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BRIDGE
Problems ahead
Andrew Robson
THIS WEEK we feature a typically awk- ward 3NT contract — a choice of long suits to establish and plenty of communica- tion problems. Can you thread your way through the minefield?
Dealer South Both Vulnerable South West North East
1♦ pass 11, pass
2+ pass 3V pass 3NT pass pass pass West led 43 and South elected to establish • s, because any tricks he could make there would be adding to his seven sure tricks (34s, 2Vs and 2+s). He won 4K in dummy and led a East rose smartly with
• A to lead his second 4. South could not afford to win this in dummy without losing his second V trick (due to the blockage, he needed a dummy re-entry to cash VA). So he won 4Q, cashed VK, crossed to 4A, cashed VA discarding a 4, and led dummy's second ♦. West beat •J with
• K and cashed his two 4s, South discard- ing a 4 and a ♦. West exited with 4.1 and South had to give West the last trick with ♦ 10. Establishing the •s is unlikely to result in success unless +s split 3-3.
Let's start afresh, trying to establish dummy's Vs. It looks tempting to win the opening 4 lead in hand, cash VK, cross to 4K, and play VA anc11110, which will be successful when the Vs divide 3-3 or the VQ/J is doubleton. This gives better odds than playing on ♦ , but fails on the above layout: East will win the third V and switch to 4s, leaving declarer two tricks short. Actually the contract is almost 100 per cent on any layout — can you see how? Win the 4 lead in hand and overtake VK with VA. Play back 1,10, won by East. East's likely return is a 4, but you can win 4K cross to 4K, and lead V9. East wins VQ and plays second 4 but, winning 4A, you cross to 4A to enjoy three winning Vs.
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