Bridge - The Scotsman 20/03/2012

On this deal from the Camrose John Matheson had to work hard to achieve a flat board. South opened a weak 2S and West found a thin takeout double. The English East bravely passed out 2S doubled and an accurate defence was rewarded with an 1100 penalty. In the match between Scotland and Wales both Easts made the more normal bid of 3NT.

South led the queen of spades, taken with the king. Declarer played a club to the ace, noting the fall of the jack, and continued with a low club towards the nine – the best play, establishing a finesse position against North if he has Q10xx. On this layout South won the queen. The Scottish South continued with the jack of spades, making it easy for declarer to establish a third spade trick to go with one heart, two diamonds and three clubs.

The Welsh South found a stronger defence when he switched to a heart. Matheson played low, but North won the nine and returned a heart to the queen. Matheson ducked again, discarding a diamond. He won the third heart, discarding another diamond since he could no longer afford to lose the lead to North. Now he cashed his minor suit winners ending in dummy to achieve this position. A spade to the eight endplayed South.