APPEAL no. 26 |

Appeals Committee
Chairman | Steen Møller | DEN
Members | Naki Bruni David Stevenson Herman De Wael | ITA GBR BEL
Scribe | Herman De Wael | BEL

Event
1998 World Championships
Open Pairs | Semifinal
Countries
Argentina | v | USA
Players
NS | Poleschi | Alujas
EW | Wildavsky | Morse
Board
Board 21. Dealer North. NS Game
| ª | Q J 6 |
© | K 10
¨ | A K 10 7 6 4
§ | J 10
ª | A 10 9 5 4 |  | ª | K 8 7 3
© | 7 5 2 | © | Q 4 3
¨ | J 5 | ¨ | 8 3
§ | 7 3 2 | § | K 9 8 5
| ª | 2 |
© | A J 9 8 6
¨ | Q 9 2
§ | A Q 6 4
West |  | North |  | East |  | South
|  |  |  |  |  | 1©
Pass |  | 1ª¹ |  | Pass |  | 2§²
Pass |  | 3NT |  | All Pass |  |
¹ Relay (nothing about Spades) ² N/E: 5©+4§/¨ OR 5©332 S/W: 5©+4§/¨ OR 5©332ª
Result
3NT+4: +520
Facts
The explanation that East received about the bid of 2§ did not conform to the true meaning of the call, which was the one explained by South to East. East claims he might have led Spades in stead of Clubs with the correct information.
TD's Decision
Misinformation, No Damage, Score Stands.

Appellants
E/W
Players' Comments
North/South did not attend the Committee meeting, and neither did West, as the only problem was with East's lead. East stated that had he received the correct information, his chances of finding the more successful Spade lead were greater.

Committee's Comments
The Committee decided that the explanation that East received was consistent with nine possible distributions in South: 3541, 2542, 1543, 3514, 2524, 1534, 2533, 3523, 3532. In five of these, there are more clubs than spades in dummy. In two, the number of spades and clubs is equal, and in two, there are more spades than clubs. In any case four spades is impossible, while four clubs is. With the correct explanation, seven distributions remain: 5 with more Clubs, 1 equal, and 1 with more Spades. Although the relative frequency of each of these distributions is not absolutely equal, the Committee felt that the Spade lead stood out nevertheless. The Committee felt the player had tried to play the board three times, once at the table, once before the Director, and a third time before the Committee. While it is perfectly normal for him to call upon the Director if he feels damaged, a higher standard is needed before the Committee. The Director had given a well thought through ruling and by Appealing, the player had only proved a lack of faith in the Director. The Appeals' Committee at World Championships does not act as a safety net for bad Directors, especially when these Directors prove time and again their quality. For this reason the Committee felt the Appeal lacked merit.
Committee's Decision
Decision upheld, Score stands.
Relevant Laws
—
Deposit
Returned |
Forfeited | X

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