DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

The Bridge World magazine owns an international reputation for excellence. It has features for experts and learning players.

The Bridge World was founded 89 years ago and, amazingly, Eddie Kantar has been a contributor for 64. I know of no writer in any field who can claim such extraordinary longevity.

Eddie produces a “Kantar for the Defense” problem in every issue. Cover the West/South cards and defend as East. Against 3NT, West leads the deuce of spades: four, jack, king. South next leads the deuce of clubs: three, eight ... How do you defend?

Finesse: If you take the jack, Kantar notes, and return a spade, South will win and finesse with dummy’s queen of hearts, winning five diamonds, two hearts and two spades. But if you win the first club with the king or ace and lead a spade, South will try for a ninth trick by leading another club. The defense will have five tricks.

For more about The Bridge World, which no aspiring player should be without, see bridgeworld.com.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ AK9 ♥ 43 ♦ AKQ96 ♣ 6 4 2. Your partner opens one spade. The next player passes. What do you say?

Answer: You can respond two diamonds, planning to support the spades vigorously, but if partner has QJ862, A65, J5, A93 — barelyan opening bid — you may have trouble getting him to cooperate in reaching slam. In my opinion, your hand has so much slam potential that you should alert partner immediately. Jump-shift to three diamonds. East dealer

N-S vulnerable