4. Charles Solomon |
Show Detail | In 1955 he found himself in this rather poor 6H contract. West led his spade in response to his partner's overcall, and defends perfectly thereafter. Charles made his contract single dummy; can you do the same double dummy? |
Show Answer |
Charles saw that he needed diamonds to be 3-3 and the CA with West. The problem is that playing small from KQ2 towards the J8 will not work since West will play the A. Playing a high card and West will allow it to hold. So Charles played the AKD and discarded the KQC. Now ruff a diamond and draw trumps. Now leading the 2 left West without recourse. If he took his A he must play a club next, since that is all he has left. If he ducks the the J is entry to the diamonds. Contract made. |
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3. The Whitfeld Six |
Show Detail | This is a six card ending where your task (South) is to make all the tricks. Spades are trumps and South has the lead. It was composed by a British mathematics professor W. H. Whitfeld. It was considered to be very difficult 120 years ago (and still is!)
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Show Answer |
Cash the CA and unblock the 8 from dummy. Ruff a heart in Dummy. Cash the last spade, discarding the DQ from hand. East can afford to discard the diamond. West, however, is caught in a triple squeeze. The club leaves partner open to the finesse. [2 spades, one diamond, 3 clubs] A diamond is immediately fatal. [2 spades, 2 diamonds, 2 clubs] So he throws the H7. Dummy's DA is now cashed and East is squeezed. A club gives South 3 tricks [2 spades, 1 diamond, 3 clubs] A heart promotes South's 5 [2spades, 1 heart, 1 diamond, 2 clubs]
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No. 2 |
Show Detail |
Having bid to the slam can you make it? You ruff the CA lead and ?
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Show Answer |
Cash the SA, unblocking the 10. Play to the SK Cash the HK and DA. Lead spade to the 9. Cash the SQ discarding the DQ. Cash the HA discarding the DK. Concede a trick to the DJ. Ruff the return. Claim.
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Cliff's Double Dummy Problem |
Show Detail |
Having backed yourself with the redouble you need to justify your confidence. Opening lead is the king of hearts. Just to make it easy Cliff has let you see all four hands. Isn't that nice of him......
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Show Answer |
Ruff the HK with dummy's 3 and underruff with the 2. Play the S4 and cover East's card. Cash the DAK. Cash CA and exit with the C5. East is forced to return a heart. Ruff with dummy's 6 and underruff with the 5 Play the D10 and follow with the 6. If East ruffs, overruff, draw trumps and cash the clubs (unblock the 8!) If East discards, discard club. Whatever East does you take the remainder of the tricks.
You are allowed to give East your best smirk.
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