bridge

March 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xJ 7 6

u8 6

v8 6 3

wQ 10 8 5 4

WEST EAST

x10 9 5 3 x4 2

uK 5 u9 7 3 2

vA K Q 10 vJ 7 4 2

w7 6 2 wJ 9 3

SOUTH

xA K Q 8

uA Q J 10 4

v9 5

wA K

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 2v Pass

2u Pass 3w Pass

3x Pass 4u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of v

Looking at just the South hand, it seems that 10 tricks in hearts are easy. Is there a threat to the contract? If so, what?

South’s two clubs was an artificial game force, two diamonds was waiting and North’s three clubs was a second negative. Since the only ruffing value in the North hand was in South’s first-bid suit, North chose to play the 5-2 fit rather than the Moysian 4-3.

Once diamonds have been attacked, there is a danger that a forcing defense might succeed if trumps broke 4-2. However, South found an elegant way out of his dilemma. West continued with the ace and queen of diamonds, declarer ruffing. If declarer tries to draw trumps starting from the top, he will be defeated by the normal 4-2 split. West will win the second round and force South once again, and now the 4-2 division built a setting trick in trumps for the defense.

Instead, declarer led the queen of hearts, and the defense had no counter. If West wins and continues with diamonds, declarer can ruff on the table. If West ducks, declarer continues with the ace and as the cards lie, South scores an overtrick. Note that this line succeeds against all 3-3 breaks as well.

SCrt 2010 Tribune Media Services