I failed to find the winning line on this deal from our world championship round robin match against Poland.
North-South vul. Dealer North.
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West led a heart which I won with the ace. I could have played a diamond now, rising with the king if West ducks, and this is indeed what happened at most tables, but this didn’t seem to me so likely to succeed. Instead I won the lead and played a club to the king and ace. East returned a second heart which I won, discarding a diamond from hand.
My plan, which needed clubs 3-3 and trumps 3-2 with split honours, was to play off the clubs. On the fourth club I would discard my other diamond, and neither defender would be able to ruff profitably. When I next gained the lead I would play ace and another spade and either they would now break 2-2, or one hand would have a singleton honour. When clubs broke 4-2 this line was doomed. Of course, I could have succeeded simply by leading a spade to the jack and later cashing the ace to drop East’s king.
Aronov for Bulgaria started in the same way as I did in his match against Italy (East had overcalled in hearts and West doubled the final contract). After winning the ace of clubs (declarer has no chance if East ducks), East switched to a low diamond. West won and continued diamonds. Declarer went up with the king, dropping East’s queen. But now, after he played a trump to his jack and West’s queen, West continued with a third round of diamonds. East ruffed with the king of spades and West’s nine was promoted.
Last week’s problem
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No reason not to lead partner’s suit, but you should lead the queen. That will enable you to find the killing club switch.