BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x 6 5 3
u A Q 8 2
vJ 5
w A J 10 3
WEST EAST
x Q J 9 4 x K 10 7
u 7 5 u K 4
v? 9 3 v? 8 7 6 4 2
w ? 7 5 4 w ? 2
SOUTH
x A 8 2
u J 10 9 6 3
vA Q
w Q 9 8
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1w Pass 1u Pass
2u Pass 4u Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of x
We continue with our series on assumption -- the art of placing cards. How would you play four hearts after the lead of the queen of spades?
The auction was routine. North opened one club and raised hearts after partner's one-heart response. South's raise to four hearts was automatic.
West led the queen of spades, which was allowed to hold. Declarer won the spade continuation and ran the jack of hearts to East's king. East cashed the king of spades to complete the defensive book and shifted to a low diamond. What now?
Since declarer cannot afford to lose another trick, it might seem that the finesse is a no-choice play. However, that is incomplete analysis. If declarer is to take the rest of the tricks, it is vital for West to hold the king of clubs. And if that is the case, the diamond finesse is illusory. With the club finesse working, by repeating the finesse the suit can produce four tricks, and the diamond queen has a parking place on the fourth club.
Declarer should rise with the ace of diamonds, draw trumps and run the nine of clubs. When that holds, declarer continues with the queen of clubs and, if the king has not yet appeared, takes a third club finesse and then discards the queen of diamonds on the fourth club -- making four-odd.
& copy;2006 Tribune Media Services