Deceptively Difficult

The festival of lights is here and it gives me a great feeling to recite the words, “Allah tero naam, Ishwar tero naam. Sab ko sanmati de Bhagwan”.

Millions of Indians will be performing Lakshmi puja this evening. Fire crackers will add to the pollution. Pet dogs would be shivering with fear and hiding away, while the strays get subjected to inhuman acts. May God protect them.

This is a deceptively difficult deal. West starts with the three top clubs. East following throughout. After ruffing the third club, it looks obvious to cash the ♥K and play a heart to dummy’s Ace. If East has Jack four times, you can pick up and run the diamonds. Here, though, where West has the four hearts, you are suddenly in big trouble. You may move to diamonds, but West ruffs the third round and returns his last trump. He must eventually score the ♠K to defeat the contract.

The answer is to cash the ♥KQ from hand. If they split 3-2, draw the last trump and run the diamonds. But when they go 4-1, switch immediately to diamonds. An opponent may ruff in, but you win his return and play a heart to dummy’s Ace, which simultaneously draws the last trump and gives you access to the remaining diamond tricks.

I wish my readers A Very Happy and Peaceful Diwali!

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