Games: 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.West had a difficult lead to find at trick three on this deal. There was a solution to his problem, but even seeing all four hands the winning defence is not obvious.
South had opened One Spade and, eschewing such modern ideas as a Michaels Cue-bid, West overcalled with Two Clubs. Stretching slightly, North raised to Four Spades and, although both East and West might have been tempted to contest, they were deterred by the vulnerability.
West led #2 against Four Spades; East took his ace and returned #J for his partner to ruff South's queen. So far, so good, but what now? A heart at this point would give declarer two tricks in the suit and dummy's third heart would go away on the king of diamonds later on.
In practice, West led his 2A, but South ruffed and was able to dispose of his losing hearts on dummy's clubs.
It would have been a difficult play to find at the table, but now you have all the clues. If both 2A and any heart fail, what is left? Yes, West can defeat the contract by leading 2J at this point. Declarer gets one discard from hand but still has a spade and a heart to lose.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments