A Somewhat Artificial Victory

This was one of the most exciting hands of the match and an embarrassing one for those who favor Sputnik—a convention whereby a double is for takeout in some situations where its normal intent would be for penalties.

The embarrassment for devotees of Sputnik came at the other table when Stone (North) opened one diamond, Mrs. Hayden overcalled with four clubs and Roth (South) could not double for penalties. A double would have been for a takeout; he could only pass and hope that Stone could reopen with a double. But North passed, and the contract went down three tricks for 300 points.

Mathe was under no such handicap and, had Schliefer passed the double of three clubs, his side would have scored 500 points for a gain of five IMPS. When Schleifer pulled out to three diamonds, Mathe made the imaginative bid of three no trump and had the guts to stick it out despite the lack of a heart stopper.

Stayman's opening lead of the 6 of spades drew critical lire from kibitzers but it turned out to be highly successful, removing a vital entry out of South's hand. Mathe might have made the contract if, having won East's agonized play of the spade jack with the king, he had pushed his 9 through. However, Mathe made the technically correct play of a diamond, and when his finesse of dummy's 10 held the trick he again could have made the contract but for one slight slip. Misled by Stayman's play of the 9 on the first diamond lead, Mathe cashed dummy's diamond king. Next he led a club. East won and shifted to the 8 of hearts, on which Stayman falsecarded again, playing the jack. Dummy took this trick, and thereafter declarer could not make the contract.

Becker and Mrs. Hayden, who were out during the disaster session when their team lost 60 points in 15 deals, played steadily and well for the Traditionalists—a comforting bit of news for those who will be rooting for our team in the World Championship. On statistics. Stone and Roth fared best for the Scientists. Beyond that, what did the match prove? Not that artificial methods are essential: it could hardly do that in view of the shellacking the Scientists took in the first half. Nor, since the natural bidders lost, did it prove that artificial methods are useless. Those who felt strongly one way or the other before the match feel exactly as they did—and with just as much fervor as ever.