BRIDGE
Ill-judged
Andrew Robson
THERE IS a widely held belief that the best opening lead against a Grand Slam is a trump — on the theory that you want to lead as passively as possible and the oppo- nents' trumps will usually be solid. 'Usually' is not good enough, however, and these days most top players shy away from the trump lead. Great Britain's World Champion Junior team were the lucky recipients of an ill-judged trump lead from their semi-final opponents, Canada: Dealer North Both Sides Vulnerable
The Bidding South West North East
111 Pass 3* Pass 311 Pass 4* Pass 4NT Pass 5, Pass 7* All pass West's lead of his singleton trump squashed East's guarded jack, and the British declarer was able to draw trumps and cash dummy's five hearts. The two black aces brought his total to 13. In the other room, where Cana- da held the North-South cards, the contract was 6*. West found the good, attacking lead of +3 (it pays to lead aggressively against Small Slams — you need to establish a second defensive trick). Declarer rose with the ace, played *A and •K, discover- ing the unlucky break, and followed the IPA, K and Q. When East ruffed, declarer could overruff and draw East's last trump, but he had no entry to dummy and had to lose both black kings. He could have made it had he finessed 4Q when in dummy with the first heart honour; but what a difference that trump lead against 7* made!
The Andrew Robson Bridge Club (333 Ful- ham Road, SW10) is opening for teaching and playing. Do come to our open day on 11 September (11 a.m. – 11 p.m.). For more details ring Caroline Castleman on 0171 349 0512.
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