BRIDGE

THE deal comes from a side game at the US Nationals. 3NT would have been an easy make, provided declarer reads the club suit correctly. Game in clubs would also have been a simple matter. Instead South attempted a heart game based on a 4-2 fit. Such contracts are not particularly rare. Here, though, declarer managed to make his game despite a 601 trump break! He won the diamond lead with the ace and cashed three top spades, throwing diamonds from the table. After ruffing a fourth round of spades with the five, he cashed the two top clubs and played the trump king to West’s bare ace. East’s remaining five cards were all trumps. When West attempted to cash the diamond queen, East had to ruff. An enforced trump exit followed, allow declarer to finesse the nine. When a third round of clubs was played, East had to ruff again. AT Trick 12 he led yet another trump and declarer inserted the ten. Game made. Declarer had scored six side-suit winners, one ruff in dummy, and three trump tricks in his hand.

What would you say now on the West cards?

You may think that 4H is enough, with so many top trumps missing. However, partner has opened the bidding and is a strong favourite to hold the ace of hearts. I think you have the strength to insist on a heart slam. If North holds two trump tricks, so be it. You will make the slam often enough to compensate for this. There is little point in 5H because partner will not be able to advance when he had no diamond control.

Awards: 6H- 10, 4NT-8, 5H06, 4H-5.

David Bird — Knight Features

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