Simple Deceptively difficult

Bombay Gymkhana is holding Mohan Advani Memorial Bridge Tournament today. It will be Mohan’s third death anniversary. His wife, fondly known as ‘Guddi’ and his dapper son, Amit, together sponsor this tournament generously every year. Dr.Dhanandjay Subarao always makes this event very memorable. Mohan was an ardent bridge player. He had his calm ways to be on and off the table. May his soul rest in peace. We miss you Mohan!

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.

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Simple Defence

Over the last three days, the Ashok Kapur Memorial bridge tournament was being held at Catholic Gymkhana. His beloved wife Madhu Kapur has been sponsoring this tournament for the last six years.

What do you know‘Apro’ Dara is back in action! With this interesting deal!

Wes led ♠6. Declarer won and drew a second round of trumps. He played ♦6, East following low, West beating the ♦9 with his ♦K. West switched to a heart; declarer won and played a second diamond. East hoped up with ♦A and switched a club, but South simply won with ♣A and pitched his two losing clubs. East should rise with ♦A and switch to ♣. Contract goes down!

‘Generosity is giving without

expecting anything in return!’

Blog          : http://www.hemadeora.blogspot.in

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

Additional Precautions

North’s 1NT shows a balanced 16-18 points and stopper inspades. South’s 4♦, transfer to 4♥ is a trifle optimistic, but when an opponent has opened the bidding, it is often easier to pinpoint where the high-cards lie.

West leads the ♦K, taken by the ace. You cash the ♥A, West playing the Jack and continue with a second Heart. East rises with the ♥K and West discards a spade. East switches to the ♠7.

It is highly likely on the bidding that the ♣K will be with West but you should not just rely on that. A little care at this point will be rewarded. On ♠7 if you play low from hand. West will insert the ♠10 to force out the Queen. When East comes in with the ♣K. A second spade will take you down.

To circumvent this defence, play your ♠K on East’s ♠7. If West ducks, you lose just one spade trick. If West wins with the ace and returns a spade, you with the Queen and draw East’s trump. Now when East wins with the ♣K, East has no spade to return to West and you can later discard your spade loser on dummy’s fourth club.

Even when the bidding makes it likely that a key finesse will win, do not pin all your hopes on that if additional precautions are available.

Blog          : http://www.hemadeora.blogspot.in

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora