Challenge 8Y65 Main Analyses

Try To Remember

by Richard Pavlicek

…the kind of September…

Nowadays the title song invokes sad memories (think “9-11”) but there was a time “when life was slow, and oh, so mellow.” I was raised in northeast Ohio, where the beginning of autumn was my favorite time of year — mild temperatures, leaves changing color, family picnics, going back in school (OK, that’s a stretch), and a September birthday was icing on the cake (candles too).

Ahh, the good old days. Gasoline, 15 cents a gallon; no interstate highways; parents and teachers respected and cherished; a kinder and gentler world all-around. President was Dwight Eisenhower, a bridge player! Speaking of whom, pretend “Ike” is your partner, as you test your declarer play on these six problems.

Oops! My bad. That would make our President the dummy, which brings us back to modern times. Oh well. As South, simply choose your play from the options listed. Each option is 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 September 2007 these six problems were presented as a contest with 644 entrants from 104 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you may win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include 25 “I Like Ike” T-shirts and 25,000 Eisenhower silver dollars. Winners must be native to their
country of residence, at least 18 years of age, and Tibetan monks. Void where inhabited by lawyers.

Try to remember… when life was so tender… and if you remember… then follow [suit].

Problem 1

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

West next leads the Q (East plays 5) as you duck, then the Q (East plays 2). Your play?

A. Win A; A-K
B. Win A; A; lead 5
C. Win A; lead 5
D. Duck; win A; A-K
E. Duck; win A; A; lead 5
F. Duck; win A; lead 5

Problem 2

IMPs Both Vul	A 5 A 6 4 3 A 7 5 4 8 5 3		West Pass All Pass	Ike NORTH 1 2	East Dbl Pass	You South 1 4
Lead: 6		East wins A
4 South	6 4 3 2 K Q 5 2 K Q J 6 K

East shifts to the J (West plays 7). How do you play?

A. Win K; A; ruff club
B. Win K; A; lead 5
C. Win K; duck spade
D. Win K-Q
E. Win A; A; lead 5
F. Win A; lead 5

Problem 3

IMPs N-S Vul	A K 9 3 5 3 A K 7 6 5 4 2		`WEST` 3 Pass	Ike North Dbl Pass	`East` Pass Pass	You South 3 NT
Lead: J		East plays 8
3 NT South	Q 6 4 K Q 6 2 5 4 2 K Q 3

After winning the Q, what next?

A. Win A; lead 3
B. Win A; lead 4
C. Lead the K
D. Win A; lead 3
E. Win A; lead 4
F. Duck a diamond

Problem 4

IMPs None Vul	A 6 4 3 A 7 5 2 10 A K Q 2		`West` 1 Pass All Pass	Ike `North` Dbl 3	`EAST` Pass Pass Pass	You `South` Pass 1 4
Lead: Q		East plays 2
4 South	K 7 5 8 6 A 8 6 3 2 6 4 3

Your bids were certainly inspired. How about your play?

A. Win A; lead 2
B. Win A; A; ruff diamond; win K
C. Win A; A; ruff diamond; lead 2
D. Win A; A-K; lead 2
E. Win K; A; ruff diamond
F. Win K; A-K; lead 2

Problem 5

IMPs E-W Vul	A 9 8 5 2 K 2 K 10 5 9 7 5		West Pass Pass Pass	Ike `North` 1 3 6 ¹	East Pass Pass All Pass	You `SOUTH` 1 2 3
Lead: K		East plays 3
6 South	7 A 10 6 3 A 8 6 A K 8 6 4		1. Ike doesn’t care, he’s dummy

Can you justify Ike’s optimism? After winning the A, what next?

A. Ruff spade; win K; ruff spade
B. Ruff spade; win K; A; ruff heart
C. Ruff spade; win A; K; ruff spade
D. Ruff spade; win A; K; A; ruff heart
E. Win K; A; ruff heart
F. Win A; K; A; ruff heart

Problem 6

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

What a frustrating lead! After winning the 10, what next?

A. Finesse the J
B. Win A; A; ruff diamond
C. Win A; lead J
D. Win A; lead 4
E. Run the Q
F. Finesse the J

Click to see how you did

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