Bridge - The Scotsman 27/06/2012

Published on 27/06/2012 02:37

Wednesday’s puzzle...

Best defence against a 3NT contract often involves establishing your long suit. When you have done so it is not easy to discard your winners, but there may be no choice.

South upgraded her nice 19 count to a 2NT opener, and North thought her tens justified bidding game. West led the jack of hearts, top of an interior sequence, and was delighted when East overtook with the queen to win the trick. Declarer won the next heart with the ace, and West dropped the king, an unnecessarily high card indicating an entry in spades. Declarer has eight winners. She might boldly cross to the king of diamonds to finesse in clubs for her ninth trick; if the finesse fails she loses five hearts, a club and two spades for four down. The alternative is to put the defenders to the test by cashing six diamonds. This guarantees no more than one down, with the chance of making the contract if the defenders go wrong. When South runs her long suit which four cards should West throw?

A club looks dangerous, but if he throws two spades and two hearts, declarer may read the position and lead a spade. After cashing two hearts West must lead a club into the ace-queen. The successful defence is to keep two spades; now East can win the first spade and lead a club through. East’s first discard should encourage in spades, and West should part, albeit reluctantly, with three winning hearts.