bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xK Q 10 4

u10 9 8 3 2

v10 6 4 3

wVoid

WEST EAST

x7 6 3 2 xA J

uA 6 uK 7 5 4

vA 9 7 vQ J 5 2

w10 8 4 2 wA J 5

SOUTH

x9 8 5

uQ J

vK 8

wK Q 9 7 6 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass 1u 2w

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of u

You tend to look for major swings in a pair competition to come from doubled game contracts or higher. To find one from an undoubled low partscore is hard to believe. But consider this deal from a major pair event.

No one can fault the bidding. East-West’s methods included four-card major opening bids. Few would fault South’s two- level overcall and North certainly could do nothing about matters.

West led the ace of hearts, and East followed with a discouraging four despite holding the king. West shifted to a low spade to the queen and ace and East returned the jack of spades to dummy’s king. A diamond to the king lost to the ace and the spade return was ruffed.

East cashed the queen of diamonds and king of hearts and exited with a heart. Declarer ruffed with the six, West overruffed with the eight and played his remaining spade. East cleverly ruffed with the ace of trumps and led a fourth heart, promoting partner’s ten of trumps. When the smoke cleared, the defenders had collected nine tricks for 400 points!

2012 Tribune Media Services