Bridge

Today’s deal, from the round robin of the world championships held in Tunisia seven years ago, sees a very nice individual effort by the Canadian declarer, Paul Thurston. At the time, Canada was struggling to reach a qualifying spot, and indeed they eventually finished out of contention. However, Thurston demonstrated excellent technique against Chile on this hand.

Thurston had reached five diamonds as South after East had pre-empted in clubs, and was thus treated to the lead of the club queen, which gave nothing away. Even though trumps split, the 4-2 spade break makes it look as if South has a top club loser and two hearts that cannot be discarded, does it not?

Well, Thurston took the lead of the club queen with dummy’s ace and carefully played only one high trump from his hand, then cashed both of dummy’s top spades and ruffed a spade high. Now came a second trump to dummy, and the fourth spade.

When East pitched a club, Thurston made the key play when he also discarded a club from hand. West had to take this trick — and what was he to do now? Down to all hearts, West did the best he could by leading a low heart, allowing Thurston’s king to score. But Thurston could cross to dummy’s diamond 10 and take the fifth spade, discarding his last club. Now he could lead a heart, conceding that trick , but ruffing his third heart in dummy to make his contract.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: Pass; you have done enough. Partner’s auction suggests only two trumps and either less than a 10-count or a really unsuitable hand with three trumps. Either way, you are not ensured of making even two spades. Bidding on would overstate your values considerably.