I suspect West can’t escape by cashing the SA earlier either but can anyone confirm or correct that view?
Regards,
Iain
A V Ramana RaoSeptember 26th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Hi lain
As the cards lay and play went, there is no defense. Even if west cashes spade A, south’s spade tenace assures two tricks ( how conveniently for south, east held nine eight doubleton). However, west can make it a little difficult for south by leading diamond after winning heart. Now, if south attempts to cross to dummy with diamond Q and leads heart, west wins and returns Q of clubs. South must ducks this . Now west can cash spade A and leads club for south to win and makes ten of spades. But south can counter this by ducking club after winning second diamond. If west is left on play, it transposes to column line and if east overtakes and returns diamond, south prevails by cashing club A stripping west of the suit and leading spade and comes to nine tricks. If he doesn’t cash club A, defense scores fifth trick
Regards
Iain ClimieSeptember 27th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Hi AVRR,
Many thanks for that. Keeping well?
Iain
A V Ramana RaoSeptember 27th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Hi lain
Yep, doing OK , thanks and hope everything is fine with you
Somehow I feel that this column would be better with people commenting on regular basis
Regards
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Bridge-related
I suspect West can’t escape by cashing the SA earlier either but can anyone confirm or correct that view?
Regards,
Iain
Hi lain
As the cards lay and play went, there is no defense. Even if west cashes spade A, south’s spade tenace assures two tricks ( how conveniently for south, east held nine eight doubleton). However, west can make it a little difficult for south by leading diamond after winning heart. Now, if south attempts to cross to dummy with diamond Q and leads heart, west wins and returns Q of clubs. South must ducks this . Now west can cash spade A and leads club for south to win and makes ten of spades. But south can counter this by ducking club after winning second diamond. If west is left on play, it transposes to column line and if east overtakes and returns diamond, south prevails by cashing club A stripping west of the suit and leading spade and comes to nine tricks. If he doesn’t cash club A, defense scores fifth trick
Regards
Hi AVRR,
Many thanks for that. Keeping well?
Iain
Hi lain
Yep, doing OK , thanks and hope everything is fine with you
Somehow I feel that this column would be better with people commenting on regular basis
Regards