Challenge 8X01 Main Analyses

Horrors of the Wax Museum

by Richard Pavlicek

Welcome! You are about to see the world’s most lifelike creations in wax. Before we begin the tour, I must warn you not to touch the figures. The realism may seem astounding at times, but you’ll have to trust me: They’re all wax.

The highlight of our tour is the Chamber of Horrors, where you’ll see six exhibits on the art of self-defense. Cameras are forbidden, and please stay with your group. This way, please.

As West, after making your opening lead you suspect that South (a wax robot, or lady, you can’t be sure) has perpetrated a horror in the early play. Your goal is to find the best defense to capitalize; but please, no capital crimes. This is a family web site, so the body count must be held to a minimum. Simply select your next lead from the options listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (unless noted), and you use standard leads and signals. For a reference
see Standard American Bridge. Assume partner is an expert, but South is horribly deranged.

In October 2004 these problems were presented as a contest with 902 entrants from 111 locations around the world. 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 wax bust of Madame Tussauds and an 18th century guillotine, safely converted to a PavCo Slice-o-Matic. Winners must be
at least 18 years of age and wear a waxed mustache. Prizes void where prohibited by law, or where such prohibitions do not exist.

Are you ready for the Chamber? As you pass Marie Antoinette, you will see a bridge table. Be sure to sit West, away from the guillotine. Relax! The last two groups made it through just fine. This way, please.

Problem 1

IMPs	10 2		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	9 3		You	Dummy	Partner	Wax Lady
	A Q J 9 2					1 NT
	Q J 10 5		Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Q J 9 5			Pass
K J 7 2
6 3
K 9 4		3 NT South

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W Q 2 7 3

Your next lead? J 5 J 2 6 4

Problem 2

IMPs	Q 9 2		West	North	East	South
Both vul	A Q J 10		You	Dummy	Partner	Wax Lady
	A 4 3			1	Pass	1 NT
	A J 10		Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
J 10 8 7			Pass
9 7 4
K J 7
K 9 3		3 NT South

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W J Q K A
2. S 5 7 A 2
3. N 3 10 Q K

Your next lead? 10 8 4 J K 3

Problem 3

IMPs	5 3		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	J 8 5		You	Dummy	Partner	Wax Lady
	Q 4		1	2	Pass	2
	A K Q 9 6 4		Dbl	Pass	2	Pass
K Q 10 8 4			Pass	3	Pass	Pass
A K 3			Pass
A 10 5
J 2		3 South

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 3 6 A
2. S 2 K 5 4

Your next lead? Q 4 A 5 J 2

Problem 4

IMPs	K 10 3		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	A 8 2		You	Dummy	Partner	Wax Lady
	A 8 3			1 NT	Pass	4 ¹
	A J 6 2		Dbl	Pass	Pass	4
A			Pass	Pass	Pass
Q J 10 9 6 5
Q J			1. Texas transfer
K 10 8 7		4 South

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

Your next lead? J 10 9 Q K 10

Problem 5

IMPs	K 8 6		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A J 6 2		You	Dummy	Partner	Wax Lady
	A Q 3		1	1 NT	Pass	5
	Q J 2		Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass
A Q J 10
K Q 9 7 5
K 9 2
A		5 × South

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K A 3 10
2. N 2 4 6 5
3. S 3 A 6 2

Your next lead? Q Q 7 K 2 A

Problem 6

IMPs	A 4		West	`North`	East	`South`
E-W vul	K 5 3		You	Dummy	Partner	Wax Lady
	A Q 4 3					1 NT
	K 8 4 2		Pass	4 NT	Pass	6 NT
J 10 3			Pass	Pass	Pass
Q 4
J 10 9 7
J 10 6 5		6 NT South

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W J 3 6 K
2. S J 4 K 2
3. N 3 6 10 Q

Your next lead? J 10 10 9 J 5

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8X01 Main Analyses Scores Top Horrors of the Wax Museum