Grinding Diamonds

Hi all

Sanne and I are mere hours away from our trip to Belize. Snorkeling gear packed, sun screen & glasses, and no phones or digital communication equipment at all. Just us, the beach, Maya temples and a couple of malaria mosquitoes. Life’s good.

Here’s a cute deal from a home knock out. After the busy auction below I found myself defending.

West
North
East
South
 
 
 
1NT1
pass
2
Double
2
Double
pass
2NT
pass
3
a.p.
 
 
  1. 11-14
 
East
A4
KQ5
QJT72
JT8
South
T985
A72
K94
AQ4

Geoff (North) leads the 3 (3rd and low) and I zone out to figure out a defence. I win the Ace and declarer drops the Jack. If I switch to now, it’ll be too late. My king is very poorly placed, and if declarer has a problem, the in dummy will provide a parking spot. No, I need Geoff to hold the King, accompanied by three little ones.

Play proceeds, Ace (Geoff encourages), Queen, and a third for Geoff. In full grasp of the position he puts down the poisonous 13th . Declarer has an unsolvable problem. Ruff low in dummy and my 9 forces out the Ace. Ruff high and I will refuse to overruff. Promoting a trick for my 9. Down one, left and right.

South Dealer
All Vul
North
762
T8643
62
K952
West
KQJ3
J9
A853
763
East
A4
KQ5
QJT72
JT8
South
T985
A72
K94
AQ4

Happy holidays all!

2 thoughts on “Grinding Diamonds”

  1. Nice defence.
    But, is it not more accurate to play Q first, then Ace and another club?
    It saves your partner some energy – he does not have to figure out that he should not overtake your Q for a ruff in case you hold AQ bare of clubs …

    • Hi Dennis

      If I have AQ stiff of , then the ensuing ruff would not be enough to set the contract … But I agree, first the Queen of is a little more elegant.

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