BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
x A 3
u 5 4
v Q 10 6 4
w A K J 6 5
WEST EAST
x J 10 7 5 4 x 8 6
u K Q 3 u J 9 8 7 6 2
v A 7 2 v 5 3
w Q 3 w 9 7 2
SOUTH
x K Q 9 2
u A 10
v K J 9 8
w 10 8 4
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1x 2w Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: ?
How do experts find those spectacular opening leads to defeat sound contracts? This deal, from the National Mixed Pairs Championship at the recent Spring North American Championships in Reno points the way.
Sitting West was Dr. George Rosenkranz, who these days divides his time between Mexico City and Palo Alto, Calif. After he opened with one spade, which might not be to everyone's taste, his opponents bounced into three no trump in short order, and he had to select an opening lead.
With the opponents marked for some 25 high-card points and holding 12 himself, he could not expect more than 1 or 2 high-card points from partner. It seemed that the opponents were prepared for a spade lead, and clubs could be ruled out. Even if partner had as much as the king of diamonds, that might not produce enough tricks. However, just finding partner with the jack of hearts and some length in the suit could be enough.
Although it might cost a trick, Rosenkranz backed his analysis by leading the king of hearts. It struck gold. East signaled approval with the nine and declarer won with the ace. Since there were at least 10 tricks to be had with any other lead, thanks to a winning finesse in clubs, making nine tricks was not going to yield a good result. Still, it was all that was available and declarer should have settled for the below-par result. Instead, he tried to get something back by leading a sneaky nine of diamonds, but West was having none of that. He shot up with the ace of diamonds and reverted to hearts - down two.
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