bridgE

bridgE

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x5 4 2

uJ 4 2

vA K 9 3

w8 6 4

WEST EAST

xK 9 8 x6

u10 9 8 u7 6 5 3

vJ 7 4 vQ 10 8 2

wJ 9 7 3 wK 10 5 2

SOUTH

xA Q J 10 7 3

uA K Q

v6 5

wA Q

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 2v Pass

2x Pass 3xPass

4wPass 4vPass

4u Pass 5v Pass

6x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of u

Follow the bidding and play. Did anyone err? If so, who and when?

North’s two-diamond response to partner’s two-club opening was a waiting bid and the spade raise confirmed positive values. The raise was eminently correct. There was a known eight-card or better fit and the South hand rated to be unbalanced.

West led the ten of hearts, won perforce in the closed hand. Declarer crossed to the king of diamonds, led a spade and finessed the queen. West followed in tempo with the eight. Declarer returned to dummy with a diamond, led another spade and was shocked to see East’s diamond discard. There was no way declarer could avoid losing a trick to each black king — down one. What is your verdict?

First, credit West with superlative defense by holding up the king of spades for one round. Had the defender not done so, declarer would have used his second entry to dummy to take the club finesse, and the slam would have been home. As was evident, the “success” of the trump finesse did not guarantee the contract.

The first item on the agenda must be to determine the outcome of the club finesse. If it wins, declarer is playing for an overtrick. If it loses, declarer can use the second diamond for a trump finesse, and the slam still comes home if East has a doubleton king. South must get a charge and our sympathy.

2011 Tribune Media Services