In the closest round robin finish in the 14 year history of the World Computer-Bridge Championship, the last match determined all 4 qualifiers for the semifinal KO stage. With one round to go any one of the top five contenders could have been eliminated.
The final result was Wbridge5 first with 110 VPs, followed by Shark Bridge with 108 VPs, Jack with 106 VPs and Bridge Baron with 103 VPs. Q-Plus Bridge lost its last match to Shark Bridge by a 6-24 VP margin, and was eliminated with 99 VPs. Micro Bridge was also out of the money with a respectable 74 VPs, and newcomer Moose Bridge managed only 6 VPs.
Since Q-Plus Bridge couldn't show off in the KO stage, here’s a hand that it defended truly ‘double dummy’ in the last round.
| Board 29 North Deals Both Vul |
♠ A J 10 ♥ J 10 9 ♦ 7 6 4 2 ♣ 10 7 6 |
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♠ Q 9 8 ♥ A K Q 5 2 ♦ K Q 9 ♣ A 3 |
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♠ 7 6 4 ♥ 7 4 3 ♦ 3 ♣ K J 9 5 4 2 |
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| ♠ K 5 3 2 ♥ 8 6 ♦ A J 10 8 5 ♣ Q 8 |
| West | North | East | South |
| Shark | Q-Plus | Shark | Q-Plus |
| Pass | Pass | Pass | |
| 1♥ | Pass | 1NT(1) | Pass |
| 2NT | Pass | 3♥ | All Pass |
| (1) forcing, playing constructive raises |
| Lead: ♠ J; down 1 |
Q-Plus Bridge found the double dummy defense to defeat 3♥ by West. Only a robot would lead the ♠J. Partner won the ♠K and led back a spade. North cashed the second and third spade tricks, led a diamond to partner's ace and got a trump promotion when South returned the last spade.