From                  12th July, 2006, Board 18

                                          Theme               Establishing Side-Suits

                                          Difficulty           * * *

                                          Dlr  North         E-W Vul               Hands Rotated

                                                                                                 for Convenience

        

 

That dastardly West starts with a trump (East following), the only lead to give you a problem.  On any other lead, it would have been easy enough to negotiate two Diamond ruffs on the board for a total of 10 tricks.  After the trump lead, it would be futile to lose a Diamond in the vain hope that the winner of the trick will not have the remaining trump to lead, surely they will be able to arrange for the right hand to win this trick.

 

Where do you find your tenth trick?

 

SOLUTION

 

The tenth trick must come from the Club suit, and it must be developed right away.  Win the opening trump lead on the board, and lead a Club.  If the King is with East you have 10 tricks.  In the fullness of time, you will be able to unblock the Q♣, cross to the board with your one and only Diamond ruff, and get to the 10th trick, the A♣.  This is the full layout: