Challenge 8X09 Main Analyses

Let Your Heart Be Light

by Richard Pavlicek

“Here we are, as in olden days, happy golden days, of yore.

Yes, that’s a beautiful Christmas song — except maybe the line “Make the yuletide gay,” which could use an update. Regardless of faith, however, I think we all agree there is too much hatred in the world today. Too many heavy hearts. The solution may be for people to lighten up a little; laugh at the enemy instead of fighting them. Or to put it another way: Live and let live.

The world may be difficult to change, but being light with your hearts will surely help on these defensive problems. In each case, partner leads the K and you hold the ace. Do you signal? Or overtake with the ace to gain the lead? (South will follow with the 4 regardless.) As East, choose your defense 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 all players are experts.

In December 2004 these problems were presented as a contest with 1040 entrants from 116 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 fully decorated 20-ft. scotch pine, and a case of figgy pudding (if I ever figure out what that is). Winners must be
at least 18 years of age, named Nicholas, and be ordained Catholic saints. Employees of Saint PavCo Inc. are ineligible.

Are you ready to hang a shining star upon the highest bough? Then try this quiz, and your troubles will be miles away.

Problem 1

IMPs	A 8		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	9 3		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A 9 6 5 3 2					1
	Q 10 4		Pass	2	2	2
		Q J 7	Pass	3	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		A Q J 10 7 2	Pass
Lead: K		4
3 South		K J 9

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 3 ?

Your defense?

A. Play the Q
B. Play the 7
C. Play the 2
D. Overtake, lead Q
E. Overtake, lead 10
F. Overtake, lead 4

Problem 2

IMPs	8 4 3		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	8 3		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A K Q 8 4					1 NT
	5 3 2		2 ¹	3 NT	Pass	Pass
		J 2	Pass
Lead: K		A 2
Lead: K		J 10 9 7 6	1. both majors
3 NT South		Q J 10 8

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 3 ?

Your defense?

A. Play the 2
B. Overtake, lead J
C. Overtake, lead 2
D. Overtake, lead 2
E. Overtake, lead J
F. Overtake, lead Q

Problem 3

IMPs	Q J 9 4		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	3		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A 5		2	Dbl	4	4
	K Q J 9 5 2		Pass	Pass	Dbl	Pass
		A 6 5 3	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		A 10 9
Lead: K		K Q 8 6 2
4 × South		4

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 3 ?

Your defense?

A. Play the 10
B. Play the 9
C. Overtake, lead 10
D. Overtake, lead K
E. Overtake, lead 6
F. Overtake, lead 4

Problem 4

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

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 2 ?

Your defense?

A. Play the J
B. Play the 5
C. Overtake, lead 5
D. Overtake, lead J
E. Overtake, lead 5
F. Overtake, lead 3

Problem 5

IMPs	A K Q 7		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	10 5		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	10 7 3				2	Pass
	A Q J 6		4	Dbl	Pass	5
		10 3	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		A J 8 7 3 2
Lead: K		9 8 2
5 South		K 5

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 5 ?

Your defense?

A. Play the J
B. Play the 8
C. Play the 2
D. Overtake, lead 10
E. Overtake, lead 3
F. Overtake, lead 9

Problem 6

IMPs	A 4		West	North	East	South
Both vul	9 6 5 2		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A K 8 5 2					1
	A 6		Pass	2	Pass	2
		7 6	Pass	2 NT¹	Pass	4
Lead: K		A J 8 7 3	Pass	5	Pass	6
Lead: K		J 9 4	All Pass
6 South		10 9 2
			1. game force

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 2 ?

Your defense?

A. Play the J
B. Play the 8
C. Play the 3
D. Overtake, lead 6
E. Overtake, lead 4
F. Overtake, lead 10

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8X09 Main Analyses Scores Top Let Your Heart Be Light