Avoid Any Damage

I’m deeply saddened by the demise of our dearest colleague Vinaben Khandwala. One is never prepared for a loss; it comes like a swift wind. Vinaben was the doyen and pioneer of bridge. Her presence in the bridge room was like a prominent bookmark. We will truly miss her voice and her zest for life. We will always remember her in our prayers. May she rest in peace.

West led her ♦A and continued with the ♦Q to blot South’s jack. Dummy covered and East ruffed with the ♥5. Back came the ♠J to dummy’s king.

It was time for declarer to play trumps. She led the ♥8 to her Jack and West’s king, a losing finesse that carried a high price tag. West returned the ♦2 to force East to ruff, and East’s ♥10 proved the clincher. South was forced to overuff and West’s ♥9 was promoted to the setting trick.

It was true the defense was accurate. But it was also true that South blew her chance. When she led the trump from dummy, she should have refused to finesse and played her ♥A instead. The ♥Q would then have gone to West's king, but East’s pesky ♥10 could no longer do any damage.

The song is ended but the melody lingers on...

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