But unfortunately remaining out of practice his team could not make desired impression. However, his presence subscribed to the grace and air of authority to this event which was held at the Islamabad Club in the middle of the summer last year. Further the company of Zia Mahmood, high world ranking bridge player specially flown into Islamabad from New York to play the game with the Army Generals and also to receive a national title of Sitara-e-Imtiaz from the President himself.
With the presence of luminaries of the government and world bridge the Islamabad Club Bridge Tournament was a memorable event well organised by Tariq Aziz, National Security Adviser, to the President, that attracted 25 teams of national ranking bridge players from all over the country tealours at the event. The largest contingent of 9 teams represented Karachi which made the other bridge clubs of the country jealous at the event. All teams were set to compete for the top slot to receive handsome cash prize with the trophy.
After a tough contest among 25 participating teams 'Data Steel' of Karachi represented by Tariq Rasheed Khan, Pervez Mirza, Rashidul Ghazi, Mirza Shauq Hussain and Kamran Ibrahim lifted first prize. The second prize went to 'Aces' who fielded Ghias Malik, Izzat Khalil, Ahsan , Liaquat Farrukh, Noman Butt and Zia Hyder.
Ihsan Qadir was the non-playing captain. The 'Candyland' comprise of Mohammed Ismail, Mubashir Puri, Khalid Mohiuddin, Hasan Askari, Hamid Mohiuddin and Ziaullah Baig, came third. The 'Aces' which consisted of noted bridge players like Zia Mahmood, Tahir Masud, Tariq Aziz, Jawed Khalid and Tufail Shaikh, which was joint favourite to win the tournament finished forth. The Dream Team comprised of two pairs from Lahore. Najam Abid, Nilofer Aslam, Rubina Agha and Abida Ali and one pair from Karachi Rehana Saigol and Zeenat Azwar received best ladies team.
The tournament was conducted on round robin basis many interesting deals were seen during the sessions, one of the best played hands between Giants and Four Bidders is reproduced with complete hand, bidding and play below:
(1) Precision Club 16 plus points any distribution
(2) Relay 0 to 8 points
(3) Heart suit with more than 20 HCP
(4) Doubleton heart with honour or three rags
(5) Confirming 5 cards of heart with two secondary honours
(6) Nothing more. Keeping the bid open
WEST LED SPADE 8:
On the dummy coming down the declarer Nasir Reza saw no big problem for the success of the contract if the distribution of trumps 2-3 with divided honours. With that assumption he proceeded playing and winning the lead with the king of spade and played the queen of hearts the West playing low and Masud Mazhar sitting in the East seat won the trick with heart king and returned a spade which the declarer won with the ace. Next he moved jack of heart which the West ducked and the East showed off.
At this stage the declarer figured out the distribution and played another heart which was won by the West with the heart nine moved a diamond, the South won it with the ace of diamonds and moved another heart which the West won with the ace of heart and exited with a club. Having won the trick with the king of club the South Played the last trump card which applied double squeeze on the West and eliminated a spade loser to make the contract .
DEALER-EAST: BOTH-SIDES VULNERABLE:
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North West East South
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S 1073 S Q 8 S J 9652 S AK 4
H 765 H A 982 H K H QJ 1043
D 10764 D J 853 D 92 D AKQ
C A 83 C J 92 C Q 10754 C K 6
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THE BIDDING:
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North East South West
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Abdul Masud Nasir Hasan
Khaliq Mazhar Reza Akhtar
Khan Zaidi
- Pass 1 C (1) Pass
1 D (2) Pass 2 H (3) Pass
3 C (4) Pass 2 H (5) Pass
3 S (4) Pass 4 H Pass
Pass Pass - -
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GOLDEN TIPS: Double or triple squeeze converts a losing contract to winning proposition.