The Bridge World, which last month celebrated its seventieth anniversary
as a monthly magazine, has provided a
chronicle of the evolution of contract
bridge almost from the game's beginnings.
During the past year, it has made major
adjustments in format, increasing page and
font size and adding content, mostly in a
new section, Bridgeworks, aimed at players
who wish to improve their technique and
understanding of the game.
This popular tutorial section disdains fancy plays and obscure coups in
favour of an emphasis on fundamental ideas.
Today's deal, from a recent issue, is a
declarer-play exercise that stresses the
importance of looking ahead, a principle
that merits our constant attention.
North-South vulnerable South deals
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Pass |
1NT |
Pass |
2 |
|
Pass |
3 |
Pass |
4 |
|
Pass |
4 |
Pass |
4 |
|
Pass |
6 |
End |
|
Opening Lead:
6
How should declarer play his excellent slam (when South showed black-suit
controls, North placed proper value on his
excellent red cards) after the lead of the
6?
Two spade ruffs in hand will bring
declarer's total to 11 tricks: the ruffs,
three hearts, four diamonds in dummy and two
clubs. Then, assuming trumps break three-two,
South can overcome a four-two heart break by
setting up a long card with a ruff. If
diamonds break four-one, however, the
contract will depend on a three-three heart
break, so the second spade ruff should then
be avoided.
To preserve entries for ruffing spades, declarer must make the key play at
trick one by winning the trump lead in hand
with the
A.
Then play the
Q,
win the trump return in dummy (no
alternative defence is better) and ruff a
spade. Play the heart ace and cross to the
king to ruff dummy's last spade. At this
point declarer knows the diamonds are three-two
and the hearts are no worse than four-two.
Ruff a heart high, draw the last trump
discarding the
9
and claim the rest.
The important point is to picture the play before calling a card from
dummy at trick one; "after that" may be too
late.