BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. East deals.
NORTH
x10 3 2
uQ 10 4
vA Q 10 7 5
w A 3
WEST EAST
x9 xA K Q J 8 7 5
uK J 8 6 u7 3 2
vK J 9 4 3 2 v6
w 7 4 w 8 5
SOUTH
x6 4
uA 9 5
v8
w K Q J 10 9 6 2
The bidding:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
3x 4w Pass 4v
Pass 5w Pass Pass
Pass
Opening lead: Nine of x
How far ahead can experts visualize the play? The answer, on this deal from the Spingold Team Championship at the recent Spring North American Championships, might amaze you.
The bidding was identical at the two tables. East opened with a pre-emptive three spades, both Souths overcalled four clubs and at both tables the final contract was five clubs.
Both Wests, Roger Bates of Mesa, Ariz., and Marty Schiff of Tucson, Ariz., led the singleton spade. Both Easts won and continued with a second spade. Now, a diamond lead at trick three was vital to break up a red-suit squeeze, removing declarer's entry to dummy too early to be of use and stranding declarer with a heart loser. Both Wests, however, knew that East might not be in a position to see this possibility. To avoid an error, both Wests ruffed partner's trick and shifted to a diamond. Now, there was no way declarer could avoid the loss of a heart trick for down one.
To answer the question posed earlier; At both tables West foresaw the problem the moment dummy came down at trick one!
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