BRIDGE

BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable, North deals.

NORTH

xA 7 3

uA Q 7

vA Q J

wA J 9 4

WEST EAST

x8 5 x2

uJ 8 6 2 uK 9 4 3

vK 10 8 6 4 v7 5 3 2

wQ 2 wK 8 6 5

SOUTH

xK Q J 10 9 6 4

u10 5

v9

w10 7 3

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w- Pass 4x pass

6x Dbl All pass

-Artificial, forcing, at least 16 points

Opening lead: Six of v

North-South were playing a strong club system, where one club is an unlimited forcing bid with at least 16 high-card points. East intended his double to be lead directing, calling for the lead of dummy’s first-bid suit, in this case clubs. West wasn’t sure, as North’s leap to slam might have been based on a strong club suit. West might have forgotten, in the heat of the moment, that the one-club opening was artificial.

Declarer played the jack from dummy on the opening diamond lead. Had that lost to the king, South planned to discard two clubs on the ace and queen of diamonds, and then try to develop a long club by ruffing. Should that not work, he would fall back on the heart finesse. When the jack held the trick, South was home free, and he found an elegant way to prove it.

South drew trumps, ending in his hand, and led a low club to dummy’s nine. This end-played East in all three suits! A lead from East in either hearts, diamonds, or clubs would give South the extra trick that he needed. This was an absolutely lovely ending, and it would have succeeded even if East held both the king and queen of clubs. Well done!

Note that the contract makes easily on the queen of clubs lead. Declarer just draws the trumps and sets up the long club for a heart discard.

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