Concerto in A Minor

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 obsessed with a minor suit. At the age of 15, Grieg enrolled in the famous Leipzig Conservatory, no doubt inspiring his conservative bidding.

Grieg was raised in Bergen, Norway, where he composed a minor duet (clubs and diamonds?) that local constituents dubbed “Raised in Bergen,” later to be known as “Bergen Raises.” Clearly this proves Marty is a thief.

Grieg was soon nicknamed the “Chopin of the North,” which historians believe is a tribute to his creative dummy play. Even more convincing was his affinity for the key of A minor, which comprises the notes A, C and E as its main chord, or simply ACE to recognize his bridge prowess. I rest my case.

I only wish that Grieg were a young teenager when I founded PavCo Diamonds. Then if he came to Fort Lauderdale, I could hire a minor miner in A minor.

Now it’s your turn to play a few notes. Each of these problems presents a concerto in A minor… 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 (unless noted). 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 concert 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. Residents and nonresidents of Bergen, Norway are ineligible.

Now sit down at my piano and play!

Opus 1

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

Opus 2

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

Your play?

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.

Opus 3

IMPs	7 6 4 3 2			West	North	East	South
None vul	A K 5 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 3			1	Dbl	1	5
	K J			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 2		East plays 5
	—
	6 3
	7 6 4 2
5 South	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.

Opus 4

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

Opus 5

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

Your play?

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

Opus 6

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

Your play?

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

Acknowledgments and apologies to Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
© 2007 Richard Pavlicek