BRIDGE
The champ
Andrew Robson
WOULD YOU back declarer to make 4V on this week's hand? The best reason for doing so is that he was Bob Hamman, longtime number one in the world rank- ings. Recently turned 60, Bob is still as hungry as ever at the table.
In actuality, though Hamman appears to be facing four apparent losers, one 4, one • and two 45, it is hard for the defence to come to them all. However West had one chance — requiring him to make a brilliant and unorthodox play. He did not.
See if you can spot his missed half- chance as the defence progresses.
Dealer South North-South Vulnerable The Bidding South West North East 111 14 2V 24 4V pass pass pass West led 4K and declarer ducked — a fairly standard communication-breaking technique. West continued safely with a second 4 and declarer won 4A. At trick three he led 47 and, when West played low, he ducked it to East's 4,10. Unable to attack +5 from his side, East led a third 4. Declarer trumped, cashed VKQ drawing the opposing trumps, then led 4.2.
It was all over for the defence. West rose with 4A and switched to •4 to dummy's • Q, East's •K and declarer's •A. Declar- er then led 49 to 4K and discarded •9 on 48. Contract made.
It is not good enough at trick three for West to rise with 40A and switch to •4. Declarer plays low, wins East's • 10 with • A and returns •9, running it to East's *K. Dummy's *0 is established for a 4 discard and declarer gets home in a differ- ent manner.
The only defence that leaves declarer without a counter is for West to insert 4J on 47 lead at trick three. If declarer ducks, West switches to •4 and the defence has to make their four tricks. And if declarer wins 41 with dummy's 4K and returns a 4, West wins 4A and again switches to • 4.
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