bridge

September 5, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

North-South vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J 8

uK J 10 7

vJ 9 6 4

wJ 9

WEST EAST

xQ 6 2 x5 4 3

uQ 9 2 u8 6 5 4 3

v10 2 v7 5 3

wK 8 6 4 3 w5 2

SOUTH

xA 10 9 7

vA K Q 8

wA Q 10 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 2v Pass

2NT Pass 6NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of w

This deal from a tournament in Holland was played some years ago. Declarer found an inspired line to prevent having to locate the position of the queen of hearts.

South’s opening bid was an artificial game force and North’s response was natural and positive. Rather than guess which suit to bid, South compromised with two no trump and North made the value raise to slam. The laydown six diamonds was missed, but this was a pairs tournament and minor-suit contracts are frowned upon.

West led a low club and dummy’s jack won, giving declarer 10 fast tricks. The ace of hearts was cleared and the ace and king of diamonds were cashed and, when the suit broke 3-2, declarer crossed to the jack of diamonds to cash the king of hearts, discarding the queen of diamonds from hand. Next came the jack of hearts, losing to the queen, setting up dummy’s ten of hearts as the 11th trick.

Now declarer’s extra chance came into its own. The play had stripped West of all his red cards and whichever black suit West elected to return would give declarer his 12th trick.

What is amazing was that the declarer, Bas Tammens, was a junior at the time. It’s almost enough to make you want to give up the game!

2010 Tribune Media Services