BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

You are South, declarer in 4 ♥ , against which West leads ♣ AK. Plan the play.

You can count five hearts, three spades and the ♦ A, one short of the contract. The tenth must come from a second trick in diamonds, which is possible if they are divided 3-2.

You mustn’t draw more than two rounds of trumps, so that there are two left in your own hand and one in dummy. Next cash ♦ A and lead a second diamond (small from both hands).

The opponent who wins will force again with another club, which you ruff. Now give up another diamond, and the defence cannot do anything to harm you.

The problems this week have illustrated the importance of retaining control in the trump suit when a bad break might cost your contract.