Challenge 7X25 Main Analyses

Delusions of Grandeur

by Richard Pavlicek

Welcome to the Grand Canyon! It took Mother Nature millions of years to carve the natural wonder in Arizona, but this version took less than a month. Floridians work much faster, and our canyons are proof of this. But no matter where you live, you are cordially invited to this grand opening.

You are playing in the finals of the Grand National Pairs and, incredibly, bid a grand slam on each of the first six boards. Talk about needing to take some tricks! See if you have what it takes to win in grand style.

In April of 2003 these six problems were presented as a contest, which had 732 entrants from 101 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. As South simply choose your play from options A-F. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (except as noted) and your opponents use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

Be sure to have a grand old time! And who knows? You might even win a valuable prize.*

*Grand prize is a concert grand piano, handcrafted in mahogany by Steinway and Sons (or PavCo and Son). Runners-up receive
a trip to Grand Coolee Dam — damn, that’s cool! Winners must be at least 50 years old with living great-grandparents.

Oh, and one final tip: Don’t worry about overtricks!

Problem 1

Matchpoints None Vul	K Q 7 3 2 A 7 3 2 A 8 6 4		`West` Pass Pass Pass All Pass	`NORTH` 1 1 3 5	`East` Pass Pass Pass Pass	`South` 1 2 4 NT 7
Lead: 10		East plays 3
7 South	A 5 4 A K Q J 4 4 K Q J 10

You win the J and cash the K, ready to claim. Oops! East pitches the 6. What next?
A. Win K-Q
B. Win K, A
C. Win K, A, A
D. Ruff heart, win K, A, A
E. Ruff heart, win A, A
F. Win A, A

Problem 2

Matchpoints N-S Vul	A 8 6 4 2 A J 9 2 A J 8 2 —		`West` 2 NT Pass All Pass	North 4 ¹ 5	`EAST` Pass Pass Pass	South 1 4 NT 7
Lead: Q		East plays 4
7 South	K Q 9 5 3 K 8 4 A K 7 5 2		1. splinter bid

Your play?
A. Ruff club, win K
B. Ruff club, win A, ruff diamond
C. Pitch heart (win A), K
D. Pitch heart (win A), A, ruff diamond
E. Pitch diamond (win A), K
F. Pitch diamond (win A), A, ruff diamond

Problem 3

Matchpoints E-W Vul	— A 7 5 2 K J 10 9 8 7 5 3 2		West Dbl Pass	`North` 5 7	East 6 Dbl	`SOUTH` 3 Pass All Pass
Lead: K		East plays 3
7 × South	7 4 Q J 3 A Q 7 6 5 4 2 10

You can’t make this of course (goal is to go down only one). You ruff and lead a club.
East wins the A and leads the 3 won in dummy (West pitches a club). Next?
A. Win the A
B. Lead the 2
C. Ruff club, ruff spade, run trumps
D. Ruff club, spade, club, run trumps
E. Ruff out all black cards
F. Ruff club, run the J

Problem 4

Matchpoints Both Vul	A 9 7 6 A K Q A 8 4 A 6 2		WEST 3 Pass Pass	North Dbl 5 7	East Pass Pass All Pass	South 4 6
Lead: Q		East plays 3
7 South	K 5 4 J 10 9 8 6 4 K 5 K J

Partner almost fell out of his chair when you jumped twice. Your play?
A. Win A, A-K-Q, K
B. Win A, A-K-Q, K
C. Win A, A-K-Q, finesse J
D. Win K, A-K-Q, A, K
E. Win K, A-K-Q, K
F. Win K, A-K-Q, K

Note: West is void in hearts.

Problem 5

Matchpoints N-S Vul	A J 9 A 10 A K Q 5 K Q 9 2	`West` Pass All Pass	NORTH 2 4 NT	`East` Pass Pass	South 2 NT 7 NT
Lead: 4
7 NT South	K 7 K Q J 9 4 3 2 A 10 4 3

If you play the 9 or J, East covers cheaply. Your play?
A. Win A, run hearts
B. Win A, A-K-Q, run hearts
C. Win K, A, run hearts
D. Win K, run hearts
E. Win K, A-K-Q, run hearts
F. Win K, A-K-Q, A, run hearts

Problem 6

Matchpoints E-W Vul	Q J A 9 7 5 K 3 2 A Q 6 2		West Pass Pass Pass Pass All Pass	`North` 2 NT 4 4 5 NT	EAST Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	`South` 1 3 4 5 7
Lead: J		East plays 6
7 South	A K 8 6 5 4 Q 6 4 A K 10 4

You lead a spade to queen (both follow low) then the J on which East plays the 10. Your play?
A. Overtake with K
B. Win J, A, K, K
C. Win J, A, K
D. Win J, K, ruff diamond
E. Win J, ruff diamond
F. Win J, K

Click to see how you did

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