QUICK CROSSWORD

Ihope you and your family have a very happy and healthy 2018.

Usually, I start the year with the award winners from the International Bridge Press Association. Most of last year’s winners, though, featured in deals too complicated for a newspaper column; they need a second diagram to show the end position. However, I did find something suitable for the IBPA personality of the year: Benito Garozzo.

Many think Garozzo is the greatest player ever. Born 90- plus years ago in Turin, Italy, he has won 13 world championships, seven European championships and countless other events worldwide.

In the diagramed deal, Garozzo ( South) was partnering Giorgio Belladonna in a 1975 Italian championship event.

Against four spades, West led the diamond ace, then, when East discouraged, shifted to the heart queen. How did Garozzo make the contract?

It looks impossible. South seems destined to lose three diamonds and one club. Garozzo knew that East had the club ace because West, who passed as dealer, had already shown up with the diamond ace- king and heart queen- jack.

In tempo at trick two, Garozzo played low from both the board and his hand!

West, now believing that his partner had the heart ace, continued the suit. South won with his ace, drew trumps ending on the board, discarded the club seven on the heart king and led the club king. When East covered with his ace, Garozzo ruffed, played a spade to dummy's nine and discarded a diamond on the club queen. He took seven spades, two hearts and one club. Copyright United Feature Syndicate

( Asia Features)