DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

In the 2017 Spingold Teams, the major event at the ACBL’s Summer NABC, most of the top seeds comprised an affluent sponsor and a cast of professionals. The demand for pro services has led to an influx from overseas. Of 43 players in the quarterfinals, only 15 were from the U.S.

The final pitted DIAMOND (Diamond-Platnick, Brogeland-Lindqvist) against powerful LAVAZZA (Bilde-Duboin, BocchiSementa, MadalaBianchedi). When DIAMOND fell far behind in the third quarter, the match seemed to be over.

But DIAMOND refused to fold. At one table in today’s fourth-quarter deal, Diamond-Platnick played at four spades doubled as East-West, down one, minus 100.

Against Brogeland’s four hearts doubled in the replay, West led the ace of spades and shifted to the jack of diamonds. Dummy played low, and East was stuck. If he ducked, South would take the queen and lose a trump to the ace. Eventually, he could pitch his last diamond on the king of spades. If instead East cashed his ace of diamonds, or if he took it at Trick Two, declarer would get two club discards on the king of spades and king of diamonds.

Making four, and DIAMOND gained 12 IMPs. They won the Spingold by five.

To beat four hearts, West must lead a spade honor at Trick Two. If South plays dummy’s 10, ruffs in his hand and leads a trump, East wins and leads a third spade. Declarer must discard prematurely on the king of spades before East must commit in diamonds.