FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

CY IS WRONGED Cy the Cynic tried marriage and didn’t like it. He swears he’ll remain single for the duration.

“Johannes Brahms had the right idea,” Cy told me. “He said, ‘I cannot wear fetters.’ He didn’t need a woman, nor do I.” Wendy, my club’s feminist and Cy’s persistent adversary, overheard. “Every man needs a woman,” Wendy growled, “to tell him when he’s wrong.” Cy was declarer at four spades, and West led the king of clubs. Cy played low, won the next club, unblocked his ace of hearts, led a diamond to dummy’s ace and threw his last two clubs on the K-Q of hearts.

Down One

The Cynic next let the nine of trumps ride. Alas, West won and led his last diamond, and East took the king and gave West a diamond ruff. Down one.

“Wrong,” said Wendy, who happened to be North. “Double wrong.”

Cy mistimed. On the K-Q of hearts, he must pitch his remaining diamonds. Then he can concede a club and ruff his last club with dummy’s nine of trumps, losing two clubs and a trump. Daily Question You hold: ♠ A Q J 10 8 ♥ A ♦ 752 ♣ A 7 4 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one spade and he rebids two diamonds. What do you say?

Answer: You might be cold for a grand slam. Partner could hold K 4, 8 7 6, A K Q 10 8 3, J 6. But if he has wasted heart strength, you probably need to stop low. Bid three clubs, planning to support diamonds next. You will show slam interest and heart shortness. Let your partner judge how well your hands fit. North dealer N-S vulnerable