M4OF IRA
BRIDGE
Expert work
Andrew Robson
ONE of the trademarks of the expert is his ability to make eights and nines work to his advantage. One such technique is the 'ultra-finesse', made famous by Gabriel Chagas, Brazil's top player for 30 years.
Dealer East Neither side vulnerable The Bidding South West North East — 1NT (12-14) Dble 2• Pass Pass 24 Pass 34 Pass 44 All Pass West led VQ against 44. South won VA and led a low 4, inserting dummy's 9 (an Intra-finesse'). East won 4J and played (PK and a third V which South ruffed. He crossed to dummy's 4K and led 4(:), 'pin- ning' West's 10; East actually covered 40 with 4K, but South could win 4A, cross to 47 and lead a • to the queen. He complet- ed a fine performance by leading ♦10 from his hand to East's lone ace, establishing • K as his tenth trick.
The inferences that led South to the cor- rect play were as follows: East-West have a total of 16 points; East must have between 12 and 14 (he opened 1NT); West's lead of VQ marks him with •J, leaving room for him to hold at most one more point. Therefore East has 4K and •A. West's 2• bid showed a five-card suit, leaving East with two •s. East showed a balanced hand (not more than one doubleton), ergo he must have at least three 4s. Two important conclusions emerge from this analysis: a normal play in 4s (cashing the ace then either leading low to the queen hoping West has 4K or ducking the second round completely playing East to have started with a doubleton king) is doomed to fail- ure; and just one • lead from dummy will yield the two • tricks necessary to fulfil the contract.
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