bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

x7 2

uA 9 5

vA 10 6 3

wK Q 8 4

WEST EAST

xJ 9 6 xK 5

uQ J 10 7 6 3 uK 2

vQ 8 vK 7 4

w9 5 wA J 10 7 6 2

SOUTH

xA Q 10 8 4 3

u8 4

vJ 9 5 2

w3

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

2w Pass 2u Pass

Pass 2x Pass 2NT

3v Pass 3u Pass

3x Pass 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of u

We continue with another deal from a national team-of-four championship.

At both tables, the final contract was four spades and at one the opening lead was the nine of clubs, covered by the queen and taken with the ace. The jack was returned to the king.

That gave declarer time to discard a heart and take two finesses, in spades and diamonds. Four spades bid and made.

At the other table East-West were playing a forcing club system so the opening two-club bid was the equivalent of a normal one club opening.

West attacked with the queen of hearts. Declarer ducked, and West switched to a club, covered by the king and won with the ace. Back came the king of hearts, and taken with the ace.

Declarer now tried a spade to the ten and knave. That gave West the opportunity to play a third heart, which East ruffed with the king and, whether declarer overruffed or discarded, he had to lose a total of five tricks — down two!

2011 Tribune Media Services