Contract Bridge

Today’s deal occurred in the 1990 world team championship final between Germany and the United States, narrowly won by Germany. The Germans got off to a slow start, though, losing heavily on this, the very first board of the 64- deal match.

When Jochen Bitschene and Bernhard Ludewig of Germany held the North- South hands, the bidding went as shown. North’s two- heart opening showed five hearts, four clubs and 10-15 points, and two rounds later, Ludewig found himself in three notrump.

Declarer won East’s king of diamonds with the ace and led the heart jack, covered by the king and ace. A low heart was then led to the ten, after which Ludewig played a club to the king and East’s ace, West discarding a spade.

West won his partner’s diamond return with the queen and exited with a diamond to dummy’s jack, but he found himself right back on lead on the next trick when Ludewig, spotting a sure-fire endplay, conceded the heart six to West’s seven. After cashing his good diamond — the defenders’ fourth trick — West had to return a heart from the 9- 5 to dummy’s Q- 8 or lead a spade into South’s A- Q. Either way, Ludewig was sure to gain his ninth trick.

This appeared to be an excellent result, but at the other table, with Germany now East-West, the bidding took an unexpected turn: West North East South 1 ♥ Pass 3 ♣ Dble Pass Pass Pass

West’s one- heart bid showed 10-15 points with a heart suit and perhaps a minor suit on the side. East’s three- club response was weak, and Charles Coon of the U.S. found the winning action by doubling. Mike Moss, North, was delighted to leave the double in, and when the smoke cleared, the Germans were down four for - 800 and a 9- IMP loss on the deal.