bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xQ

uK Q 5

v10 9 8 4 2

wA J 10 7

WEST EAST

xK xA 7 6 4

u10 7 4 2 uA J 9 8 3

vQ J 7 6 5 vA

wQ 3 2 w8 6 5

SOUTH

xJ 10 9 8 5 3 2

u6

vK 3

wK 9 4

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

2v Pass 2u Pass

Pass 2x 3v 3x

Pass Pass Dbl Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of H

We continue with hands from the recent Fall North American Championships in Seattle. This deal is from the Mitchell Open Board-a-Match team event. Sitting South and declaring was Sid Brownstein.

East’s two-diamond opening bid was Flannery, showing four spades and five hearts with a minimum opening bid. West attacked with a heart to the king and ace. East cashed the ace of diamonds on which West played a middle card, and reverted to a heart, on which declarer discarded the king of diamonds to eliminate the risk of a diamond ruff. A successful club finesse allowed declarer to wrap up the doubled contract for a score of 730 points.

Neither defender shone. East could have returned a low spade at trick three — probably the only high card his partner could hold which would allow the contract to be set was the king of trumps. And West could have dropped the knave of diamonds under the ace to suggest an unusual return, here a trump!

2012 Tribune Media Services