bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xA 4 3

uA 10

vA Q J

w9 8 7 6 4

WEST EAST

xK J x5 2

uK Q J 8 4 u7 6 3 2

v10 5 2 v9 8 4 3

wA Q 2 wJ 10 5

SOUTH

xQ 10 9 8 7 6

u9 5

vK 7 6

wK 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl 3u 4w

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of u

Study the diagram above from a team match. Can four spades be defeated on any lead?

The answer is no, not legitimately. Yet at one table four spades was set a trick, and we would venture to suggest that most skilled declarers would have been taken in by the defense.

East’s jump to three hearts over the takeout double was pre-emptive, although we would venture to suggest that that action is usually taken on something a whit stronger than a balanced bust with four trumps. At both tables South became declarer at four spades, and at both West led the king of hearts. At both declarer won with dummy’s ace (a holdup is often better, but not on this hand).

At one table the ace of spades fetched the jack. Declarer abandoned trumps to cash three rounds of diamonds and then threw West in with a heart to the jack. The defender could cash the king of trumps, but then was forced to either lead a club up to the king or yield a ruff-sluff. Either way, declarer lost only one trick in each suit except diamonds.

At the other table West dropped the king of spades under the ace! Declarer thought there was a simple way to land the contract and continued with a spade from dummy, finessing the ten.

To South’s amazement, West won this trick with the jack! Now it was a simple matter for the defender to cash a heart and exit with a diamond, then sit back and wait to collect two club tricks for a one-trick set.

Brilliant defense earned a fitting reward!

2011 Tribune Media Services