BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xQ 8 3

uQ J 9 5 4 2

v9 8 2

w9

WEST EAST

x10 9 7 2 xK J 6 4

uVoid u8 7

v5 4 3 vA Q 10 7

w10 8 6 5 4 3 wQ J 2

SOUTH

xA 5

uA K 10 6 3

vK J 6

wA K 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 2v Pass

2NT Pass 3v Pass

4w Pass 4v Pass

4u Pass 4x Pass

5w Pass 6u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of w

In Australia, USA 1 drew a tough opponent in the first round of the World Bridge Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. After 8 boards, Australia held a 28-1 imps lead. This was Board 9.

Switch the black suits in either hand and six hearts is laydown. With this layout and the club lead, declarer had no chance. Declarer took the ace and king of clubs, discarding a diamond from the board, drew the outstanding trumps and led a diamond from dummy. East took his ace and exited with a diamond, and declarer took the king and ruffed the jack. There was just one chance for the contract – a defender had to hold the bare king of spades. Declarer tried the ace – down one.

Against the same contract in the other room, West led a low diamond. East won with the ace and returned the diamond seven. Declarer took a desperation finesse of the jack, which won. South cashed four rounds of trumps and the king of diamonds. West slipped by discarding a fourth club. Declarer cashed the ace of spades (a Vienna Coup), then led a trump to dummy and cashed the remaining trump, and East could not hold the king of spades and three clubs.

Another 14 imps to Australia.

SCrt 2009 Tribune Media Services