Puzzle 7F47 (Dec 96) by Richard Pavlicek

Diamond Dilemma

Coping with preempts can be tough, and you have your work cut out on this one. After East opens 3

, you double for takeout, West raises to 4

, and partner bids 4 NT. This is not Blackwood but a request for you to choose a minor suit, and you oblige with 5

5 by South

None Vul
A 5 4
10
A 9 7 6 2
6 5 4 3
Q J 10 9 8
A J 2
K
J 10 9 8 [W - E] 7 6
K 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
5 4
7
Lead: Q K 3 2
Q
Q J 10 8 3
A K Q 2

West

4
All Pass North

4 NT East
3
Pass South
Dbl
5

So there you are. West leads the Q and you have 10 easy tricks, but the mirror distribution leaves you no obvious way to develop another. With West protecting spades and clubs a squeeze might be in the offing. For this to work you must rectify the count (lose two tricks), which seems impossible without giving up one of your threats. It looks like you’ll have to be devious. Any ideas?

Make 5 against any defense.

Return to Main

Solution

The solution involves an unusual throw-in play against East. Win the spade lead in either hand and give up a heart. Regardless of the return, win the

A (unblocking the 10), the

A and the remaining top spade to leave this position:

5
—
9 7 6 2
6 5 4
10 9 8
J 2
—
J 10 9 [W - E] —
K 8 7 6 5 4 3
5
—
3
—
Q J 8 3
K Q 2

Next play a low diamond from each hand, forcing East to win the trick with the five. Ruff the forced heart return with the J, throwing a club from dummy. Win the Q, overtake the 8 with the nine, then lead dummy’s last diamond, throwing your spade. West is squeezed in the black suits.

Return to Main

None Vul	A 5 4 10 A 9 7 6 2 6 5 4 3
Q J 10 9 8 A J 2 K J 10 9 8		7 6 K 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 5 4 7
Lead: Q	K 3 2 Q Q J 10 8 3 A K Q 2

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