North-South vulnerable. North deals.

North-South vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x 10 6 5 4
u A 4
v Q J 10 9 5
w A K
WEST EAST
x Q 2 x A J 9 8 7
u 10 8 7 3 u Q J 9
v K 4 2 v 8
w 10 8 3 2 w J 7 5 4
SOUTH
x K 3
u K 6 5 2
v A 7 6 3
w Q 9 6
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v 1x Dbl Pass
2v Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of x
When a contract seems to depend on a finesse, a healthy degree of pessimism might snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
South's double of East's one spade overcall was negative -- for takeout, not penalties. North's diamond rebid assured South of a source of tricks, and the vulnerability favored the aggressive jump to three no trump.
West led the queen of spades, ducked round to South's king. Needing diamond tricks, declarer crossed to the king of clubs and ran the queen of diamonds. But West captured with the king and reverted to spades -- down one.
South failed to realize the danger and, most importantly, the remedy. Declarer should allow the queen of spades to win the first trick! The defense is rendered helpless.
West can continue with a spade, East's ace felling the king. But now East cannot run the spades because dummy's ten is a stopper. East can set up the suit but has no entry to cash the long spade. At worst, declarer will rack up two hearts, four diamonds and three clubs.
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; 2004, Tribune Media Services
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.