BRIDGE
Cool play
Susanna Gross
BRIDGE has undergone a distinct change of image over the past few years. Previously, when I told people it was my passion they gave me slightly pitying looks; now, they ask if I can recommend a good teacher. Well, I can: the man largely responsible for making the game hip, Andrew Robson.
As well as being a top international play- er (and of course, The Spectator's former columnist), Andrew has opened his own bridge club in Parson's Green, London. It's a friendly place, which has the feel of a fashionable singles' bar (indeed, Andrew met his wife Lorna there), and it offers not just lessons, but also rubber and duplicate bridge.
Last week, I played in a 'teams' match with one of the club's regulars, Harry Dal- meny, who is not only a talented player but probably the most genial partner I've ever had (he even blamed himself for my mis- takes).
I'm afraid we didn't win — we were clob- bered by Andrew Robson's team — but Harry ensured a respectable finish by find- ing the winning play on this deal: Dealer South Both sides vulnerable 4 J 7 6 2
✓ A 2 • A 7 5 3 2 + 7 5
4 10 8 ✓ QJ1073 • - • K J 9 4 3 2
N
W E
4 - ✓ K 9 8 6 5 4 ♦ J 10 9 8 • Q 10 8 4 A K Q 9 5 4 3 • - • K Q 6 4
+ A 6
The Bidding South West North East
14 pass 34 pass 4+" pass 4** pass 74 All pass * cue bid West led the VQ: at a glance, it seems natural to discard a losing club on dummy's VA. But, if you do that, you will end up with an unavoidable diamond loser. Harry, anticipating the 4-0 diamond split, realised the importance of discarding a diamond at trick one. He then drew trumps, cashed three rounds of diamonds and ruffed a fourth — and eventually discarded the +6 on dummy's fifth diamond to make the contract. Well played.
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