Caution, Genius at Work: Zia Mahmood by Brian Senior

Source:  APBFC banner  Bulletins

Brian Senior
Brian Senior

The flamboyant Zia Mahmood is one of the most difficult of modern players to play against, due in no small part to his imaginative card play. On this deal from the 2013 European Open Pairs he seemed doomed to defeat in his heart game but managed to find a way to win his impossible contract.

aa

East, looking at two aces and a singleton in his partner’s suit, was well worth his penalty double. West led the A and Zia could see what was coming next. His only chance was to fool the defenders so he dropped the K as though it was a singleton.

It wasn’t really plausible to think that East would have three-card spade support on this auction, but West was taken in and switched to the 5.

Zia put up the K, losing to the ace, and back came a second diamond. He won the Q, ruffed a diamond in the dummy, and took two spade pitches on the A and K. Now all he had to do was to play the trumps for only one loser. He was pretty certain that West had a singleton heart, but was it the A or the Q?

Zia’s solution was to try a second psychological play, leading the J off the table instead of the normal low card. Who would not cover with the Q if holding queen-ten doubleton? When East followed with the 10 he was therefore assumed not to hold the Q and Zia, who would have ducked had the queen been played, went up with the K and had his contract.

East/West were left to shake their heads and look unhappily at each other.

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

2012 Lederer Memorial Trophy

The famous and prestigious Lederer Memorial Trophy is an annual event for eight invited teams from England and abroad. The event winner was the Holders Team. Photo: Espen Erichsen, Norman Selway, Mike Bell, Michael Byrne, Martin Jones, Neil Rosen.

The Pairs Southamerican Championship: Online results

The qualified pairs by category...

Leading Questions Part 4

Against Slam: Trump leads are uncommon. Against 6NT, a passive lead is...

Bridge & Humor: Extracted from a Victor Mollo’s Book

Next time your partner blunders, reflect on this conversation from Victor Mollo’s immortal Menagerie series.

A Foolish Claim By Oren Lidor

"Don't ever claim again!" Joe shouted at his partner. "You already claimed wrong twice, and in both cases the TD ruled against us.

Franck Riehm elected as WBF President

The World Bridge Federation is pleased to announce the...

1st South American Online Mixed Teams Championship

All players belonging to any NBO affiliated to the WBF are welcome!

I Brazilian Online Bridge Festival 2020

Some of the best players in the world are Brazilians, and some of the most enthusiastic players too! Our Brazilian Online Festival has appeal to players of all levels. Your team will play in a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with very well-organized scoring and experienced Directors to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

WBF Robot Tournaments

Come and join the competition through our Providers, BBO, Funbridge and Ourgame, all offering you this great opportunity – we look forward to some challenging tournaments!”

The Endplay

An endplay (also throw-in), in bridge, is a tactical play where a defender is put on lead at a strategic moment, and then has to make a play that loses one or more tricks.

The Scissors Coup by John Brown

Scissors coup (or, Scissor coup, ) is a type of coup in bridge, so named because it cuts communications between defenders.

World Bridge Federation – Youth

The Championship is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1992 (Juniors & Girls) or born on or after 1st January 1997 (Youngsters) or born on or after 1st January 2002 (Kids) in good standing with their own NBOs.

Prevent a Ruff by Jon Brown

West led his singleton club, which dummy's king won. South read the lead as a singleton.

RELACIONADOS

CATEGORIAS POPULARES