keeping things under control

by Barry Rigal

This was the most interesting board from Trinidad and Tobago’s 21-9 win over host China:

Board 12. Dealer West. N/S Vul.
	♠ K Q J 8 4 2 ♥ Q 9 ♦ K 7 3 ♣ Q 3
♠ A 10 9 5 ♥ 8 ♦ A Q 10 9 8 2 ♣ K 10		♠ 7 6 3 ♥ K 7 4 2 ♦ J 6 ♣ 8 6 5 4
	♠ ♥ A J 10 6 5 3 ♦ 5 4 ♣ A J 9 7 2

Both tables played in 4♥.

The T&T declarer made 10 tricks, but in the other room Bobby Persad led the ace of diamonds followed by the queen.

Declarer took the king and ran the queen of clubs to the king. He ruffed the diamond return as Mohan Seepersad pitched a spade, then cashed the ace of clubs, dropping West’s ten.

This was the position:

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

What should declarer do?

At the table South led the nine of clubs and Persad ruffed with the eight of hearts, overruffed with the queen. When declarer led the nine of hearts from dummy and East played the two, what was declarer to do?

If he overtook, East’s seven would become a trick; when he ducked he was locked in dummy to force himself, before letting East in for the fatal third force.

So, what is the winning line?

In the diagrammed ending declarer should lead a heart to the queen!

The trump in dummy protects him from a club play, and on any other defence he could draw trumps and cash the clubs.