Good Defence, Better Offence

by David Berkowitz

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
	♠ A Q 8 6 5 ♥ 6 3 2 ♦ A 4 3 ♣ 8 7
	♠ 9 3 ♥ J ♦ Q J 5 ♣ A K Q J 10 6 4

After East/West bid and raise hearts, you get to a good 5♣. The opponents lead the ♥A and another heart. You ruff and lead the ♣A (West contributes the 9), then lead the ♠9 to the seven, queen and king. You wonder whether you can ever win a finesse.

East shifts to a diamond and you try to win with the queen, but it is covered. Looks like you can't find a king in the right place. This is the position as you look for your eleventh trick.

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

Is there a way to make the game? Yes, if you consider those mighty spade spots and the ♣8. Play the ♠A, dropping West's jack, and run the ♠8. If East covers the eight, ruff high, return to dummy with the club winner and discard your losing diamond on a good spade.

Even if West covered the ♠9 with the jack on the first round, you have the same ruffing finesse, and it doesn't help for West to have started with ♠J 10 x because trumps are 3-1, so you would not be able to cash the fourth spade without East ruffing in. Besides, who splits in spades from J 10 x on the first round? The full deal:

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

Did you find the better offence?,