I was East on this deal from an online IMP pair event. Our opponents bid accurately to 4 as my partner and I displayed great skill in passing. Note opener’s third-round heart raise to show three-card support, an important concept in sound bidding.
My partner led the K and continued the suit. South ruffed and led a low heart intending to finesse, but the appearance of the king changed that. After winning the A, declarer paused to consider: If he won the Q and continued hearts, I would be able to tap him out with club leads. Eventually he decided to leave hearts alone and lead diamonds, letting me ruff the second round. I exited with a spade, and declarer eventually had to rely on the spade finesse — down one.
Declarer had a blind spot here, and missed an almost surefire way to succeed. After winning the A he should lead a low heart toward his hand (keeping the queen in dummy) and I would take the jack. A spade or a diamond return allows him to draw trumps and claim, so I would lead another club. Now declarer can retain trump control by discarding a spade and ruffing with the Q. I still get another trump trick, but South makes the contract.
© 1998 Richard Pavlicek