Peter Lund (aided by Mark Horton)

Board 26. Dealer East. All Vul.
	ª 7 4 © 5 3 ¨ K J 9 8 7 5 § A 9 3
ª 9 5 © A K 7 2 ¨ Q 6 3 § 10 7 4 2		ª J 10 8 3 2 © 9 8 ¨ 10 4 2 § K 6 5
	ª A K Q 6 © Q J 10 6 4 ¨ A § Q J 8

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1©
Pass	1NT	Pass	2ª
Pass	3¨	Pass	3NT
All Pass

The ”old” Danish top player Stig Werdelin, who made his debut in a European Championship more than 40 years ago, is still playing as in his young days – but may be a little slower. On this board he made one of the best technical play we have seen here in Menton: ”entry-shifting-endplay-squeeze” – or what is the name for this squeeze?
Maybe it’s a Stepping Stone?

Declarer won the opening lead of the two ofspades with dummy’s queen and played the queen of hearts. When that held he played the jack of hearts. West won and returned the nine of spades. Declarer won and played a heart to West’s seven. His club switch was taken by East’s king and declarer won the club return in hand.

Now Stig took a pause of at least five minutes trying to find a way to nine tricks – His left hand opponent said: ‘Give up – you have no chance,’ but Stig didn’t give up.
This was the ending:

	ª - © - ¨ K J 9 8 7 § A
ª - © A ¨ Q 6 3 § 10 7		ª J 10 8 © - ¨ 10 4 2 § 6
	ª A 6 © 10 6 ¨ A § Q

Stig took the ace of diamonds and then the ace of spades forced West to discard a club. Stig promptly discarded the ace of clubs! He cashed the club queen and then played a heart, forcing West to win and play a diamond.

There is away to defeat the contract, but it is not easy. West must win the queen of hearts and switch to a club. But East must withhold the king! When West regains the lead he plays a second club and declarer has no counter.