BRIDGE

Opening lead quiz: cover up all but the West hand and check out the auction NorthSouth conducted to reach six spades.

With his first two calls, North showed a balanced minimum opening with five hearts and then in response to his partner's artificial Checkback (two clubs), confessed to three-card spade support.

That was enough to get South to launch Blackwood, find one Keycard (five clubs showed one or four) with North and place the final contract.

What to lead?

Although coming with no guarantees of success, I think all the available evidence points to a diamond lead having the greatest chance for a second trick to go with the ace of hearts.

Very likely, once that ace of hearts is dislodged, there will be extra tricks set up in dummy should South need discards.

Also: East didn't make a lead-directing double of five clubs when he might have with a lead-worthy holding in that suit, but, as for diamonds, he never had a chance to double any artificial diamond bid.

Slim evidence? Yes, but better than no evidence at all.

Now take a look at the complete diagram: YES! A diamond lead will do nicely as it will set up a trick in that suit before South can establish any heart trick(s) for a diamond discard.

And maybe demonstrate the folly of opening the bidding with an aceless and balanced eleven count (while promising at least twelve!).

Back at the table: the actual West led a “safe” but ultra-futile trump!

In the team match where this occurred:-13 IMPs when the other table rested in four spades when it might have been +13 for setting the slam!