MOSCOW RESCUE BIDS

The origin of this defense method is unknown. Every bridge player has had an opening of 1 No Trump doubled. It is important to know which conventional method is being used to defend against a 1 No Trump opening and the defense method against this particular employed defense method.

One method which has been employed by bridge partnerships is the Moscow Rescue or Moscow Escape bids to show a 5-card suit, a 4-card suit, and general distribution, even though the 1 No Trump opening would have normally been passed owing to weak values.

In order to salvage a partscore the partnership, following intervention via a double by the opponents, employs the Moscow Rescue method, which allows the partnership to discover sufficient, if not additional information about the mutual distribution at a low level and to double for penalty, if the opponents are forced into an unmakeable and high-level contract.

Note: Also known as Moscow Escape bids and Moscow Runouts After 1 No Trump Doubled, it is a defense method against a double by the opponents either in the immediate seat or in the balancing seat after two consecutive passes. This method was designed originally for the opening of a 1 No Trump with a range of 12-14 high card points, or a weak No Trump opening, but may be altered to also apply to No Trump openings with other ranges.

The Moscow Rescue is used generally after the following bidding sequences, and be aware that there are two possible variations discussed below. The origins of this method have been lost in bridge history, but it is generally acknowledged that individual partnerships arrived at this solution and it simply became accepted.

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Double	??

 

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	??

These two situations are frequent in many auctions, and the answer is not always simple or there exists no partnership agreement to cope with such situations. Since the responder should have a transferable 5-card suit or else at least 8 high card points, the responder should pass the 1 No Trump opening of his partner. However, after an interfering double by the opponents, which is normally not for penalty, the responder should have a manner of showing his distribution.

The Moscow Rescue method covers these situations and may be helpful in determining the distribution and the exchange of information about the distribution. In the above examples:

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Double	Pass

A Pass by the responder denies a 5-card suit.

 

In the second example:

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	Redouble

A Redouble also denies a 5-card suit.

 

Assuming the following auction:

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	2	Double

The double by the responder again denies a 5-card suit.

 

The principle of the Moscow Rescue is a considerably easy concept to determine whether one partner has a 5-card suit or not. It is also possible that the responder, with an above average holding can choose to pass the double for takeout. This is also the case if the double is actually for penalty. There is also the possibility that the opener may play the contract in 1 No Trump redoubled.

However, in the instance that both partners have denied a 5-card suit, and without any further interference from the opponents, the auction continues by bidding up the ladder until a 4-4 suit has been found. Even a 4-3 fit is acceptable. Whichever the case may be, both the opener and the responder exchange communication and can visualize the holding of the other partner.

 

In the following example, when the opponent in the balancing seat decides to double:

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
2/

The opener shows a 5-card Minor suit in the suit bid. Under no circumstance should the opener redouble, since the responder will use that bid to deny a 5-card suit.

 

If the opener first passes the double in the balancing seat,

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Opponent
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	2

the responder has several options:

1. bids a 5-card suit.

2. redoubles to keep the auction continuous

2.1. if the partner redoubles, then the opener will bid his lowest-ranking 4-card suit.

2.1.1. the responder may pass this rebid by the opener or bid his own 4-card suit if possible at the Two Level.

 

Transfer Variation

Following a direct double of 1 No Trump, the responder has, using the Transfer Variation, several options:

Opener		Opponent		Responder		Transfer
1 NT		Double		Redouble		to Clubs
				2		to Diamonds
				2		to Hearts
				2		to Spades

 

When employing the Transfer Variation, the responder is able to also show several distributions:

Opener		Opponent		Responder		Opponent		Promises
1 NT		Double		Redouble		Pass
2		Pass		2				Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit
				2				Hearts and Spades

The responder can, according to partnership agreement, show the opener his distribution, because each bid demands that the responder hold at least four cards in all of the suits indicated.

 

Note: When both partners are playing Transfers, certain inferences can be made during the auction. For example, in the following bidding sequences:

Opener		Opponent		Responder		Opponent		Inference
1 NT		Double		Pass		Pass
Redouble		Pass		2				shows 3-3-4-3 distribution
				2				shows 3-4-3-3 distribution

1. Otherwise, the responder would have responded 2 Clubs with Clubs and Diamonds.

2. Holding Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit, the responder would have doubled and then rebid 2 Diamonds.

The same inference can be made if the responder rebids 2 Hearts after an original pass.

Depending on the partnership agreement, the Moscow Rescue from 1 No Trump Doubled can be effective and informative. It is up to the partnership agreement whether or not to adopt this method. If adopted, then this understanding must be made known to the opponents.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.

 

 

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