North-South vulnerable. East deals.

North-South vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xA Q J 10

u10 8 4 3

vQ 10 7

wA K

WEST EAST

x5 4 2 x8 7 6 3

uA K uJ 9 2

vK 9 2 vA J 8 5

wJ 8 7 6 2 w10 5

SOUTH

xK 9

uQ 7 6 5

v6 4 3

wQ 9 4 3

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass Pass 1w Dbl

Pass 1u Pass 2u

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of v

Even looking at all four hands, it is not easy to see how declarer failed in his contract of two hearts after the lead of a low diamond. Can you find the way?

Since the South hand is limited to some 7-8 points, North’s raise to two hearts is rather aggressive. He paid the penalty, thanks to some pretty defense.

West selected the aggressive lead of the diamond deuce. Declarer covered with the ten and East’s jack won the trick. The defender returned a diamond to partner’s king and a diamond back gave the defense its third trick. East paused to take stock.

The defenders needed three more tricks to defeat the contract, and one look at dummy was sufficient to see there was no black-suit trick to be had. For the defense to prevail, three trump tricks were needed, so no harm could come from leading the 13th diamond!

The fate of the contract was soon sealed. West ruffed with the king of hearts and there was no way that East’s jack of hearts could be shut out from scoring the setting trick!

2008 Tribune Media Services