Challenge 7X89  MainAnalyses


The Modern Hexathlon


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

The torch goes on! Keep your eyes on Athens this month and you’ll witness the Modern Hexathlon. This inaugural event for men and women combines traditional disciplines of track and field (javelin throw, long jump and marathon) with aquatics (backstroke, freestyle and high dive). In all aspects, a superb test of athletics and a treat for spectators. I know I’ll be glued to my TV set.

The Modern Hexathlon also relates well to bridge, as these six problems illustrate. Unfortunately there won’t be any bridge competition in Athens, because bridge is a winter sport — or so the World Bridge Federation tried to make us believe several years ago. For an insight see my February 2002 challenge Leading for the Gold.

Therefore, this challenge will be your only chance to ascend the Olympic podium. As South, simply choose your play from the choices listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

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

In August 2004 these problems were presented as a contest with 871 entrants from 121 locations.

The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a 24K gold torch and five interlocking rings. Winners must be at least 18 years of age
and submit urine samples to PavCo Labs for testing. Greek citizens and foreigners are ineligible.

The opening ceremonies are over, so grab your javelin and head to the starting line.

Get a running start and aim for the distance!

Javelin Throw

IMPsS 9 8WestNorthEastSouth
N-S vulH 10 9 8 5 2LHOPartnerRHOYou
D A Q 9Pass2 NT
C 7 5 3Pass3 D1Pass3 H
Table Pass3 NTPassPass
Lead: C QEast plays C 6 Pass
 
 1. Javelin transfer
S A J 10 2
H A J
D K J 10
3 NT SouthC A K 4 2

Your play?

A. Win first club, H A, lead H J
B. Win first club, lead H J
C. Win first club, D Q, run S 9
D. Win second club, H A, lead H J
E.  Win second club, lead H J
F.  Win second club, D Q, run S 9

Backstroke

IMPsS Q JWestNorthEastSouth
Both vulH A Q 10 5LHOPartnerRHOYou
D A 6 4 21 C1 S
C J 7 32 C3 CPass3 S
Table Pass4 SPass3 S1
Lead: D QEast plays D 5 PassPassPass
 
 1. backstroke (why go down in four?)
S A 10 9 7 5 4
H 4 3
D K 8
3 S SouthC 5 4 2

After such a clever bid, how do you play?

A. Win D A, run S Q
B. Win D K, finesse H Q
C. Win D K, finesse H 10
D. Win D K, D A, run S Q
E.  Win D K, D A, ruff a diamond
F.  Win D K, lead a club

Long Jump

IMPsS K 6 4 2WestNorthEastSouth
N-S vulHLHOPartnerRHOYou
D K 7 31 CPass6 H1
C A 6 5 4 3 2PassPassPass
Table 
Lead: C Q 1. well short of the record but a good first attempt
 
 
S A 9 7 5
H A K Q J 10 9 8
D Q 4
6 H SouthC

Your play?

A. Win C A (pitch spade), lead D 3
B. Win C A (pitch spade), ruff a club
C. Win C A (pitch diamond), lead D 3
D. Win C A (pitch diamond), ruff a club
E.  Ruff first trick, draw trumps, lead D Q
F.  Ruff first trick, draw trumps, lead D 4

Note: Trumps split 3-3.

Freestyle

IMPsS K 10 7 5WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH 10 9 7 6LHOPartnerRHOYou
D J 4 21 H2 C1
C A 23 HPass4 H4 S2
Table DblPassPassPass
Lead: D KEast plays D 9 
 1. freestyle (Michaels is for wimps)
 2. hey, it’s my turn again
S J 9 8 6 3
H
D 8 7
4 S× SouthC K 8 7 6 5 4

West next leads the H 3 to East’s ace. Your play?

A. Ruff, run the S 9
B. Ruff, lead spade to king
C. Ruff, win C A-K, ruff club, lead S K
D. Ruff, win C A-K, ruff club, lead S 10
E.  Ruff, win C A-K, ruff club, ruff heart
F.  Pitch your last diamond

Note: If you lead clubs, West has C Q-3.

High Dive

IMPsS 7 3WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH A Q 7 4LHOPartnerRHOYou
D A 7 41 HPass1 SPass
C 6 5 4 22 SPass3 SPass
Table 4 SPassPass5 C1
Lead: S KEast wins S A DblPassPassPass
 
 1. reverse somersault with a half twist
S J
H 10 3 2
D J 10 2
5 C× SouthC A K 10 9 8 7

At trick two East leads the H 6 (West plays H 8) to the queen. Your play?

A. Ruff S 7, win two trumps, duck a heart
B. Ruff S 7, win two trumps, lead D J
C. Ruff S 7, win four trumps
D. Win two trumps, duck a heart
E.  Win two trumps, lead D J
F.  Win four trumps

Note: West has a blank C Q.

Marathon

IMPsS K Q 9 3WestNorthEastSouth
Both vulH 10 4 3LHOPartnerRHOYou
D A K 6 21 D1 H1 S
C 6 2Pass2 SPass3 C
Table Pass3 DPass3 H
Lead: H JEast plays H 7 Pass3 SPass4 C
 Pass4 DPass4 H
 Pass4 SPass5 C
S A 10 8 7 6Pass5 DPass5 H
H A 8 5 2Pass5 SPass5 NT
D 3Pass6 CPass6 D
6 S SouthC A K 9Pass6 HPass6 S

No play could ever justify the auction, but give it a go anyway:

A. Win H A, S A
B. Win H A, S K, S A
C. Win H A, S K, D A, ruff a diamond
D. Win H A, S K, C A-K
E.  Win H A, D A-K, ruff a diamond
F.  Duck the first trick

 Click to see how you did

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© 2004 Richard Pavlicek