BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

AT Trick 2, declarer should lead a heart from dummy. Whoever wins this — assume it’s West — back will come another club. Declarer can ruff this, and can then also afford to cash two rounds of diamonds.

This reveals that east started with ♦J-x-x. South must now leave diamonds alone for the moment and cash the ♠K, followed by the ♠A and ruff a spade. he has a re-entry to his own hand via the ♥Q, and can lead his fourth and last spade on which West plays the Queen.

Declarer knows that east has no more spades, and from the earlier play he also knows east holds the outstanding ♦J. Declarer must not ruff in dummy, but should discard the last heart. West, then, holds the trick, but, providing east started with four hearts, can do declarer no harm. South will be able to ruff his last heart and subsequently draw the ♦J, for his contract.