This
deal is from the Tollemache final in February.
After
some rather optimistic bidding Tom Slater arrived in a small
slam. West started with the ace of clubs, which helped
declarer, but even so the contract was precarious. Tom
ruffed the club lead, ruffed a spade and played the king of
clubs pitching a diamond from dummy. Now another club
ruff, the ace of spades throwing a diamond, another spade ruff
and another club ruff left the position as:
Tom now played the spade queen from dummy, East threw a diamond (ruffing with the ace of hearts leads to the same endplay). Now the ten of hearts left East on play with the unenviable choice of leading from the diamond king or conceding a ruff and discard. Nicely played for the only realistic chance to make the slam. Thanks to Tom Slater for reporting this deal. |