BRIDGE 1-16

Primo Levi, the Italian chemist who authored two books about his experiences as a concentration camp survivor, wrote, “The aims of life are the best defense against death.”

At the bridge table, the best defense can often turn a minus score into a plus. This deal featured one of the runners-up for the best defense of 2016-17. It occurred during the final of the world senior teams in Lyon, France. It featured Allan Graves (East) and Michael Becker. The original article was written by John Carruthers, the Canadian editor of the International Bridge Press Association’s monthly magazine.

Both teams, Italy and the United States, were in four spades by South. At the other table, West led the heart queen because East had opened with a weak two-bid. After this Stayman auction, Becker still found that start, knowing that short strong suits often make good leads against suit contracts. The declarers took the trick and drew two rounds of trumps ending in hand to get that bad news. Each now led the club 10.

At the other table, the Italian West played low, and the contract could no longer be defeated. In contrast, Becker won with his ace and continued with the heart jack. Graves overtook with his king and continued with the heart eight. When declarer ruffed high, Becker discarded the club seven (high from a remaining doubleton).

South had to persevere with the club queen, but Graves took the trick and gave his partner a club ruff. Plus 420 and plus 50 gave the United States 10 international match points en route to victory by 24 imps.