The Game Is Afoot

Tension filled the musty room as Professor Moriarty threw six decks of playing cards onto the large wooden table. “Sit!” he demanded. “I’m in a sporting mood. We’ll play six hands of bridge, and if you go plus on each one, I will set you free.”

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson had been investigating the disappearance of the Crown Emerald from Windsor Castle, and early that morning were seized by Moriarty’s henchmen. They were now being held captive in the basement of the archvillain’s home. “And if we don’t?” Holmes inquired.

“That’s easy, Mr. Holmes. You and your bumbling friend will be my guests for lunch. I’ve installed a brand new piranha tank, and the August heat is making the little buggers voracious. Anyone for bridge?”

“Hardly seems fair,” grumbled Watson. “I’ve only played bridge a few times. Can we make it gin rummy?”

“Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot,” instructed Holmes, then he whispered in his friend’s ear, “Just bid only minor suits or double with a good hand. Try to make yourself dummy — that shouldn’t be hard.”

“Then let’s begin.” Moriarty grinned. “The cards are already shuffled, and I’ll be the dealer on each hand. Colonel Moran? I know you’re not a bridge player, but you’ll be my partner and just pass. Holmes? You sit on my right.” As fate (or the Professor’s evil design) would have it, Holmes became declarer on each deal.

In August 2003 these six problems were presented as a contest, which had 838 entrants from 114 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. As South on each problem, simply choose your play from options A-F. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Assume West (Moriarty) is an expert using standard bidding and leads. For a reference
see Standard American Bridge. Do not draw any inferences from East (Moran) who always
passes and knows little about card play except to follow suit.

See if you can match your play with Sherlock Holmes. The only prize this month will be staying out of the piranha tank. Scoring is not IMPs (or anything else you’ve ever heard of) but simply plus or fishfood. I hope you get the picture.

Problem 1

Plus or FF	10 7 5 3			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	K Q 9 8			Moriarty	Watson	Moran	Holmes
	K Q J 10			1	1	Pass	1 NT
	4			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		East plays 2
	J 4 2
	10 3
	A 6 4 3
1 NT South	A J 10 8

Your play?

A. Win A, lead 10 to king
B. Win A, run the 10
C. Win A, K (both follow), Q-J
D. Win A, K (both follow), all diamonds
E.  Win A, lead the J
F.  Duck the first trick

Problem 2

Plus or FF	A 4 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	A Q 6			Moriarty	Watson	Moran	Holmes
	A 5 4 2			1	Dbl	Pass	2
	K 4 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q
	K 7 6
	8
	9 7 6 3
2 South	Q 10 9 7 5

Your play?

A. Win A, A
B. Win A, lead 2 to queen
C. Win A, lead 2 and finesse 10
D. Win K, A
E.  Win K, finesse Q
F.  Win K, lead 5 to king

Problem 3

Plus or FF	A Q 6			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	K Q 10 2			Moriarty	Watson	Moran	Holmes
	Q J 3			1	Dbl	Pass	2
	A J 4			3	3	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: K		East plays 3
	8 7 4
	9 6 4 3
	10 5
3 South	Q 10 8 2

After winning the A, what next?

A. Lead the K
B. Lead the 10
C. Lead the 2
D. Lead the Q
E.  Lead J to queen
F.  Lead 4 to 10

Problem 4

Plus or FF	J 8 3			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	K			Moriarty	Watson	Moran	Holmes
	A 6 5 2			2 1	3	Pass	3 NT
	K Q 10 8 7			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 10				1. weak; undisciplined
	A 2
	A Q J 5
	K Q 10 4
3 NT South	5 3 2

East plays the Q if you play dummy’s jack; else the 4. Your play?

A. Play J, win first round
B. Play J, win second round
C. Play 3, win first round, win K
D. Play 3, win first round, lead 2
E.  Play 3, win second round, win K
F.  Play 3, win second round, lead 2

Problem 5

Plus or FF	A K Q J 10 9			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	10 5 3 2			Moriarty	Watson	Moran	Holmes
	5			1	2 1	Pass	2
	K Q			3	3	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: K		East plays 6
				1. Watson make-me-dummy transfer
	8 6
	J 4
	Q J 4
3 South	A 8 6 5 4 2

West next leads the J (won by the king) as East plays the 3. What now?

A. Draw trumps, lead 3
B. Draw trumps, lead 5
C. Draw trumps, win Q, lead 3
D. Draw trumps, win Q, lead 5
E.  Lead the 3
F.  Lead the 5

Problem 6

Plus or FF	7 5 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	J 10 4			Moriarty	Watson	Moran	Holmes
	K Q			1	Pass	Pass	2
	K 10 5 4 3			2	Pass	Pass	3
				3	4	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		East plays 2		Pass
	J 4 3
	A
	A J 10 8 7 6
4 South	A 9 2

You cash K-Q on which West (void) pitches two hearts. What next?

A. Lead 2 to jack
B. Lead 2 and duck it
C. Lead J (East plays 5) and pitch a spade
D. Ruff heart, draw trumps
E.  Lead 3 to ace, draw trumps
F.  Lead 3 and finesse nine

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7X41 Main Analyses

Scores Top The Game Is Afoot

Credits to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) creator of Sherlock Holmes
Photo is Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Watson
© 2003 Richard Pavlicek