It's a Knockout!

103 teams lined up for the 2024 Soloway Knockout Teams, two days of Swiss reducing the field to the thirty-two that would contest day long matches. Unsurprisingly there were some major casualties, with many world champions failing to survive.

Here are some instructive deals from the event:

Many contracts can founder on the rocks of a trump promotion by the defense. Look at this one from the round of 32 match between Dinkin and Lall:

Dealer East. None Vul.

In both rooms North became the declarer in 4♠ and East led a heart, Nilsson the ♥7, Rosenberg the ♥2. Both West’s won with the ♥K and continued with a heart which allowed declarer to win in dummy. Moss played a spade to the king and ducked a spade for +420 while Feldman took the ruffing finesse in diamonds disposing of the ♣3, subsequently getting back to hand with a heart and playing trumps in a similar fashion for a flat board.

If West switched to a low club at trick two and declarer takes dummy’s ace, East must deposit the king under it. Then West can win the first spade and play two rounds of clubs, promoting the ♠J into the setting trick.

Some players are mystified by the concept of squeeze play. However, sometimes it requires little more than running a long suit and watching the discards. This hand is from the round of 16:

Dealer East. All Vul.

Open Room

On the other room NS had stopped in 3NT, so there was sure to be a swing.

East led the ♦Q and declarer won with the ♦A, cashed the ♠10 and played a heart for the king and ace. West returned the ♦3 and declarer won, crossed to the ♣A and cashed five spades, squeezing West in the red suits. She was forced to hold on to the ♦8 so declarer took the last three tricks via the heart finesse, +1440.

If West returns a heart at trick four declarer plays the ♥10, cashes the ♥Q, goes to dummy with the ♣A and runs the clubs, squeezing West in the red suits.

When you have a hand with extreme distribution, it can be difficult to convey its potential to your partner. Look at this deal from the quarterfinals:

Dealer South. None Vul.

Open Room

North led the ♥A and declarer claimed twelve tricks, +420.

The au pair wondered if bidding 4NT over 4♥ would show some interest, despite the lack of aces.

Closed Room

There’s an auction that everyone can understand! South led the ♥4 and this time it was East who claimed, +920 and 11 IMPs.

Elimination play is one of declarer’s strongest options. Look at this deal from the semifinals:

Dealer South. All Vul.

Open Room

North led the ♥3 for the nine and king and declarer played a spade to the ace, a diamond to the ace, a spade to the ten and king and club for the king and ace. North cashed the ♠Q then played the ♥5, South taking the ♥A and playing the ♦3 (having earlier false carded with the ♦8). When declarer put in the ♦9 he was one down, -100.

Closed Room

North led the ♥5 for the nine and king and declarer cashed the ♠AK and then played a heart, South winning and switching to the ♦3. Declarer took the ♦A, played a heart to the queen and exited with a spade. The elimination left North with no good move, and when he cashed the ♣A and exited with the ♣9, declarer claimed ten tricks, winning 12 IMPs.

The final was a thriller. Here is a deal which had a significant effect on the outcome:

Dealer West. E/W Vul.

Open Room

West led the ♥J and declarer won with the ♥Q, unblocking dummy’s ♥10 and ran the ♣Q, East winning and returning the ♥7. When the ♥9 held declarer unblocked the ♦A, took two rounds of clubs ending in dummy and played three rounds of diamonds, claiming eleven tricks, +460.

Closed Room

East attacked with the ♠2 and declarer played dummy’s ♠6, winning with the ♠Q as West played the ♠9. The ♣4 saw East take the ♣K and exit with the ♦5. Having won, declarer drew trumps ending in hand, cashed the ♦KQ and played a heart to the nine, losing to the jack. One down.

This was the position when declarer played a heart:

If declarer plays dummy’s ♥Q, the jack appears he takes the ♠A, he then ruffs a spade and plays the ♥10.

If you study the position you will realize that West was in trouble. If he keeps two hearts he must unguard spades or diamonds and declarer will always have a route to twelve tricks as long as he reads the position.

Suppose East had held the ♥KJ?

It was 11 IMPs that might have gone the other way.