bridge

bridge

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK 6 2

u7 5 4

vQ 7 5

wQ 8 5 2

WEST EAST

x10 7 4 3 xA Q J 9 8 5

uQ u10 9 8

vJ 10 8 6 v2

wJ 6 4 3 wK 9 7

SOUTH

xVoid

uA K J 6 3 2

vA K 9 4 3

wA 10

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 2NT 3x

4x Pass 5w Pass

5u Pass 6u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of x

The battle between an expert declarer and a talented defender is fascinating to watch. Consider this deal from an interclub match.

South’s two clubs was an artificial game force, two no trump was natural. South’s four-spade cuebid after East’s overcall brought a club response and six hearts was reached in quick time.

West led a spade, ruffed in the closed hand. Declarer cashed the ace and king of trumps then started on diamonds. If that suit broke 3-2, declarer could claim his slam. Not only was the break unfortunate, but East defended well by refusing to ruff and endplay himself.

Declarer continued with a diamond to the queen, and East again refused to ruff. Declarer countered by coming to hand with a spade ruff, then played a fourth diamond, discarding the king of spades from the table. West could win, but now had to break clubs. When West exited with a low club, declarer played low from dummy and the club loser disappeared. Beautiful.

2012 Tribune Media Services