26th October 2016


Another deal from the Cheadle Hulme Club Duplicate on 17th October.

Dealer South
S
AQ93
   
E-W Vul
H
872
   
    D AQJ8
   
    C A6
   
S
J8
    S
7652
H
AJ653
    H
Q9
D
3
    D
106542
C
Q9542
    C
103
    S
K104
   
    H
K104
   
    D
K97
   
    C
KJ87
   




South
West
North
East
1C Pass
1D Pass
1NT Pass
2D (1) Pass
3D Pass
3NT


(1) Game forcing checkback

After an unopposed auction South played in three notrump on the lead of the heart five to the queen and king.

Four rounds of diamonds followed by four rounds of spades put West under pressure.  She threw two low clubs followed by the three and six of hearts and finally, with reluctance, the heart jack.  Declarer now knew West's distribution exactly and was able to cash the club ace and throw West in with the heart ace to lead away from the club queen making twelve tricks for a top score.