Bridge - The Scotsman 09/07/12

By Liz McGowan
Published on 09/07/2012 00:00

ON THIS deal from the European Championships many Souths made a modern pre-empt of 3C. In the Scottish women’s match against Austria, West doubled, East bid 3H, and West raised her to game.

A more normal auction makes West declarer, and with North on lead 4H cannot be beaten, but Sam Punch led her singleton spade, ducked to the queen.

North might switch to a club for partner to win and lead a diamond. That defence gives declarer the chance to shine by ducking to South’s jack. She wins the diamond switch with the ace and plays three rounds of hearts, winning the third with her seven. Now the king of clubs is covered and ruffed. A diamond goes to North, but declarer ruffs the next diamond and discards two spade losers on her established clubs. Ruffing a loser is rarely good defence, but this is an exception: North beat the contract by returning the nine of spades for South to ruff, a high card asking for a diamond switch.

Anne Symons was the only East to appreciate that her club values might be more useful in 3NT. South led a club to the nine. When hearts broke 2-2 there were eight Sure Tricks and one entry to hand. Anne led a low spade towards her Jxx. North won the queen, but had no good play. She led her second club to the queen and ace, and South switched to a diamond, but too late: Anne had five heart tricks, two clubs and two aces.