Simple Saturday

Aries (March 21-April 19). Defending your reputation? Critics insult your work or challenge your honor as the sun and Chiron clash.

Taurus (April 20-May 20). Uneasy voicing your convictions? You are second-guessing yourself. What can you know for certain?

Gemini (May 21-June 21). Facing your fears? You expect you’ll be ostracized for sharing a personal truth.

Cancer (June 22-July 22). Juggling responsibilities? You fear that prioritizing your love life will jeopardize your professional reputation.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Teaching what you know? Your expertise is called into question.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Have seeds of self-doubt been planted? Trust issues are activated. Setting boundaries can help you heal.

Libra (Sept.23-Oct. 23). Feeling safe and secure in your personal relationships? Confronting old trust wounds is key.

Insert numbers 1-9 in each box with every row, column and 3x3 box containing the digits just once. Difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest) RATING: GOLD

For more: www.sanctuaryworld.co

21). Intrusive thoughts rear their ugly heads today. Remember: it’s all in your mind.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A crisis of confidence is inspired. Wealth won’t provide the security you seek.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Taking the world by storm?! First things first. Address the elephant in the room.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sensitive exchanges? As the sun and Chiron clash, criticism hits deep. You don’t know how to re-open the dialogue.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20). Doubting if you’re the right person for this project? Believing in yourself is half the battle.

“If you never hit a bad shot ... you’ll be the first person who didn’t.” – a noted golf instructor.

We all make errors. Many are avoidable – just lapses born of a loss of focus. When West led a heart against today’s slam, South discarded a diamond on the ace, thereby (he thought) avoiding a guess for the queen. He drew trumps and took the A-K of clubs, expecting a normal 3-2 break.

When West discarded, South tried for a 12th trick by leading a diamond to his jack(!). But West won, and East got a club trick.

Last diamond

South could have succeeded after he took the top clubs. He could take the A-K of diamonds, ruff a diamond, lead a trump to dummy and pitch a club – a loser on a loser – on the last diamond. When West won, he would have to concede a ruff-sluff.

But South’s big mistake came earlier: He had a blind spot at Trick One. South should discard a club on the ace of hearts. He is sure of three diamond tricks – 12 in all – even if he loses a trick to the queen.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ Q 10 9 8 ♥ A ♦ K65 2 ♣A K 7 5. The dealer, at your right, opens three hearts. You double, and your partner responds (“advances”) three spades. What do you say?

Answer: Take care. Partner has done only what you asked of him. Your double obliged him to bid (though he could pass for penalty with heart length and strength). He promises neither any points nor good spades, and you have little more than your double suggested. Pass.

East dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

♠ Q 10 9 8 A K652 ♣ AK 7 5

WEST

♠ 32

10 7 6 4 3 Q9873 ♣ 6

EAST

♠ 5 KQJ9852 4

♣ Q J 10 9

SOUTH

♠ A K J 7 6 4 None

A J 10

♣ 8432