You must know which signal it is

BY PHILLIP ALDER

Sir William Osler, who was a Canadian physician and one of the four founding professors of Johns Hopkins Hospital, said, “Shut out all of your past except that which will help you weather your tomorrows.”

It is important for a bridge player to remember the past — the bidding and play — and use that information to guide the present and future. Not only must you remember which card your partner played, but also what information he was trying to impart.

In this deal, how should East-West card to defeat four spades after West has led the club ace?

North ought to insist on game with his hand, despite the risk of four minor-suit losers. Four spades will be cold opposite a lot of minimum South hands.

West might want to make a takeout double over one spade, but it would be very dangerous with only two low hearts. Here, though, a double might persuade East to sacrifice in five of a minor over four spades. That will cost only 200 if declarer plays diamonds correctly, which would be a good save if four spades were making, but not here.

When the dummy comes down, the defenders should see that they surely need to take two diamonds and two clubs. West would like East to hold the diamond king, but there is another possibility.

Under the club ace, East must signal with the 10. This is an attitude signal showing the club queen, not count or suitpreference. West continues with the club six, giving his partner the lead for the lethal shift to the diamond queen.

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WHITE TO PLAY

Hint: Gain a draw. Solution: 1. Qf4ch! Qxf4 (draw by stalemate).