The auction was very normal. West started things off by leading the jack of diamonds. Declarer tried the queen from dummy just in case the lead was the top of an interior sequence, but East played the king and declarer won the ace.
Trumps were drawn in three rounds and the queen of clubs went to the king. A small diamond to the nine allowed West to shift to the ten of spades and an ice-cold contract was defeated. Do you see where declarer went astray?
West made the best lead possible. If a spade is led first the defense will take two quick spade tricks but East cannot profitably attack the diamond suit and the diamond loser will disappear on a long club winner.
On the diamond lead, when East covers the queen, declarer must duck. East cannot attack spades and no matter what suit is returned, declarer will draw trump and play the queen of clubs. If the finesse wins, decarer will win eleven tricks. In actuality, the queen loses to the king. East can cash the ace of spades but that will be the last trick for the defense.
Think about the decisions you will have to make later in the play of the hand and it should help you make the right choice at trick one.
Unit 125 of the American Contract Bridge League held the Buckeye State Sectional Bridge Tournament in Solon on November 4 - 6. The following players were successful in their respective events on November 4. Additional results will be listed in future columns.
Afternoon Open Pairs (68 pairs). Stratum A. 1/2. Kumar Bhatia, Pepper Pike, and Phillip Becker, Beachwood, with Stan Dun and Niel Waletzky, Shaker Heights. Stratum B. 1. Gary Montain, Westlake, and David Norris, Rocky River. 2. Adrienne and Sanford Ozan, Cleveland. Stratum C. 1. Alex McCrea, Shaker Heights, and Dilip Maniar, Mentor. 2. Jeno Triboldt, Vermillion, and Erna Pavick, North Royalton.
Afternoon Women's Pairs (20 pairs). Strata A & B. 1. Mary Ann Dolak and Rosemary Drew, Erie, PA. 2. Sally Sharp and Bonnie Alberth, Akron. Stratum C. 1. Sharp and Aberth. 2. Jean Sulzberger, Aurora, and Janet Marshall, Moreland Hills.
Afternoon 299er Pairs (16 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Kathleen Horan and Emme Hawn, Erie, PA. 2. Daniel Flanagan and Jack Hickey, Canton. Stratum B. 1. Judy Saccogna and Nancy Moore, Kent. 2. Barbara Tuber, Beachwood, and John Hibshman, Shaker Heights. Stratum C. 1. Tuber and Hibshman. 2/3. Joan Holler, Twinsburg, and Mary Anne Leber, Aurora, with Bea Bissler, Seven Hills, and Dana Jones, Brecksville.
Evening Open Pairs (67 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Irene Toth, Parma, and Jean Joseph, Cleveland. 2. Mina Ronen, Akron, and Edia Shai, University Heights. Stratum B. 1. Robert Phifer, Willoughby, and Dom Albertone, Wickliffe. 2. Gary Montain, Westlake, and David Norris, Rocky River. Stratum C. 1/2. Doug Henderson, ROcky River, and Vivian Shanafelt, Medina, with CHarles Bisesi, Berea, and James Buford, Lorain.
Evening 299er Pairs (15 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Mady and
Richard Kaiser, Solon. 2. Kathleen Horan and Emme Hawn, Erie,
PA. Stratum B. 1. The Kaiser's, 2. Joanne Stoddard, Sagamore
Hills, and Nancy Schreck, Solon.
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Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon.
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb0416@yahoo.com