Careful defense is very satisfying

Desmond Morris, an English zoologist who is well-known for his book “The Naked Ape” and his television shows, said, “We never stop investigating. We are never satisfied that we know enough to get by. Every question we answer leads on to another question. This has become the greatest survival trick of our species.”

Bridge players never stop investigating, and finding a perfect defense is very satisfying.

In this deal, how should East-west defend against one no-trump doubled after West leads the spade jack?

Note West’s penalty double. With 10 points, he knows his side has the balance of power, so one no-trump ought to fail, and it is possible that East-west do not have a makable game (as they do not).

South might have run to two clubs. That would probably have escaped for down one, although down two was possible, the defenders taking three spades, one heart, two diamonds and one club.

At one table, East took the first trick with the spade ace and continued with the spade queen. South won with his king, cashed the club ace and played the club queen. West should have ducked this, but he won and shifted to the heart queen. Declarer claimed seven tricks.

Another pair showed how to do it. At trick one, East overtook with the spade queen. When declarer ducked, East continued with the spade four, trying to send a suit-preference signal for diamonds. South won that trick and played on clubs. Now West clarified the position by leading his diamond king! The defenders took five spades, three diamonds and one club for down three.