Independent Pursuits: 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.THE PLAY started well for South in his contract of 1 no-trumps on this deal. In the ending, however, he found himself in the unusual position (for a declarer) of being the victim of a criss-cross squeeze.
Playing a Strong Club system, South opened One Club. North gave the negative response of One Diamond; South's next bid of One Heart was a relay, requiring his partner to bid One Spade. All very baffling but, after the forced spade bid, South's next move of 1 no-trumps showed a balanced 18-19 points. It was not difficult for North to pass this and West led 46 (the second highest of a bad suit) which went to the king and ace.
South started on the clubs and East won the first round to return 4J. Declarer won, and continued clubs, and West won and cleared the spades. Next declarer tried #Q and this was allowed to win. Then he cashed his two established clubs on which both defenders parted with a heart. This left South with !K J 4 #K 9 and he exited with !4 in the vague hope that a seventh trick would come in.
It did not, for West won with !10 and cashed the long spade, on which East threw a diamond. South was now in trouble; if he parted with #9, West would lead a diamond to his partner's ace and then take the last two tricks; if on the other hand he threw a heart, West would cash !A and then East would win the rest.
The five-card ending was rather odd - if declarer had led any card other than !4, a good guess at the end would have given him the extra trick that he needed for his contract.
Game all; dealer South
North
47 3 2
!9 7 3
#10 6 5 2
27 6 3
West East
49 6 5 4 4K J 8
!A 10 8 !Q 6 5 2
#J 8 3 #A 7 4
2A 8 4 2K 5 2
South
4A Q 10
!K J 4
#K Q 9
2Q J 10 9
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments