Mother - there is only one!

Erik is one of the best players in the country. About 4 years ago, he sent his mother to learn bridge (a bit against her will...) at one of the best bridge teachers in the country, which happened to be (by chance or not...) his regular partner. Erik's mother got caught, as expected, in the game, and progressed nicely, with the help of her great teacher.

As an international bridge festival was taking place nearby, he managed to convince her to come play there.

"How could I compete with all the champions?" she protested.
"It will be fine and fun. Just take it easy, and remember you also have a lot to offer," Erik encouraged her. So, she was convinced.

Destiny wanted (by chance or not...) that Erik and her teacher would compete in the same tournament, in exactly the same section as she was.
She was on North-South, they were East-West, and as rounds were played they moved quickly, towards her table. One round before they would finallly arrive at her table, she was already too nervous and excited to focus.

"Calm down," said her partner. "Take a deep breath, go to the toilet, do what you have to do, but pull yourself together!"

"Hi mother, are you ready to compete with us," smiled Erik as he sat by her side:

Dealer East, all vulnerable:


She did not respond, just smiled.

She was brave enough to bid 4♠ by herself and got more nervous when her teacher, in West, doubled the contract.

He lead the ♥Q and continued with another heart in an attempt to shorten declarer. His plan was to duck the first spade when declarer would play the ♠K, win the 2nd spade with the ♠J or the ♠A, and continue with heart, forcing declarer to ruff in hand and get shorter again. Winning the next spade and playing another heart will force declarer to ruff again, and guarantee him another spade trick: 3 spades and a heart.

But as she was so nervous, she accidentally played the ♠8 from hand. Wining with the ♠J will not help West, as the 2nd trump in dummy protects declarer from getting shorter, if defenders continue with heart. So West played low (hoping that East holds a higher trump), and the ♠8 won the trick. The ♠K followed and declarer finally lost only 2 spades and 1 heart and made 4♠ doubled (!) after she discarded, later on, a club loser, on 1 of the diamonds.

"Bravo! You are a genius," shouted her partner and clapped her hands.
"It's only because you had a good teacher," smiled her teacher, complimenting himself.
"It's only because you have my genes," Erik complimented himself, adding a smile of his own.

Erik's mother didn't manage to score above average. But that's not what matters. She had a great time and a fun experience. Erik and his partner finished the tourney on 2nd place. Yes... That board messed up the 1st place for them. But what can you do? Mother - You have only one!