Bridge - The Scotsman 07/02/2012
The Subsidiary event at the Winter Foursomes is a Multiple teams for the teams that exit late from the main event, plus some that departed earlier but qualified through a Multiple teams against teams of lie standard. This year’s winners were Sheila Macdonald, Maida Grant, Bob McKinnon and Ian Patrick. Joint second were Sheila Adamson, Anne Symons, Paul and Alex Gipson; and Ronald Gaffin, John di Mambro, David Weir and Douglas Mitchell.
On this deal it was virtually impossible to reach the Deep Finesse contract of 6NT. An easy make if West leads a spade: win the king, cash the king of hearts, cross to the jack of clubs and finesse the queen of diamonds. If West does not cover cash the ace of hearts throwing a diamond and return to hand to make the rest of the tricks. A diamond lead is not too taxing either: play the queen. If West does not cover lead a spade towards the king. With the king of spades established you can cash the king of hearts, then cross to the jack of clubs for the ace of hearts and the same claim. But what if West leads an unhelpful heart, or a club? Two entries to dummy are required, one to lead a spade towards the king, and a second to cash the ace of hearts. You must finesse the eight of clubs at the first opportunity.
6C looks a better spot, but declarer was unlucky. His comments when West ruffed the ace of hearts with his third club are unprintable.