextricably trapped into a diamond contract by North’s diabolical one diamond opening.
Ibid, p. 25
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A decision like that five-heart bid can be justified only by success, and this one wasn’t so justified.
Ibid
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In my view, to push the opponents into a contract and then sacrifice against it is one of the gravest bidding crimes.
Ibid
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Just as Stone was about to pay the penalty for his rashness -the difference between a rash bid and a courageous one is a matter of result- Chiaradia came to his rescue.
Ibid
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[Tobias Stone does not open on K5/AQ76542/Q43/4; a game is missed]
Granted that he believes in "sound" openings; surely he could "take his life in his hands" and open this holding.
Ibid, p. 28
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For a full explanation of this remarkable auction, I must refer you to the perpetrators.
Ibid, p. 29
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In the Open Room, Altman, West, had to make a blind opening lead, and chose a trump (violating "Mathe’s Law": never lead a trump, unless it turns out right).
"Play-off semifinals, Stayman vs. Sheinwold", TBW 11/1972, p. 16
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The experts turned out in force, but the field was one of the weakest in years. That sounds contradictory -the explanation lies in the explosive growth in the number of "professional" teams composed of a wealthy amateur and his hired hands (...) I give three cheers that bridge experts are being paid for their expertise. Only good comes from C.C.Wei’s sponsorship of the Presicion team (...) or Ira Corn’s of the Aces; there, the experts are paid to work out their partnerships, to practice, not to play with the sponsor. But I will weep three tears on the day on which America is represented by a man who has bought his place on the team.
Sorry about my diatribe -let’s get back to the Vanderbilt.
"Pros and contracts", TBW 5/1973, p. 5-6
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Thus, the sponsor who won through to the final would have to play 36 boards -probably too much of a handicap for a first-class team.
Ibid, p. 7
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[Murray overcalls a strong club on K9xxxx and out]
In the Open Room, Hamman’s opening showed 17 points or more; Murray’s overcall (...) showed his presence at the table.
Ibid, p. 8
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You can buy my rights to open an off-beat one notrump with a six-card minor for an old subway token.
Ibid, p. 12
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