From                 16th August, 2006, Board 9

                                          Theme               Elimination Play

                                          Difficulty           * * *

                                          Dlr East            N-S Vul                 Hands Rotated

                                                                                                 for Convenience

West leads the K♣, and shifts to the Spade 6.

West probably would have led a singleton Spade if he had one, so you can reasonably assume that the Six is from a doubleton.  In fact, you must assume that if you are going to have a chance at making this contract.  So, you duck the Spade to East’s Queen, hoping that you will be able later to get a Spade pitch on your second Heart trick.  But the defense thwarts that plan, as East leads a low Club to West’s Queen, and another Spade comes through.  This one you win with the Ace.  What next?

SOLUTION

Plan A didn’t work, but there is Plan B in reserve, it’s an elimination play.  After winning the A♠, ruff a Club, draw trumps, and throw East in with a Spade.  He’ll have no choice but to concede a ruff and sluff in a black suit, or to lead away from the K♥.  Either way, Declarer loses no Heart trick.

	♠ A98 ♥ A98 ♦ QJT8 ♣ 942
♠ 65 ♥ JT6532 ♦ 9 ♣ KQT3	North    West          East            South	♠ KQT32 ♥ K4 ♦ 74 ♣ AJ86
	♠ J74 ♥ Q7 ♦ AK6532 ♣ 75

Keys to Success

   - Ducking the first Spade trick and winning the second

   - After drawing trumps, eliminating the Clubs

   - Throwing in East with a Spade to force a favorable return

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