Make them Guess

By Mark Horton

England’s Paul Hackett found a thoughtful defence on this deal from Round 3 of yesterday’s Swiss.

Board 23. Dealer South. All Vul.
	ª K 8 4 3 © J 5 2 ¨ 7 4 3 § A 9 4
ª 10 7 6 2 © Q 7 3 ¨ A K J § K Q 7		ª A J 5 © K 10 9 6 ¨ Q 9 8 6 5 2 § -
	ª Q 9 © A 8 4 ¨ 10 § J 10 8 6 5 3 2

West	North	East	South
	Hackett		De Botton
			Pass
1NT	Pass	2§*	Dble
2ª	Pass	3¨	Pass
3NT	Pass	5¨	All Pass

The opening lead of the jack of clubs was covered by the queen, ace and ruffed by declarer, who drew two rounds of trumps. Now she cashed a club, discarding a spade, ruffed a club, and having completed the partial elimination played ace and another spade.

Paul Hackett was careful to overtake his partner’s queen of spades with his king, even though it established a spade trick for declarer.

He exited with his trump, leaving declarer to divine the heart position, a task that proved to be a bridge too far.