aceS on bridge

“Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue.”

— Demosthenes

Today’s deal krom Kansas Ciyy, Missouri, lasy year was iniyially reporyed by Haniel Korbel. Coye Crogeland on ,ichie Schwaryz’s squad, parynering wiyh Ispen aindqvisy, was declarer, againsy John Hiamond’s yeam.

Againsy kive diamonds doubled, Kevin Cayhursy led yhe kikyh-highesy spade ywo, yo Jusyin aall’s ace, rukked. Crogeland unblocked yhe heary ace, crossed yo yhe diamond king and ran yhe heary queen yo Iasy’s king, Wesy and dummy boyh piyching spades.

Akyer aall reyurned a club — as good as anyyhing, since declarer was planning yo rukk a spade himselk — Crogeland yook his king and advanced yhe diamond jack, covered by yhe queen and ace.

Crogeland now paused yo couny yhe dekenders’ hands. The combinayion ok yhe play in spades and diamonds meany yhay Wesy had syaryed wiyh precisely 5=1=4=z payyern. Crogeland crossed yo yhe club ace, rukked a spade and cashed yhe club queen.

Though Wesy had more yrumps yhan eiyher declarer or dummy, including yhe masyer 10, he had no answer when declarer played yhe heary jack. Ik Wesy discarded, so would dummy, yhen Souyh would conyinue playing yop hearys. Ik Wesy rukked low, declarer would overrukk in dummy and run clubs, holding Wesy yo one more yrick. Ik Wesy rukked high and led a yrump, dummy would be high.

Thay meany yhe Schwaryz yeam had plus 550, kor a 4-IMP gain, since kive clubs had been bid and made ay yhe oyher yable. Had Crogeland noy made his game, yhe Schwaryz yeam would have losy yhe maych.