Challenge 8Y33 Main Analyses

Concerto in A Minor

by Richard Pavlicek

One hundred years ago the world was saddened by the death of Edvard Grieg. The famous Norwegian composer is best remembered for his piano opus of my title, which suggests he may have been a bridge player, albeit obsessed with a minor suit. Grieg was raised in Bergen, Norway, where he composed a minor duet (3 and 3 ?) later to be dubbed Bergen Raises. Hmm… Is Marty a thief?

At the age of 15, Grieg enrolled in the famous Leipzig Conservatory, no doubt accounting for his conservative bidding. Later he was nicknamed the “Chopin of the North,” which historians believe to be a tribute to his creative dummy play. Even more convincing was his affinity for the key of A minor, with its chord notes spelling ACE. I rest my case.

Now it’s your turn to play a few notes. Each of these problems presents a concerto, er, contract in “A minor.” As South, simply choose your play from the options (A-F) 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 May 2007 these six problems were presented as a contest with 761 entrants from 110 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 valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a grand piano by Steinway, PavCo & Son (Rich is building it now) and 12 books of Grieg Classics. Winners must be
at least 18 years of age. Prizes void where inhibited by Law. Residents and non-residents of Bergen, Norway are ineligible.

Imagine if Grieg were a teenage employee of PavCo Diamonds… He’d be a minor miner in A minor.

Problem 1

IMPs N-S Vul	10 8 4 3 J 10 5 K 9 5 4 5 2		`West` 1 All Pass	NORTH Pass Pass	`East` 1 2	South Pass 3
Lead: 2		East wins A
3 South	5 A 7 2 A 6 3 A Q 10 9 7 6

East returns the 6, you ruff, and West plays the 7. What next?

A. Lead the 2
B. Win A; K; finesse Q
C. Win K; finesse Q
D. Duck a diamond
E. Win A; lead Q
F. Lead the 10

Problem 2

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

A. Win A; A; lead J
B. Win A; finesse J
C. Win A; lead 9
D. Win A; lead 4
E. Duck; win A; A; lead J
F. Duck; win A; finesse J

Note: East plays the K on second club.

Problem 3

IMPs None Vul	7 6 4 3 2 A K 5 2 A 3 K J		`WEST` 1 Pass	`North` Dbl Pass	`East` 1 Pass	`South` 5
Lead: 2		East plays 5
5 South	— 6 3 7 6 4 2 A Q 10 9 8 7 3

After winning the K, what next?

A. Lead spade and pitch diamond
B. Ruff spade; win A; ruff spade
C. Ruff spade; duck a diamond
D. Ruff spade; win J; ruff spade
E. Win A; lead 3
F. Lead the 3

Note: If you lead a spade, East plays the 8.

Problem 4

IMPs N-S Vul	A Q J 5 Q 6 4 2 J 4 K 7 3		`WEST` Pass 2 Pass	North 1 Pass 5	`East` 1 Pass All Pass	South 2 4
Lead: J		East wins K (overtakes)
5 South	6 2 3 A 10 9 8 7 6 5 A J 6

East shifts to the 3 (West plays 7) won by dummy’s jack. What next?

A. Ruff heart; cash A
B. Lead J to ace; lead 5
C. Run J (loses); win A; A
D. Run J (loses); win A; finesse 10
E. Run J (loses); finesse Q; win A
F. Run J (loses); finesse Q; 10

Problem 5

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

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

Problem 6

IMPs None Vul	3 4 2 A 7 6 5 4 3 A K 7 2		`West` Pass 3 All Pass	`North` 3 4	`East` Dbl Pass	`SOUTH` 1 Pass 6
Lead: J		East plays 7
6 South	A 10 6 5 A 9 3 K Q 9 2 4 3

A. Win A; A; ruff spade; lead 4
B. Win A; lead 3
C. Win A; K
D. Duck; win A; A; ruff spade
E. Duck; win A; ruff heart
F. Duck; win A; K

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8Y33 Main Analyses Scores Top Concerto in A Minor