Challenge 8Y73  MainAnalyses


Nevermore


Scores by Richard Pavlicek


Once upon a midnight Drury, sitting East distraught with fury
O’er many a quaint and curious lead, deserving of a minus score.
As I nodded nearly napping, trumps he leads instead of tapping.
Then it happened to my horror, suits I bid he leads no more.
Is he void? I pondered truly. If not my suit, cerebral core?
Only this, and nothing more.


Ah, distinctly I remember, a brainless West I could dismember
As each dreadful opening lead, sent grief no one could e’er ignore.
Eagerly I wished the morrow. Take me from this pain and sorrow!
Then the moron started clapping, laughing, dancing on the floor.
“Tis bridge in Hell!” I shouted madly, racing to the chamber door.
Fritzed again, but nevermore!

Welcome! You’re just in time for the good news! Alas, and some bad news.

The good news: If you play just six boards, your partner will cherish you forever.
The bad news: Your partner is Fritz, and even worse, he’s on lead!

Try to salvage what you can after Fritz makes a horrible opening lead. As East, choose your defense from the six options listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard unless noted. For a reference see Standard American Bridge.
Assume declarer is an expert. Fritz is a moron but assume he won’t do anything stupid after his opening lead.

In October 2007 these six problems were presented as a contest with 636 entrants from 109 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might win a valuable prize.*

*First prize is a one-week stay with Fritz at the Raven Inn. Second prize is two weeks. Third, three weeks.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age and gormless. Offer void where permitted by law.

Warning! What you are about to witness is disturbing and not for the faint of heart.

If you’re a pregnant mother or have a cardiac condition, leave now!

Problem 1

MatchpointsS Q 9 8 6WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH A 8 7FritzDummyYouDeclarer
D 10 2PassPass1 S
C K 10 7 2Pass2 C1Pass2 D2
TableS K 10 4Dbl2 S3 DPass
Lead: S 2H J 9 5 2Pass3 SAll Pass
D J 6 5
3 S SouthC A Q J1. midnight Drury
2. light opening

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WS 2910J
2. SC 45KA

Your next lead? S 4 H J H 2 D J D 5 C Q

Problem 2

MatchpointsS 10WestNorthEastSouth
N-S vulH K 3FritzDummyYouDeclarer
D K Q J 9 51 SPass
C Q 10 7 5 4Pass2 D2 S3 NT
TableS A Q J 9 8 3PassPassPass
Lead: H JH A 8 7
D 4 2
3 NT SouthC K J

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WH JKA2

Your defense?

A. Win S A, lead S Q
B. Win S A, lead H 8
C. Lead the S Q
D. Lead H 8, if wins then S A
E.  Lead H 8, if wins then S Q
F.  Lead H 8, if wins then H 7

Note: If you lead a spade, Fritz follows with the S 2.

Problem 3

MatchpointsS 10 9 4WestNorthEastSouth
E-W vulH J 10 9 8 5FritzDummyYouDeclarer
D K 41 C
C A 10 5Pass1 HPass1 NT
TableS K QPassPassPass
Lead: S AH A 6 3
D 10 9 7 2
1 NT SouthC K J 9 8

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WS A4K2
2. WS 59QJ

Your next lead? H A H 3 D 10 D 2 C K C J

Problem 4

MatchpointsS J 4 3WestNorthEastSouth
Both vulH A K Q J 8FritzDummyYouDeclarer
D J 5Pass1 HPass2 NT
C 10 7 2Pass3 NTPassPass
TableS 10 8 7 2Pass
Lead: H 10H 9 7 5 3
D A 4
3 NT SouthC A J 8

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WH 10A34
2. ND J?

For once, Fritz doesn’t lose a trick with his lead! Your defense?

A. Win D A, lead S 8
B. Win D A, lead S 2
C. Win D A, lead H 5
D. Win D A, lead C J
E.  Win D A, lead C 8
F.  Duck (play D 4)

Note: If you win the D A, South plays the D 2, Fritz the D 6.

Problem 5

MatchpointsS A K 7 6 5WestNorthEastSouth
N-S vulH K 9FritzDummyYouDeclarer
D J 4 31 S2 D4 H
C K Q 35 C5 HPass6 H1
TableS Q 10 2PassPassPass
Lead: C AH A 2
D K Q 10 8 71. with Fritz on lead, why not?
6 H SouthC J 7 4

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WC A34H 5
2. SH 63K?

Your defense?

A. Win H A, lead S Q
B. Win H A, lead H 2
C. Win H A, lead D K
D. Duck, win H A, lead S Q
E.  Duck, win H A, lead D K
F.  Duck, win H A, lead C J

Note: Fritz follows twice in hearts.

Problem 6

MatchpointsS A K Q 8 5WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH A J 8FritzDummyYouDeclarer
D J 10 91 C3 D
C J 23 SDblPassPass
TableS 9 4 24 C5 DPassPass
Lead: S JH K 10 6 2Pass
D A 2
5 D SouthC A K 8 4

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WS JA2C 3
2. NS K4C 93
3. ND J?

Your defense?

A. Win D A, lead S 9
B. Win D A, lead H 2
C. Win D A, lead D 2
D. Win D A, lead C A
E.  Win D A, lead C 4
F.  Duck (play D 2)

Note: If you win the D A, Fritz plays the D K.

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 8Y73 MainAnalysesScoresTop Nevermore

Acknowledgments to “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49)
© 2007 Richard Pavlicek