bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA J 10 5

u7 6

vQ 9 6

wK 10 7 2

WEST EAST

xQ 7 3 xVoid

uK 9 8 4 2 uJ 10 5 3

vA J 8 5 2 vK 10 7 4 3

wVoid wJ 9 8 4

SOUTH

xK 9 8 6 4 2

uA Q

vVoid

wA Q 6 5 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 3x Pass

6x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of v

Our favorite definition of a pessimist is “someone who has spent some time with an optimist!” But there is no denying that, at the bridge table, preparing for the worst is a profitable pastime.

North’s jump to three spades was a game invitation and could be passed. South decided there was no sensible way to investigate the possibility of a grand slam, so settled for an immediate raise to six spades.

West led the ace of diamonds, and an optimist would take one look at dummy and regret not having bid a grand slam. With normal splits in the black suits, declarer would be able to draw trumps and discard a heart on the long club, scoring a heart ruff on the table for the 13th trick. Those who look through a glass darkly realize that a 4-0 club split and 3-0 trumps, unlikely though it might be, could cause problems.

Only one 4-0 club distribution could not be countered. Because of the K10 combination in dummy, four clubs with West could be neutralized. That was enough of a clue for declarer to tackle the hand the right way. Can you work out why?

If West was void in clubs, it was almost impossible for that defender to be void in spades as well. So declarer ruffed the opening diamond lead in hand and laid down the king of trumps. When East discarded a diamond, declarer’s reasoning was well rewarded. The marked trump finesse was taken next, the remaining trump was drawn and, when it turned out that East held four clubs, declarer did not mind surrendering a trick in the suit. The heart return was taken with the ace and dummy’s heart loser was discarded on the 13th club to assure the slam.

2012 Tribune Media Services