Source: IBPA Column Service FEB. 2020
Tim Bourke
Tim Bourke
**Source: wikipedia. Tim Bourke “is an Australian bridge player and writer. His joint project with Justin Corfield “the Art of Declarer Play” won the International Bridge Press Book of the Year award in 2014. IMPs Dealer South. Both Vul
8 4 2 4 2 K Q 8 6 5 4 8 5
A K A K Q J 7 2 K J 10 9 4
West North East South
2NT
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Pass
West led J. Declarer took this with the queen of hearts and led a low diamond towards dummy – his plan was to play two rounds of diamonds then shift to clubs. This would have succeeded as long as diamonds were no worse than 3-1. However, West threw a low club instead of following suit and this plan was dead. East took the king of diamonds with the ace and continued with a heart. Declarer won with his ace then crossed to dummy with a diamond to the queen to lead a club to his jack. West took this with the queen and played a third heart. After winning this with the king of hearts, declarer played a low club, hoping that hearts were 5=3 and East had the ace of clubs. Alas, West rose with the ace of clubs and cashed his two established heart winners to defeat the contract. “What bad luck,” said South! “The diamonds were 4-0 and West had both five hearts and the ace-queen of clubs.” “Luck had nothing to do with the outcome,” proffered a disappointed North. “All you had to do was lead the jack of diamonds at trick two. If East had taken his ace, you could have won the major-suit return and ducked a diamond: you would have made five tricks in the majors and four in diamonds. Alternatively, if East had withheld the ace of diamonds, you could have guaranteed the contract by leading a low club: you’d have made five tricks in the majors, a diamond and three clubs.” The complete deal:
8 4 2 4 2 K Q 8 6 5 4 8 5
Q 7 5 3 J 10 9 8 6 — A Q 7 3 J 10 9 6 7 5 3 A 10 9 3 6 2
A K A K Q J 7 2 K J 10 9 4

 Don’t forget to follow us @

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR