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Untitled III

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

Notrump

If South is on lead, the defense starts with the A and a spade. West wins the second or third round of spades, and cashes the K and exits in diamonds, South winning the ace. South then runs his spades reaching this position:
Q 7
10 8
K J
K Q 4 3
10 7
A J 9 5
A 9
10 8
9 7 5
Q
South has taken six tricks, so when he leads the Q, East must win, but then has to concede a winner to North's hand.
So perhaps East/West should have killed South's club exit before leading diamonds? East wins the club shift, cashes the A and then leads the J. After South runs his spades, this end position is reached:
10 8
K J
K Q 4
10
J 9
9 2
2
9 7 5
West has to pitch on the last spade, but if he pitches a diamond, he has to give up a club trick to North at the end, and if he pitches the club, he has to give up a diamond trick to South.
If North/South declare notrump, the K is cashed, then a diamond is led to the jack.
If South ducks this, East cashes his A and leads a high heart, setting up his heart suit before the A entry is taken.
So South must win the diamond. The problem is, that was South's only entry to his spades, and North's hand is one trick shy to make up for it.

Spades

If North/South declare spades, the defense gets two diamonds, a diamond ruff, two hearts, a club and a spade. The North hand is made completely irrelevant.

Hearts

Diamonds

Clubs

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Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1999-2009.
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