BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x A K Q 10 6
u 10 8
v Q J 7 3
w 10 9
WEST EAST
x 8 3 x J 9 7 4 2
u K 9 6 5 3 u Q J 2
v K 8 4 v A 10 9 6 2
w J 8 3 w Void
SOUTH
x 5
u A 7 4
v 5
w A K Q 7 6 5 4 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1w Pass 1x Pass
2u Pass 2x Pass
3v Pass 4v Dbl
5w Pass 6w Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of v
During World War II, everywhere you went in Great Britain and the United States you found posters declaring: "Loose lips sink ships!" That applies to bridge as well.
North-South has an exotic auction to reach six clubs. Since South's two-heart reverse established a game force, we would have preferred either Blackwood or a natural three clubs at his third turn. However, after a series of forcing (and informative) bids, North-South bid the excellent slam.
With East's double of four diamonds to guide him West, English internationalist Paul Hackett, found the opening lead of the king of diamonds. Declarer, looking at 12 tricks via eight trumps, three spades and the ace of hearts, felt quite comfortable about the slam. That changed quickly. At trick two West shifted to a spade, and South realized he was in dummy for the first and last time. Needing two heart discards, declarer was compelled to try for three spade tricks immediately. Unfortunately, West ruffed for down one.
Would East-West have come up with this defense had South simply asked for aces over two spades? Your guess is as good as ours!
X This 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