ACES ON BRIDGE

“Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.”

— John Wesley

The Gold Coast Congress in Brisbane, Australia, is currently underway. It attracts amateur and professional players from all around the world, with separate categories for novices and intermediates as well as Seniors. Last year, youngest-ever world champion Michal Klukowski put in an appearance. Here he is at work.

When his partner drove him to six no-trump in pairs after he had shown a balanced 20-22, he received a passive heart lead. Klukowski went for the big prize, by trying for 13 tricks, but in the process, he found the best route to 12 winners.

He won the heart lead in hand and led a spade to his king, trying to steal the overtrick.

Then came three more rounds of hearts, the club king and a club to the ace. Had the suit broken, he would have been home with 13 tricks. As it was, Klukowski cashed two diamonds, pitching a club on the diamond king, and then advanced the diamond queen and awaited West’s discard.

If he pitched a spade, Klukowski would discard a club and duck a spade to the now-bare ace; if a club, Klukowski’s clubs would be good in dummy.

Nicely played, but this wasn’t a top — the bulletin claimed that it would not divulge the name of the defender who had decided to lead a “safe” club seven, allowing declarer to run the whole suit without loss. I suppose safety is in the eye of the beholder.

ANSWER: It may not be the best rule, but the simplest agreement to have for passes of redoubles is that, except at the one-level, they are always to play. Your partner has shown a two- or three-suiter short in clubs, and your values do not suggest defending. I would run to two hearts, but another option might be to bid two diamonds and redouble if doubled. That way, you might find a 4-4 spade fit.