Source: IBPA Column Service
IMPs; Dealer South; All Vul
8 4
J 7 6
Q J 10 7 3
7 5 3
J 10 9 6
Q 9 8 3
A 9 5
Q 8
7 5 3 2
10 5 2
8 2
K 10 9 4
A K Q
A K 4
K 6 4
A J 6 2
West
North
East
South
2
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
Opening Lead J
West led the J after this straightforward auction. Declarer counted six top tricks. He saw that unless there were a singleton or doubleton A, he would make only two tricks in the diamond suit; otherwise the defender with the A would take it only on the third round of the suit.
So, declarer had only eight certain tricks. The one chance for a ninth trick outside of diamonds was in clubs. Any approach would do if clubs proved to break 3-3. Declarer saw that there was an extra chance available in the suit if he ducked a club at trick two.
East took the trick with the 9 and returned a spade to declarer’s A. Now declarer cashed the A and was please to see the Q fall on his left.
Declarer’s next move was to play the K, which was allowed to hold. A diamond to the Q won and declarer now led dummy’s remaining club towards his jack-six.
East rose with the K and declarer’s J was then his ninth trick.