bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xK 10 9 6

uK J 5 3

vVoid

wQ 8 7 5 2

WEST EAST

xQ J 7 4 x8 5 2

u9 6 uQ 10 8 7 4

vA K J 5 2 v8

wJ 10 wA K 6 4

SOUTH

xA 3

uA 2

vQ 10 9 7 6 4 3

w9 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass 1NT 2v

Dbl Rdbl Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: Nine of u

It is rare to find a partscore contract written up in the bridge columns, even though they can be exciting, as this deal proves. Usually, however, they take more room to describe than is available.

South’s two diamonds after passing on the first round was natural despite the fact that it was West’s first-bid suit. North, who redoubled for rescue was horrified that two diamonds redoubled was the final contract despite being void in the suit, but South had nowhere to go.

West led the top of partner’s suit. Declarer won with the ace cashed the ace and king of spades and ruffed a spade in hand. Crossing to the king of hearts, declarer led the table’s remaining spade. In an effort to promote a trump trick in partner’s hand, East ruffed with the eight. Declarer overruffed with the nine and exited with a club. East overtook partner’s jack with the king and cashed the ace and reverted to hearts, leading the queen. With both South and West void in the suit, declarer ruffed with the six and West overruffed with the jack, but could score no more than his two master trumps. The defenders took only two club tricks and three trumps, so South racked up 260 points for the redoubled contract plus 700 for the rubber.

2011 Tribune Media Services