23rd June 2021


Dealer North
S
K105
   
N-S Vul
H
102
   
    D A32
   
    C A10765
   
S
8764
    S
932
H
KJ9865
    H
Q7
D
QJ
    D
K876
C
8
    C
QJ94
    S
AQJ
   
    H
A43
   
    D
10954
   
    C
K32
   

South
West
North
East


Pass
Pass
1C 2H Double  Pass
2NT Pass 3NT All Pass




Another deal from the Lancashire league.  In both rooms South played three notrump after West had overcalled in hearts.
Clearly a heart lead beats the contract easily but in both rooms declarer was relieved to receive the seven of spades lead.
Both declarers reasonably played immediately on clubs, but when clubs broke 4-1 were one off for a flat board.
The interest in the deal is that South can make the contract double dummy on a spade lead.
Can you work out how?

Solution


South wins the spade lead in hand and plays ace and another diamond ducking in hand.  On a heart switch declarer ducks once and wins the continuation.
He now drives out the king of diamonds and wins the diamond or spade return, then gets to dummy with the king of spades if necessary and leads the ten of clubs (key play) which East must cover.  Declarer eliminates the spades and diamonds to reach the following end position.


Dealer North
S

   
N-S Vul
H

   
    D
   
    C A76
   
S
8
    S

H
KJ
    H

D

    D

C

    C
Q94
    S

   
    H
4
   
    D

   
    C
32
   



Now a club to the seven endplays East to give declarer the last two tricks.