BRIDGE

There are many top players coming from France these days, and Cedric Lorenzini is one of their best. He was South in today’s deal. North showed great faith in his partner’s declarer play ability when he jumped to game, or perhaps he just over bid. Lorenzini would have accepted an invitation, so they would likely have reached game in any event.

Four tables in a team competition reached three no trump, but Lorenzini was the only declarer to bring it home.

The opening club lead went to East’s jack and declarer’s queen. Lorenzini cashed the ace of diamonds and led another diamond, hoping to develop some extra tricks in the diamond suit. West’s heart discard on the second diamond was a disappointment, but South won with dummy’s king, cashed the ace of hearts, and led a heart to his king. He knew now that he had four heart tricks, and he made the master play. He led the 10 of clubs from his hand. On a good day, this might develop another club trick, and on this deal, it severed communications between the defenders.

West won with the king and cashed the ace of clubs. He couldn’t cash another club or it would give Lorenzini a club trick, so he shifted to the eight of spades. Lorenzini captured East’s queen with his ace, cashed two heart tricks in dummy, and led a spade. He had nine tricks when East produced the king. Well done!