IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

This excellent declarer problem was given to me by a friend who got it from a friend who read about it in some book. I am unable to give credit to the author.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#13-38
Dlr	E
Vul	Both

	KQ863
	A5
	AJ4
	753

	97
	Q8432
	965
	K98

	4
	KJ1097
	KQ82
	J104

	AJ1052
	6
	1073
	AQ62

West	North	East	South
-	-	Pass	1
Pass	2NT	Pass	4
Pass	Pass	Pass

Bidding: I suspect the auction was similar to this.

Play: West led a trump and declarer stopped to analyze the hand. He saw four possible losers: two diamonds and two clubs. After giving the problem some thought, declarer saw a line that would guarantee the contract. He drew the last trump followed by the ace of hearts and a heart ruff. Next he simply played ace and another club. West won and shifted to a low diamond. Declarer ducked and East won the queen. East played his last club and declarer covered with the queen. West won the king and played a second diamond but declarer rose with the ace, came to his hand with a trump, and discarded a diamond from dummy on the 13^th club. He ended up losing one diamond and two clubs.

This line would succeed no matter how the clubs were divided. Try it.

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny