CANADIAN BRIDGE

West switched to a diamond when partner discouraged a spade continuation by playing the deuce. This proved beneficial in an unusual fashion. Declarer won cheaply in hand to follow with king and another heart inserting the ten when West discarded a diamond on the second. one. East scored the queen to return a spade for partner's ace. The diamond exit was ruffed and the game finished down one, N-S -50. South should win the queen of diamonds and run the jack of hearts through East. He continues with a trump to the nine and unblocks the king. Dummy is entered with a club to extract the last trump and the ace of spades is driven out. A club will be discarded from the table on a spade winner resulting in an overtrick. South had elected to advance to the major suit game but 3NT might yield an improved result. West would lead either a spade or a diamond but the latter would be a most ineffective choice. South could corral eleven tricks by playing East for the queen of hearts. A spade lead would not cause any problems for declarer but a club lead would be best where declarer would struggle if he misguesses hearts. Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6.