DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“By Jove, Holmes, I’ll wager that I would never have found such a defense.”

The two were at Holmes’ Baker Street diggings, reviewing the day’s play against Professor Moriarty. Against the villain’s 3NT, Watson had led a heart as West. Moriarty ducked Holmes’ king and also his return of the jack.

Holmes then ... shifted to the jack of spades! South’s queen won, but when he started the clubs next, Holmes took the queen and led the king of spades. Declarer could only take his eight tricks and give up.

“I can see why you shifted to spades,” Watson said, “since I could have no entry to my hearts. But why lead the jack?”

“If I lead the three,” the great detective explained, “South wins with the queen and will place me with the ace of clubs because I did not continue hearts. If he takes the ace of hearts, runs the diamonds and then leads the ace and a third spade, I will be end-played, forced to give dummy the king of clubs.” “Amazing, Holmes.” “Elementary.”

Daily question

You hold: ♠ KJ3 ♥ KJ3 ♦ 8632 ♣ A Q 2. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one club. What do you say?

Answer: This problem might divide an expert panel. The hand is well suited to defense, and to pass and hope for a plus on defense would appeal to some players. I believe a majority of experts would double despite the flat distribution. The queen of clubs should be a working card, and passing could result in a missed game. South dealer

N-S vulnerable