BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 8 3
u A 10 9 7 6 2
v A 8 5 2
w 4
WESTEAST
x Voidx K 10 9 6
u K 8 5 4u J 3
v Q Jv 9 7 6 3
w A Q J 10 8 3 2w 9 6 5
SOUTH
x A Q J 7 5 4 2
u Q
v K 10 4
w K 7
The bidding:
SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST
4x5w5xDbl
PassPassPass
Opening lead: Queen of v
Study the bidding and play of this deal, then decide: Did anyone err? If so, who?
At this vulnerability, we would prefer a double of five clubs with the North hand, so we will give North a minor charge here. Not that five spades was a bad contract. With trumps 3-1, it would have reasonable play.
Against five spades doubled, West did well to steer clear of leading the ace of clubs, selecting instead the queen of diamonds. Declarer won in dummy with the ace, and the three of spades was led, covered by the six and seven, which won the trick when West discarded a club.
Declarer cleverly exited with the king of clubs, losing to the ace. No matter what West returned, declarer was able to ruff a club in dummy and get back to hand to cash the ace of trumps, then force out the king of spades.
When the jack of diamonds dropped under the king, South had limited his losses to one trick in each black suit. What's your verdict?
Charge East with giving declarer the contract. When a spade is led from dummy, East must insert either the nine or ten, losing to the jack. If declarer then elects to go for the club ruff, he will lose two spades and the ace of clubs.
If, instead, declarer elects to take a second spade finesse, he will have to concede one trump trick and two clubs. Either way, the contract must fail by a trick.
& copy; 2004, Tribune Media Services
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