DEFENSIVE PROBLEM #9

North dealer
East-West vulnerable

	NORTH (dummy) ♠ 7 3 ♥ K Q J 2 ♦ K ♣ K Q 10 9 7 6
WEST (you) ♠ A 5 4 ♥ 8 7 6 4 ♦ J 10 8 4 3 ♣ 5

SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
—	—	1 ♣	Pass
2 ♠	Pass	3 ♣	Pass
4 NT	Pass	5 ♣	Pass
5 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

You lead the five of clubs: six, three, ace. South continues with the king of spades.

Plan your defense.

Solution

	NORTH ♠ 7 3 ♥ K Q J 2 ♦ K ♣ K Q 10 9 7 6
WEST ♠ A 5 4 ♥ 8 7 6 4 ♦ J 10 8 4 3 ♣ 5		EAST ♠ 2 ♥ A 9 5 3 ♦ Q 9 7 6 5 2 ♣ 3 2
	SOUTH ♠ K Q J 10 9 8 6 ♥ 10 ♦ A ♣ A J 8 4

WAIT AND SEE. West's problem is to figure out whether to lead a heart or a diamond to get East on lead for the club ruff that will be the setting trick. With a surplus trump, West should duck the first spade lead. Then, on the second spade lead, East can give an unambiguous signal to indicate the suit West should lead. It is then easy for West to lead a heart and get the club ruff.

(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1963 National Intercollegiate Bridge Par-Deal Tournament by William S. Root and Lawrence Rosler.)

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