Puzzle 7F14 (1993) by Richard Pavlicek

The Snowflake Squeeze

3 NT by South

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

The problem is: Can declarer develop a ninth trick against any defense? Clearly, this must result from some kind of squeeze position, so the problem could also be stated: Can declarer develop a successful squeeze against East or West?

Solution

(1) a diamond, heart or spade, win the  A,  K and  K (in any order), then duck a heart to East. If East returns, say, a club, win the king then concede another heart to East (cashing the  A is optional). A club is ducked, and West is finally squeezed in spades and diamonds.

(2) a club (best), win the king. Cash the  K (optional), then duck a heart to East. East now has the privilege (or should I say predicament) of deciding which of the defenders will become squeezed. Thus, if East returns:

(a) a diamond or heart, win the  A and  K, then concede another heart to East (cashing the  A is optional). A club is ducked, and West becomes the squeeze victim as in variation 1.

(b) a club, win the ace, cash the  K (optional), then concede a spade to West (cashing the  A is optional). A diamond is ducked, and East is finally squeezed in hearts and clubs.

What about a different opening lead? If West leads a spade, declarer ducks and the play follows one of the above variations except that declarer cashes the  K on his own.

If West leads a club or a heart originally, the play (like the deal) is completely symmetrical with East interchanged with West, clubs with diamonds, and hearts with spades.