Bridge

THIS deal from the Pairs Qualifying at the Scottish Summer Congress presented an interesting defensive problem for South. His partner's overcall over 1NT was worrying, but he did have three-card support for his second suit, and opponents gave up on the penalty to go after their own game.

North led the ten of hearts, top of an interior sequence, here presumably A109. Dummy won the king, and South played the jack to tell partner that he held that card. Declarer counted seven tricks, and could be sure that North held the major suit aces, so he needed help to make his contract. He cashed four clubs, forcing North to make three discards; he chose two spades and a diamond. Declarer threw a spade on the fourth club, and led ace and another diamond. South contributed a sleepy ten, and declarer ducked the trick to North's jack. The duck established one extra trick in diamonds, and North was endplayed to lead away from one of his aces, presenting declarer with his ninth trick.

South missed an opportunity to perform the Crocodile Coup. He must get on lead to play a heart through for partner, and his diamond holding is good enough to ensure an entry provided that declarer does not have the jack. He should play the queen on the second round, eating partner's jack. Declarer may win and try a third diamond, but South wins the ten and plays a heart to defeat the game.