Main   Analyses 8Y80 by Richard Pavlicek  

Nevermore

If you thought this was the end of Fritz, I have more bad news for you. He has contacted Matilda (see my June 2007 contest) and the two are en route to San Francisco — yes, by wienermobile — to play in the Fall Nationals. Those who plan to attend, beware! Don’t play on any pick-up teams!

Problem 1

2

3

4

5

6

Final Notes

Thanks to Mike Frentz for the following Poe-tic addition. Hmm… Frentz? Fritz? Close enough!

And the maven, never moving, writes upon the scorecard proving
His atrocious play has cost us, dealing with it, such a chore.
Here I sit, near catatonic, sipping on my gin and tonic,
This is worse than playing Chthonic, that bridge-playing bot of yore.
Asks Fritz, “When will I learn enough to have a winning score?”
Quoth the maven: “Nevermore!”

During the month of October 2007, these six defensive-play problems were published on the Internet as a contest. All bridge players were invited to participate. As East, you had to decide your defense after partner has made a horrible lead.

Franco Masoero Wins!

This contest had 636 entrants from 109 locations, and the average score was 37.28. Congratulations to Franco Masoero (Italy), who was the first of nine to submit perfect scores. Franco has been tapping at my chamber door with fine scores all year, so his win is no surprise. Also scoring 60 were Leif-Erik Stabell (Zimbabwe); Jim Munday (Camarillo, California); Sjaak Smetsers (Netherlands); Rainer Herrmann (Germany); Ding-Hwa Hsieh (Kirksville, Missouri); Bruce Neill (Australia); Perry Groot (Netherlands); and Wuping Lu (China) — a list that could make your aces disappear mid-trick. Also noteworthy is the diversity of locations, comprising five continents.

I knew you could do it! Lowest participation, not only this year but in over five years (since June 2002) makes this a fitting termination of my bell curve. Seriously, with Fritz on the loose it’s no big surprise, so I got what I deserved for trying to toughen up your game. In my next series, I’ll be sure that each problem is sugarcoated and endorsed by Audrey Grant.

Average score (37.28) was the lowest in the 2007 series (edging out Matilda with 37.65 in June). Only one problem (#2) was aced by the consensus, and the consensus scored a mediocre 38. Only 297 persons scored above average (38+) to make the list. Two problems were close enough to warrant a 9 award, but the winning choices were clear (no photos).

Overall standings count your best four scores (4+ participations required) in the last six contests (May through October). Retaining her top spot with yet another 60 (yawn) and perfect average is Ding-Hwa Hsieh (Missouri). Only half a point back with 59.50 is Jim Munday (California), followed by Darek Kardas (Poland) with 59.25. Next with 59.00 are Franco Masoero (Italy), Rainer Herrmann (Germany) and Jordi Sabate (Spain). Rounding out the Top 10 with 58.75 are Bruce Neill (Australia), John Lusky (Oregon), Lajos Linczmayer (Hungary) and Joanna Sliwowska (Poland).

Auf Wiedersehen!

As recently announced, this contest will end the 2007 series. Declining participation was not the reason for my decision. I had planned to continue at least through December, but personal reasons now prevent me from devoting the necessary time, even though I enjoy doing it. Thanks to all who participated, and even the lazy bums who didn’t.

Each defensive problem offered six plausible leads or options for East early in the defense. The merit of each is scored on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment, which may be influenced by comments received.

Bidding is Standard American (except as noted). For a reference, see my summary of Standard American Bridge. Assume declarer is an expert. Fritz is an idiot, of course; but assume he won’t do anything stupid after his lead.

Top     Main

Problem 1

West Fritz Pass Dbl Pass

North Pass 2 ¹ 2 3

East You Pass Pass 3 All Pass

South 1 2 ² Pass

1. Drury
2. light opening

3 South	Q 9 8 6 A 8 7 10 2 K 10 7 2
		K 10 4 J 9 5 2 J 6 5 A Q J

Fritz leads the 2; nine, 10, jack. South next leads the 4; five, king, ace. Your next lead?

Lead	Award	Votes	Percent
Q	10	89	14
J	9	66	10
J	7	179	28
4	6	90	14
2	5	112	18
5	2	100	16

Terrific. You had a trump trick coming, and Fritz manages to make it disappear. Oh well, a diamond probably would have cost as well; and if you had the 8 instead of dummy, Fritz would have been a hero. What’s that proverb about dead heroes? Never mind; I was momentarily overcome by wishful thinking.

At least give Fritz credit in the auction. His lead-directing double of 2 would be considered inane by many, yet it allowed you to compete and push the opponents to 3 , which may be set. Speaking of lead-direction, perhaps you should have bid 3  over 2  (or maybe 2 NT), since 3  might have drawn a losing diamond lead — whatever, better to save your heroics for another day.

Best chance to defeat this contract is to win two clubs, two diamonds (Fritz probably has A-Q) and a heart (Fritz needs at least the Q), giving South something like A-J-7-x-x K-x-x K-x-x x-x. This will be straightforward with any sensible defense, unless South has some critical intermediate cards. If South has K-10-x, leading hearts is fraught with danger; if he has K-9-x, leading diamonds will establish the 9 for a heart pitch from dummy.

Continuing clubs seems to help declarer, as a third-round ruff will establish the 10 in dummy. Or will it? Perhaps you should just return a trump and let declarer decide his own fate. Or will it lose the timing? Too many questions! Consider a dangerous layout, in which South has crucial spot cards in both red suits:

3	Q 9 8 6 A 8 7 10 2 K 10 7 2
2 Q 6 3 A Q 8 7 4 9 8 6 5		K 10 4 J 9 5 2 J 6 5 A Q J
	A J 7 5 3 K 10 4 K 9 3 4 3

After the 2 lead (nine, 10, jack) and a club to the king and ace, it is obvious that a diamond return loses; declarer just ducks (or covers the jack), then he will avoid a heart loser by establishing the 9.

Leading the J is temporarily safe, but declarer will win the K to freeze the suit and exit with a club to your jack. Then what? Either red suit quickly loses, and either black suit allows declarer to establish the 10 or endplay Fritz.

Leading the 4 allows a variety of paths to success. For instance, declarer can draw trumps and duck a club to your jack; you still can’t attack hearts successfully, so he will eventually ruff a diamond, and establish the 10 for a heart pitch.

What’s left? You got it! Just continue clubs, and declarer cannot benefit from the established 10. If he ruffs the third club and crosses to dummy with the A to lead the Q, you will not cover; then if he draws your last trump, he cannot reach the 10 in time. If declarer instead leads a diamond from hand, Fritz will duck (playing the Q would be stupid) to your jack; then a diamond return allows Fritz to win and lead a fourth club to kill the 10 while you have a trump. Declarer is stymied with any play.

A close second goes to the J. At double-dummy, this is actually better than the Q; but I had to demote it, since it sometimes requires impossible play, e.g., if South has Q-10-x, Fritz must duck when the queen is played. In the most likely scenario (South having both red kings) it is clearly better than the J, because it fails only if South has both the 10 and 9; whereas the J fails whenever South has the 9. If declarer wins the K and leads a club, you will next lead the J; then partner will switch back to hearts if he held Q-10-x, or continue diamonds if he has the 9. Other layouts exist, of course, but my study showed a distinct advantage for the J over the J. It is also the only lead to produce a two-trick set when South has Q-x-x and K-9-x.

Third place is a close call between the 4 and J. In the most likely scenario (South having both red kings) the 4 loses when South has the 10, and the J loses when South has the 9. Because Fritz is more likely to have the 9 than the 10, the edge must go to the J. Other scenarios tend to favor the 4; e.g., if South has A-J-7-x-x x-x-x A-Q-x x-x, but I don’t give these much weight, as it’s difficult to imagine a singleton trump lead from a hand with three reasonable alternatives ( 2 K-Q-x K-9-x-x-x 9-8-x-x), even by Fritz. Hence, the 4 must settle for a close fourth.

A close fifth goes to the 2. While grossly inferior to the J in theory (losing immediately to K-10-x), it is not so terrible when you consider that declarer may misguess and play the 10 to cater to a lead from Q-J-x-(x). The  2 is also deficient (versus the J) when declarer has Q-x-x K-9-x, as he can let Fritz hold the 10 and avoid a two-trick set.

The only terrible lead is the 5, not only because Fritz might mistakenly cash out but because he’ll be endplayed when South holds A-J-7-x-x K-10-x K-8-x x-x. Best he can do is exit with a club, then declarer has the timing to ruff a diamond and establish the 10. Essentially, if East leads a diamond, the defense must lead three rounds to tap dummy, which requires the J start.

Comments for the Q

Leif-Erik Stabell: South could easily have A-J-7-5-3 K-10-x K-9-x x-x, so I better not touch either red suit.

Jim Munday: Fritz likely has A-Q given his failure to lead one, and only five diamonds given his failure to bid 2 . Declarer’s play at trick two suggests a doubleton, so I give him something like A-J-x-x-x K-10-x K-9-x x-x. I hope to ruff dummy’s fourth club. If declarer crosses to the A to play a spade, I will duck; then he cannot enjoy the long club and ruff a diamond. This defense caters to a number of different red-suit layouts.

Rainer Herrmann: If declarer has something like A-J-7-5-3 K-10-x K-9-x x-x, he is short of entries to dummy to do everything; so I return a club and threaten to ruff his high club. (Ducking the club at trick two might have been better for declarer.)

Bruce Neill: If partner were anyone but Fritz, I might hope for suit preference on this trick. :)

Perry Groot: I’ll play South for A-x-x-x-x K-10-x K-9-x x-x. Declarer won’t have entries to enjoy the fourth club if he pulls trumps; and otherwise, West can lead a fourth club [for me to ruff].

Carsten Kofoed: This will kill the club trick for declarer when I ruff the fourth club.

Jerry Fink: Too great a chance that a heart or diamond switch will work to declarer’s benefit. We should be able to ruff out dummy’s established 10, or cost declarer a diamond ruff to bring in trumps and get to the 10 in time.

Dean Pokorny: While the J sets declarer two tricks with A-J-x-x-x Q-x-x K-x-x x-x, I prefer the Q, which is [necessary] to set A-J-x-x-x K-10-x K-9-x x-x.

David Kenward: Either red suit could give a trick away; and even if this sets up the 10, declarer won’t be able to cash it usefully.

Dale Freeman: The J might work if Fritz has the 9, or a heart might work if he has the 10; but rather than open up a red suit, I’ll lead clubs for declarer to ruff, setting up his 10. Declarer will then have to lead a red suit; and when Fritz wins a diamond, maybe he’ll lead a club so I can kill the 10.

Lajos Linczmayer: South seems to have two clubs. If he has A-J-7-5-3 K-10-x Q-10-x x-x, or A-J-7-5-3 K-10-x K-10-x x-x, only the Q then J defeats the contract.

Jonathan Mestel: Playing South for A-J-x-x-x K-10-x K-9-x x-x. The  10 is curiously useless.

Bineet Jha: I would rather let declarer earn his tricks than risk shifting to a suit in which he may have some trapping spot cards. If he follows to three clubs, I will shift to a diamond. If he ruffs one of them, his good club in dummy will be rendered useless; if he reaches dummy via the A, I will duck the 9; then removing my K denies himself further access to dummy.

Manuel Paulo: Consider this possible South hand: A-J-7-5-3 K-10-x K-9-x x-x. Declarer compensated Fritz’s lead with a failed trial. I lead my club quacks, and declarer will lose two clubs, two diamonds and another trick, despite the promoted 10.

David Grainger: Give declarer A-J-x-x-x K-10-x K-x-x x-x, and after club leads he cannot pick up the K and cross back to dummy before we get a heart trick. The  J is fine if partner holds the 9 and plays three rounds — but opposite Fritz?

Ronald Kuip: A singleton trump lead, of course; why not? :) A spade return is out of the question;…a diamond, ah no; the Q and then a diamond? I can’t even be sure if Fritz has two clubs (5-3), three (9-8-5, 9-6-5 or 8-6-5) or four (9-8-5-3). If he has 2 K-x-x-x A-Q-x-x-x-x 5-3, the Q will strip him of his exit — no, Fritz would have led a doubleton club. The  Q it is.

Bill Cubley: Why did I bid diamonds when I have four hearts? Richard will tell me in November.

Bill makes a good point that the double of 2 would be better played as a light takeout of spades, however, standard interpretation is to show diamonds despite having little value as a lead-director. –RP Top     Main

Problem 2

West Fritz Pass All Pass

North 2

East You 1 2

South Pass 3 NT

3 NT South	10 K 3 K Q J 9 5 Q 10 7 5 4
		A Q J 9 8 3 A 8 7 4 2 K J

Fritz leads the J; king, ace, two. Your defense? (Fritz follows to A.)

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
E. Lead 8; if wins then Q	10	172	27
C. Lead the Q	8	138	22
D. Lead 8; if wins then A	6	61	10
B. Win A; lead 8	5	43	7
A. Win A; lead Q	3	136	21
F. Lead 8; if wins then 7	1	86	14

Oh, the pain. A simple spade lead and declarer would be eating dust, having to endplay you to escape for down one. Now Fritz is trying to give away the contract. Is Fritz void in spades? No, he’s void from the neck up. Oh well; what can you do about it?

South surely has the K and both minor-suit aces for his bid, plus the known Q, which gives him seven top tricks. Adding the K makes only eight, so the obvious defense is to shift to spades to establish your suit (Option A or C) while you still have clubs stopped. Careful! Where there’s eight, a skillful declarer can often produce nine with an endplay — and your club holding stands out like the wart on Fritz’s nose. Consider a likely layout:

3 NT	10 K 3 K Q J 9 5 Q 10 7 5 4
6 2 J 10 9 6 5 8 7 6 8 3 2		A Q J 9 8 3 A 8 7 4 2 K J
	K 7 5 4 Q 4 2 A 10 3 A 9 6

After the J lead (king, ace) suppose you lead the A and Q (Option A). Declarer will win and run diamonds to reach:

North leads	— 3 — Q 10 7 5
— 10 9 6 — 8 3		J 9 8 — — K J
	7 Q — A 9 6

Next a heart from dummy will force you to discard a spade, then declarer will exit with the 7 to endplay you in clubs. Ouch. It would not have helped to keep J 8-7 K-J as your last five cards, for then declarer could establish clubs directly.

Retaining the A and leading the Q immediately (Option C) would lead to a similar ending (one more card), so you have to be cool and not panic. Declarer’s ability to lead a heart to hand at the end was a crushing blow, so you must prevent this by leading a heart yourself. Suppose you lead the 8 (which declarer must duck) then shift to the A (Option D) and Q. Declarer will duck then win the third spade, cash the Q and lead diamonds to reach this three-card ending:

North leads	— — 9 Q 10
— 10 — 8 3		9 — — K J
	7 — — A 9

Your fears are realized once again. The last diamond squeezes you in the black suits, and declarer wins the rest. Oh my.

The good news is that you’re getting warm. After leading and winning the 8, the solution is to retain the A to prevent declarer from rectifying the count. Shift to the Q (Option E); and if it holds, the J* which declarer is obliged to win (else the A is the setting trick). Now the squeeze fails (two losers), and declarer can’t reach his hand after running diamonds to endplay you.

*Optionally, you could just exit with a red suit, since declarer lost his chance to win the K, and you can set the contract upon winning the K.

Curiously, the winning defense compensates for Fritz’s inane lead, restoring equity to the board. Declarer is down one, just as he would have been with a spade lead and proper play.

Second place goes to an immediate shift to the Q (Option C). This prevents declarer from rectifying the count for a squeeze but requires South to have only two clubs or Fritz to have the 7 (not singleton) or 6-x-x to avoid being endplayed. You may have to decide which to play for, but South’s diamond length should be the key. If he has four diamonds, play him for 4=3=4=2 and pitch only spades (keep both low hearts), since clubs cannot be established for lack of an entry. Otherwise, play Fritz for a spade entry and pitch both hearts and a middle spade (keep 3).

Third place is a virtual tie between leading the A then 8 (Option B) and vice versa (Option D). Either defense breaks up the throw-in possibility by removing dummy’s major-suit cards (declarer must lead a club after running diamonds) but allows declarer to rectify the count for a squeeze — unless he has only three spades. Some might argue that Fritz would never lead a heart with as many as three spades, but lunacy has no bounds; in fact, as Problems 5 and 6 will affirm, your bids seem to be ignored. As usual, the tie is broken by the voting.

Fifth place goes to leading the A and Q (Option A). This also requires South to have only three spades but further needs Fritz to have the 7. Declarer must win the K to have a chance, then on the diamond run you can discard two middle spades (keeping J-3) and a heart to foil any endplay.

Last and surely worst is to lead the 8 and 7 (Option F), which offers no hope to defeat the contract. Declarer can just establish clubs, since you are unable to take more than four tricks.

Comments for E. Lead 8; if wins then Q

Leif-Erik Stabell: This leaves no tempo for declarer to squeeze or endplay me.

Jim Munday: There are several traps to avoid: Cashing the A early will leave me susceptible to a black-suit squeeze, and leading the Q right away will leave me badly placed when declarer runs diamonds. The key is to kill the communication to declarer’s hand without rectifying the count. Declarer must duck a second heart (if he can), then the Q shift will finish his chances; if ducked, I will lead a middle spade. After running diamonds, declarer will have to lead a club from dummy, setting up my fifth trick.

Rainer Herrmann: Cutting declarer’s communication in the majors. [In the unlikely event] declarer is 3=3=5=2, he can succeed only if he has K-7-x.

Bruce Neill: Breaking squeeze threats, firstly by taking out heart communication, and secondly by keeping the A to prevent declarer from rectifying the count.

Perry Groot: Destroying the link with dummy, so I will not be squeezed on the run of diamonds.

Carsten Kofoed: Stripping off North’s “major equipment” gives me the tempo to destroy a squeeze.

Jerry Fink: Objective now is to prevent a strip-squeeze (being thrown in with a spade at the end to lead from K-J). First, I lead the 8 to cut declarer’s communication in hearts; then I establish spades so declarer cannot simply set up dummy’s clubs. Cashing the A at trick three would lead inevitably to a killing spade-club squeeze; hence, the Q.

Steve White: I must remove declarer’s heart entry to hand for a strip squeeze and avoid rectifying the count for a simple squeeze.

Tim DeLaney: Fritz’s heart lead seems crazy — and it is — but in fact has given away nothing if South has K-7-x-x Q-x-x A-x-x A-x-x. Declarer must duck when I return the 8, then the Q leaves him without resource (not the A, which sets the table for a black-suit squeeze).

Dean Pokorny: This sets declarer (with K-x-x-x-x Q-x-x A-x A-x-x) by preventing a throw-in against me. …

David Kenward: I want a line where Fritz doesn’t follow to the A. :)

Good point. If Fritz had any sense, he would revoke
on your spade leads. Might save his life!

Junyi Zhu: Only this can foil the impending black-suit squeeze or strip squeeze. South should have K-x-x-x Q-x-x A-x-x A-x-x, or similar.

Dale Freeman: I must take the heart and spade off dummy before declarer runs diamonds to stop an endplay; and I must not give up the A, lest declarer rectify the count to squeeze me in the black suits.

Sebastien Louveaux: First, I play a heart to avoid being strip-squeezed (declarer needs the Q as a late hand entry); then I retain the A to avoid rectifying the count.

Lajos Linczmayer: If South has K-7-x-x Q-x-x A-x-x A-x-x, this defense avoids a squeeze or a throw-in — and we get an average score.

Jonathan Mestel: You may not know that “Fritz” is quite a strong chess-playing computer program. You malign him here, yet he has clearly calculated that if declarer has the 10, a heart is the killing lead.*

*Good observation. I actually have Fritz 8.0 but lost interest in chess after it beat me every game. Grr… at least playing my son, I could win sometimes. Maybe that’s why I chose the name for “The House on Phantom Lane” (October 2003) — trying to get even. –RP

Douglas Dunn: If I just play hearts, declarer can set up clubs. If I only play spades, I can get squeezed in spades and clubs.

Dan Hohor: I need [to develop] five tricks and not be endplayed (if I lead only spades) or squeezed (if I cash the A early).

Charles Blair: Edgar Kaplan used to say, “Sorry, I should have opened and rebid hearts; then you would have led a spade.” …

John Reardon: Declarer must duck the 8, or it is easy. If I then cash the A, he will duck the next spade and squeeze me in the black suits. If instead I clear hearts, he can give up a club.

Gerald Cohen: Taking out declarer’s entry, so he can’t toss me in with a spade after the diamond run.

Bill Powell: This destroys the simple and strip squeezes — unless our friend overtakes the 8 and plays another heart.

N. Scott Cardell: With Fritz marked with J-10-9, South needs every other missing high card for his bidding. If his spades are as good as K-7-x, I am in mortal danger of being strip-squeezed; or if I win four tricks early, simple-squeezed. In order to avoid both Pisinoe and Aglaope, I must remove dummy’s major-suit cards and avoid cashing exactly four tricks. Fortunately, partner probably has J-10-9-x-x, which means declarer must duck the 8; then I lead the Q, and if that is ducked, the J… [Play described].

Franco Chiarugi: South is probably 4=3=3=3 with all the remaining honors, and partner should have J-10-9-x-x. Declarer cannot win the 8 (else contract is easily defeated), and this eliminates a safe exit from dummy after cashing diamonds. …

Terry Henry: Leading the 8 removes the late entry to declarer’s hand, as well as the danger of my being endplayed after the run of diamonds. Then the Q (followed by the J) prevents declarer from rectifying the count for a spade-club squeeze. To get any matchpoints here, we need to beat this…

Paulino Correa: Damn Fritz for not leading my suit! He’d better have six hearts or at least one diamond, but definitely not three spades — or I’ll break his head at the end. … The 8 return is in order; and if it wins, the Q; and if that wins, I’ll exit with the 7 and quietly wait for two more tricks. Of course, I realize that if declarer has K-7-x Q-x-x A-x-x-x-x A-x, he’ll win the K and all his red winners to squeeze and endplay me for the contract. …

Jon Greiman: I must win a [heart] trick first to avoid the endplay; then I can set up my spades, [queen first].

Manuel Paulo: Consider these possible South hands: K-x-x-x-(x) Q-x-x A-x-(x) A-x-x. Declarer must duck the 8;…then I must establish spades (else declarer can set up clubs) and retain the A (else I’ll be squeezed in the black suits).

John Lusky: If South has a hand like K-7-x-x Q-x-x A-10-x A-x-x, it is necessary to extract dummy’s major-suit cards and prevent declarer from rectifying the count for a regular black-suit squeeze. The strip squeeze fails because declarer must play a club himself after running diamonds.

David Grainger: The 8 must be played now, else declarer will have an entry to hand later to throw me in with a spade. If I cash the A at trick three, declarer will duck the next spade to rectify the count for a black-suit squeeze.

Julian Wightwick: A strip-squeeze looms. This defense removes dummy’s exit cards, so declarer will have to play a club after running diamonds. Cashing the A (Option D) leads to a simple black-suit squeeze after ducking the Q. Declarer can’t duck the Q with Option E, because I would switch, and the K would never score.

David Brooks: This ensures that I cannot be endplayed to lead a club.

Toby Kenney: Removing declarer’s entries to hand to prevent a squeeze throw-in. If I cash the A, I risk a positional squeeze in the black suits. This way, the count cannot be rectified.

Harry Elliott: Declarer has eight tricks counting the K, and a ninth may come from establishing clubs, endplaying me, or a black-suit squeeze. [Losing options explained]. This forces declarer to take the K (else lose his eighth trick); then cashing the Q and running diamonds reduces to a four-card ending, in which a club must be led from dummy…

Jonathan Brill: Partner cannot have an [entry] for his pass, so no use playing a third heart. Only question is which spade to play; the queen maintains control to stop any possibility of a squeeze…

Brad Theurer: I need to lead the 8 to disrupt transportation for a potential strip squeeze against me in the black suits, plus not rectify the count for a simple squeeze. If declarer wins the K, cashes the Q and runs diamonds, I can throw spades safely.

Roger Morton: Even Fritz must have five hearts for this lead! Declarer has to duck the second heart, then I must clear the spade on the table; otherwise I will get thrown in to lead from K-J at trick 12. If diamonds are 5-5 (allowing declarer to run the suit ending in hand), I will have to keep the 3 and hope Fritz has the 7 — and doesn’t pitch it… Top     Main

Problem 3

West Fritz Pass All Pass

North 1

East You Pass

South 1 1 NT

1 NT South	10 9 4 J 10 9 8 5 K 4 A 10 5
		K Q A 6 3 10 9 7 2 K J 9 8

Fritz leads the A; four, king, two; then continues with the 5; nine, queen, jack. Your next lead?

Lead	Award	Votes	Percent
J	10	80	13
K	8	84	13
10	7	224	35
2	6	161	25
3	2	76	12
A	1	11	2

Oh dear. No matter what you do, it seems you’ll always be a trick behind the field, as nobody in his right mind will lead the A — which of course says nothing to rule out Fritz. South is likely to have J-x-x, routinely unblocking to create an entry to dummy, as with four spades he would systemically rebid 1 ; and with a doubleton most experts would prefer a three-card heart raise, or Fritz might have bid with 6-4 shape.

The obvious defense is to shift to diamonds, which requires Fritz to have at least Q-8-x-x to be effective. Alas, this leaves South with all the remaining HCP to justify his opening ( J-x-x K-Q-x A-J-x Q-x-x-x), so hearts will establish immediately to give declarer eight tricks. And what will your score be? Close to zero, as everyone else in 1 NT will win seven tricks; and those in 2  can win only eight tricks. Destiny: doomed.

The best chance to salvage something after this catastrophic start is for Fritz to have the Q or Q. The latter is long shot, but the following layout is a reasonable chance:

1 NT	10 9 4 J 10 9 8 5 K 4 A 10 5
A 7 6 5 3 Q 4 8 6 5 3 7 6		K Q A 6 3 10 9 7 2 K J 9 8
	J 8 2 K 7 2 A Q J Q 4 3 2

Shifting to diamonds is futile, as declarer will develop hearts for eight easy tricks. If you can hold the contract to seven tricks, you will get some matchpoints, since 2  can be made against any defense. To do this, you must set up two club tricks before declarer can establish hearts. Therefore, you must shift to the J, forcing South to win the queen.* If declarer next leads the K, you must duck; then when Fritz wins the Q, a second club through dummy will establish the needed tricks. Minus 90 might even be above average, as some East-Wests will be minus 100 after buying the contract, perhaps in 2 .

*If South ducks the J (unlikely), you must abandon clubs; then Fritz can lead a second club upon winning the Q, netting two club tricks anyway.

Second place goes to leading the K, which works just as well if declarer wins the ace (likely); but he might see through your plan and duck, leaving no way to stop eight tricks.

Third place goes to the mundane diamond return. Between the 10 and 2, there’s little difference (either loses when South has A-J-8), so they’re ranked by the voting. On your luckiest day, you might catch Fritz with five diamonds plus the Q to defeat 1 NT (South having J-x-x K-x-x A-Q Q-x-x-x-x) — but don’t hold your breath.

Leading a heart is futile — unless trying to keep pace with Fritz, then the A stands out a mile. At least it would make declarer’s day to win nine tricks on the diagrammed deal, while others fail in 1 NT. Afterwards, Fritz will even shake your hand as he chortles, “We kept them out of game!”

In retrospect, I should have included the 8 as an option (certainly I could spare the A), as it is necessary to hold declarer to seven tricks when Fritz has Q-x. Despite the slim chance (I would open 1  with J-x-x K-Q-x A-Q-J x-x-x-x), this has the advantage of making the A lead inconsequential; i.e., seven tricks would be won with a low spade lead and a club shift. On second thought, I’m glad I didn’t include it to avoid a photo finish.

Comments for the J

Leif-Erik Stabell: At the table I would perhaps have chosen the 8, since Fritz may have indicated the Q with his (potentially) smallest spade. Also, if he has A-x-x-x-x x-x x-x-x-x Q-x, his crazy lead hasn’t cost anything, and minus 90 should be an excellent score. However, the 8 is not listed, so I settle for the J, hoping South has J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-J Q-x-x-x. This unfortunately means that a small spade would have defeated the contract trivially; but minus 90 still beats minus 110 (the most likely result in 2 ), and anything else gives declarer an easy overtrick.

Jim Munday: I guess Fritz thought the contract was 7 NT with that lead. He can have at most one queen left; and I hope it is the Q, which means he had no entry to his spades anyway, and I might salvage something. … If Fritz has Q-x, declarer will be hard-pressed to read the situation; he’ll almost certainly duck the first, and can’t safely duck the second, as Fritz could establish spades if he had the A. The  J also gains [if] Fritz has the Q [and x-x] as it sets up two club tricks. If I lead the K, declarer can duck.

Rainer Herrmann: If South has J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-x Q-x-x-x, only the J will hold declarer to seven tricks; while 2  is also on. (Declarer would duck the K.)

Bruce Neill: I must have missed the point on this one, as I’d be delighted to get back to average after the A lead; so I’d switch to the 8, playing declarer for J-x-x K-Q-x A-Q-J x-x-x-x. That holds declarer to the minimum seven tricks, the best we could do on any defense. Nearest option: J. Maybe declarer will win the second club, hoping to make eight tricks.

Perry Groot: Aiming for two spades, two hearts and two clubs, when South has J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-x Q-x-x-x.

Carsten Kofoed: This forces South to win the first club, so West can return a club when he wins the Q.

Mauri Saastamoinen: If declarer has Q-x-x-x,…and partner has an entry in hearts, we will score six tricks.

Neelotpal Sahai: One notrump is making, but this will probably restrict overtricks if partner has a high heart.

Debbie Cohen: I hope partner has the Q [or Q]. The J is better than the king in case [declarer ducks].

Steve White: The best chance to recover from Fritz’s disastrous lead is to hope declarer started with J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-J Q-x-x-x. If Fritz then cooperates by playing a second club when in with his Q, we can hold this to 1 NT, while opponents could make 2 .

Tim DeLaney: This time Fritz has pitched a trick, but all is not lost. If South has J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-J Q-x-x-x, I can surround the 10 and hold declarer to seven tricks, which will win a few matchpoints since opponents can make 2 .

Dean Pokorny: This is the only way to prevent an overtrick when South has J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-x Q-x-x-x, expecting partner to return a club when in with the Q.

Junyi Zhu: Trying to establish two clubs, together with two spades and two hearts, for six total tricks before declarer gets to eight. South may have J-x-x K-x-x A-Q-x Q-x-x-x.

Jonathan Mestel: Wild optimism leads me to hope Fritz will continue my suit. Then we’ll beat those defending 2 ; but not those defending 1 NT, alas.

Douglas Dunn: If declarer wins the Q, partner can play another club when he gets in. If declarer ducks the J, I will switch to a small heart.

John Auld: Hoping to recover, with partner having a heart entry to continue clubs. The J is better than the king, since declarer can’t [gain] by ducking with Q-x-x-x.

Franco Chiarugi: Fritz’s lead is really shocking; however, at some tables contracts may be 2  by West (one down) or 2  by North (making), so 1 NT just made could be a satisfactory result — and I can’t see anything better! South should have four clubs without any four-card major. Fritz cannot have anything better than A-x-x-x-x Q-x J-x-x-x x-x; he will take the lead only once, so his spades are useless. I need to develop two tricks in clubs before declarer develops hearts. …

Jon Greiman: Setting 1 NT is impossible now, but we can hold it to one by setting up two club tricks. If I lead the K, declarer can duck. Top     Main

Problem 4

West Fritz Pass Pass

North 1 3 NT

East You Pass All Pass

South 2 NT

3 NT South	J 4 3 A K Q J 8 J 5 10 7 2
		10 8 7 2 9 7 5 3 A 4 A J 8

Fritz leads the 10; ace, three, four. Declarer leads the J. Your defense?
(If you win A, South plays 2, Fritz 6.)

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
C. Win A; lead 5	10	122	19
B. Win A; lead 2	9	92	14
A. Win A; lead 8	8	75	12
D. Win A; lead J	7	170	27
E. Win A; lead 8	3	42	7
F. Duck (play 4)	2	135	21

What’s going on? Fritz seems to be playing for the wrong side, but his lead might have merit by giving away nothing and attacking declarer’s communication. South apparently has concealed a five-card diamond suit, common at matchpoints with a balanced hand and stoppers in the other suits. At least it’s reasonable to assume Fritz doesn’t have five diamonds, since he was eager to lead his five-card suit on Problem 2 — even after you bid spades twice.

First, it is surely right to take the J with your ace, else a trick would be lost on many layouts. Then what? Nothing really stands out, and anything could be right. South’s most likely shape is 3=2=5=3, although 2=2=5=4 is possible with a positional holding of A-Q or K-x. Declarer surely has a spade stopper, so a club shift is the only chance to run a suit. Perhaps Fritz has K-9-x-x, in which case leading the J will trap declarer’s queen; alas, this only produces three tricks with clubs blocked.*

*Declarer has to guess, of course, to cover the jack and not to play the 10 on the return; but this seems normal. Ducking the jack is only right if you led from A-J-9-x-x or K-J-9-x-x, which is contraindicated by Fritz’s short-suit lead. Putting up the 10 is only right if you led from J-9-x-(x), which is far-fetched.

South’s 2 NT response with five diamonds (presumed) strongly suggests good stoppers in the other suits, particularly spades, so consider a typical layout:

3 NT	J 4 3 A K Q J 8 J 5 10 7 2
K 9 6 10 2 10 8 7 6 K 5 4 3		10 8 7 2 9 7 5 3 A 4 A J 8
	A Q 5 6 4 K Q 9 3 2 Q 9 6

After the 10 lead to dummy and the J to your ace, it is apparent that a club shift is futile, as it gives declarer his ninth trick in clubs. What about a spade shift? Again, no problem, as declarer just ducks to establish his ninth trick in spades, while the defense can win only four tricks.

The killing defense is to lead another heart (Option C). That’s right; just return partner’s suit! Declarer is now obliged to run the heart suit immediately, and because of his precarious club holding, there is no legitimate way to succeed.* He will probably just bank on diamonds running, and go down routinely.

*Best chance, arguably double-dummy, is to cash all but one heart, pitching diamonds (West must pitch two clubs), then lead a spade to the queen. West must duck, which is indicated by declarer’s play, though perhaps out of Fritz’s league.

Second place is a close call between the black suits, however, a simulation showed an advantage for spades (in some cases by curbing overtricks, an important consideration at matchpoints). For example, if South has K-x-x x-x K-Q-x-x-x K-Q-x, three rounds of spades develops the setting trick while you still have the A. (Note that a heart return also works in a cruel way.) Between the 8 and 2, I see no compelling favorite*, so the voting decided.

*Leading the 8 is common practice to suggest nothing in the suit and discourage the return; however, in this case a spade return is probably desirable. Go figure.

A close fourth goes to the J; indeed, the first four places are scored as high as possible*, since they’re all good. Even assuming declarer guesses correctly in clubs, this beats the contract (as does a heart) when South has A-Q-x x-x K-Q-x-x-x Q-x-x, though you must be careful not to set up a squeeze against Fritz (three rounds of clubs and a spade switch is fatal). If South has A-Q x-x-x K-Q-x-x-x Q-x-x (Fritz led his singleton, LOL) only the J shift will defeat 3 NT.

*Per precedent, all choices are given unique awards (no exact ties) using whole numbers only.

Other choices are poor. Leading the 8 (Option E) gives away a trick when South has Q-x-x-(x), but it’s still better than ducking the J (Option F). Another dim prospect in ducking is that if partner wins the diamond, he is likely to shift to spades.

Comments for C. Win A; lead 5

Leif-Erik Stabell: This time Fritz might have hit the jackpot: K-x-x 10-x 10-x-x-x K-x-x-x is a live possibility, and South will squeeze himself if he takes his heart tricks. Well, when you lead a random card on every hand, this sort of thing has to happen sooner or later; but when South discards a diamond, perhaps Fritz will do the same.

Jim Munday: An odd lead; it suggests honors in short suits, but who knows with Fritz. I don’t have much to go on, but ducking the diamond can easily surrender a trick. I’ll give declarer something like A-Q-x x-x K-Q-9-x Q-x-x-x; then a second heart will force him to run his winners, and he’ll wind up squeezing himself.

Rainer Herrmann: Fritz’s lead makes it likely he has all the missing queens. If declarer has A-K-x x-x K-10-9-x K-x-x-x, only a heart return will hold him to nine tricks.

Ding-Hwa Hsieh: If declarer has A-Q-x x-x K-10-9-7-2 K-Q-x, this will hold him to three. Would South bid 2 NT or 2  over 1 ? Who knows, but it makes sense even for Fritz to lead a heart with 3=2=4=4. If Fritz is 3=2=5=3, for a club shift to be right, his diamonds have to be 10-9-8-7-6, with which I trust he would lead one. Right?

Bruce Neill: If South has A-Q-x x-x K-Q-9-x Q-x-x-x, I must remember to congratulate Fritz on his inspired lead.

Perry Groot: It seems strange to return the suit Fritz led, but the run of the hearts may squeeze South. Other leads may set up tricks for declarer.

Carsten Kofoed: Fritz has hit the killing lead! At least declarer will get no overtricks.

Mauri Saastamoinen: Too difficult! I do not want to guess what to lead next, so I’ll let declarer play all his hearts first.

Jerry Fink: Fritz got off to a killer this time. I’ll just follow his lead and force declarer to squeeze his hand to destruction.

Neelotpal Sahai: If South has K-Q (no 10), ducking will sell the contract. One idea is to win and attack clubs; the J is a good choice, but it won’t work when South has the 9 to go with his Q. A heart return may squeeze declarer…

Tim DeLaney: Fritz’s brilliant (?!) lead allows me to hold declarer to nine tricks — but only if I continue hearts. Ya gotta love matchpoints!

David Kenward: It looks like Fritz has found a good lead. I hope a heart back will restrict declarer’s options.

Junyi Zhu: Forcing declarer to cash his heart winners and inflict a suicide squeeze; South may have A-Q-x x-x K-Q-x-x Q-x-x-x. Even one round of clubs (leading J) may be damaging…

Dale Freeman: Maybe the Fritz defense is the killer? Maybe declarer will have to cash his hearts and squeeze himself? Ugh! Maybe I am getting Fritzitis, or maybe we need a quiz on opening leads to find out how many Fritzes are out there.

Sebastien Louveaux: Forcing declarer to cash his heart tricks now; if he has vulnerable black-suit holdings (like A-Q-x x-x K-Q-x-x Q-9-x-x), this will suicide-squeeze him.

Charles Blair: Always return partner’s suit! I hope declarer has more discarding problems than Fritz — at least I won’t have any.

John Auld: At matchpoints, I won’t risk helping declarer with a black-suit switch. This way, he has to discard early from hand and may go wrong.

Bill Powell: Perhaps declarer will have to cash his hearts inconveniently early.

Franco Chiarugi: Fritz does not have four spades, and not even A-K. South probably has five diamonds with a lateral entry (perhaps A-x-x x-x K-Q-x-x-x Q-x-x), and partner must have at least 10-x-x-x. Dummy’s hearts might squeeze partner,…but not if declarer has to cash them immediately; hence, a heart return… Any other exit may help declarer develop his ninth trick, while maintaining communication with dummy.

Paulino Correa: … If declarer has K-Q-x x-x K-Q-10-2 Q-9-x-x, he could have succeeded on the nice club distribution (with low probability); but leading the J is an understandable error. I must come up with the A at once not to give declarer a second chance, and lead a heart to cut communication…

Manuel Paulo: Good lead, Fritz! Consider this possible South hand: A-Q-x 6-4 K-Q-9-2 Q-x-x-x. If I duck, declarer leads the 5 and trots out nine tricks; so I win the ace and follow partner’s passive defense.

John Lusky: Since declarer did not want to run hearts right away, I should try to force him to do so… This will be awkward for him with a hand like K-Q-x x-x K-10-x-x K-Q-x-x.

David Grainger: If partner has good clubs [and no diamond stopper], I must play clubs; but if he has something in diamonds and spades, a heart now will force declarer to run the suit and could embarrass his hand.

Leonard Helfgott: So as not to create a ninth trick or remove declarer’s guesses.

Peter Gill: Fritz aimed to sever our communication, but he misfired and accidentally destroyed the timing of declarer’s access to dummy. My postmortem of praise is ready: Nice lead, partner!

Mark Chen: Forcing declarer to run hearts early and hoping he has discarding problems. Top     Main

Problem 5

West Fritz 5 All Pass

North 1 5

East You 2 Pass

South 4 6 *

*with Fritz on lead, why not?

6 South	A K 7 6 5 K 9 J 4 3 K Q 3
		Q 10 2 A 2 K Q 10 8 7 J 7 4

Fritz leads the A, ruffed with 5. South leads the 6 to the king. Your defense? (Fritz follows twice in hearts.)

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
D. Duck; win A; lead Q	10	106	17
E. Duck; win A; lead K	8	163	26
B. Win A; lead 2	7	73	11
F. Duck; win A; lead J	6	34	5
C. Win A; lead K	4	236	37
A. Win A; lead Q	2	24	4

Sigh. Maybe if you overcalled in clubs, Fritz would lead a diamond, but the butchery continues. As usual this month, starting with trick two, your role is like that of a deep-sea diver, trying to salvage something from a ship on the bottom of the ocean — with Fritz being the anchor.

Declarer should have a seven-card suit, which gives him 11 obvious winners (six hearts, two spades, two clubs and the A), and there seems to be two possible ways to develop a 12th: Set up the spade suit with a ruff*, or squeeze you in spades and diamonds. The first requires an outside entry to dummy, which can only be in the trump suit; so you must plan to kill that by winning the A and returning a heart (Option B) or ducking the first heart (Option D, E or F).

*Note that South does not require exactly two spades to establish the suit. Even with three or four spades, he can pitch a spade or two on dummy’s clubs then ruff a spade.

Many would argue that partner must be void in diamonds to lead the A, which suggests taking the first heart and leading the K (Option C). I agree — except when your partner is Fritz. The possibility of a diamond ruff, however, is not crucial because it only means a second undertrick; you will always defeat 6  when South is 1=7=5=0.

As far as squeeze defense, there is no problem if South is 2=7=4=0, since Fritz can guard the third round of spades (even with as little as 8-4-3). Even Fritz can be relied on to keep his spades, as his clubs are worthless after the lead; hence a spade pitch would surely be classified as “stupid.” Even so, this distribution seems unlikely, as it gives Fritz a singleton diamond, making his A lead even harder to believe — but in Fritzdom (Fritzdumb?) one learns to believe anything.

South is most likely to be 3=7=3=0, in which case the proper squeeze defense is subtle. Consider this layout:

6	A K 7 6 5 K 9 J 4 3 K Q 3
J 8 4 3 9 2 A 10 9 8 6 5 2		Q 10 2 A 2 K Q 10 8 7 J 7 4
	9 4 3 Q J 10 8 7 6 5 A 6 5 —

After the A lead, ruffed, and a heart to the king, suppose you duck then win the next heart* and lead the K. Not good enough. Declarer wins and runs all but one trump to reach the following ending:

*Assumption per problem options is that declarer continues hearts, which is clearly to his best advantage, as seen below.

South leads	A K — J 4 K Q
J 8 — 9 10 9 8		Q 10 2 — Q 10 J
	9 4 3 8 6 5 —

Declarer next crosses to the A and cashes K-Q, pitching diamonds, and you’re caught in a ruffout squeeze. If you pitch a spade, declarer cashes the K, and his 9 is good. If you pitch a diamond, one ruff establishes the J, with the K entry.

A crucial aspect of the above ending was having two spade entries to dummy, one to ruff a diamond (if East abandons diamonds) and one to reach the established J. Therefore, the winning defense is a spade return after taking the second heart. Any spade will do in the above layout, but the Q guards against South holding J-x (blocks the suit). If South has J-x-x, you are history no matter what you do.

Note that if declarer held A-9-x, he could succeed regardless. You must return a spade to break up the ruffout squeeze, but then cashing K-Q and crossing to the A results in a simple squeeze thanks to the 9 threat. In the diagrammed deal, declarer has no diamond threat behind East, provided Fritz holds on to his 9, which is the only suit he could possibly protect.

Second place is a virtual tie among Options B, E and F, any of which prevents declarer from establishing the spade suit but does nothing to prevent the ruffout squeeze. Rather than split hairs — though the idea has a certain appeal with Fritz across the table — awards are in voting order.

Winning the first heart and returning the Q (Option A) or the K (Option C) are worse, allowing declarer to succeed whenever he has two or more spades. Option C gets the edge for fifth place, because the diamond ruff (Fritz is void) nets a two-trick set.

Comments for D. Duck; win A; lead Q

Leif-Erik Stabell: South’s most likely hand is x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x —; but he might also have J-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x-x —. This defense is necessary in the first case, and sufficient in the second — provided Fritz hangs on to his three small spades.

Jim Munday: In self-defense, I will begin overcalling suits I don’t want led, thus increasing the chance of Fritz leading the suit I want. All is not lost if declarer has only seven hearts, as there are still only 11 tricks available. I must be careful to avoid being squeezed and not allow declarer to establish dummy’s spades… Ducking the first trick prevents the latter, as there is no reentry. Declarer’s likely pattern is 3=7=3=0 (even Fritz might have led a stiff diamond), which leaves me vulnerable to a trump squeeze. I must shift to a spade after winning the second heart, and I play the Q in case South has J-x; if he has J-x-x, I am toast.

Rainer Herrmann: If declarer has three spades, a ruffing squeeze threatens; so I duck then return a spade — the queen in case declarer has J-x… If he has J-x-x, there is no defense, though the Q return will make his life easy.

Jerry Fink: Even with Fritz’s help, declarer has only 11 tricks (two spades, six hearts, one diamond and two clubs). Danger is a trump squeeze (spades and diamonds) if South has 9-x-x, and I leave dummy with two late spade entries.

Neelotpal Sahai: Now that partner has given two free tricks and a squeeze opportunity to declarer, he better produce the J and 9. South’s likely distribution is 3=7=3=0. If I win the A, I have to return to trump (else declarer simply sets up spades), so it is important to duck; then I return a spade to break up the trump squeeze. … If South has the 9 instead of partner, there is a simple spade-diamond squeeze against me.

Debbie Cohen: This breaks up a possible trump squeeze if Fritz has the J, and is still safe if declarer has J-x.

Steve White: I must duck the heart, lest declarer set up spades with the 9 as an entry; and I must play a spade to break up a potential trump squeeze — the Q in case South has J-x. I hope even Fritz realizes it would be stupid to pitch a spade if he started with three spades, or to pitch a diamond if he started with only two spades. …

Dean Pokorny: The heart should be ducked to prevent the 9 from being an entry for long spades; and a spade should be returned to remove an entry for the trump squeeze declarer is preparing with x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x —.

David Kenward: This breaks up a spade-diamond ruffout squeeze, and still works if South has J-x.

Sebastien Louveaux: I need to play spades to break the impending ruffing squeeze, which needs two spade entries… Note that J-x will not help declarer if communication in hearts is broken.

Lajos Linczmayer: If South has x-x-x Q-J-10-9-8-7-6 A-x-x —, he has 11 top tricks, and a ruffing squeeze threatens.

Jonathan Mestel: Entries and squeezes. [Guarding against] South having x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x —; and still OK if he has J-x and A-x-x-x, which is perhaps a more likely 6  bid.

Douglas Dunn: Playing spades will break up a ruffing squeeze if South has three spades; and the Q [guards against] South having J-x.

John Reardon: I hope South has x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x —, in which case this is the only way to beat him.

Bineet Jha: If declarer has J-x-x, he can always succeed by playing all but one trump, keeping A-K J-x K-Q in dummy, J-x-x x x-x in hand. [Ruffout squeeze described]. Sacrificing my Q at trick three not only renders South’s J-x useless, but also removes an entry to dummy needed to reach the established diamond after the squeeze [when South has x-x-x].

Adrian Barna: Breaking the ruffout squeeze if South holds x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x —. A small spade return would work too, but not against J-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x-x —.

N. Scott Cardell: Declarer surely has the A and less than four spades; with eight hearts he has 12 easy tricks, so I assume seven. He could easily have x-x-x Q-J-10-8-x-x-x A-x-x — (his hearts could be useless in a spade contract), in which case only a spade lead breaks up the looming ruffout squeeze. I lead the Q to block the suit should South have J-x Q-J-10-8-x-x-x A-x-x-x —. Fortunately, I have Pavlicekian dispensation that Fritz won’t do anything “stupid” after his lead; so with nothing else of potential value in his hand, he will not discard a spade from three (even 8-x-x).

Thijs Veugen: Declarer may have x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-x-x —. If I don’t duck the heart, he will develop spades; still he can make on a [ruffout] squeeze, unless I return the Q.

Franco Chiarugi: … I have to play partner for J-x and attack communication to destroy the ruffing squeeze. Declarer can always win with J-x-x (3=7=3=0 shape)…

Paulino Correa: Beautiful lead. :( Now declarer [is cold] with x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-9-x —; [play variations described]. …I’ll have to hope Fritz has 9-x or three spades to be able to destroy the squeeze, and only this defense works in both situations.

Manuel Paulo: Consider this possible South hand: x-x-x Q-J-10-8-7-6-5 A-x-x —. I duck to deny an extra entry to dummy; then if I don’t lead a spade, I’ll be trump-squeezed in the pointed suits.

John Lusky: This stops declarer from setting up spades,…and stops the ruffing or crisscross squeeze if he has x-x-x.

David Grainger: Giving declarer seven hearts, this will take an entry away for the trump squeeze when he has three spades and three diamonds. If declarer has two spades and four diamonds, he has [no squeeze].

Peter Gill: Maintaining the symmetry of both of us leading our highest black card at the first opportunity. Would it be ethical for me to lead the 4 out of turn at trick one? Giving declarer five options to pick from must be better than having Fritz on lead. Will Fritz keep his spades? Because they look so small and useless, he’ll probably keep them. Such faith I have in partner.

Rob Wijman: This should cater for declarer holding J-x Q-J-10-8-7-x-x A-9-x-x —.

Roger Sun: I hope Fritz has J-x 9-x to destroy a ruffing squeeze; or at least 8-x-x [to stop a simple squeeze].

Jonathan Brill: Making sure Fritz keeps his spade stopper!

Sandy Barnes: I must avoid the diamond-spade [ruffout] squeeze.

Mark Chen: Playing South for x-x-x Q-J-10-x-x-x-x A-9-x —, I need to attack spade entries to dummy to prevent a possible spade-diamond [ruffout] squeeze. I lead the Q in case South has J-x. Top     Main

Problem 6

West Fritz 3 4

North Dbl 5

East You 1 Pass All Pass

South 3 Pass

5 South	A K Q 8 5 A J 8 J 10 9 J 2
		9 4 2 K 10 6 2 A 2 A K 8 4

Fritz leads the J. South discards 9-3 on A-K then leads the J. Your defense? (If you win A, Fritz plays K.)

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
B. Win A; lead 2	10	112	18
D. Win A; lead A	8	101	16
A. Win A; lead 9	7	10	2
E. Win A; lead 4	6	8	1
C. Win A; lead 2	4	41	6
F. Duck (play 2)	3	364	57

Last hand, and never could this be more appreciated, as the title of this contest begins to haunt. Having seen both your club tricks disappear with Fritz’s lead, you now face a crucial decision on the first trump: Grab it or duck smoothly. Instinct suggests the latter, especially with the note “If you win A, Fritz plays K”; but you must be fair and realize that information given is authorized only when it would be known in actual play.*

*This issue has arisen many times in the past, and I’ve always emphasized that these contests try to emulate conditions at the table; otherwise, they would have little practical benefit. Hence, you would not know Fritz has the K when the jack is led from dummy; but I had to tell you his play, since it may affect your next lead if you won the ace.

Suppose you follow the majority vote and duck the diamond (Option F) hoping partner might have the K (or the Q if declarer misguesses). This appears safe, as any heart tricks you have coming won’t go away. Or will they? Take a look:

5	A K Q 8 5 A J 8 J 10 9 J 2
J 10 7 6 3 Q 5 7 Q 10 7 6 5		9 4 2 K 10 6 2 A 2 A K 8 4
	— 9 7 4 3 K Q 8 6 5 4 3 9 3

Note that I gave South K-Q, as you’d expect from the 3 bid. (You already know Fritz is an idiot, so you can’t rely on his bids.) If you duck the J, you are history. Declarer will cash the Q (noting the 9 drop), ruff a club, cross to the A, ruff a club and exit with a diamond to put you on lead:

East leads	8 5 J 8 10 —
10 7 Q — Q 10		— K 10 6 — 8 4
	— 9 7 K Q 8 —

Your only hope is to lead a low heart, but this leaves Fritz endplayed (how fitting) when he wins the Q. Note that Fritz can’t lead a spade without establishing dummy’s 8.*

*If the 8 were insignificant ( 9 did not fall), declarer would have to play Fritz for 10-x. After cashing the Q, ruff a club, exit with a diamond, ruff the forced club return and lead a heart to the eight. In the actual case, odds favor playing for K-x or Q-x.

Therefore, the proper play is to win the A immediately. Seeing partner’s king drop would be a shock, but imagine the spectacle it creates for the kibitzers — three tricks dropped between Fritz on lead and your play. What a pair! OK, I do admit a little villainous fanfare in having Fritz play the K, but it seemed to fit the occasion perfectly.

Your next lead doesn’t matter in theory, but one card stands out a mile playing with Fritz: the 2 (Option B). Fritz must have the Q to set the contract; but if you lead anything else, he may fail to unblock the Q* on the first round, allowing declarer to play ace and another heart for an endplay.

Second place is a toss-up among Options A, D and E (spade or club return after winning the A), as each gives declarer the losing option to eliminate clubs and play Fritz for 10-x, thus allowing defeat even when Fritz fails to unblock. As usual, the tie is broken by the voting.

Fifth place goes to a diamond return (Option C), which forces declarer into the winning endplay, since he lacks the entries to ruff out clubs before leading a heart.

Sorry, but ducking the diamond (Option F) earns last place. No doubt many chose this answer based on the information that Fritz has the K, but such information is unauthorized when the J is led. Even if new to these contests, you should have realized that partner having the K is not a precondition, as that makes the problem silly. I know, you counter, “Like all of my problems.”

Comments for B. Win A; lead 2

Leif-Erik Stabell: Oh, you had the K, Fritz? Well, you must have the Q as well, and I better force you to put it up to prevent another accident. We could easily have had 500 here, but 50 is OK, since North must be Fritz’s cousin; he could have passed 3  and collected 500 in 4  doubled moments later.

Jim Munday: My first step is to check the back of the cards; did Fritz really bid 3 ? Without knowing the diamond position, ducking is an error, as it leaves me susceptible to an endplay when South has — x-x-x-x K-Q-x-x-x-x-x x-x. The  K is an unwelcome surprise. I see only two choices from here: Play a club in case declarer is playing a deceptive game with — Q-x-x Q-x-x-x-x-x-x 10-x-x; if he cashed three rounds of spades, I’d [routinely] duck the diamond as an [extra] chance to beat 5 , since there was no longer fear of an endplay. That would leave Fritz with J-10-x-x-x x-x-x K Q-x-x-x. Is that remotely possible? With an expert partner, that is what I would do. With Fritz, I must worry about him failing to unblock the Q, so I shift to a heart forcing him to play the queen with J-10-x-x-x Q-x K Q-10-x-x-x (a more likely hand on the bidding).

Rainer Herrmann: If Fritz has a red-suit honor, the contract can be defeated. Going up with the A (playing Fritz for the Q) to avoid an endplay is clearly right on frequency grounds. I return a heart to ensure that Fritz will unblock the Q.

Perry Groot: Ducking may lead to an endplay. Fritz must have the Q to have a chance for three tricks, and this makes it easy for him [to unblock].

Carsten Kofoed: If Fritz doesn’t have the Q (a little justification for his bidding), South will get his 11 tricks.

Mauri Saastamoinen: Yeah, that’s the right way to do it! First we blow two tricks by not cashing our clubs; then we crash our trump honors on the same trick. It is surely difficult to take a second trump trick with the 2; but if partner has Diana ( Q) lurking in his hand, this was the right defense. Sorry partner, but the coming King Charles ( K) was not enough.

Jerry Fink: Ducking the J will lose if South has 9-x-x-x K-Q-x-x-x-x (far more likely than Q-x-x-x Q-8-7-6-5-4-3), since either Fritz will be endplayed if he keeps the Q, or I will be endplayed if he unblocks it; [play described]. Too bad about the K; now I need to help Fritz get rid of that Q.

Neelotpal Sahai: Declarer’s likely shape is 0=4=7=2 (with three clubs he would have cashed another spade); if he has Q-x-x-x, he gets 11 tricks perforce. If partner has Q-x, he has to play the queen when declarer plays small toward dummy; otherwise he will get endplayed. This is too much of a risk with Fritz, so I win the A and return the 2 so he’ll play the Q (not stupid). Danger of an overtrick is not there.

Debbie Cohen: This forces Fritz to unblock with Q-x. …

Steve White: Beating this at all should be a good score, and the best [chance] is for Fritz to have the Q,…but I can’t risk having him play low when declarer leads a heart to the ace. So I win the A and play a heart; now it would be stupid not to play the queen.

Dale Freeman: If I duck the J and Fritz produces a low diamond as expected, declarer will [succeed by an endplay]. Therefore, up with the A (horrors to see K) then a low heart to Fritz’s queen. Anyone who makes these opening leads and is classified as an idiot would not unblock on his own [so I must force it]. Trick or treat?

Sebastien Louveaux: South is obviously 0=4=7=2. Ducking the J banks everything on partner having a diamond honor; else declarer can win the Q, A, strip clubs, and endplay me with the blank A. After hopping with the A, playing a heart is the best way to ensure partner unblocks his (now needed) Q to escape the endplay.

Lajos Linczmayer: Declarer must have both missing diamond honors (I can see A-J-10-9) and a doubleton club, so I’ll play him for — x-x-x-x K-Q-8-7-6-5-4 x-x. In this case the unlucky lead did not cause us any damage.

Do I detect some sympathy for Fritz? History confirms
only one unlucky event in his life: a live birth.

Jonathan Mestel: Third hand high is easier than second, and Fritz has already mastered fourth hand high in trumps.

Douglas Dunn: Fritz might not have the K or Q but is likely to hold Q-x. [If I duck the J], I could get thrown in after clubs are eliminated… Best to win the first diamond and exit in hearts.

Charles Blair: I start out hoping declarer has misguessed with — Q-x-x K-Q-8-x-x-x-x Q-x-x; but after [the K falls], I’ll protect against Fritz playing low with Q-x.

Gerald Cohen: Playing South for a swan (0=4=7=2) without the Q. Ducking works badly if South has K-Q (we’ll get endplayed).

Bineet Jha: From the play of the first two tricks, South seems to be 0=4=7=2. If he has the Q and K-Q [or K and guesses to rise], 11 tricks are assured. If I duck the diamond and partner has the Q, [endplay described]. After winning the A, leading the 2 prevents declarer from indulging in any endplay.

John Auld: Ducking often allows an endplay. As it goes, Fritz needs the Q, so I play a heart to help him [unblock].

Bill Powell: Not expecting Fritz to have a diamond picture, it seems he needs the Q to defeat this. Even so, it will be doubleton, so this avoids the possibility of an endplay.

N. Scott Cardell: Initially it looks like declarer has something like — x-x-x-x K-Q-x-x-x-x-x 9-3; and if I ducked, he would ruff a club, cross to the A, cash the Q, ruff another club and exit to the A, forcing an endplay. When the K drops (to my horror), I still need Fritz to hold the Q; so leading hearts will [force Fritz to unblock]. If South has the Q, my A play has Fritzed the hand; but returning a heart costs nothing, as I’ll still get my K.

Thijs Veugen: … This may help Fritz to play the Q soon.

John Lusky: Ducking the diamond would be fatal if partner has a small diamond and Q-x, as declarer could ruff a club, cross to the A, cash the other high spade, ruff a club and exit with a diamond. Having won the A, I clearly need partner to have the Q and play it on the first round of the suit; so I lead hearts myself to make sure he does.

Leonard Helfgott: Assuming partner will fail to unblock the Q if hearts are played by declarer, this [prevents] an endplay. Ducking the J also [results] in an endplay if South has K-Q. …

Ronald Kuip: Forcing Fritz to put up the Q to ensure two heart tricks when South has — x-x-x-x Q-x-x-x-x-x-x x-x. …

Julian Wightwick: Declarer is surely 0=4=7=2, so I need Fritz to have the Q or a diamond honor. If I duck and the J holds, declarer can cash the Q, ruff a club, win the A, ruff a club and get out with a diamond; a heart to Fritz’s queen then endplays him. Fritz having a diamond honor is at best 2/8, surely less because South might not preempt with only one honor. Fritz having the Q is at least 1/3, probably greater since Fritz could have passed 3 . Once my A drops the king, I still hope for Fritz to have the Q. One down should still be a good score, since we were not making 4 .

David Brooks: This ensures that Fritz plays the Q if he has it. If I knew Fritz had the K, ducking is correct; but it’s more likely he has Q-x, in which case I don’t want either of us endplayed.

Toby Kenney: If I duck and declarer has — 9-x-x-x K-Q-x-x-x-x-x 9-3, he can ruff a club, cross to the A, cash the Q, ruff another club and exit with a trump [for an endplay]. Once I’ve taken the A, everything should be OK as long as Fritz remembers to unblock the Q — returning a heart makes this easy for him.

Rob Wijman: Despite the hint, it is still tempting to choose Option F. :) Anyway, Fritz will now need the Q to beat this. Top     Main

Final Notes

Comments are selected only from those scoring 41 or higher (top 205) in this contest or in the previous Overall Top 100 and above average here. For each problem, I only included comments that support the winning defense. This might seem biased, but I feel it’s the most practical way to ensure solid content and to avoid potential embarrassment by publishing comments that are off the mark. Of all eligible comments, I included over 80 percent. Inclusion of a comment does not necessarily mean I agree with it, but generally they are all worthy. If you supplied comments that were not used, I thank you for the input.

Comments are quoted exactly, except for corrections in spelling and grammar. If I use only part of a comment, an ellipsis (…) shows where text was cut. In some cases I have inserted text [in brackets] to supply an omitted word or phrase, or to summarize a cut portion. Comments appear in the order of respondents’ rank, which is my only basis for sequencing.

I am confident that my lengthy study of these problems (combined with the input of your comments) has determined the best defensive plays in theory. Nonetheless, it is possible that I overlooked something. Anyone who wishes to debate the analyses, or feels there is a reason for a scoring adjustment, is welcome to e-mail me (richard@rpbridge.net).

I doubt you enjoyed the contest, but some days are like that. At least you will now be wary of playing with any pick-up partner. Warning: Fritz wears many disguises, so don’t rely on the name he might give you. Insist on a passport ID! And if your air conditioner ever goes on the fritz, hope it’s a two-ton unit. Thanks to all who entered, and especially those who offered kind remarks about my web site. This will be my last monthly contest for a while. Take care, and browse the old events to challenge yourself on those you missed. No matter what your October score, before you exit the chamber door, take a moment to explore. Words of wisdom? Nevermore!

John Galt: This’ll teach me to show up without a partner five minutes before game time!

Ben Bateson: This explains why the folks at the bridge club keep calling me Fritz.

Peter Gill: These hands must be from the 1964 European Championships held in St. MoFritz, Fritzerland, where Fritzi Gordon and Rixi Markus of Great Britain failed to win, because Fritzi played a match with a substitute when Rixi was sick. I have always wondered who the sub was in that big loss. Now I know!

Charles Blair: Bridge can be a great way to meet people. Matilda, meet Fritz.

J. Larry Miles: By the way, what is “gormless?”

Well, in this day and age, it accurately describes anyone who couldn’t look it up. Top     Main

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