BRIDGE
Intra-finesse
Andrew Robson
GABRIEL CHAGAS is a Brazilian of diminutive stature, but he has been one of the most colourful characters in the world of bridge for over 30 years. Reputedly, he was responsible for popularising a hitherto little known technique known as the Intra- finesse'. This week's deal requires declarer to utilise this technique in order to suc- ceed.
Dealer North 4 9 8 4 V 9 6 • K Q 7 6 3 + K 10 2 South West 2NT pass pass pass 7 V A K Q
• 9 8 5 4 A 8 6
East-West Vulnerable 4
3
4 A Q 10 6 5 V 10 8 7 5 3
• J # J 7
4 East
1+
pass
N W E
4 K J 3 2 J 2 • A 10 2 4 0 9 5 The Bidding North 1V 3NT West led 48 in response to his partner's overcall, and East won 4A and, correctly seeing no future in 4s, found the excellent switch to *J. Declarer won •A, crossed to +A and led +3. He beat East's +J with +0, but West won +1‹. and cashed •KQ and 410 to defeat the contract. Can you see how declarer could have succeeded?
After winning *A, declarer must play V2 to 11Q and lead +3. When East follows with +7, declarer plays 49 (the intra- finesse). West wins 410, cashes •KQ and exits with *6 to dummy's *9. Declarer crosses to V.1 and leads +Q. Whether or not West covers with +K, East's 4J is pinned and declarer can pick up the remaining 4Is without loss. Contract made. To practice the technique, take one suit and distribute it as follows: North A92, East Q1076, South K843, West J5. To make three tricks as North-South, lead South's 3 to West's 5, North's 9 and East s 10. On regaining the lead cash North's ace, felling West's knave and lead the 2 to East's 7 and South's 8. South's king takes the fourth round of the suit.
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