Challenge 8Y01 Main Analyses

Diamonds in the Ruff

by Richard Pavlicek

How sweet it is! On October 29, I discovered a rough diamond of 427 carats in my backyard. Gemology tests verified it as ideal grade and 70-percent flawless under 15x magnification. Excavation in the area unearthed similar specimens, and experts feel I may be sitting on the richest diamond field since the Jwaneng Mine in Botswana.

Word spread quickly, and police had to cordon off my property to keep out trespassers. Production will be overseen by my new corporation, PavCo Diamonds. I plan to do my own cutting and ordered the finest set of cleavers from Royal Asscher. (I’m an expert in this area… I grew up watching Beaver Cleaver, and had a lust for the cleavage of Annette Funicello.)

My serendipity can be yours, too! I need miners to continue the excavation, so here is your chance to apply for a high-paying job. On each of these six contracts, you are declarer and face a problem that involves diamonds in the rough, er, ruff. As South, simply choose your play from the options listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard, and your opponents use standard leads and signals. For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In January 2007 these six problems were presented as a contest with 1269 entrants from 117 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 sparkling new career as a PavCo miner.*

*Top 10 scorers will be flown to Fort Lauderdale for a 30-day tryout. Those who excel will be hired permanently if mutually agreed.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age. Offer void where prohibited by law or where such prohibitions do not exist.

So grab a shovel and start digging in my carat patch. You might even discover some riches of your own.

Problem 1

IMPs Both Vul	10 A 9 5 A K Q 8 3 A 5 4 2		WEST 1 Pass Pass	North 1 2 NT 4	East Pass Pass All Pass	South 1 3
Lead: 10		East plays J
4 South	K J 9 8 5 4 J 4 7 5 4 2 Q

After winning the A, what next?

A. Lead 10 to king
B. Lead 10 to jack
C. Lead 10 and run it
D. Lead the 5
E. Win A; ruff a club
F. Lead the 2

Problem 2

IMPs None Vul	Q 7 A 10 6 4 2 J 3 A 8 4 2		`West` Pass	`North` Pass	`East` Pass	`SOUTH` 4
Lead: Q		East plays 5
4 South	K J 10 9 8 5 4 — Q 10 9 5 K 3

A. Win A; lead Q
B. Win A; A; lead Q
C. Win A; A; lead J
D. Win A; lead J
E. Win K; lead 4
F. Win K; lead 5

Problem 3

IMPs N-S Vul	8 6 3 2 A Q 10 A 2 A 8 6 3		`WEST` 2 Pass	North Dbl Pass	`East` 4 Pass	South 6
Lead: Q		East plays 4
6 South	A K J 8 7 4 2 K 7 6 5 3 2

After winning the A, what next?

A. Win A; K
B. Win A; lead 5
C. Win A; lead 2 to king
D. Win A; lead 2 and duck if East follows
E. Lead 2 to king
F. Lead 2 and duck if East follows

Problem 4

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

You play the Q but overtake with the K to lead the Q (West plays 3). Your play?

A. Win A; K; finesse J
B. Win A; K; A
C. Win A; lead 8
D. Win A; lead 7
E. Win A; finesse J
F. Run the Q

Problem 5

IMPs E-W Vul	K Q J 9 3 2 K Q 10 9 8 6 2		West Pass Pass All Pass	`NORTH` Pass 2 3	East Pass Pass Pass	`South` 1 2 4
Lead: 2		East plays 4
4 South	A 9 8 6 5 4 A J 3 A J 5 3

After winning the K, what next?

A. Win A; lead J
B. Win A; lead 3
C. Lead the Q
D. Lead the 8
E. Finesse the J
F. Duck a club

Note: If you lead a club, East plays the 7.

Problem 6

IMPs None Vul	8 5 A 5 2 K J 8 5 3 A Q 4		`West` 1 Pass	`North` 2 4	`EAST` Pass 3 ¹ All Pass	`South` 1 Pass
Lead: K		East plays 6
4 South	A 7 K J 9 7 3 Q 6 4 K 9 5		1. weak

You win the A and lead the 3 to the ace as West pitches the 3. What next?

A. Lead the 8
B. Finesse 7; lead 7
C. Finesse 7; lead 4
D. Finesse 7; win Q; finesse 9
E. Lead the 3
F. Win K; A-Q

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8Y01 Main Analyses Scores Top Diamonds in the Ruff