BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable, South deals.

NORTH

xK Q 8 5 2

uJ 4

vA 3

wQ 9 6 4

WEST EAST

x10 9 7 6 3 xVoid

uQ 9 8 6 5 u10 3

vK 10 vQ J 8 4 2

wA wK J 10 8 7 3

SOUTH

xA J 4

uA K 7 2

v9 7 6 5

w5 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1x Pass

1NT Pass 3NT All pass

Opening lead: Six of u

North-South did well to avoid the ill-fated contract of four spades. Nine tricks in no trump are also far from certain, but South was off to a good start when West chose the reasonable lead of a low heart. Dummy’s jack won the first trick, as East played his low heart. That low heart play by East was not an error, but it left West uncertain as to who held the 10.

That looked like nine tricks in the bag, but declarer had to dig deep when East showed out on the first spade. To make his contract, South would have to find a way to end-play West. Declarer reasoned that West couldn’t have too many minor suit cards with his known length in the majors, and he set out to exhaust them by leading a low club toward the queen. West won with the ace and had to decide how to continue. He couldn’t lead a spade and he was afraid that declarer might have the 10 of hearts. A heart continuation was essential, but West didn’t know it. He tried the king of diamonds instead, and continued with his last diamond to dummy’s ace when South allowed him to hold the lead.

South now led a spade to his jack and another spade. West was forced to split his ten-nine and dummy won with the queen. A heart to the ace, followed by the king and another heart, and declarer had found a way to end-play West. West could cash another heart, but had to lead away from his ten-seven of spades, allowing South to take the marked finesse in dummy.

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