Bridge - The Scotsman 31/07/12

By Liz McGowan
Published on 31/07/2012 03:54

Another costly double.

All French players are well trained in card play technique. On this deal from the European Junior Championships young Pierre Franceschetti took full advantage of the information offered by a Greek penalty double.

The forcing 1NT response compels a minimum opener to rebid in his better minor. East now tried for game, showing three-card spade support, but West wisely turned him down. North doubled confidently and led ace, king and another club. Declarer discarded a heart on the queen of clubs and led the nine of spades. South discarded a diamond and North ducked. Franceschetti crossed to hand with a top diamond and led a heart towards the king. North took his ace and returned a diamond, won in hand. Now declarer led a spade towards dummy’s jack, again ducked by North. This was the five-card ending; declarer had lost three tricks and the lead was in dummy.

Franceschetti cashed the king of hearts, and ruffed a heart with the queen of spades. North can overruff, but then must return a black card, allowing declarer to make the rest of the tricks. Things were no better when he discarded his club: declarer played a diamond which he had to ruff and lead into declarer’s spade tenace.