Challenge 8X49 Main Analyses

Finesses of Frankenstein

by Richard Pavlicek

On a dark and stormy night you seek shelter at a nearby castle, and knock on the door. No one answers. A light in the tower suggests someone is there, so you pound harder and harder, “Please! Open the door!”

“Go away!” a voice shouts. “The storm is almost at its peak, and I must not be disturbed. Power from the heavens is now imminent. I beg you to go away!”

Lightning bolts zap the castle, shaking the tower. Ten minutes later the door opens. “Sorry, I was doing an experiment,” says Dr. Henry Frankenstein. “Do you play bridge? I must test my new partner. Come! We will play in the laboratory.”

You’d agree to almost anything to get out of the storm and follow Henry, where he sits down opposite a hideous creature about seven feet tall! “Have a seat on my right,” says Henry. “My assistant will be your partner. Fritz? Come, Fritz! We’re ready to play.”

On these six problems, Dr. Frankenstein (South) is declarer and takes a finesse early in the play. As East, do you win the trick or duck? Choose your defense from the options listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (or as noted). For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Dr. Frankenstein is an expert. Fritz, however, has about the same intellect as the monster, so don’t put any faith in his signals. All he knows is to lead the proper spot card.

In October of 2005 these six problems were presented as a contest with 904 entrants from 114 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 six cerebellum transplants (certified normal) and a 12-step program in electroshock therapy. Winners must be at least
18 years of age and a Life Burgomaster in their national bridge organization. Employees of PavCo Body Parts are ineligible.

Warning! Sit back and stay clear of dummy. “It’s alive!” Henry shrieks as he plans the play. “Fritz! Put down that torch!”

Problem 1

Rubber Bridge None Vul	A K 10 5 2 Q J 8 J 3 J 5 4		Fritz `West` Pass Pass	Monster `NORTH` Pass 2 ¹ 3 NT	You `East` Pass Pass All Pass	Frankenstein `South` 1 NT 2
3 NT South		Q 7 6 4 7 3 2 K 9 5 Q 10 3

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
6
J 2nd
8
3 3rd
2
2 4th
10
?
1. Burgomaster transfer

A. Win Q; lead 4
B. Win Q; lead 7
C. Win Q; lead 9
D. Win Q; lead 5
E. Win Q; lead 3
F. Duck smoothly

Problem 2

Rubber Bridge N-S Vul	A 8 6 A 9 3 2 J 9 6 2 7 2		Fritz `West` Pass Pass	Monster North 2 4	You `EAST` Pass Pass All Pass	Frankenstein South 1 NT 2
4 South		Q 9 2 K 6 5 A 5 3 J 9 6 4

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
5
Q 2nd
2
4 3rd
J
2 4th
A
?

A. Win K; lead Q
B. Win K; lead 2
C. Win K; lead 5
D. Win K; lead 3
E. Win K; lead 4
F. Duck smoothly

Problem 3

Rubber Bridge N-S Vul	J 2 A Q J 5 2 A 7 K 7 5 3		Fritz `West` Pass Pass	Monster North 1 6 NT	You `East` Pass All Pass	Frankenstein SOUTH 1 2 NT
6 NT South		9 7 6 K 3 Q J 4 3 10 9 8 6

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
3
4 2nd
2
6 3rd
9
Q 4th
K
?

A. Win K; lead 7
B. Win K; lead 3
C. Win K; lead J
D. Win K; lead 4
E. Win K; lead 10
F. Duck smoothly

Problem 4

Rubber Bridge None Vul	A K 8 4 2 9 8 3 A Q 6 K 2		Fritz `WEST` Pass Pass Pass	Monster `North` 1 2 NT Pass	You `East` Pass Pass Dbl	Frankenstein `South` 1 NT 3 NT All Pass
3 NT× South		Q J 10 9 7 J 10 2 K 5 2 A 9

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
4
9 2nd
9
4 3rd
10
Q 4th
K
?

A. Win K; lead Q
B. Win K; lead 2
C. Duck; next duck K
D. Duck; win A; lead Q
E. Duck; win A; lead 2
F. Duck; win A; lead 9

Note: If you duck Trick 2, declarer next leads the K.

Problem 5

Rubber Bridge Both Vul	K Q 9 2 10 6 4 A J 10 9 Q J		Fritz West Pass All Pass	Monster North 3	You East Pass	Frankenstein SOUTH 1 4
4 South		6 3 J 9 8 K 5 2 K 10 7 6 5

Trick
1 W
2 N
3 N
4 S Lead
3
K
2
7 2nd
Q
3
6
4 3rd
7
5
J
J 4th
2
4
7
?

A. Win K; lead J
B. Win K; lead 9
C. Win K; lead 8
D. Win K; lead 5
E. Win K; lead K
F. Duck smoothly

Problem 6

Rubber Bridge None Vul	A 9 2 Q 7 6 4 3 2 A Q 9 8		Fritz `West` Pass Pass All Pass	Monster `NORTH` 1 3 5	You `East` Pass Pass Dbl	Frankenstein `South` 2 4 NT 6
6 South		7 3 K J 9 8 Q J 4 K 10 7 4

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
6
J 2nd
2
2 3rd
J
8 4th
A
?

A. Win K; lead 3
B. Win K; lead 9
C. Win K; lead Q
D. Win K; lead 4
E. Win K; lead 10
F. Duck smoothly

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8X49 Main Analyses Scores Top Finesses of Frankenstein