Our Mixed Teams Cup Win

From 23 to 25 April, the final stage of the Italian Mixed Teams Cup was held in Salsomaggiore, featuring the top 32 teams that had qualified through the regional phases. My sister and I competed as part of the team captained by Antonella Novo and Ennio Nardullo, playing respectively with Federico Porta and Alessandro Gandaglia as our partners.

The final phase of this championship follows a knockout format, with a randomly drawn bracket. Each match consists of 32 boards played over two 16-board sessions.

On the first round—which, in hindsight, turned out to be the most challenging for our team—we faced Team Manganella. After a narrow loss in the first session (24–30), we managed to make a comeback and clinch the match thanks to the very last board of the second session. Our opponents, due to a misunderstanding, bid 6♣, which went down, while at the other table they had stopped at 3NT. This swing allowed us to avoid a play-off and win the match by 11 IMPs.

Having made it through the first round, we were worn-out but motivated to keep going. With some tension in the air, we sat down again that evening. Federico and I played both sessions on the first day. Our opponents were Team Brambilla, which was made up of Italian Open Team players Manno and Di Franco.

The first session ended with a small lead for us (46–38)—nothing decisive, especially over 16 boards where anything can happen. The next day, in a highly competitive match with 89 IMPs swung, we ultimately prevailed with a final score of 103–70.

On the following round against Team Centra, Federico and I sat out. Despite fairly flat boards, our team-mates managed to secure a 19-IMP win thanks to a few opponents’ errors. We returned to play in the next match, which, as usual, was closely contested. On the final two hands—which proved crucial—Federico and I successfully bid and made two solid 4♥ contracts that turned out to be decisive for the win.

After a simple system bidding

The lead was the jack of diamonds. I realised that I needed to guess the queen of clubs, but I could also make it 100% if a diamond was returned. So I let them take the trick and as I thought, he played a diamond again, so I took it and played the king of hearts. Then a diamond ruff, a heart to the queen and I ruffed the last diamond. Finally, I played a spade and they brought me the club. 10 tricks. At the other table, the opponents played in North, and after the spade lead, the spade return and the diamond switch, declarer didn’t guess the position and went one down. 12 IMPs for us.

Reaching the semi-finals was incredibly exciting for us. At the beginning of the tournament, especially after the dramatic first-round win, we hadn’t really expected to make it this far. I remember that during the second session of the round of 16, our sponsor was already thinking about packing!

In the semi-finals, we faced a team from Rome—friends of Federico and Alessandro—in a friendly, light-hearted match where we had a lot of fun, while still playing some very solid bridge. One of the great things about championships is when the competition comes with laughter and good spirits.

In the first session, Federico and I played alongside our sponsors. We made many good decisions throughout the boards and ended up winning that session by 40 IMPs.

Here is one particularly interesting board, especially from a bidding perspective.

You are sitting East, all vulnerable, and the bidding starts with a 1NT opening on your right. Now it’s your turn to decide what to do with this hand. The options are:

I decided to show the strong 5-5 because I had too few losers for 2♥ and my hearts were too bad to impose them at the 4-level. I wasn’t strong in terms of points, but I took the risk. Federico did say 2♥ as pass or correct over 2♦, I was able to say 3♦, which showed the strong red 5-5. He then made the right decision by bidding 5♦.

At the other table, they played in 4♥ which, fortunately for us, had no chance of winning after the diamond lead because it cut communications and allowed the defense to take two ruffs in the suit.

On the second round, we felt quite safe with +40 IMPs. There were many flat boards, but we won by about 30 IMPs, winning the match and reaching the final.

This is one of the most prestigious championships in Italy and its structure always offers a very emotional experience. For my sister and me, this was the third time we had reached the final.

The final consists of three 16-board sessions. We were up against Team Fornaciari. While the semi-final had been filled with fun and light-hearted moments, the tension in the final was immediately noticeable.

Federico and I did not play in the first session, which we lost by 5 IMPs. We entered in the second session, which was once again a close, hard-fought battle. There were some interesting and entertaining boards in this phase as well.

An interesting deal where you have to make a decision

You have these cards. All green. The bidding goes Pass by your partner, then 4♠ opening.

A well-bid slam despite the opponent’s preempt!

You are sitting East and the bidding goes:

Pass – 3C and – Lead-directing double –

(1) 2♠ : relay without a heart fit
(2) 3♣ : minimum hand in points
(3) 3♦ : relay to determine the distribution

(4) 5♣ for the opponents. Then Federico and I played that the double means « I would like to bid on but I am not sure », while passing, which is forcing, shows either a negative or a positive hand, with which you are sure to bid again. I already showed that I had 12-14 points, so I decided to pass first, and over his double I showed the positive hand with 5♦ (with a negative hand, I leave 5♣ doubled). Over 5♦, he knew that I had to be 5440 and he then bid small slam in spades. +13 for us!

Secure the contract

Another nice deal. I played in 5♥ after 3♠ – P – 4♠ by the opponents (we knew 7♠ were with South).

We could simply try to discard a club on a diamond and then ruff the two spades. After a few minutes of consideration, I decided to take the king of diamonds, then played the ace of hearts and a heart. And I took the diamonds by discarding my spades and a club. It is highly unlikely that South has three hearts and can ruff a diamond.

The pressure of playing a final can help you think about everything on a deal. It is always difficult to make a decision somewhat blindly, but fortunately, I guessed correctly and I think that this was the most likely line of play.

A splendid win for Valentina and Federica!

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