BRIDGE

It was fortunate for North-South that they did not have the mechanism to discover the 4-4 diamond fit. A contract of 6D would have had no chance, with diamonds breaking 4-1. How would you play the alternative contract of 6NT when West leads the ten of hearts? Declarer tested the diamond suit at an early stage, playing the king and queen. When West showed out on the second round, it was apparent that declarer would need to score a club trick to bolster his total to twelve. Should he play East for the queen or the ace of clubs, would you say? The answer is that you will probably not have to guess at all! You should play four winners in spades, followed by four in hearts. On dummy’s last heart winner East has to find a discard from J-10 of diamonds and his doubleton club honour. If he throws from his diamond guard, you will score the ace and six of diamonds to make the slam. He therefore has to bare his club honour. You discard the six of diamonds from your hand and lead a club to see which honour East produces. Here it is the queen, and you cover with the king. West has nothing but clubs and must return a club to your established jack. The same play would work if you held K-10 of clubs to East’s Q-J.