43
bridge
bridge
Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
xQ 9 8 6 4
u6 5 2
v2
wA Q 7 3
WEST EAST
xK J 5 xA 10 7 2
uQ 10 7 u9 8 4 3
vK Q J 10 8 4 v9 6 5
w5 w8 4
SOUTH
x3
uA K J
vA 7 3
wK J 10 9 6 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1w 1v 1x Pass
3w Pass 4v Pass
6w Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of v
Timing in bridge is as important as at chess. If you gain a tempo, do not give it back.
After South’s jump rebid, North felt the holding was too good to simply raise to five clubs. Fortunately, the partnership had a weapon available — a splinter bid. The jump to four diamonds showed excellent club support and shortness in diamonds. That was music to South’s ears, and the small slam was reached in short order.
West led the king of diamonds — a seemingly natural play that cost the defense a tempo. A trump lead, not all that far-fetched in light of the bidding, would have removed a dummy entry before declarer could put it to good use. Declarer could count 11 tricks since two diamonds could be ruffed on the table, and it might seem that the heart finesse is the way to go for the12th. But there is an alternative that must be investigated — a long spade can be set up if the suit splits 4-3. To develop and use the spades you need four entries — three to ruff spades and one to cash the winner, and the only source of entries is the trump suit!
To remain a tempo ahead it is essential for declarer to lead a spade at trick two. West can rise with the king and shift to a trump, but it is too late.
Declarer wins in dummy with the queen and ruffs a spade high. A trump to the ace draws the outstanding trump and provides the entry for a second spade ruff. Two diamond ruffs now allow declarer to set up the long spade with a third ruff and provides the entry to cash it, declarer discarding the jack of hearts from hand.
What if spades are 5-2 and trumps 3-0? Then declarer will have to fall back on the heart finesse for the 12th trick, but it has cost declarer nothing to play for the extra chance.
2012 Tribune Media Services