DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

As usual, foreign players were a factor at the Summer NABC. A European team captained by Piotr Gawrys won the Spingold, but a U.S. squad (Rosenthal, Berkowitz, Ginossar, Silverstein, Willenken, Zur Campanile) gave them a battle in the final.

After today’s thirdquarter deal, the match was tight. When Chris Willenken-Eldad Ginossar sat East-West for Rosenthal, South played at five hearts. West led the ace of diamonds: five, nine, deuce. How West regarded East’s signal is unclear, but he did well to shift to a low spade. When South played low from dummy, misguessing, he lost two spades. Down one.

North for Rosenthal declared at five hearts after he opened 1NT, and South issued a “transfer” response. East-West had bid up to five diamonds, but East’s opening lead was an ill-considered ace of clubs.

North ruffed, led a trump to his hand, threw a diamond on the king of clubs and led the jack for a winning ruffing finesse. He made an overtrick, 11 IMPs to Rosenthal.

DAILY QUESTION:

You hold: ♠ K32 ♥ AQ7 ◆ Q5 ♣ KJ1093.Your partner opens one diamond, you respond two clubs and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner’s second bid is a “reverse,” but how much strength it promises after you responded at the two level is a matter for partnership discussion. Bid 2NT if you’re sure he won’t pass. Otherwise, bid 3NT.