Diamonds in the Ruff

How sweet it is! On October 29, I discovered a rough diamond of 427 carats in my backyard. Gemology tests verified it to be ideal grade and 70-percent flawless under 15-times 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 as high-tech security fences were being installed. I founded a new corporation, PavCo Diamonds, to oversee production, which is scheduled to begin in December. I plan to do my own cutting and contacted Royal Asscher of Amsterdam to order their finest set of cleavers.*

*I have a lot of experience in this area, as I grew up watching Beaver Cleaver, and I was a faithful ‘mouseketeer’ into my teens thanks to the cleavage of Annette Funicello.

My serendipity can be yours, too! I need miners to continue the excavation, so this is your chance to apply for a lucrative job. On each of these six problems, you are declarer and face a task that involves diamonds in the rough… I mean ruff. As South, simply choose your play from Options A-F listed. Each option will be 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 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 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 up the carat patch. You might even discover some riches of your own.

Problem 1

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

Your play?

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	8 6 3 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	A Q 10			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 2			2	Dbl	4	6
	A 8 6 3			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q		East plays 4
	A
	K J 8 7 4 2
	K 7 6 5 3
6 South	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	A J 2			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A 10 8			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	Q J 7						1
	Q 10 5 2			Pass	2 NT	Pass	3 NT
				Pass	4	Pass	Pass
Lead: 9		East plays 6		Pass
	K 3
	Q J 9 7 6
	K 10 8 3
4 South	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	K Q			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	J 9 3 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	K Q 10 9 8				Pass	Pass	1
	6 2			Pass	2	Pass	2
				Pass	3	Pass	4
Lead: 2		East plays 4		Pass	Pass	Pass
	A 9 8 6 5 4
	A
	J 3
4 South	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	8 5			West	North	East	South
None vul	A 5 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	K J 8 5 3					Pass	1
	A Q 4			1	2	3 1	Pass
				Pass	4	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		East plays 6		Pass
				1. weak
	A 7
	K J 9 7 3
	Q 6 4
4 South	K 9 5

You win the A and lead the 3, West pitches 3, to the A. 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

© 2007 Richard Pavlicek