BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable, North deals

NORTH

xJ 5 3

uA K 10 9

vA 5

wA 9 8 3

WEST EAST

x7 6 4 xA K 10 9 2

u8 4 3 uQ J 6 2

vQ vJ 7 3 2

wQ J 10 7 6 4 wVoid

SOUTH

xQ 8

u7 5

vK 10 9 8 6 4

wK 5 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w- 1x 2v Pass

2x Pass 2NT Pass

3NT All pass

-Strong and artificial, at least 16 points

Opening lead: Six of x

Today’s deal is from a tournament last year in Portugal. South was Portuguese expert Jorge Castanheira.

North-South were in a game force after the strong club opening and the free two-diamond bid. North was unable to raise diamonds, show a long suit of his own, or bid two no trump. North’s two-spade bid was a ”Mayday” bid, hoping that his partner would know what to do. South could have rebid his diamonds, but he tried two no trump with his half stopper in spades.

The opening spade lead went to East’s nine and South’s queen. There were only seven top tricks. South could set up the long diamonds, but he would probably have to give a diamond trick to the opponents in order to do that. That wouldn’t do, as they had four spade tricks ready to cash if they got a diamond trick. South tried the effect of leading another spade at trick two. East won this spade and shifted to the queen of hearts, but declarer won with dummy’s ace and played another spade. West cashed his spades and exited with a diamond to the queen and ace.

What could East do when South now cashed the king and ace of clubs. One heart discard was easy, but the second discard was a problem. Another heart discard would make all dummy’s hearts good, so he shed a low diamond. A diamond to the 10 now brought in the diamond suit and South had his nine tricks. Well done!

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