BRIDGE PUZZLE

of an

Down

2 To be unsuitable, is to be what (5)

3 To shun, is to do what (5) 4 When one encounters someone face to face, one does what (8)

To gamble, is to do what (4)

Which poles are for aid in walking (6) When one gets one does what (5)

Which metallic element has the symbol Fe (4) RUDOLPH THE GREAT

Both vulnerable. North deals. Opening lead: Seven of

Another deal thanks to Richard Pavlicek, who tells us that it was played at the mythical North Pole Regional. South was Rudolph, a reindeer with legendary declarer skills. Rudolph’s leap to seven would not meet with everyone’s approval, but anyone could take 12 tricks in diamonds, so it wouldn’t be much of a story if he hadn’t bid seven.

The opening heart lead was covered by dummy’s nine, East’s queen, and ruffed by Rudolph with the seven of diamonds. Dummy was entered with the ace of spades to lead the four of diamonds, East playing the three and South the two. The 10 of hearts was covered by the king and ruffed by Rudolph, who then cashed all but one of his trumps, discarding all of dummy’s clubs except the ace. This was the position: Rudolph led a spade to the king and the defense was helpless. East had to keep both hearts or a heart ruff would establish the jack. West also had to keep both hearts, or the lead of the jack would establish the three. Both defenders shed a club, so Rudolph cashed the ace of clubs, following with the three, and ruffed a heart. He took the last trick with the two of clubs!