bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA 10 8 6 4

uA 10

vA J 9 8 3

w5

WEST EAST

xK 7 3 2 xJ 9

u7 uJ 9 5

vQ 10 7 5 4 vK 6

wK 6 2 wA Q 10 9 8 3

SOUTH

xQ 5

uK Q 8 6 4 3 2

v2

wJ 7 4

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x 2w 2u Pass

2x Pass 3u Pass

4u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of w

This deal from an international pairs event produced an unusual situation — both defenders were squeezed in the same suit.

South landed in the good spot of four hearts. West led a low club, East won with the ace and returned a trump to cut down dummy’s ruffing power, won with the table’s ten.

The ace of diamonds was cashed and a diamond was ruffed, followed by a club ruff with the ace of hearts and another diamond ruff in hand.

Declarer now ran his trumps and, in the end position, the spade suit was “frozen” — both defenders had to hold two spades to prevent declarer from picking up the suit — if West bares the king declarer leads a low spade from hand and can pick up the spade suit.

If West discards the king of clubs, you exit with a club and endplay East, who holds the master club and is endplayed into breaking the spade suit.

Indeed, if East bares the jack of spades, declarer can come to12 tricks by leading the queen from hand, pinning the jack and picking up the suit for no loser.

2011 Tribune Media Services