ACES ON BRIDGE

“Pulling together is the aim of despotism and tyranny. Free men pull in all kinds of directions.”

-- Terry Pratchett

On this deal from a junior European championship in Prague, four spades was reached at both tables, and the Italians played nicely both as declarer and defenders.

As West, Matteo Sbarigia’s lead was the first key to success in the Open Room. His partner had opened one club, but had had the chance to double a diamond call, so he led the diamond seven, and declarer let East, Fabio Lo Presti win the first trick with the diamond jack. Lo Presti, cashed the club ace, receiving an encouraging signal, then made the second key play when he continued with a low club to West’s queen. Sbarigia could lead a second diamond, and there was nowhere for the diamond loser to go. Very nicely defended by the Italians.

In the other room, on the auction shown, Stelio di Bello was declarer. West led the club 10; East won and switched to a spade. Di Bello drew trumps, then led to the heart 10. When it held the trick, he played two more rounds of hearts, then played the club jack from his hand.

West correctly rose with his queen, to play a diamond through declarer. Di Bello played low from dummy, and when East won the trick with the diamond jack, he found himself endplayed. He had no hearts left to play, while a club would concede a ruff and discard. No matter what he did, declarer was sure to make his contract. That was a very well-deserved 12 IMP swing to Italy.

ANSWER: You could argue that this hand is too strong to invite slam with a jump to four no-trump. I’m not sure I agree, since with no eightcard fit, we really need partner to have a maximum to find a way to 12 tricks. I’d be more aggressive if I had a single working spot-card. But I don’t, so four no-trump it is.