From                 15th February, 2006, Board 20

                                          Theme               An Extra Chance

                                          Difficulty           * * *

                                          Dlr West           Both Vul             Hands Rotated

                                                                                               for Convenience
 

In the bidding, that 3♠ bid was preemptive.

West leads the trump 4.  From the bidding, you suspect that both missing Aces are sitting over our Kings, and, even if they are not, you are rather short of entries to the board.  However, if West has led from T4 of Hearts, we will be able to use the trump suit for no fewer than 3 entries.  Hopefully, you insert the 9, but that is covered by East's 10, won by your King.

One line of play is to cross to the board with the Five of Hearts, hoping for a 2-2 trump break.  If this materializes, you can take the Club finesse, and hopefully score 6 Hearts and 4 Clubs.  The carefully preserved Heart Two allows access to the board, of course.  And, if the Club finesse loses, you'll still have that trump entry to lead towards one of your Kings.

That's one plan.  Can you find the extra chance?

SOLUTION

Yes, indeed, you can do better!  Before crossing to the A♥ you cash one high Club first.  Now, play the 5♥ to the A♥, noting with thanks that trumps are 2-2.  Take the Club finesse, losing to the Queen.  Thanks to that little precaution of cashing the A♣ West is now end-played, and must now surrender your 10th trick by leading a Spade or a Diamond.

Keys to Success

   - Unblocking the Heart suit in order to create an extra board entry

   - Cashing a Club before taking the Club finesse, finding the extra chance when West has Qx