ACES ON BRIDGE

“Those who live in a cold climate and in Northern Europe are full of spirit but wanting in intelligence and skill; and therefore they keep their freedom, but have no political organization and are incapable of ruling over others.”

— Aristotle

When Rita Oldroyd died, Great Britain lost one of the backbones of its women’s team through the 1970s. Her team won two European Championships and a silver at the World Championships. She was also England’s first woman Grand Master.

Oldroyd was both an outspoken and entertaining character, never afraid to speak her mind, but capable of subtle and sophisticated play, as shown in today’s deal from a teams event. Where Oldroyd’s teammates were East-West, their opponents reached three no-trump on a diamond lead. Declarer ducked twice, took the third, cashed the heart king, then played the club ace and king. When the queen failed to drop, South could not afford to cash dummy’s heart ace, so played a third club, stranding the winner in dummy. West won, cashed the last diamond, then got off lead with a spade, and declarer had to go one down.

In the other room, Oldroyd was partnering with Alan Hiron, and they also reached three no-trump. After the same opening lead, Oldroyd also won the third diamond and cashed her heart king, but then played the ace, followed by a low club.

She had set up the game-going tricks, but, unlike the other declarer, was able to access her winners, since she had a club entry to dummy and spade entries to hand that could not be disrupted.

ANSWER: Life is too short to worry about reaching slam off two cashing spade tricks. Your hand is not ideal for Blackwood, though — you want partner to do the asking, since you have such an easy hand to show. I would cue-bid four clubs and hope partner can take control. Over a four-heart signoff, I would bid five diamonds.