Puzzle 7F37   Main

A Tale of Two Tens

by Richard Pavlicek

Looking at all four hands, can you make this 6 NT contract against any defense?

6 NT South None Vul	9 8 7 6 4 A K 7 9 8 7 6 5			West Pass Pass Pass Pass All Pass	North 2 3 4 5 NT	East Pass Pass Pass Pass	SOUTH 2 2 NT 3 4 6 NT
J 5 4 3 2 3 2 3 2 J 4 3 2			Q J 10 9 8 7 6 Q J 10 9 8 Q
Lead: 3	A K 10 A K Q 5 6 5 4 A K 10

You have nine top tricks and can establish two more in clubs for 11. Since East must protect both red suits, you may be able to squeeze him for a 12th trick. Well, can you?

Solution

A closer look reveals entry problems. West can duck the third club, forcing you to use a diamond entry; then, when West wins his club trick, a second diamond lead will remove a critical entry and kill the squeeze. Try it.

6 NT South	9 8 7 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	4		1 W	3	6	Q	A
	A K 7		2 S	A	2	5	Q
	9 8 7 6 5		3 S	10!	3	6	6
J 5 4 3 2		Q	4 S	10!	J	7	8
3 2		J 10 9 8 7 6	5 W	3	4	7	A
3 2		Q J 10 9 8	6 S	K	2	8	8
J 4 3 2		Q	7 S	4	2	K	9
	A K 10		8 N	9	10	5	4
	A K Q 5		9 N	7	?
	6 5 4		East is squeezed
Lead: 3	A K 10

To succeed, you must keep control in both black suits. Win the opening lead, cash the A and lead the club ten. If West takes this, the squeeze functions easily, so assume he ducks. Next lead the spade ten. If West takes this, you now have the 9 as your 11th trick; and East can be squeezed no matter what West returns.

If West ducks the 10 as well, you have an extra club and spade in the bag, so you no longer need a squeeze. Simply unblock the K, cross to dummy and establish clubs for your 12th trick.

Puzzle 7F37   Main

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© 2000 Richard Pavlicek