bridge

bridge

East-West vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

x7 3

uA K J 8

vQ 5 4

wQ J 7 3

WEST EAST

xK J 10 9 2 xQ 8 4

uVoid u10 9 5 3

v10 8 7 2 vK J 3

w10 8 6 4 wA K 5

SOUTH

xA 6 5

uQ 7 6 4 2

vA 9 6

w9 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1u Pass

2u Pass 2x Pass

3u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Eight of v

In 1981, Bobby Levin of Aventura, Fla., at the tender age of 24, became the youngest player ever to win the Bermuda Bowl, emblematic of the world team championship. Here he is some years later at work in the Life Master Pairs Championship.

The auction is routine. After the heart fit was located, Levin made a game try with two spades, declined by North. West led the eight of diamonds, ducked in dummy and East’s jack was won with the ace. The deuce of clubs was led to the eight, the queen and ace, and back came a trump, taken on the board with the jack.

The club three was led to the five, nine and ten and West, who could not afford to lead another diamond, persevered with clubs and declarer ruffed East’s king. The outstanding trumps were drawn, bringing about this position with the lead in dummy:

x7 3

u —

vQ 5

wJ

xK J 10 xQ 8 4

u — u —

v10 7 vK 3

w — w —

xA 6 5

u —

v9 6

w —

The jack of clubs was led. Both opponents let go a spade, as did declarer. Now declarer cashed the ace of spades and exited with a spade. No matter which defender won the trick, the forced diamond return would establish the fulfilling trick in that suit for declarer. Try it.

2012 Tribune Media Services