The Modern Hexathlon

The torch goes on! Keep your eyes on Athens this month and you’ll witness the Modern Hexathlon. This inaugural event for men and women combines traditional disciplines of track and field (javelin throw, long jump and marathon) with aquatics (backstroke, freestyle and high dive). In all aspects, a superb test of athletics and a treat for spectators. I know I’ll be glued to my TV set.

The Modern Hexathlon also relates well to bridge, as these six problems illustrate. Unfortunately there won’t be any bridge competition in Athens, because bridge is a winter sport — or so the World Bridge Federation tried to make us believe several years ago. For an insight see my February 2002 challenge Leading for the Gold.

Therefore, this challenge will be your only chance to ascend the Olympic podium. As South, simply choose your play from the choices listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (unless noted). Opponents use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In August 2004 these problems were presented as a contest with 871 entrants from 121 locations.

The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a 24K gold torch and five interlocking rings. Winners must be at least 18 years of age
and submit urine samples to PavCo Labs for testing. Greek citizens and foreigners are ineligible.

The opening ceremonies are over, so grab your javelin and head to the starting line.

Get a running start and aim for the distance!

Javelin Throw

IMPs	9 8			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	10 9 8 5 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A Q 9					Pass	2 NT
	7 5 3			Pass	3 1	Pass	3
				Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q		East plays 6		Pass
				1. Javelin transfer
	A J 10 2
	A J
	K J 10
3 NT South	A K 4 2

Your play?

A. Win first club, A, lead J
B. Win first club, lead J
C. Win first club, Q, run 9
D. Win second club, A, lead J
E. Win second club, lead J
F. Win second club, Q, run 9

Backstroke

IMPs	Q J			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A Q 10 5			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 6 4 2					1	1
	J 7 3			2	3	Pass	3
				Pass	4	Pass	3 1
Lead: Q		East plays 5		Pass	Pass	Pass
				1. backstroke (why go down in four?)
	A 10 9 7 5 4
	4 3
	K 8
3 South	5 4 2

After such a clever bid, how do you play?

A. Win A, run Q
B. Win K, finesse Q
C. Win K, finesse 10
D. Win K, A, run Q
E. Win K, A, ruff a diamond
F. Win K, lead a club

Long Jump

IMPs	K 6 4 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	—			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	K 7 3				1	Pass	6 1
	A 6 5 4 3 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q				1. well short of the record but a good first attempt
	A 9 7 5
	A K Q J 10 9 8
	Q 4
6 South	—

Your play?

A. Win A (pitch spade), lead 3
B. Win A (pitch spade), ruff a club
C. Win A (pitch diamond), lead 3
D. Win A (pitch diamond), ruff a club
E. Ruff first trick, draw trumps, lead Q
F. Ruff first trick, draw trumps, lead 4

Note: Trumps split 3-3.

Freestyle

IMPs	K 10 7 5			West	North	East	South
None vul	10 9 7 6			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	J 4 2					1	2 1
	A 2			3	Pass	4	4 2
				Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		East plays 9
				1. freestyle (Michaels is for wimps)
				2. hey, it’s my turn again
	J 9 8 6 3
	—
	8 7
4 × South	K 8 7 6 5 4

West next leads the 3 to East’s ace. Your play?

A. Ruff, run the 9
B. Ruff, lead spade to king
C. Ruff, win A-K, ruff club, lead K
D. Ruff, win A-K, ruff club, lead 10
E. Ruff, win A-K, ruff club, ruff heart
F. Pitch your last diamond

Note: If you lead clubs, West has Q-3.

High Dive

IMPs	7 3			West	North	East	South
None vul	A Q 7 4			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 7 4			1	Pass	1	Pass
	6 5 4 2			2	Pass	3	Pass
				4	Pass	Pass	5 1
Lead: K		East wins A		Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass
				1. reverse somersault with a half twist
	J
	10 3 2
	J 10 2
5 × South	A K 10 9 8 7

At trick two East leads the 6 (West plays 8) to the queen. Your play?

A. Ruff 7, win two trumps, duck a heart
B. Ruff 7, win two trumps, lead J
C. Ruff 7, win four trumps
D. Win two trumps, duck a heart
E. Win two trumps, lead J
F. Win four trumps

Note: West has a blank Q.

Marathon

IMPs	K Q 9 3			West	North	East	South
Both vul	10 4 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A K 6 2				1	1	1
	6 2			Pass	2	Pass	3
				Pass	3	Pass	3
Lead: J		East plays 7		Pass	3	Pass	4
				Pass	4	Pass	4
				Pass	4	Pass	5
	A 10 8 7 6			Pass	5	Pass	5
	A 8 5 2			Pass	5	Pass	5 NT
	3			Pass	6	Pass	6
6 South	A K 9			Pass	6	Pass	6

No play could ever justify the auction, but give it a go anyway:

A. Win A, A
B. Win A, K, A
C. Win A, K, A, ruff a diamond
D. Win A, K, A-K
E. Win A, A-K, ruff a diamond
F. Duck the first trick

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7X89 Main Analyses

Scores Top The Modern Hexathlon

© 2004 Richard Pavlicek