bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xQ J 6 2

uA 4

vA 9 6

wK 10 4 2

WEST EAST

xA K 3 x10 9 8 5

uQ 8 7 3 2 u10

vQ J 4 3 v10 8 7 5

w3 wQ J 8 5

SOUTH

x7 4

uK J 9 6 5

vK 2

wA 9 7 6

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x Pass

2w Pass 2v Pass

2NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of v

World Junior Championships is something of a misnomer. With the age limit set at Under 23, some of the players have considerable experience at the highest level. Here’s the deal that won best-played hand at the Championships.

With a combined 25 points loaded with intermediates, three no trump was certainly a sound contract. North’s fourth-suit forcing bid of two diamonds allowed South to describe his hand as a minimum and the no-trump game was reached in quick time.

Declarer ran the opening lead of the three of diamonds to his king and made the good shot of continuing with the knave of hearts. When that won the trick, picking up the ten in the process, he shifted to a club to the king and returned the ten.

East covered with the jack and declarer ducked! West parted with a spade. East continued with a diamond, ducked by declarer who won the continuation, discarding a heart from hand. Declarer now cashed the ace of hearts and led a club to the nine.

This was now the position:

xQ J 6 2

u --

v --

w4

xA K x10 9 8

uQ 8 u --

vQ v10

w -- wQ

x7 4

uK 9

v --

wA

The ace of clubs now squeezed West so he discarded his diamond queen.

A spade was led and West could cash his two winners, but then had to lead away from the queen of hearts into declarer’s tenace! A beautiful nine tricks.

2011 Tribune Media Services