Puzzle 7F20 Main

Phantom Sacrifice

by Richard Pavlicek

With only East-West vulnerable, North took the liberty to make a Michaels cue-bid (showing both major suits). This inspired South to jump directly to 4 , as even if it failed, it should be a good sacrifice at favorable vulnerability.

	A 6 5 4 3			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	J 9 5 4 3			1	2	2	4
	3 2			Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass
	2
Lead: K
	Q 10 7 2
	K 8 7 2
	5 4
4 × South	5 4 3

After a club lead, declarer escaped for down three — minus 500 — which rated to be a pickup versus the East-West vulnerable game. Alas, the hand record revealed no game could be made. I will also tell you there were no void suits.

What are the East-West hands?

Puzzle 7F20 Main

Top Phantom Sacrifice

Solution

The only possible East-West layout that satisfies the conditions is shown in the diagram. Note that 5 is defeated with a trump lead; 5 is defeated with the K lead; and 3 NT is defeated with the A lead (South must unblock the 7).

4 × South	A 6 5 4 3
down 3 -500	J 9 5 4 3
	3 2
	2
K		J 9 8
A 10 6		Q
A		K Q J 10 9 8 7 6
K Q J 10 9 8 7 6		A
	Q 10 7 2
	K 8 7 2
	5 4
No game E-W	5 4 3

As evidence that this is the only layout, consider that East-West must hold at least 11 top tricks (five in each minor plus the A) so some kind of blocked position is required to defeat five of a minor. If West, instead, had K A-10-6 A-K Q-J-10-9-8-7-6, it would be easy to make 5 (ruff a heart).

The spades must be divided exactly as shown, else East-West would have a stopper and be able to make 3 NT. Note that the A lead, South unblocking the seven, allows the defense to run five tricks.

If the hearts were divided in any other way, 5 could be made — either by a simple heart finesse; or if East has the A, a side entry to the East hand would give the defenders an impossible task.

[Corrected 9-30-99. In the original puzzle I did not specify “no void suits” and Scott Cardell noted there were alternate solutions based on East having all nine diamonds. Thanks, Scott, for the eagle eye.]

Puzzle 7F20 Main

Top Phantom Sacrifice

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek