bridgE

bridgE

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK 9 3

uK Q 6 4

vK 10 8 7 5

w4

WEST EAST

x5 4 xA Q J 6

uJ 10 3 u9 8 7 2

vQ J 6 v9 4 2

wJ 9 8 3 2 wA 5

SOUTH

x10 8 7 2

uA 5

vA 3

wK Q 10 7 6

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1v Pass

1x Pass 2u Pass

2NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of w

Pay attention to how a hand develops. On this deal the bidding and opening lead painted a picture for East, which allowed the defender to construct a winning defense.

North’s two hearts was an overbid — an invitational jump to two no trump would have been a better choice. However, three no trump would have been reached in any event.

West led the three of clubs, and East took some time to plan the defense. The lead made it certain that South had started with at least five clubs and the auction marked South with four spades. Since South obviously had no high card in spades, it was more than likely that the club suit was well stopped and presented no future for the defense. The only chance was to hope that West had an entry and to score three spade tricks into the bargain.

That made the defense easy — East rose with the ace of clubs and shifted to the six of spades! Dummy’s nine won the trick and declarer had to go after diamonds to develop the fulfilling trick. However, there was no way to stop West from gaining the lead in that suit and a spade return through the king netted three more tricks for a well- constructed defense.

2011 Tribune Media Services