Bridge Andrew Robson

The search in the bidding is for a trump suit with a combined length of at least eight cards between the partnership – a ‘fit’. However, it is a mistake to be too shy of the seven card trump fit – though such contracts certainly require delicate timing. In particular, the ‘four-three fit’ holds a dread for many players. (1) It’s fine to support to the two-level with just three cards. After all, there’s no alternative call for North at this juncture (1NT would guarantee a spade stopper). (2) Supporting partner to the level of the fit,

as a barrage manoeuvre. (3) Tricky but I like double. Three Spades doubled would go two down on best play (and three down if declarer misguesses clubs). Declarer won West’s opening lead of ♠ K. Needing to establish tricks in clubs while he retained control of the hand, declarer correctly led ♣ 7 at trick two. West won ♣ K and led a second spade. Declarer trumped and now found the master play – can you see what he did?

Declarer needed the trumps to split three-three and realised that ♥ Q must be lost as early as possible. At trick four, he led

♥ 10 (key play). West won ♥ Q and led a third spade but declarer was in control. He trumped with ♥ K, cashed ♥ A, crossed to ♦ A and cashed ♥ J, observing with relief that both opponents followed. He was then able to score three clubs and ♦K – a total of ten tricks. ANDREW ROBSON