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A Weak and Strong 3-3 Fit

A 6 4
Q 4
A 10 7 6 5 3 2
6
10 5 3
9 6 5 2
K 8 4
A J 10
 
Q J 8 7
J 8 3
Q J
9 5 4 3
K 9 2
A K 10 7
9
K Q 8 7 2

Against notrump

It seems like North/South should be able to make 3 NT, setting up diamonds.
The defense can foil this by leading a spade - the 10 from West. South wins the K, takes the A and a loses diamond to East.
East leads a high spade, and North must duck (otherwise, the defense gets two spades, two diamonds, and a club.) Then East shifts to a club, and the defense gets two clubs two diamonds, and a spade.
Since the spade lead breaks the notrump game, it is particularly perverse that the only game that makes by North/South is 4 declared by South.

Against spades: West takes his club ace

The key positional problems for the defense is the club suit. If West leads the A before leading spades, declarer easily gets two top spades, two clubs, three hearts, a diamond, and a diamond ruff. If a club ruff can be engineered, then declarer is done. That means that West needs to keep the 10.
So West must switch to a low spade after taking the club, and East must play a high spade, South winning the K.
Now declarer takes his A, diamond ruff, two clubs, three hearts, and leads a club at this position:
A 6
10 7
10 5
9
K
 
Q 8 7
9
9
10
8 7
West has to ruff with the 10 to avoid North scoring the small trump. North overruffs with the A and scores the 9 en passant on a diamond lead.
If the defense never led trumps after taking the A, the end position is similar:
A 6 4
10 7
10 5 3
9
K
 
Q J 8 7
9
K 9
10
8 7
North/South have taken seven tricks, and still have two top trumps, so the defense must stop declarer from scoring any low trump. On the club, West must ruff high, North overruffs with the A and leads a diamond. East must ruff high, and South pitches a club, leading to this position with East on lead:
6 4
10
5 3
9
 
Q 8 7
K 9
10
Whatever East does, declarer will score his 9

Against spades: West keeps his club ace

So, what happens if West does not take the A first?
If West fails to take his club trick, South will run three hearts, pitching the club from North, and then take the ruffing finesse in clubs. North/South score three hearts, a club, a diamond, two club ruffs, a diamond ruff, and two top spades.
<< Another 3-3 Fit
Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1999-2014.
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