BRIDGE

“I know fine declarers must be able to think outside the box,” a club player said to me. “But I can’t think outside the box — or inside the box. I don’t even know where the box is.”

Today’s North-South reached the wrong contract; 6NT by North would have been cold. South must have yearned to be declarer since he bid six hearts, and East doubled to request the lead of a spade, the suit North had bid.

West duly led the deuce of spades. Do you see a way for South to succeed? (Think outside the box.)

HURDLE

South cleared the first hurdle when he took the ace of spades. He drew trumps and cashed the A-K of clubs and the A-K of diamonds. Declarer then led dummy’s jack of clubs — and pitched his queen of diamonds.

West took the queen of clubs but had only minor-suit cards left. He led a diamond, and South discarded his remaining spades on the ten of diamonds and ten of clubs. Making six.

I suppose that you do have to locate the box before you can think outside it.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ A Q 6 4 ♡ 7 6 ♢ K 10 2 ♣ J 10 4 3. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade, he bids two diamonds and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: This situation is uneasy since your 2NT was a bit bold. But partner’s three hearts is forcing — he suggests six hearts, four diamonds and extra strength — so you must see it through. Bid four hearts and hope for the best.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable