Challenge 7V17 Main Analyses

Counselor for the Defense

by Richard Pavlicek

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Court is now in session, with the honorable Judge Frito Ito presiding. “Is the Counselor for the defense ready to proceed?”

“Yes, Your Honor. First I’d like to place these defensive problems into evidence as Exhibits 1-6.”

“So done. Hand them to the Bailiff.”

“The prosecution has tried to prove my client guilty of robbery, but I will show that his plays were legitimate and capable of being deduced at the table without malice. He is not a charlatan but a skillful player. As my first witness I call Zia Goren.” [Zia Goren takes the stand.] “Mr. Goren, as a bridge expert, how would you describe my client’s defense on Problem 1?”

“Based on odd-even carding and reverse Lavinthal,” Goren explained, “I gauge the Smith echo to show either non-touching club honors or a McKenney for hearts.”

“I see. And for the benefit of the jury, could you put that in layman’s terms?”

“Sure, he cheats.”

This is a defensive-play challenge for all bridge players. On each of the six problems South is declarer. As West or East, choose your next lead from the options listed. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale based on my judgment.

Bidding is standard (or as noted) and you use standard leads and signals. For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In February 2001 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 204 entrants from 68 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. If you pass the bar exam, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include free legal counsel for a year and five lost episodes of Perry Mason.
Winners must be at most 18 years of age and have a Law degree. Attorneys at PavCo and Sheister are ineligible.

Problem 1

Matchpoints E-W Vul	10 8 4 Q 8 2 A Q J 5 Q 8 2		You West Pass	`North` 3 NT	EAST Pass All Pass	`South` 1 NT
J 9 7 6 A J 9 7 9 3 10 9 4		3 NT South

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
6
2 2nd
8
J 3rd
K
4 4th
A
3

Your next lead: 7 A J 7 9 10

Problem 2

IMPs Both Vul	A Q J 10 3 A 2 10 6 A K 5 3		You West Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 1 NT 3 NT
4 2 Q 10 4 A J 5 4 3 Q 10 6		3 NT South

Trick
1 W
2 E Lead
4
2 2nd
6
Q 3rd
K
A 4th
8
10

Your next lead: 4 Q 10 4 J 5

Problem 3

Matchpoints N-S Vul	A Q 3 A 3 2 K 5 3 10 8 4 3		You `West` Pass Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 1 NT 3	`East` Pass Pass Pass	South 1 3 4
10 6 2 9 7 A 9 6 A K 7 6 5		4 South

Trick
1 W Lead
K 2nd
3 3rd
2 4th
Q

Your next lead: 2 9 A 6 A 5

Problem 4

IMPs None Vul	K Q 5 4 7 6 4 Q J 8 Q J 4		`West` Dbl¹ All Pass	`NORTH` Pass 2 NT	You `East` 1 3	`South` 2 3
3 South		J 10 9 7 3 A K 7 6 K 10 8 2

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
8
Q 2nd
4
2 3rd
3
4 4th
A
K
1. negative (both minors)

Your next lead: J 7 A 7 K 2

Problem 5

Matchpoints Both Vul	10 4 3 3 A Q J 8 7 5 4 K 4		West Pass Pass All Pass	North 2 2	You East Pass Pass	SOUTH 1 2 4
4 South		8 5 Q 8 4 2 K 10 3 Q 8 7 6

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
J
9 2nd
4
2 3rd
8
Q 4th
A
K

Your next lead: 5 Q 2 10 3 6

Problem 6

Matchpoints E-W Vul	K 8 4 3 2 A K 9 7 K Q 10 8		West Pass Pass All Pass	`North` 2 ¹ 4 NT	You East Pass Pass	`SOUTH` 1 NT 3 6 NT
6 NT South		J 9 7 6 4 J 10 8 2 A 6 5 4

Trick
1 W
2 S
3 N
4 N Lead
J
7
Q
8 2nd
2
3
4
A 3rd
4
K
J
9 4th
K
6
2
2
1. artificial (both minors)

Your next lead: J 9 7 6 10 5

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V17 Main Analyses Scores Top Counselor for the Defense