BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. East deals.
NORTH
x J 8 5 4
u K 8 6 2
v Q J 8 3
w J
WEST EAST
x 9 x K 7 6
u A Q J 10 7 3 u 9
v 9 7 5 2 v A K 6 4
w 10 3 w K 9 8 7 2
SOUTH
x A Q 10 3 2
u 5 4
v 10
w A Q 6 5 4
The bidding:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1v 1x 3u 4x
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Two of v
Bridge is an art, not a science. If you need proof, follow the defense on this deal. Sitting East was Bob Hamman of Dallas, the top American on the World Bridge Federation ranking list.
West's three hearts was a weak jump, an attempt to muddy the waters. North chose an aggressive stance by jumping to four spades, ending the auction.
West led deuce of diamonds to East's king. The nine of hearts was returned to West's ace, and the queen was covered by the king, losing to a ruff. East now found the only card to defeat the contract. Can you, looking at all four hands, equal Hamman's skill?
Suppose East returns the ace of diamonds. Declarer ruffs, cashes the ace of clubs and ruffs a club. The queen of diamonds is led, South ruffing away East's ace. Another club is ruffed, and the trump finesse is taken, the queen winning. After ruffing another club, declarer discards a club on the knave of diamonds and scores the rest of the tricks with trumps.
A low spade is no better. Declarer wins in dummy, takes the club finesse and ruffs a club. South returns to hand with the ace of trumps and crossruffs for 10 tricks.
Hamman defeated the contract by finding the killing switch to the king of spades! Declarer won in hand, but now could not reach dummy for a club finesse without expending a trump entry prematurely. Down one. Try it.
A Merry Christmas to all of our readers.
XThis column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680
& copy;2003 Tribune Media Services