From                 19th July, 2006, Board 18

                                          Theme               Timing

                                                                     Morton's Fork

                                          Difficulty           * * * *

                                          Dlr South           E-W Vul               Hands Rotated

                                                                                                  for Convenience

The opening lead is the Club Four.

This is not a good contract!  In fact, getting out for just down one might well be something of an achievement.  You clearly have a Diamond loser, and there is the danger of losing two tricks in each of the major suits.  The situation in the Heart suit is especially depressing, with a very low percentage chance of developing the suit for just one loser.

You win the A♣ at trick one.  What next?

SOLUTION

Before tackling those problematic major suits, there's no reason not to try a Morton's Fork play in Diamonds.  After winning the A♣ in Dummy, lead a low Diamond towards your hand, and observe East's dilemma.  If he pops with the Ace, he will give you 3 tricks in Diamonds, enough to shed some losing Hearts.  And, if he plays low, the King will win, the other Diamond will get sluffed on the K♣, and the A♦ will wither on the vine.  The complete deal:

Here's what happens if East hops up with the A♦ at Trick 2:

   Heart shift, which Declarer must duck;

   Heart continuation, won by Dummy’s Ace;

   Low Spade towards the Queen ...

Now, whatever East does, Declarer will eventually get those Heart losers away on his minor suit winners.  Note the importance of ducking the first round of Hearts.

Keys to Success (1st Prong)

   - Leading a low Diamond at Trick Two

   - Ducking a Heart

The other prong of the Fork is not without interest.  Here's what happens if East ducks the Diamond at Trick Two, and allows Declarer's King to win:

      Spade to the Ace;

      High Club, pitching a Diamond;

      Low Spade, which East must win;

      Club, ruffed by Declarer;

      Lose a Heart to West;

      Diamond (best chance) to the Queen and Ace, ruffed by Declarer;

      A♥ and out a Heart.

Now, Dummy is able to handle the minor suit return, and, one way or the other, the contract will be made.

Keys to Success (2nd Prong)

   - Leading a low Diamond at Trick Two

   - Ducking a Heart

   - Leaving a trump out until the Hearts were established (trump was needed for communications)