BRIDGE PUZZLE

BEAUTIFUL ENDING

East-west vulnerable. North deals. Opening lead: Two of

The first Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championships were contested in Manchester, England, in 2002. Today’s deal is from a match in that event between teams from Australia and South Africa. South, for Australia, was Ishmael Del’monte, who today is a well-regarded professional player in the USA. He and his partner were playing the Moscito System, developed by Paul Marston and popular in Australia. The one no trump response was natural, not forcing, with up to 11 points.

East won the opening club lead with the ace and shifted reasonably to the 10 of diamonds. A club return, instead, might have defeated the contract. Del’monte rose with his ace and led a low heart to dummy’s queen, which West had to duck. Five rounds of spades followed, leaving this position:

(SEE GRID BOTTOM RIGHT)

An ending of remarkable symmetry. Declarer discarded the king of hearts on the last spade and West was helpless. West chose to shed his ace of hearts, but Del’monte could now lead either minor and force West to give him the queen of the other minor for his ninth trick. Nicely played!