BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable, South deals.

NORTH

x9 3 2

uK J 10 9 4

vQ 8

wA 10 3

WEST EAST

xA Q J 8 4 x10

u3 uQ 8 7 6 2

vK 10 6 3 v5 4

wJ 8 2 w9 7 6 5 4

SOUTH

xK 7 6 5

uA 5

vA J 9 7 2

wK Q

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 1x 2u Pass

3NT All pass

Opening lead: Two of w

Today’s deal comes to us from Peter Fordham, an Australian expert and a longtime friend. Fordham was South.

A high spade lead would have scuttled the contract, but West knew South had the king and couldn’t be sure about the 10 and nine, so his choice of a club seems reasonable. Fordham won with the king of clubs in hand and led a low diamond to dummy’s queen. He continued with a diamond back to his ace and another diamond, disappointed when West won this with the 10 as East shed a low heart.

It was too late for West to play on spades now, so he continued with another club to Fordham’s queen. Another diamond knocked out West’s king as East discarded another low heart. Yet another club by West established East’s long clubs, leaving this position:

NORTH

x9 3

uK J 10 9

vVoid

wVoid

WEST EAST

xA Q J 8 4 x10

u3 uQ 8 7

vVoid vVoid

wVoid w7 6

SOUTH

xK 7 6

uA 5

v7

wVoid

South crossed to the ace of hearts and the lead of the last diamond crushed East in three suits. A spade discard and Fordham would exit with a low spade, forcing West to give him the king of spades. A heart discard and dummy’s hearts would be good. A club discard and the defense doesn’t have enough winners, so a low spade wins again. Nicely played, Peter!

2016 Tribune Content Agency