bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x10 5

u8 4 3 2

vA K Q J

wA 7 2

WEST EAST

x7 3 2 xQ 8 6 4

uK Q 6 u7

v7 2 v10 9 6 5 4

wQ J 9 6 5 w10 8 3

SOUTH

xA K J 9

uA J 10 9 5

v8 3

wK 4

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 2v Pass

2x Pass 3u Pass

3x Pass 4w Pass

4u Pass 5u Pass

6u Dbl Pass Pass

6NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of w

It is easy to talk too much at the bridge table. West said one word more than necessary on this deal from a tournament in Poland, and the result was expensive.

North-South were playing two-over-one responses as game forcing, hence three hearts showed a good hand with slam interest — four hearts would have been a sign-off. The raise to five hearts was invitational, and South’s acceptance was based on the king of clubs and good heart intermediates. West could not resist the fatal error of doubling, which not only chased North-South to a better spot but also pointed the way to fulfilling the slam.

Had South been allowed to play six hearts, that slam would have failed by a trick. Against six no trump West led the queen of clubs, won in the closed hand. Since the location of the king and queen of hearts were marked by the double, South crossed to dummy with a diamond and led the ten of spades, covered by the queen. Declarer cleared the spades and diamonds, reducing all hands to four cards. West had to keep three hearts to prevent declarer from being able to simply play ace and another heart, so was forced down to one club. Declarer and dummy came down to the same pattern.

Reading the position perfectly, declarer cashed the ace of clubs, removing West’s last safe exit card. A heart to the ten then endplayed West, who won the queen but then had to lead a heart away from the king into South’s major tenace.

2011 Tribune Media Services