BRIDGE with Bob Jones

A good declarer can sometimes look potential disaster in the eye and realize that he still has everything under control.

South won the opening queen of diamonds lead with the ace and led the king of clubs. West won the ace of clubs and shifted to a trump, won by East with the ace. A trump continuation would prevent a club ruff, but South would have 10 easy tricks after a spade finesse. Instead, East returned a diamond. Not knowing the diamond position, declarer rose with his king, only to see West ruff and continue with a trump.

This seemed to be a disaster. South had mis-guessed the diamonds and the defense had prevented a club ruff. After some thought, declarer realized that all was well, provided that West held the king of spades. He ran all but one of his trumps, leaving this position:

South led his last trump and West, who had to keep three spades, shed a club. North and East discarded diamonds. South now led a spade to the queen and cashed the ace of spades. East was finished. A diamond discard would make South’s 10 good. A club discard and both of South’s clubs would be good. Nicely played!