Challenge 8Y73 Main Analyses

Nevermore

by Richard Pavlicek

Once upon a midnight Drury, sitting East distraught with fury
O’er many a quaint and curious lead, deserving of a minus score.
As I nodded nearly napping, trumps he leads instead of tapping.
Then it happened to my horror, suits I bid he leads no more.
Is he void? I pondered truly. If not my suit, cerebral core?
Only this, and nothing more.

Ah, distinctly I remember, a brainless West I could dismember
As each dreadful opening lead, sent grief no one could e’er ignore.
Eagerly I wished the morrow. Take me from this pain and sorrow!
Then the moron started clapping, laughing, dancing on the floor.
“Tis bridge in Hell!” I shouted madly, racing to the chamber door.
Fritzed again, but nevermore!

Welcome! You’re just in time for the good news! Alas, and some bad news.

The good news: If you play just six boards, your partner will cherish you forever.
The bad news: Your partner is Fritz, and even worse, he’s on lead!

Try to salvage what you can after Fritz makes a horrible opening lead. As East, choose your defense from the six options listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard unless noted. For a reference see Standard American Bridge.
Assume declarer is an expert. Fritz is a moron but assume he won’t do anything stupid after his opening lead.

In October 2007 these six problems were presented as a contest with 636 entrants from 109 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might win a valuable prize.*

*First prize is a one-week stay with Fritz at the Raven Inn. Second prize is two weeks. Third, three weeks.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age and gormless. Offer void where permitted by law.

Warning! What you are about to witness is disturbing and not for the faint of heart.

If you’re a pregnant mother or have a cardiac condition, leave now!

Problem 1

Matchpoints	Q 9 8 6		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A 8 7		Fritz	Dummy	You	Declarer
	10 2			Pass	Pass	1
	K 10 7 2		Pass	2 ¹	Pass	2 ²
		K 10 4	Dbl	2	3	Pass
Lead: 2		J 9 5 2	Pass	3	All Pass
Lead: 2		J 6 5
3 South		A Q J	1. midnight Drury
			2. light opening

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W 2 9 10 J
2. S 4 5 K A

Your next lead? 4 J 2 J 5 Q

Problem 2

Matchpoints	10		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	K 3		Fritz	Dummy	You	Declarer
	K Q J 9 5				1	Pass
	Q 10 7 5 4		Pass	2	2	3 NT
		A Q J 9 8 3	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: J		A 8 7
Lead: J		4 2
3 NT South		K J

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W J K A 2

Your defense?

A. Win A, lead Q
B. Win A, lead 8
C. Lead the Q
D. Lead 8, if wins then A
E. Lead 8, if wins then Q
F. Lead 8, if wins then 7

Note: If you lead a spade, Fritz follows with the 2.

Problem 3

Matchpoints	10 9 4		West	`North`	East	`South`
E-W vul	J 10 9 8 5		Fritz	Dummy	You	Declarer
	K 4					1
	A 10 5		Pass	1	Pass	1 NT
		K Q	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: A		A 6 3
Lead: A		10 9 7 2
1 NT South		K J 9 8

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W A 4 K 2
2. W 5 9 Q J

Your next lead? A 3 10 2 K J

Problem 4

Matchpoints	J 4 3		West	North	East	South
Both vul	A K Q J 8		Fritz	Dummy	You	Declarer
	J 5		Pass	1	Pass	2 NT
	10 7 2		Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
		10 8 7 2	Pass
Lead: 10		9 7 5 3
Lead: 10		A 4
3 NT South		A J 8

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W 10 A 3 4
2. N J ?

For once, Fritz doesn’t lose a trick with his lead! Your defense?

A. Win A, lead 8
B. Win A, lead 2
C. Win A, lead 5
D. Win A, lead J
E. Win A, lead 8
F. Duck (play 4)

Note: If you win the A, South plays the 2, Fritz the 6.

Problem 5

Matchpoints	A K 7 6 5		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	K 9		Fritz	Dummy	You	Declarer
	J 4 3			1	2	4
	K Q 3		5	5	Pass	6 ¹
		Q 10 2	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: A		A 2
Lead: A		K Q 10 8 7	1. with Fritz on lead, why not?
6 South		J 7 4

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W A 3 4 5
2. S 6 3 K ?

Your defense?

A. Win A, lead Q
B. Win A, lead 2
C. Win A, lead K
D. Duck, win A, lead Q
E. Duck, win A, lead K
F. Duck, win A, lead J

Note: Fritz follows twice in hearts.

Problem 6

Matchpoints	A K Q 8 5		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A J 8		Fritz	Dummy	You	Declarer
	J 10 9				1	3
	J 2		3	Dbl	Pass	Pass
		9 4 2	4	5	Pass	Pass
Lead: J		K 10 6 2	Pass
Lead: J		A 2
5 South		A K 8 4

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W J A 2 3
2. N K 4 9 3
3. N J ?

Your defense?

A. Win A, lead 9
B. Win A, lead 2
C. Win A, lead 2
D. Win A, lead A
E. Win A, lead 4
F. Duck (play 2)

Note: If you win the A, Fritz plays the K.

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8Y73 Main Analyses Scores Top Nevermore