Puzzle This

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IMPs

DLR:
South
VUL:
N-S
North
♠ A Q 3
♥ 6 5 2
♦ K J 10 9
♣ 7 6 5
South
♠ K J 9 8 7 6 2
♥ A Q 4
♦ —
♣ K 4 2
West North East South
1♠
Dbl 2♠ Pass 4♠
All Pass

Against your 4♠, West, who made a takeout double, leads the ♠4 as East follows. Can you guarantee your contract?

View Solution
Dlr:
Vul:
North
♠ A Q 3
♥ 6 5 2
♦ K J 10 9
♣ 7 6 5
West
♠ Q J 10 9 8
♥ K J 4 2
♦ J
♣ Q 9 8
East
♠ 7 5
♥ Q 8 7 6
♦ 10 6 2
♣ K J 10 2
South
♠ K J 9 8 7 6 2
♥ A Q 4
♦ —
♣ K 4 2

You start with eight tricks (seven spades and the ♥ A), so you need just two more. The double warns you, however, that the heart finesse likely isn’t working and that the ♣A is probably offside. What to do?

Dummy’s diamonds can be of use. Win the first trick in dummy and play the ♦ K, pitching a club from your hand. West wins the trick, but he can’t hurt you. A heart or a club return will give you a ninth trick, while a trump exit allows you to win in dummy and run the ♦ J, discarding a heart. When West wins this, dummy’s diamonds will be good.

How do you get to dummy at that point, you ask? With the ♠2 to dummy’s ♠3. You did remember to save the ♠2 at trick one, didn’t you?