Puzzle 7F37 Main

A Tale of Two Tens

by Richard Pavlicek

Looking at all four hands, can you make this 6 NT contract against any defense?

South deals	9 8 7 6		West	North	East	South
None vul	4					2
	A K 7		Pass	2	Pass	2 NT
	9 8 7 6 5		Pass	3	Pass	3
J 5 4 3 2		Q	Pass	4	Pass	4
3 2		J 10 9 8 7 6	Pass	5 NT	Pass	6 NT
3 2		Q J 10 9 8	All Pass
J 4 3 2		Q
	A K 10
	A K Q 5
Lead: 3	6 5 4
6 NT South	A K 10

You have nine top tricks and can establish two more in clubs for 11. Since East must protect both red suits, you may be able to squeeze him for a 12th trick. Well, can you?

Puzzle 7F37 Main

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Solution

A closer look reveals entry problems. West can duck the third club, forcing you to use a diamond entry; then, when West wins his club trick, a second diamond lead will remove a critical entry and kill the squeeze. Try it.

To succeed, you must keep control in both black suits. Win the opening lead, cash only one top club and lead the club ten.

6 NT South	9 8 7 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	4		1. W	3	6	Q	A
	A K 7		2. S	A	2	5	Q
	9 8 7 6 5		3. S	10!	3	6	6
J 5 4 3 2		Q	4. S	10!	J	7	8
3 2		J 10 9 8 7 6	5. W	3	4	7	A
3 2		Q J 10 9 8	6. S	K	2	8	8
J 4 3 2		Q	7. S	4	2	K	9
	A K 10		8. N	9	10	5	4
	A K Q 5		9. N	7	?
	6 5 4			East is squeezed
	A K 10

If West takes the 10 with his jack, the squeeze functions easily, so assume he ducks. Next lead the spade ten. If West takes this, you now have the 9 as your 11th trick; and East can be squeezed no matter what West returns.

If West ducks the 10 as well, you have an extra club and spade in the bag, so you no longer need a squeeze. Simply unblock the K, cross to dummy and establish clubs for your 12th trick.

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© 2000 Richard Pavlicek