Bobby WolffWikipedia: Robert S. (Bobby) Wolff(born October 14, 1932, San Antonio, Texas) is an American bridge player, writer, and administrator. He is the only person to win world championships in five different categories.
Wolff was an original member of the Dallas Aces team, which was formed in 1968 to compete against the Italian Blue Team which was dominant at the time. The Aces were successful and won their first world championship in 1970. Wolff has won 11 world championships, over 30 North American championships, and was the president of World Bridge Federation (WBF) 1992–1994, and served as president of American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) 1987. He is the author of a tell-all on bridge chronicling 60 years on the scene, entitled The Lone Wolff, published by Master Point Press. His column, The Aces on Bridge has been appearing daily for over 32 years, is syndicated by United Feature Syndicate in more than 130 newspapers worldwide and is available online two weeks in arrears.
IMPs Dealer South. Both Vul
A J 10
7 3 2
8 6 5
A K 7 6
9 8 4 3 2
K 5
A 3
Q 10 5 4
West
North
East
South
1
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3NT
End
“A man whose leg has been cut off does not value a present of shoes” _ Chinese proverb.
Opening lead6. East won with hisK and returned the5 to West’s ace. West then led the4 to clear the suit and East had to discard.
What should it be?
When West’s third heart cleared the suit, East made a starling play.
“I have a gift for you,” East told South as he discarded theA. “Perhaps it will make it easier for you to develop your suit”, he added, tongue fully cheek.
What would have happened had East held on to hisA? South would have had an easy time. He would have crossed to dummy twice to lead toward his diamond honors, and the defenders would have taken only their three top tricks.
What did happen after East´s timely jettison of theA? South could no longer make the game. He played his top diamonds, hoping to drop a doubleton jack with West. When this failed, his maximum take was only eight tricks. West scored hisJ to go with four heart winners, and instead of making an overtrick, South was one down because fo East’s generosity.
wikipedia Deschapelles Coup:
The Deschapelles coup is the lead of an unsupported honor to create an entry in partner’s hand; often confused with the Merrimac coup, the lead of an unsupported honor to kill an entry in an opponent’s hand. This sacrificial play was invented by Alexandre Deschapelles, a 19th-century French chess and whist player.
A J 10
7 3 2
8 6 5
A K 7 6
