bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xQ J 9 2

u10 6 3

vK 5 3 2

wQ 6

WEST EAST

x8 7 6 xK 4 3

uK J 9 5 2 uQ 7 4

v10 8 7 v9 6

wA 3 w9 8 7 5 4

SOUTH

xA 10 5

uA 8

vA Q J 4

wK J 10 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2NT Pass 3w Pass

3v Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Five of u

Your wealth of prime cards and intermediates makes your hand worth more like 21-22 than 19. After a heart lead, your problem is to get to dummy twice — once to take the spade finesse, the other to cash the long spade, without giving up the lead to the ace of clubs.

The answer is easy once the problem is isolated. If diamonds break 3-2, the fourth round of the suit can be won in dummy — as long as you have prepared for it.

Duck the first heart and win the second. Now cash the ace and queen of diamonds and, when the suit divides as you hoped, the main objective has been accomplished.

Continue with the jack of diamonds and overtake with the king in dummy. Now take two spade finesses, if necessary, and when the king appears on the third round, you have established the fulfilling trick in dummy, and your careful early play has left you with a diamond entry. Overtake your four of diamonds with dummy’s five, cash your long spade and claim your contract!

2012 Tribune Media Services