Study 6K Main

Squeeze Defense

by Richard Pavlicek

It’s time to turn the tables on declarer! Too many times, a skillful declarer has the edge in the endgame due to his knowledge of squeeze plays, and the sad truth is that he is usually aided by soft defense. Read on, and your defensive skills may catch up.

Each of these 32 deals illustrates one or more crucial defensive plays to foil an impending squeeze by declarer. Key plays are shown with an exclamation point (!) and dubious plays are shown with a question mark (?).

The deals are arranged in standard format with South always declarer and West the opening leader.

Upset transportation

1.	K 9 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	Q 10		1. W	K	2	7	5
	6 4 3 2		2. W	A	3	9	J
	A 10 8 4		3. W	8	4	Q	5
10 4		7 2	4. S	5!	6	10	J
8 6 4 2		A K J 3	5. E	2!	6	10	K
A K 10 8		Q 9 7	6. N	Q	K	7	2
K 6 5		J 9 7 2	7. E	7!	J	4	3
	A Q J 8 6 5			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	9 7 5
	J 5
3 South	Q 3

East must lead a trump each time he wins a heart, else declarer will have the entries to ruff his heart and squeeze West in the minors. The trump leads force declarer to ruff the last diamond, killing the threat.

Prevent rectification of count

2.	K 6 4 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
E-W vul	7 6		1. W	4	6	J!	A
	A 10 2		2. S	Q	2	5	K
	A 9 8 5		3. E	K!	8	3	A
8 3		J 10 9 5	4. N	A	4	3	2
Q 10 8 4 2		K J 9 3	5. N	9	3	6	4
9 6 5 4 3		K Q 7	6. N	8	9	J	5
2		K 4	7. S	10	6	7	7
	A Q 7		8. S	7	9	2	K!
	A 5			Lose 2 more tricks, down 1
	J 8
5 South	Q J 10 7 6 3

If East cashes his heart trick when he wins the K, he will later be squeezed in spades and diamonds. The early diamond shift foils declarer by leaving him with two losers.

Attack proper entry

3.	4 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	Q 2		1. W	5	2	K	7
	5 4 2		2. E	3!	10	J	4
	A K 7 6 4 3		3. W	9!	2	A	Q
J 9 6 5		A K 8 3	4. E	8	3	6	4
K 7 6 5		J 10 9 8	5. E	6!
K 10 3		J 8 6		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
10 5		8 2
	Q 10 7
	A 4 3
	A Q 9 7
3 NT South	Q J 9

If West won the fourth spade, or if East failed to shift to a diamond at Trick 5, declarer could succeed by squeezing West in the red suits. Also note that if the defenders cashed only three spades, declarer could succeed by an endplay regardless of the shift.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

Remove dummy’s only entry

4.	A K Q 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
E-W vul	K Q J		1. W	K	7	10	4
	5 4 2		2. W	A	8	2	5
	J 8 7		3. W	Q	J	3	9
J 9 4		10 8 7 6 3	4. W	J!	A	6	5
5 4 3		7 6	5. N	K	6	2	5
7 6		K Q 9 3	6. N	Q	7	8	3
A K Q 6 3		10 2	7. N	J	3	A?	4
	5		8. S	10	4	2	9
	A 10 9 8 2		9. S	9	9!	4	7!
	A J 10 8			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
4 South	9 5 4

If West makes the “obvious shift” to a diamond, East would later be squeezed in spades and diamonds. East’s spade discard is a big clue (surely from five with four in dummy) so West can break declarer’s communication with one spade lead. Note the lead of the J, just in case South had a stiff 10.

Timing assault and jettison

5.	Q 9 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S vul	J 7 2		1. W	3	2	10	4
	10 7 5 3		2. E	6!	7	2	4
	A Q 4		3. S	5	5	J	A
3 2		10 6 5	4. E	5!	8	3	9
3		A K Q 10 6	5. N	3	9	A	6
K 8 6 4		Q J 9	6. S	2	4	5	J
K J 10 9 5 3		7 6	7. E	10!	K	3	Q
	A K J 8 7		8. S	A	9	7	6
	9 8 5 4		9. S	J	K!	7	6
	A 2		10. S	2	10	Q	7
3 South	8 2			Win 1 more trick, down 1

One slip anywhere and West would get squeezed. Note the early trump leads were necessary to stop a heart ruff. Especially note West’s discard at Trick 9: If he threw his low diamond, declarer could set up the long diamond while keeping East off lead; but West knows East has the Q.

Kill future winner, remove entry

6.	Q J 8 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S vul	Q 2		1. W	K	3	5	6
	A 8 5 3		2. W	10!	J	7	7
	A J 5		3. E	K	6	2	A
A K 10 9 4 2		5	4. N	Q	6	4	3
3		J 7 6	5. N	5	10	K	7
Q 9 6		K 7 4	6. S	A	2	2	J
9 7 2		K Q 10 8 4 3	7. S	J	6!	3	K
	7 6		8. E	7!	2	9	A
	A K 10 9 8 5 4			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	J 10 2
4 South	6

West can read East’s spade as a singleton, so he allows East to ruff the second spade to kill any chance of declarer establishing a spade trick. When East wins the K, he must return a diamond (not a passive club) else West would be squeezed in the end.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

Guard correct suit

7.	Q J 10 8		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	A 7 4 2		1. W	Q	2	5	K
	4 3		2. S	3	J	A	6
	A 8 2		3. N	4	9	K	10
7 4		6 5 3	4. S	2	4	Q	3
Q J 10 8		9 6 5	5. N	7	2!	A	8
Q 9 8 6		J 10 2	6. S	9	7	10	5
K 10 6		Q J 7 5	7. N	J	6	3	6!
	A K 9 2		8. N	8	7	4	10!
	K 3		9. N	3	J	5	6
	A K 7 5			Declarer wins only 11 tricks
4 South	9 4 3

Declarer embarks on a clever line of play that would secure two overtricks against many West players. The big clue is East’s first discard of the 2, which suggests that West must hold his diamonds at all costs.

Break link, guard correct suit

8.	K 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S vul	A K 8 6 5 2		1. W	J	K	5	4
	Q J 3		2. N	2	4	Q	J
	K J		3. S	4	2	Q	6!
J 10 9		Q 8 5 2	4. N	J	9!	5	7
J 10 9 7		4 3	5. N	3	A	10	8
8 7 2		A 9 6	6. E	2	A	9	3
10 9 3		8 6 5 4	7. S	K	3	5	8
	A 7 6 4		8. S	2	9	K	6
	Q		9. N	K	3	6	10
	K 10 5 4		10. N	A	Q!
6 NT South	A Q 7 2			Lose 1 more trick, down 1

Declarer could succeed at double-dummy (cash the A-K and unblock the K-J before leading the third diamond), but he could never go wrong if East took his A on the first or second round. In the end, East must hold tight to his four clubs, as insignificant as they might seem.

Prevent rectification of count

9.	K 9 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	K 10 5		1. W	J	Q	K	6
	Q 3		2. E	2	7	9	3
	K 9 4 3		3. W	4	3	8	A
10 7		Q J 5 2	4. S	Q	2	4	A
8 7 6 2		Q J 9	5. E	6!	7	5	K
J 10 9 4		K 8 5 2	6. N	9	2	J	8
8 5 2		A 6	7. S	10	2	3	5!
	A 8 6			Lose 2 more tricks, down 1
	A 4 3
	A 7 6
3 NT South	Q J 10 7

If East leads his fourth diamond after winning the A, he will later be squeezed in the major suits; but this should be obvious in view of his holdings. The passive club return foils declarer. Note that East must not shift to the Q, else he could be endplayed.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

Retain winners, evade endplay

10.	A K Q 7 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S vul	3 2		1. W	5	2	10	Q
	J 3		2. S	4	6	A	J
	K Q 7 5		3. N	K	8	5	3
6 3		J 10 9 8	4. N	Q	9	5	2!
A K 9 5 4		10 7 6	5. N	5	3	A	2
K 2		10 7 4	6. S	6	8	K	4
J 10 8 2		9 4 3	7. N	Q	9	6	J
	5 4		8. N	3?	6	8	9
	Q J 8			Lose 4 more tricks, down 1
	A Q 9 8 6 5
3 NT South	A 6

West can foresee his discarding problem and lets go the 2 on the third spade with no apparent agony. Also note his play in clubs, trying to paint a wrong picture for declarer. If West began with 3-3 in the minors, declarer’s play at Trick 8 would be right.

Establish then kill threat

11.	A Q 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S vul	Q J 3		1. W	K	3	2	6
	10 8 7 3		2. W	A	7	4	Q
	K 5 3		3. W	J!	8	5	2
10 9 2		J 8 6 5	4. S	7	A!	3	6
A 4		9 6 5	5. W	9	10	5	8
A K J 9		5 4 2		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
Q 9 8 7		10 6 4
	K 7 4
	K 10 8 7 2
	Q 6
4 South	A J 2

After North foolishly raises hearts instead of bidding 3 NT, West must defend well to benefit. Diamonds are continued, temporarily establishing the 10 in dummy, which is erased completely when West wins the A. Failure to do this would allow declarer to squeeze West in the minors, which is indicated (versus the club finesse) on the auction.

Prevent rectification of count

12.	10 8 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	K 10 7		1. W	4	3	Q	7
	K Q 4 3		2. E	6	A	2	8
	K 7 6		3. S	2	7	K	J
K J 9 4 2		Q 6 5	4. N	Q	8	5	4
6 5 4		Q J 9 2	5. N	10!	5	2	J
7		J 10 9 8	6. W	9!	3	3	3
Q J 8 4		5 3	7. W	6!	7	9	A
	A 7			Lose 2 more tricks, down 1
	A 8 3
	A 6 5 2
3 NT South	A 10 9 2

West must not cash his 5th spade, else East would become squeezed in hearts and diamonds. The heart exit (not a club) at Trick 7 is indicated by East’s 3 discard. Also note that if East were to signal with the 9 (ouch), he could later be endplayed.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

Duck to prevent Vienna coup

13.	7		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	A 9 5 4		1. W	K	7	3	A
	A K Q 9		2. S	Q	5	4	3!
	A 8 7 5		3. S	4	6	A	8
K Q J 10 6 5 2		9 8 3	4. N	5	K	2	2
—		K 10 3	5. E	10!	J	10	9
7 6		J 10 8 5 3		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
J 9 6 2		K 3
	A 4
	Q J 8 7 6 2
	4 2
6 South	Q 10 4

East’s holdup in hearts may look pointless, but it’s a crucial play. East can see the danger of being squeezed in the minors if South has the Q; but for this squeeze to work, declarer must cash the A (Vienna coup) before running his trumps. Careful defense prevents this.

Duck to foil count rectification

14.	A K 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	Q J 3		1. W	J	2	4	Q
	10 7 2		2. S	6	2	10	3!
	K J 10		3. N	2	3	Q	6
J 10 9 7 6		8 4	4. S	7	Q	K	4!
10 4		7 6 5 2		Declarer wins only 11 tricks
J 9 6 5		K 3
Q 2		A 8 5 4 3
	Q 5
	A K 9 8
	A Q 8 4
3 NT South	9 7 6

Since East cannot guard either spades or diamonds, it is apparent that West might be squeezed. Ducking the first two clubs prevents declarer from rectifying the count for the squeeze. If East took his A earlier, declarer would fall into 12 easy tricks.

Prevent isolation of threat

15.	A 9 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
E-W vul	A Q 5		1. W	Q	K	2	5
	A K 6 4		2. E	3!	4	9!	A
	Q 10 3		3. N	3!	4!	6	2
6 5 4		J 8 7		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
—		8 7 3 2
Q J 9 7 3 2		—
K J 9 2		A 8 7 6 5 4
	K Q 10 3
	K J 10 9 6 4
	10 8 5
6 × South	—

After doubling for a diamond lead and getting a ruff, many Easts would panic and try to cash the A. Ouch! West would then be squeezed in the minor suits. East should foresee this (especially considering South’s 5 bid) and stay cool with a safe trump return. Also note that East must duck the club lead from dummy.

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Top Squeeze Defense

Duck to disturb squeeze order

16.	A 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	9 8		1. W	J	2	5	Q
	A K Q 4 2		2. S	K	2	8	6
	K 7 6 2		3. S	Q	3	9	4!
Q 9 7		J 10 8 2	4. S	J	7	2	A
7 3 2		A 6 5 4	5. E	5!	10	5	6
7 6 5		J 10 9 8		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
J 10 9 8		5
	K 5 4 3
	K Q J 10
	3
6 NT South	A Q 4 3

After forcing out the A, declarer has a double-squeeze position (West guards clubs, East diamonds, and both spades), but the order of play is delicate. To succeed, declarer must cash the top diamonds before leading his last heart. East can foil this by ducking twice and returning his last heart immediately, which in effect squeezes dummy.

Holdup and attack dual entry

17.	A Q J 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	A 10 2		1. W	10	4	5	A
	J 4		2. S	3	8	J	4!
	Q 9 4 2		3. N	J	6	3	2
10 8 7 6		K 5 4	4. N	2	8	A	3
8 7 5		Q J 9	5. S	9	10	Q	K
10 9 8 2		7 6 5	6. E	Q!
6 3		J 10 8 7		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	9 3
	K 6 4 3
	A K Q 3
6 NT South	A K 5

East can see that he may be squeezed in hearts and clubs; and even if West can help in hearts, there is a potential double squeeze since West will have to guard dummy’s fourth spade. To defeat this form of double squeeze it is necessary to kill the spade and heart entries to dummy, which can only be done by ducking the first spade and shifting to a heart later.

Holdup, attack dummy’s entry

18.	5 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	K Q 7 6 4		1. W	6	2	Q	A
	A 2		2. S	A	7	2	4
	10 7 2		3. S	K	5	3	10
7		10 4	4. S	2	5	K	J!
5 3		A J 10 9	5. N	5	3	Q	4
K 8 5 4		J 10 7 6 3	6. S	8	3	Q	A
J 9 8 6 5 4		Q 3	7. E	J!	Q	K	A
	A K Q J 9 8 6			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	8 2
	Q 9
6 South	A K

East must duck the first heart lead, else he could be squeezed in hearts and diamonds (the 9 becomes a threat after the jack is covered all around). Further, East must shift to the J to break up a squeeze against West in the minors. At double-dummy, declarer could succeed in a bizarre “losing squeeze card” ending, but that’s only for your dreams.

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Top Squeeze Defense

Deceptive pitch, evade endplay

19.	Q 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	6 5		1. W	K	2	A	3
	9 7 6 5 2		2. E	Q	8	4	5
	J 10 4		3. E	J!	10	J	6
10 9 7 5		A J 8 6	4. W	10	3	6	K
J 8 7		3 2	5. S	A	7	5	2
K 4		A Q J 10	6. S	K	8	6	3
9 6 5 2		Q 8 7	7. S	Q	2	7	7!
	K 2		8. S	9	5	9	10
	A K Q 10 9 4		9. S	4	5	4	J!
	8 3		10. S	K	6	4	8
3 South	A K 3		11. S	2?	7	Q	A
				Win the last trick, down 1

From East’s point of view, South should have all of the missing high cards, so ducking the spade at Trick 4 was essential to deny declarer an entry to dummy for the club finesse. Alas, declarer now can succeed by a squeeze throw-in if he guesses right. East’s best chance is to unguard the Q early, then discard the J (keeping A-8) and hope declarer opts for the throw-in.

Abandon suit to foil resqueeze

20.	A 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	K Q 5 3		1. W	Q	A	4	6
	A 9 8 2		2. N	A	3	9	2
	A 6		3. N	6	7	K	4
Q J 10		8 7 5 4	4. S	Q	5	2	8
J 10 9 6		7 2	5. S	J	4	2	2
K 6 4		J 7 5 3	6. S	10	6!	8	5
5 4 2		8 7 3	7. S	4	9	Q	7
	K 9 6		8. N	3	7	A	10
	A 8 4		9. S	8	J	K	8
	Q 10		10. N	5	3	10	6!
7 NT South	K Q J 10 9			Lose 1 trick, down 1

The bidding is a bit crazy, but that’s not your problem. As West you have to decide which stopper to give up on the last club. As the only real hope, assume East has the J (if South had it he could succeed even without the 9), which gives declarer 11 tricks. West must release the suit guarded behind him (hearts) which surrenders 12 tricks and no more. If West gave up his spade or diamond stopper, the squeeze would repeat for all 13.

Attack correct dual entry

21.	A J 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	8 6 5 3		1. W	K	3	7	9
	K 10 4		2. W	A	5	4	J
	K 10 2		3. W	2	6	4	Q
8		7 6 5 4	4. E	6!	2	Q	K
A K 10 2		7 4		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
Q 8 7 5		J 9 6
Q 8 7 6		J 9 5 3
	K Q 10 9 2
	Q J 9
	A 3 2
4 South	A 4

After ruffing the third heart, East’s return may seem immaterial, but it matters a lot. Dummy has a heart threat against West, which might lead to a compound squeeze. They key is to attack the suit in which South holds a threat, removing the crucial dual entry. Based on the takeout double, this suit is likely to be diamonds. Note that declarer can succeed against any other shift.

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Top Squeeze Defense

Deceptive pitch, evade endplay

22.	K J 7 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	8 5 2		1. W	9	2	J	K
	8 5 2		2. S	A	8	2	5
	A Q 4		3. S	3	9	K	6
10 9 8		6 5	4. N	7	6!	Q	10
9 4		A Q J 7 6	5. S	4	2	J	3
9 6 4		Q J 10 3	6. N	2	J	K	4
J 9 7 3 2		K 6	7. S	A	6	5	Q!
	A Q 4 3		8. S	10?	4	5	Q
	K 10 3			Lose 4 more tricks, down 1
	A K 7
3 NT South	10 8 5

East is doomed if declarer guesses right, so he must hope for a misread. Against most declarers the best chance is to blank the K early and falsecard in diamonds (keeping the 10). Declarer is likely to opt for the throw-in, which would be right if East began with 3-3 in the minors.

Guard correct suit

23.	8 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
E-W vul	K 5 4		1. W	5	6	A	4
	A 10 9		2. E	3	9	J	8
	K 8 7 6 3		3. W	Q	4	2	A
K J 7 5 2		A Q 10 3	4. S	4	2	A	3
Q J 9		8 7 6 3 2	5. N	9	8	K	5
5 2		8 3	6. S	Q	2	10	10
10 4 2		Q J	7. S	J	7	3	Q
	9 4		8. S	7	K	6	3
	A 10		9. S	6!	9!	7	6
	K Q J 7 6 4			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
5 South	A 9 5

There is no real squeeze here, but a pseudo one. West must cling tight to his three clubs. Declarer is marked with the A, and if he held just two clubs (or a stiff ace) he could establish the club suit by ruffing. Hence, South must have three clubs and only West can guard the suit.

Pitch winners to evade endplay

24.	A 10		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S vul	4 3		1. W	6	3	Q	2
	Q J 9		2. E	8	10	J	4
	A K J 9 4 3		3. W	K	9	7	A
K J 6		9 8 5 4 2	4. S	2	8	A	5
K J 9 6 5		Q 8 7	5. N	3	2	Q	10
A 7 2		K 8 6 4	6. S	6	6	K	4
10 8		5	7. N	J	8	7	2
	Q 7 3		8. N	9	5	3	5!
	A 10 2		9. N	4	4	3	9!
	10 5 3			Lose 3 more tricks, down 1
3 NT South	Q 7 6 2

Declarer has eight obvious tricks, and West is in danger of being squeezed and endplayed. It is crucial for West to know whether East has the Q or the K (if South has both West is dead) and East gives the proper message by discarding a low spade first. Hence, West must play East for the K and throw his good hearts away to keep: K-J and A-x, after which declarer must fail.

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Top Squeeze Defense

Unblock and retain exit card

25.	A Q J		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	A Q 10 8 6		1. W	J	2	A	3
	6 5 2		2. E	5!	7	2	J
	5 3		3. N	3	7	10	J
6 2		5 4 3	4. W	6!	A	3	8
5 3 2		K J 9 7	5. N	5	8	A	6
J 10 9 7		A Q 4	6. S	2	9	Q	Q
K J 9 6		Q 8 7	7. N	5	Q!	K	7
	K 10 9 8 7		8. S	K	2	6	4
	4		9. S	10	3	8	7
	K 8 3		10. S	9	9	6	9!
4 South	A 10 4 2		11. S	4	5	Q?	K
				Lose the rest, down 2

East can see that hearts are laying foul for declarer, so he accurately shifts to a trump at Trick 2, limiting declarer to one club ruff. Note the unblocking play at Trick 7 (else East could be thrown in with a diamond), and when declarer leads trumps East must never part with his small diamond.

Attack dummy’s only entry

26.	K 6 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	A 10 8 7 3		1. W	3	4	A!	2
	Q 2		2. E	7!	J	Q	K
	9 7 4		3. N	4	2	A	3
Q 9 5 3		A 7	4. S	3	5	Q	A
Q J 5		9 4 2	5. E	2!	K	5	3
7 6 5		A J 10 8	6. S	4	6	2	8
6 5 3		J 10 8 2	7. E	4!	6	J	A
	J 10 8 2			Lose 2 more tricks, down 1
	K 6
	K 9 4 3
3 NT South	A K Q

The Jacoby transfer sequence marks South with only two hearts. Since East cannot protect hearts or spades, it should be apparent that West would eventually be squeezed. The key defense is for East to attack declarer’s link to dummy by leading hearts. If East leads anything else when he wins the A, declarer can succeed.

Duck to foil count rectification

27.	K 5 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	K Q J 5		1. W	J	2	Q	6
	J 5 4		2. E	3	A	4	5
	Q 6 4		3. S	2	6	J	3
J 10 9 8 4		Q 3	4. N	4	8	K	A
4 3		A 10 9 8	5. W	8	K	5	7
A 6		10 9 8 3	6. N	K	10	2	4
10 8 7 2		J 9 5	7. N	Q	8!	6	3
	A 7 6		8. N	4	9	A	8
	7 6 2		9. S	K	2	6	J
	K Q 7 2		10. S	3	7	Q	9
3 NT South	A K 3			Declarer wins only 9 tricks

East can see the danger of being squeezed in the red suits, so he must fight declarer’s effort to rectify the count. The key is to duck the first two heart leads, which holds declarer to his contract. If East took his A on the first or second round, he would be squeezed for an overtrick.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

Refuse ruff, guard correct suit

28.	A 7 4 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both vul	9 7 2		1. W	Q	K	7	2
	K 3		2. N	3	5!	A	4
	A J 8 6		3. S	5?	J	7	8
Q J 10 9		8 5 3	4. E	5	A	6	2
6		10 8 5	5. S	K?	6	9	10
Q J 10 8 6 4		7	6. S	Q	8	6	3
Q 9		K 10 7 5 4 3	7. S	J	9	8	4
	K 6		8. S	4	Q	2	7
	A K Q J 4 3		9. S	3	Q	J	10!
	A 9 5 2		10. S	2	9	A	K
6 South	2			Lose 1 more trick, down 1

East has to make two good plays to sink declarer’s ship. First, he must refuse to ruff the second diamond lead (ruffing a low card led by declarer early in the play is rarely a wise move). Second, he must keep all of his spades, else West would be squeezed in spades and diamonds.

Kill one-threat-hand dual entry

29.	9 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	6 3		1. W	2	3	J	5!
	A 10 9 8 6 3		2. E	J!	2	9	A
	A K 4		3. N	3	4	K	5
Q 7 6 5 2		J 8 4	4. S	Q	7	6	7
2		K Q J 9 8 7 4	5. S	2	6	8	8
7 5		—	6. N	10	9	4	2
Q 9 8 7 6		J 10 5	7. N	A	4!	J	7
	A K 10			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	A 10 5
	K Q J 4 2
6 NT South	3 2

South’s last bid was piggish (it was matchpoints) and he is about to get away with it if East is not sharp. The holdup at Trick 1 strongly suggests declarer has a squeeze in mind. In compound and double-squeeze positions, attacking the double entry in the hand with a single threat is almost always the best move, so East shifts to a club. Declarer could succeed against any other defense.

Kill dual entry to ruffout threat

30.	J 10 5		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
E-W vul	A Q 9 2		1. W	5	2	A	K
	8 7 6 2		2. E	10!	5	4	Q
	Q 4		3. N	J	6	3	2
8 2		6	4. N	6	3	A	9
K 4		J 10 8 3	5. S	7	8	10	5
J 9 5		A Q 10 4 3	6. N	7	4	9	J
10 8 7 6 3 2		J 9 5		Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	A K Q 9 7 4 3
	7 6 5
	K
6 South	A K

Things may look cozy at Trick 1, but East is in imminent danger. Only East can protect the fourth round of diamonds, and declarer is poised for a ruffout squeeze aided by the heart finesse. It is urgent to kill one of dummy’s heart entries early to foil the squeeze. Yes, declarer might have made a brilliant play with K-J-9 and a blank K, but I’d rather pay off to that than the actual layout.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

Commit declarer to decision

31.	K 7 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	K 6 3		1. W	K	6	8	A?
	7 6		2. S	J	5	K	2
	K 10 8 5 3		3. N	6	4	10	4
5		Q 4 2	4. S	A	5	7	Q
Q 5		10 9 8 7 2	5. S	4	2	8	9
K Q J 10 9 5 4		8 2	6. E	7!	4	5	K
J 7 2		A Q 9	7. N	3	9	J	Q
	A J 10 9 8 3			Lose 2 more tricks, down 1
	A J 4
	A 3
4 South	6 4

After winning the 9, the distribution should be obvious to East. Declarer will eventually fall into a club-heart squeeze, or in this case what is commonly called a show-up finesse. The only hope is to lead hearts early and commit declarer to a heart guess, which he is likely to get wrong. Leading the 7, I think, is psychologically better than the 10.

Exploit error, ruin entries

32.	A 10 7		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None vul	J 10		1. W	K	7?	2	5
	A 10 8 7 6 4		2. W	4!	10	2	K
	K 2		3. S	3	4	K	6
K Q J 9 4		8 3 2	4. N	2	7	A	9
4		6 5 3 2	5. S	5	J	J	8
K J 2		9 5	6. N	A	3	6	4
Q J 9 4		10 8 7 6	7. N	10	8	7	9
	6 5			Lose 1 more trick, down 1
	A K Q 9 8 7
	Q 3
6 South	A 5 3

After West is allowed to win the first trick, he can see the danger of being squeezed in spades and diamonds. Another spade lead (or a diamond) won’t do any good since dummy has both aces, so the only hope is to ruin the communication. It is likely declarer will need to ruff a club, so a trump lead is the killer. Declarer, of course, should win the first spade, ruff his club loser and run trumps to effect a squeeze throw-in against West.

Study 6K Main

Top Squeeze Defense

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek