BRIDGE

A chance to err

Andrew Robson

BRIDGE is being played by more and more young people — in schools, universi- ties and just socially among friends. A rela- tively new idea that has attracted many talented under-25 players from all over Europe is an annual Junior bridge camp.

This week's hand comes from the 1997 camp, held in Italy. It illustrates the theme that an opening lead that appears most favourable for declarer can give him a los- ing option, whereas a less advantageous opening lead forces him into a — less like- ly — winning line.

Dealer South Both vulnerable 44 2 4J 3 V J 8 7 4

♦ A Q 9 7 + 10 3 6 Q 6 5 • 10 5 3 • K Q J 7 4

4 K 8

♦ 10 9 ♦ J 8 +9 5 7 6 2 4 2 3 2 5

N

W E

S

4A

Q 109 A K • K

+A 8 6

South West North East 24 pass 3+ pass 64 pass pass pass After North showed a 'positive' hand any hand with between zero and seven points would reply 2NT to 24 — South felt justified in leaping to slam. West led 410 and declarer saw that he could discard 4K on ♦Q. He won 4A, carefully cashed 4A to maximise his chances of losing only one 4 trick, and followed with IPA and ♦K. He then led a second +, planning to win in dummy, discard •K on ♦Q and lead a 4. A good plan, but West trumped the second 4 and promptly cashed 4A. East subse- quently made 4K and the contract was two down. Had West led *A, declarer would have had to play trumps by finessing East for 4K. He would trump the second •, cross to +J and lead a 4 to 4Q. Assuming both opponents play low he would then shut his eyes and table 4A. With 4K and 4J both falling the contract would be his.

The final twist is that, even on *A lead, an alert West can give declarer a losing option — can you see how? When declarer leads a 4 to his 4Q, West must drop 4J. Might not declarer try to cross to a second to repeat the 4 finesse . . . ?