I Heard the Bells

“…on Christmas Day. Their old familiar carols play.”

Regardless of religious belief — Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism or whatever — you will certainly agree that Christians have more songs! We try to conceal this by calling some of them “carols,” but we’re not fooling anyone. There are just too many songs, and everybody knows it!

Most of the classics are pretty (despite some archaic lyrics); but now we have to put up with “The Chipmunk Song,” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” and even dogs barking “Jingle Bells.” Enough already!

The title song is one of my all-time Christmas favorites, especially as recorded by the late Johnny Cash. His deep, bass voice produces awe-inspiring lyrics, making me shiver whenever I hear it. I wish I could replicate his artistry here but must settle for a midi version.

But wait! Have you ever heard the bells at the bridge table? Keep your ears pealed, and you may find a clue to the winning play on these six problems. As South, simply choose your play from Options A-F, each of which is 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 December 2005 these six problems were presented as a contest with 1108 entrants from 119 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 life-size statue of Giorgio Bell adonna and a lifetime supply of Ding Dong dessert cakes. Winners must be at least
18 years of age and certified bell captains. Employees of PavCo Ringers and Bell Telephone companies are ineligible.

“And wild and sweet, the words repeat. Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Now listen carefully…

Problem 1

IMPs	A 2			West	North	East	South
None vul	A 8 7 6 4 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 9 8 2				1	Pass	2
	4			Pass	3	Pass	3 NT
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: J		East plays 7
	K 8 5
	K 5
	J 10 6 5 4
3 NT South	A J 2

Your play?

A. Win A, K, A
B. Win A, K, run J
C. Win A, A
D. Win K, A
E.  Win K, lead J to ace
F.  Win K, run J

Problem 2

IMPs	7 5 3			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	J 9 4			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	8 3					Pass	1
	A Q 9 6 5			Pass	2	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 2		East wins A
	K Q J 10 6 4
	K 3
	A K 2
4 South	4 3

East returns the 9 to your king (West follows). What next?

A. Lead the K
B. Lead the 3
C. Ruff diamond, lead 4
D. Ruff diamond, lead 5
E.  Finesse the Q
F.  Finesse the 9

Problem 3

IMPs	5 4			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	—			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A K 9 7 6 3						1
	K 6 4 3 2			2	3	4	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q		East plays 10
	A K Q J 10 2
	4 3 2
	5 4 2
4 South	J

Your play?

A. Win A, draw trumps
B. Win A, A, lead 5
C. Win A, A, lead J to king
D. Win A, A, run J
E.  Win A, lead 2
F.  Duck the Q

Problem 4

IMPs	7 4 3			West	North	East	South
Both vul	Q 7 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	10 8 2			1	Pass	Pass	2 NT
	K 10 8 2			Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: K		East plays 9
	A 5 2
	K J 5
	K Q J
3 NT South	A J 7 3

West continues Q-10 (East plays 6-8) and you win the third round. How do you play clubs?

A. Win A, K
B. Win A, run J
C. Win A, finesse 10
D. Win K, A
E.  Win K, run 10
F.  Win K, finesse J

Problem 5

IMPs	A J 10 3			West	North	East	South
None vul	Q 4 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 4 3					2	2
	7 4 3			Pass	4	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: 7		East plays 9
	K 7 6 5 4
	K 8
	K 8 2
4 South	A 8 2

After winning the K, what next?

A. Win A, run J
B. Win K, A
C. Win K, finesse J
D. Lead the 8
E.  Duck a diamond
F.  Duck a club

Problem 6

IMPs	A K Q 5 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	Q 10 8			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 7			3	Dbl	Pass	4
	A 10 4			Pass	5	Pass	6
				Pass	6	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q		East plays 8		Pass
	4
	A 9 7 5 3 2
	K 9
6 South	Q 9 7 2

Your play?

A. Win A, run Q
B. Win A, run 10
C. Win A, lead 10 to ace
D. Win K, A, run Q
E.  Win K, A
F.  Win K, lead 2

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 8X57 Main Analyses

Scores Top I Heard the Bells

Acknowledgments to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82) and “I Heard the Bells”
© 2005 Richard Pavlicek