bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

x6 3

uQ 5

vK Q J 7 3

wQ 8 6 3

WEST EAST

xA 7 x10 9 8 5 4

uA 8 7 6 3 u10 4 2

v10 5 v8

wK 9 4 2 wA 10 7 5

SOUTH

xK Q J 2

uK J 9

vA 9 6 4 2

wJ

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass Pass 1v

1u 2u Pass 2x

Pass 3v Pass 3NT

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Six of u

This deal is from the Vanderbilt Team Championship some years ago. The popular contract was a diamond partscore.

Here, however, the momentum of the auction carried North-South to three no trump.

Should it be beaten? Can it be made?

The diamond partscore presented no problem, declarer making 10 tricks in the other room.

Here, after a heart lead to the ten and king, declarer crossed to the king of diamonds to lead a spade to the queen and ace. West shifted to a low club and declarer had no problem coming to nine tricks, two in each of the majors and five diamonds.

However, look what happens, if instead of shifting to a low club, West shifts to the king, pinning declarer’s singleton jack.

Now there is no way for declarer to come to nine tricks before the defenders get five. Try it.

2011 Tribune Media Services