Nunn Too Good

by Ron Klinger

A lead problem for you:

Dealer East : North-South vulnerable

West	North	East	South
		Pass	2♠
Dble	Pass	3NT	All pass

What would you lead as South from this hand:

♠ KJ10532 ♥ Q3 ♦ J2 ♣ 642

The deal comes from the Bermuda Bowl, Round 2, Board 18:

	♠ 4 ♥ 10 8 7 4 2 ♦ 9 7 6 ♣ A K 10 5
♠ 9 8 6 ♥ K J 6 ♦ A K Q 5 ♣ Q J 9		♠ A Q 7 ♥ A 9 5 ♦ 10 8 4 3 ♣ 8 7 3
	♠ K J 10 5 3 2 ♥ Q 3 ♦ J 2 ♣ 6 4 2

3NT was reached 20 times, ten times by West and ten times by East. When East declared, three Souths led a spade, giving declarer his ninth trick. Three Souths led a heart and each East failed. However, after a heart lead the contract can be made, especially if South has opened a weak 2♠ or a multi-2♦. Declarer can cash the ♠A, the hearts and the diamonds and endplay North with a club to the queen. North figures to have the ♣A-K, once South turns up with the ♥Q, ♦J and presumed ♠K and ♠J. As long as South has not opened with a five-card spade suit, North will be endplayed.

Four Souths, including Tony Nunn of Australia, led a club. 'I was not brave enough to lead the ♥Q,' said Nunn. Just as well, since only a club lead by South defeats 3NT for sure. North captures dummy's honour and shifts to the ♠4 (or another non-club card). Now there is no way for declarer to succeed.