bridge

April 15, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J 6

uQ 8 5

v7 5 2

wA J 4 3

WESTEAST

xQ 8 2 xA 10 4 3

uJ 10 7 4 u9 3 2

vK 10 4 v8 6 3

w9 6 2 wK 7 5

SOUTH

x9 7 5

uA K 6

vA Q J 9

wQ 10 8

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of u

We were saddened to learn of the death of one of our old friends, Tim Holland, just one week after his 79th birthday. A fine bridge and gin player, a world backgammon champion and a scratch golfer, his skill at games was exceeded only by his courteous manner and sense of humor. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, he will not be soon forgotten.

Holland sat East on this deal from a rubber bridge game. South opened one no trump (16-18) and Holland’s opponents reached three no trump in quick time. West led a heart. Declarer won in hand with the king and ran the queen of clubs to East’s king. Since South had to have the ace of hearts for his opening no trump, a shift was needed and the rubric says “Lead through strength, up to weakness.” If that held true, a diamond play was called for.

However, all pearls of wisdom are good only in those cases where they are right! Holland saw that his partner could not have enough in diamonds to threaten the contract, and that his best shot was to lead a spade, playing partner for the queen of spades.

West’s queen lost to the king, and declarer realized he could not come to nine tricks without winning a couple in diamonds, so he tried the finesse in that suit. West won and reverted to a spade, and Holland took three tricks in the suit to complete a one-trick set.

2010 Tribune Media Services