BRIDGE

Cy the Cynic was declarer at today’s four spades. As you might expect, Cy, a fervent observer of human frailty, preferred to rely on a defensive error rather than play for a legitimate technical chance.

Cy captured East’s king of clubs and saw four losers: a club, two hearts and a diamond. He chose to lead a trump to dummy and return the jack of hearts. If East played low, West would win and lead another club, but Cy could win and lead the queen of hearts, setting up dummy’s 10 for a club discard.

But East thwarted Cy’s play: He rose with the ace of hearts and led the 10 of clubs. Down Cy went.

Cy’s play was reasonable (maybe best), but an alternative would have worked. At Trick Three declarer leads a diamond from dummy.

If East plays low, the queen wins and declarer leads a second diamond, ducking. He wins the club return, leads a trump to dummy and ruffs a diamond, felling the ace. He can return with a trump to pitch a loser on the king of diamonds. Question: You hold: ♠ 65 2 ♥ A8654 ♦ A104 ♣ K 10. Partner opens one club, you respond one heart, he bids one spade. Now what?

Answer: Bid 2NT, showing about 11 points, balanced pattern and strength in the unbid suit. This move is imperfect: Partner may have to pass when he has heart tolerance and you belong at hearts. Option: Stretch your values with a fourth-suit bid of two diamonds.