NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Issues

The diamond continuation was ruffed and South drew trump with the ace and king of spades. A second diamond ruff was followed by the heart three for the four, queen and king. East returned the heart seven for the jack and ace.

West could not play a heart or South would score the eight and ten, discarding a club from dummy. He switched to the jack of clubs that rode to the queen. South cashed the ten of hearts on which East showed out. A club was continued for the nine and ace culminating in nine tricks.

West was correct in shifting to a club but he had selected the wrong card. Let him exit with a deceptive ten of clubs. This defense will present declarer with a problem. Should he play low from dummy or put up the king?

It is quite possible that he would play dummy's king on the assumption that East held the jack. However, East will win the ace and play another club to defeat the contract.

South's resolve to venture a competitive three spades was based upon possession of a nine-card fit.

East would have brought home nine tricks in diamonds on this layout.

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