BRIDGE

Today’s deal is from a competition in Europe this year. North-South were apparently playing Acol, a four-card major system with a 12-14 one no-trump range. This system has been popular in Great Britain, and other places, for many years. The auction may look strange to American eyes, but it wouldn’t turn a head in Europe. South was 13-year-old Liz Gahan, who showed excellent technique in the play. East won the opening diamond lead with the ace and continued the suit to South’s king. Gahan led a club to dummy’s jack, losing to the king, and East cleared the diamonds. Gahan saw that she was going to need a second trick from the heart suit while keeping West from gaining the lead. This technique is known as an “avoidance play.”

Gahan led the nine of hearts and passed it to East, who cleverly won this with the king. This might have proved embarrassing had declarer’s hearts been queen-ten-nine, but East was hoping that partner held the queen-eight of hearts and would then be able to win the defense’s second heart trick and have an entry for the long diamond. East shifted to a spade. Gahan’s jack was covered by the queen and won with dummy’s ace. South cashed three club tricks, ending in her hand while shedding a spade from dummy, and led the eight of hearts. Regardless of what the defense did, Gahan was able to develop the second heart trick that she needed while keeping West off play. Nine tricks in all and a well-earned result.