From                   13th June, 2007, Board 4

                                          Difficulty            * * * 

                                          Dlr West             Both Vul

East leads the K♣.

Even assuming that Hearts are 3-2, there is still the potential for 5 losers, namely two Spades, two Diamonds and a Club.  With mirror distributions in the two hands there is no chance of getting in pitches, so what’s the alternative?

SOLUTION

The best chance is to find West win Kx or Qx of Spades, quite a strong possibility considering the auction.  If that is the case, it may be possible to end-play West if the play is timed correctly.  We win the opening lead with the Ace, play A♥, then a Heart to the Queen, and a Heart to the King.  Let’s assume that the suit is 3-2 and that West pitches a Club on the third round.  Now, a Club which West wins.  Here is the full deal:

When West wins the J♣, he is helpless.  He cannot attack Spades without blowing a trick, and a Club gives up a ruff and sluff.  His best chance is to cash A♦ and exit a Diamond, which is won by East’s King.  East can shift to the Spade Ten, but it’s too late, Declarer simply plays low from the board and wins the Ace, cashes the Diamonds and leads towards the J♠.  West must win, and this time he has no choice but to concede a ruff and sluff, allowing Declarer’s second Spade loser to disappear.

Two points in the play:

-         Why was it necessary to win the opening Club lead?  Because, if Declarer had ducked the defense could have prevailed either by arranging a Diamond ruff, or, more likely, by shifting to the T♠.  That Spade shift allows the defense to untangle its 5 tricks with careful play.

-         Did it matter where Declarer won the 3^rd round of Hearts?  Yes, it was important to lead the 3^rd round of Clubs from the board.  As can be seen, West can duck the Club, allowing East to take the trick with Ten and shift to a Spade (again allowing the 5 defensive tricks to be untangled).  But that’s an awfully difficult (and risky) play to find, don’t you think?  It’s so much easier for the defense if Declarer wins that third round of Hearts in her hand and leads a low Club towards the board, now East’s Ten takes the trick and the Spade comes through.
 

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