Solution: DSBA Declarer Problem of the Month

DSBA Web Page Declarer Problem of the Month

June, 1999

This month's hand is based on a deal from a recent NABC.

Dealer: South
Vulnerable: E-W

	NORTH K 7 6 5 2 J 9 8 4 3 A 7 6


	SOUTH A Q J 9 4 --- 9 8 3 2 K Q 4 2

AUCTION
SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
1	2	3 (1)	Dbl
4 (2)	Pass	4 (2)	Pass
4 (2)	Pass	5 (2)	Pass
6	Pass	Pass	Pass

(1) Limit raise or better in spades
(2) Cue-bid

West leads the A (A from AK). You ruff, cross to the A (West following with the 4 and East with the 7) , and lead a small club. East rises with the A (West following with the 8) and returns the 3, West following with the T.You win the Q in hand, and ruff a diamond, West following with the 5 and East with the K. How do you continue?

Solution Part B

Well, East's play could be an intelligent false-card, but it probably isn't: it seems that East has the last trump and the diamonds are 6-2. However, if you stop for a moment and think, you will realize that there is a line of play available to you that will make when the diamonds are 6-2 (as they seem to be), OR when they are 5-3... the only thing you need is for West to have the Q along with the other top honors in the suit.

You will cross to hand with a CLUB (this must live for you to have any chance), cash another club pitching a heart (West shows out), and ruff a club. Then ruff a heart to reach the following four-card ending, with South to lead:

	NORTH K 7 J 9 --- ---
WEST --- K Q Q J ---			EAST 8 ? ? (?) (?) ---
		SOUTH A J --- 9 8 ---

Now for the coup de grace... it's time to draw trumps! You present the

J, and West is caught in a nasty little contraption known as an entry-shifting squeeze. If he discards a heart, you will overtake the

J with the

K, and ruff a heart, and then dummy will be good. If he discards a diamond, you will retain the lead in hand by following with the

7, ruff a diamond, and then your hand will be good.

The full deal:

	NORTH K 7 6 5 2 J 9 8 4 3 A 7 6
WEST T A K Q 7 Q J T 6 5 4 J 8			EAST 8 3 T 6 5 2 K 7 A T 9 5 3
		SOUTH A Q J 9 5 --- 9 8 3 2 K Q 4 2

One final note: if you do not time the entries to your hand correctly by returning to your hand with a CLUB at trick 6 (i.e. if you come back with a heart ruff), you can still reach the ending above, but the lead will be in the WRONG hand (North), and you can not make the contract.

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