BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

West has to make all the remaining tricks in 3Nt and North is on lead.

Continuing the play from yesterday, declarer has allowed north to take his established diamond winners, the last of which started to squeeze South. i call this a ‘defender’s squeeze’, although it may have some better-known names.

north does best to play a spade now, which is won in dummy and a low club led to the ace. When declarer next plays his ♠ Q (discarding dummy’s ♥ 7), South cannot guard both hearts and clubs. Whichever suit he chooses to discard, you attack that suit next and repeat the squeeze.