Bookworm Bridge Conundrums #19

This conundrum was written by Julian Pottage and was originally published in the book Defend or Declare - you can find out all about it further down the page.

Opening Lead: K

At the table declarer called for the ace. East ruffed and switched to the J, covered all around. Declarer drew trumps and, needing the double finesse against the ♠QJ to work, ran the ♠9. The slam was thus three down: the losers were a ruff, a spade and two diamonds.

‘Why did you cover the first heart?’ North asked. ‘Surely you know from the bidding that the suit is 7-0.’ ‘I did think of that,’ South replied. ‘I was expecting the K to be the other side — vacant spaces and all that — and so did not want to leave West on lead.’

Would ducking the first heart have landed the slam?

About the book

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An unusual problem format, it gave the reader all four hands and challenged them to analyze the deal and decide whether they wanted to play or defend. This sequel comprises 72 problems, presented in the same unique fashion, and will appeal to the same readership.

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