ETCETERA: BRIDGE

Alan Hiron
Saturday 13 May 1995 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It was a great loss to the close-knit community of bridge columnists and writers when Hugh Kelsey died recently. Originally a teacher, he tried rubber planting and novel writing before finding his true metier as a bridge writer - authoring or co-authoring about 50 books. The deal featured below is taken from his "The Tough Game".

Set in a fictional Gold Cup final, you were originally shown only the South and East hands. East had opened One Diamond, West had responded One Spade and, after a spade preference, West had gone on to game.

North led the jack of hearts against Four Spades and, after two rounds of the suit had clarified the position, South had the problem of organising a fourth trick for the defence. The danger of playing passively (for example, exiting with a trump) lay in declarer being able to establish dummy's trumps intact. Nor would the ace and another club be sufficient for then declarer would be able to bring in his clubs and would not need the diamonds.

Have you got there? At trick 3 you must return a low club in the hope that partner can win and return a club. Now, whatever he tries, declarer is a trick short.

Game all; dealer North

North

] 9 5 4

_ J 10 9 7 2

+ 8 3

[ K 8 3

West East

] A K J 8 2 ] Q 10 3 _ Q 5 _ 8 4

+ 6 + A K J 10 7 5 4

[ Q J 10 9 5 [ 6

South

] 7 6

_ A K 6 3

+ Q 9 2

[ A 7 4 2

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in