Goren on Bridge

Opening lead: King of ♦

Many players would have passed four spades, but North took an aggressive view with his sixcard suit. The result was an excellent slam. A normal 2-2 or 3-1 split in spades would have given declarer 11 tricks, and the clubs could be expected to provide one or two more.

A heart lead would have defeated the slam, but West cannot be faulted for leading a diamond. South won the opening lead with his ace and cashed the ace of spades, greatly disappointed to see a discard from West. What now? South cashed his three top clubs and discarded two diamonds from dummy. It did not matter if East ruffed — it would be with a natural trump trick.

East did ruff but found himself in a pickle. A trump or a diamond from East and South would draw trumps, ending in his hand, and ruff a club. This would establish two long club tricks, and he would cross to his hand with the ace of hearts and discard two hearts from dummy on the long clubs. A heart from East, instead, and South would be forced to duck it. Dummy’s queen would win, and South would again draw trumps and establish a long club.

East found a brilliancy. He exited with the king of hearts! South could draw trumps and establish the long clubs, but he would have no entry to his hand to enjoy them. Alternatively, South could ruff a heart in hand with his three of spades, but he would not be able to draw the last trump. East would score another trump trick on a club overruff. Great play!

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