BRIDGE MASTERCLASS CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 17,324

WITH your side only vulnerable, what would you bid? CLEARLY, you have ample points between you to defeat 1NT doubled, but consider the vulnerability and the ‘shape’ of your hand.

If you pass, North is almost certain to make his attack in one of the minors, which may ruin your hand, whereas if you play in whichever major suit fits North’s hand best, you are virtually certain of scoring at least a vulnerable game, if not a slam.

Bid 2NT — a conventional bid showing a strong two-suiter. It is game-forcing, and partner is expected to show his suits in ascending order. After this, finding the best major suit fit should not present many problems. If he bids 3♣, you rebid 3♠, and if he then bids 4♦, you bid 4♥, showing clearly which your two suits are.

Hopefully, your partner will know that your 2NT bid shows strength, and will not miss the chance of investigating slam possibilities if he has suitable controls.

ACROSS

1 Stint bursar arranged for a committee of experts (6,5) 9 Weary fellow at oil gauge regularly (7) 10 Woman sat here in a fidgety state (7) 11 Divided union’s leader appearing in court (3) 12 Cleo fine to wander overlooking northern bit of Arctic landscape? (3,4) 13 Integrate baron somehow into centre for body (7) 14 Leaders in heist often frustrating German court (3) 15 Note Greek character in Black Sea resort (5) 17 Former country pile lacking sun for leave of absence (5) 18 Feature of fish, we hear, in narrow stream (5) 20 Doc at ground for group of eight (5) 22 Throw ball in lake close to club (3) 24 Incenses volatile sergeant endlessly (7) 25 Reserve way in front of street and yard (7) 26 Principle in Chinese philosophy appreciated by Oscar (3) 27 Mother keeping headgear for holy leader (7) 28 A number of coolers? (7) 29 Printed yarn devised for a social event (6,5)

DOWN

1 Stroke or caress initially obscured perennial plant (9,6) 2 Financial backer with these people in devotional exercise (7) 3 Female relative, one entering Tyneside church (5) 4 One producing skinny depictions? (9) 5 Exploit timeless piece of furniture at one’s disposal (7) 6 Host’s moderately different in an often repeated event (3,4,3,5) 7 Distant circle following member of a school? (6) 8 Board replaced tense French actress (6) 16 Educator’s fancy hollow piece of pastry (9) 18 Attractive son touring Spain in twinkling lights (6) 19 Relieve admiral William after dismissing British figure (7) 21 More dubious party found on unstable ridge (7) 23 Expression of surprise roughly typical of a lad? (6) 25 Deal with second young dog (3,2)