BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x J 6 2
u A Q 10
v K 10 8 5
w A K 4
WEST EAST
x 10 8 4 x K Q
u 8 7 6 3 u K 4
v A J 2 v 9 7 3
w 7 6 5 w Q J 9 8 3 2
SOUTH
x A 9 7 5 3
u J 9 5 2
v Q 6 4
w 10
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v 2w 2x Pass
2NT Pass 3u Pass
4x Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Five of w
Finesses have a fatal attraction for the average player. However, against top-flight defenders, you cannot put too much faith in a finesse that has succeeded.
By agreement, North's rebid of two no trump showed 15-17 points. When South rebid three hearts, North decided, reasonably, that his maximum, three-card spade fit and excellent heart cards were well worth a jump to game.
Looking at all four hands, it might seem that all South would lose was one trick in each suit except clubs. Sitting East-West, however, were Irish internationalists Nick Fitzgibbon and Adam Mesbur, respectively, who had other ideas.
Declarer won the opening lead with the king of clubs and led a low spade to the king and ace. A low heart was led to the ten and East ducked in tempo. Declarer took advantage of being in dummy to lead a low diamond to the queen, and this time it was West's turn to duck!
Declarer elected to repeat the heart finesse, leading low to the queen. Now the roof caved in. East won with the now bare king, returned a diamond to partner's ace and ruffed the heart return to complete the defensive book. West's 10 8 of trumps over declarer's nine provided the setting trick. Diabolic but lovely.
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