bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xA 3

uVoid

vA K Q J 9 7

wK Q J 10 9

WEST EAST

xJ 9 7 x10 5 4

uK Q J 10 9 7 6 uA 8 3

v10 4 2 v8 3

wVoid w7 6 5 4 3

SOUTH

xK Q 8 6 2

u5 4 2

v6 5

wA 8 2

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

4u 4NT Pass 6w

Pass 7w Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: King of u

This problem first appeared in the magazine ”International Popular Bridge Monthly,” published in Britain. See how you would fare in seven clubs after the lead of the king of hearts.

You ruff the opening lead in dummy and lead the king of trumps. Not surprisingly, West shows out. Now is the time to abandon trumps, but the grand slam requires care. First, cash the king and ace of spades, and now start playing diamonds from the top. Sooner or later East will have to ruff. You overruff in hand with the ace, cross to dummy with a trump and dummy is high. You have just enough trumps to draw East’s teeth and dummy’s diamonds score the rest of the tricks.

2011 Tribune Media Services