bridge

September 8, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA 10 7 4 2

uA 3

vQ 5 4 2

w9 3

WEST EAST

xJ 9 6 xK Q 8 5

uK J 6 2 uQ 8 5 4

vVoid v9 7

wK J 10 7 5 2 wQ 8 4

SOUTH

u10 9 7

vA K J 10 8 6 3

wA 6

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass Pass 1v 2w

3x Pass 4w Pass

4u Pass 4NT Pass

5x Pass 6v Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of u

Here’s an opportunity for you to display your analytical skills. Would you rather play or defend six diamonds after the lead of a low heart?

Go to the top of the class if you chose to declare. At the recent European Championships, of the 64 tables in play, six landed in six diamonds and four brought home their contract.

The winning line: Win the ace of hearts, cash the ace of spades and ruff a spade with an intermediate trump — you will need the three later! Cash the ace of diamonds and cross to the queen of diamonds (still hanging on to the three) and ruff another spade high and concede a heart.

Win the club return (or any other return) and ruff a heart, ruff a spade high and it’s time to lead the three of diamonds and overtake with four to cash the fifth spade for a discard of your remaining heart.

Note that a club lead won’t beat you. You play along the same lines to set up the fifth spade and get home.

2010 Tribune Media Services