Challenge 7X89 Main Analyses

The Modern Hexathlon

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 (except as noted) and your 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!

1 Javelin Throw

IMPs N-S Vul	9 8 10 9 8 5 2 A Q 9 7 5 3		`West` Pass Pass	North 3 ¹ 3 NT	`EAST` Pass Pass All Pass	South 2 NT 3
Lead: Q		East plays 6
3 NT South	A J 10 2 A J K J 10 A K 4 2		1. Javelin transfer

Your play?
A. Win first club, A, lead J
B. Win first club, lead J
C. Win first club, Q, run 9
D. Win second club, A, lead J
E. Win second club, lead J
F. Win second club, Q, run 9

2 Backstroke

IMPs Both Vul	Q J A Q 10 5 A 6 4 2 J 7 3		West 2 Pass All Pass	North 3 4	EAST 1 Pass Pass	South 1 3 3 ¹
Lead: Q		East plays 5
3 South	A 10 9 7 5 4 4 3 K 8 5 4 2		1. backstroke (why go down in four?)

After such a clever bid, how do you play?
A. Win A, run Q
B. Win K, finesse Q
C. Win K, finesse 10
D. Win K, A, run Q
E. Win K, A, ruff a diamond
F. Win K, lead a club

3 Long Jump

IMPs N-S Vul	K 6 4 2 — K 7 3 A 6 5 4 3 2	`West` Pass	NORTH 1 Pass	`East` Pass Pass	South 6 ¹
Lead: Q
6 South	A 9 7 5 A K Q J 10 9 8 Q 4 —	1. well short of the record but a good first attempt

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

Note: Trumps split 3-3.

4 Freestyle

IMPs None Vul	K 10 7 5 10 9 7 6 J 4 2 A 2		`West` 3 Dbl	`North` Pass All Pass	`EAST` 1 4	`South` 2 ¹ 4 ²
Lead: K		East plays 9
4 × South	J 9 8 6 3 — 8 7 K 8 7 6 5 4		1. freestyle (Michaels is for wimps) 2. hey, it’s my turn again

West next leads the 3 to East’s ace. Your play?
A. Ruff, run the 9
B. Ruff, lead spade to king
C. Ruff, win A-K, ruff club, lead K
D. Ruff, win A-K, ruff club, lead 10
E. Ruff, win A-K, ruff club, ruff heart
F. Pitch your last diamond

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

5 High Dive

IMPs None Vul	7 3 A Q 7 4 A 7 4 6 5 4 2		`WEST` 1 2 4 Dbl	`North` Pass Pass Pass All Pass	`East` 1 3 Pass	`South` Pass Pass 5 ¹
Lead: K		East wins A
5 × South	J 10 3 2 J 10 2 A K 10 9 8 7		1. reverse somersault with a half twist

At trick two East leads the 6 (West plays 8) to the queen. Your play?
A. Ruff 7, win two trumps, duck a heart
B. Ruff 7, win two trumps, lead J
C. Ruff 7, win four trumps
D. Win two trumps, duck a heart
E. Win two trumps, lead J
F. Win four trumps

Note: West has a blank Q.

6 Marathon

IMPs Both Vul	K Q 9 3 10 4 3 A K 6 2 6 2		West Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	NORTH 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 Pass	East 1 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	South 1 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 NT 6 6
Lead: J		East plays 7
6 South	A 10 8 7 6 A 8 5 2 3 A K 9

No play could ever justify this bidding, but give it a go anyway:
A. Win A, A
B. Win A, K, A
C. Win A, K, A, ruff a diamond
D. Win A, K, A-K
E. Win A, A-K, ruff a diamond
F. Duck the first trick

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7X89 Main Analyses Scores Top The Modern Hexathlon