Neither vulnerable. North deals.

September 10, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

xK 6 3

uA K Q

wA K 8 7 5 4

WEST EAST

xA J 9 4 x7

uJ 10 3 2 u9 8 7 5 4

vA 8 7 vQ 10 9 4

w9 3 w10 6 2

SOUTH

xQ 10 8 5 2

vK J 6 5 3

wQ J

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1x Pass

2u Pass 3v Pass

3x Pass 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of v

Sammy Kehela learnt his bridge in Baghdad, where he was born, and refined his technique in London from such masters as Adam Meredith and Terence Reese. By the time he immigrated to Toronto, he was already known for his impeccable technique. He formed a partnership with Eric Murray, which endured for more than 30 years and was one of the best in North America. This hand is noteworthy not only for his play but also for the fact that the hand was over in a couple of minutes.

The contract and opening lead were the same at the two tables. The ace of diamonds was led and a diamond continued to the queen and king. At one table declarer led a trump to the king which held, but the unfortunate break meant three trump losers to go with the ace of diamonds -- down one.

At the other table, Kehela crossed to dummy with the ace of hearts and returned a trump to the queen, losing to the ace. West shifted to a club. Kehela won in hand, led a low spade and when West followed with the four, unhesitatingly called for the safety play of the six from dummy. Four spades bid and made, losing only two trumps and a diamond.

2008 Tribune Media Services