The Teltscher Touch and the Hackett Hatchet

by Maureen Dennison

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

North's club lead was run to the queen, and declarer played four rounds of hearts. North won and switched to a diamond: 3, 9, queen and ace. Teltscher cashed her long heart, squeezing South down to ♠K10, having to cover the long club. Now the club play put North under pressure, having to keep the ♦K. He, too, was reduced to two spades. Declarer took the successful finesse in spades and the ♠8 was her 12th trick.

Paul Hackett, playing with Tony Waterlow, also England, was North at a different table against the same contract by West. The play at his table was identical for the first five tricks but, when Hackett was in with ♥9, he led a spade and broke up the squeeze – not so easy to see.