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Two en passant Coups

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

Notrump, Hearts, and Clubs

Any heart, club or notrump contract fails easily, with simple promotions necessary in some of the suit contracts.

Spades

If East/West declare spades, the defense starts with three spades, then three hearts. The fourth heart is led at this position:
5
Q 10 8 7
6 4
J
K 5
A K Q 9
A J 6 3
10 7 2
6 5
9 4
J 8 5
North's 5 scores en passant.
If North/South declare spades, East/West start with three clubs and three diamonds, West pitching a heart. On the fourth diamond, West overruffs South for the seventh trick.

Diamonds

If North/South declare diamonds, East/West start with three diamonds, then three clubs. West's 9 is led at this position:
A K Q 5
K 2
Q
J 8 7 2
10 9 7
9
9 6 4
Q 8 4
6
10 3
A J 6 5 3
East scores the 6 "en passant" again.
If East/West declare diamonds, the defense starts with three hearts, then three spades. When North leads his 5 at this position:
5
Q 10 8 7
6 4
J
K 5
A K Q 9
A J 6 3
10 7 2
6 5
9 4 2
J 8
East must ruff with the J to prevent South from scoring the 9, and that promotes a second diamond trick in the North hand.

Post mortem

The en passant coup is a minimalist trump promotion - where our side has only one trump and it is not a natural winner.
<< A Subtle Promotion
Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1999-2009.
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