Bridge

Declarer scooped the queen of hearts and unblocked the king and queen of spades. A diamond to the ace permitted South to finish the spades discarding a heart and two clubs from the table. West parted with a club and a heart. South cashed three diamonds, throwing a club, as West elected to pitch another heart. South could be certain that West's last three cards were the top hearts and a club. A club was led to the ace dropping the king resulting in twelve tricks, N-S +690.

If West had declined to bare the king of clubs and ultimately thrown a top heart, South would exit with a heart at trick eleven throwing West on play. The forced club return would be into the jaws of the ace-queen, culminating in another twelve tricks. West had defended well by discarding a club early in the play but South was not willing to risk a finesse since he was assured of eleven tricks. South's resolve to open 1NT holding a five-card major would not be everyone's choice. North would reply 1NT (forcing) in response to the major suit opening and would become declarer in the ninetrick game. East is likely to begin with the ten of hearts for lack of a reasonable alternative. Would West win or play an encouraging spot-card?