ETCETERA / Bridge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THIS deal featured a neat co-operative defence. It was true that declarer could have saved one trick but the position was not completely clear to him.
North
S. Q 6 4
H. Q J 2
D. A K 5
C. K Q J 10
South
S. 10 5 3
H. A 10 8 7
D. 9 8 4
C. 8 7 2
West
S. A J 9
H. K 6 5 4
D. J 2
C. A 6 5 3
East
S. K 8 7 2
D. 9 3
D. Q 10 7 6 3
C. 9 4 West opened One No-trump (12-14 points) and North doubled. East's retreat to Two Diamonds was followed by two passes and, feeling he had not done enough, North doubled again. As Two Diamonds would have made easily, South was right to bid Two Hearts and there matters rested.
West led the jack of diamonds and, after winning in dummy, declarer ran the queen of hearts. West held off but won when the trump finesse was repeated. Now his two of diamonds was won on the table and East followed with the queen - a well-judged McKenney signal, clearly showing the ten of diamonds and an important card in the highest ranking suit - spades.
Declarer now turned his attention to clubs and West won the second round. Taking full advantage of his partner's intellignt signal he switched to the jack of spades - just the right card. When the jack was allowed to win, he continued with the ace and nine of spades. East won, cashed his winning diamond, and led the thirteenth spade. This promoted a second trump trick for West and led to a two-trick defeat.
Did you spot South's tiny error? If he covers the jack of spades with dummy's queen he still loses a diamond and three spade tricks but it is West who wins the third round of spades and, with only trumps and clubs left, has to concede the rest of the tricks. Now declarer escapes for only one off.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments