Bridge

In the round robin of the world championships from Tunisia, held seven years ago, the Norwegians were on top until they were soundly beaten by the Americans.

Today’s deal from this match sees Jeff Meckstroth at work as declarer for the United States. For a moment his side was in the optimum contract – three no-trump with the minority of high cards is cold and was actually reached in the closed room!

On the other hand, five clubs has three top losers. Even on a diamond lead, it seems to have very little play since the defense will surely arrange the spade shift early enough. However, Meckstroth put in the diamond 10 from dummy at trick one – apparently transposing losers.

Not surprisingly, though, East did not bargain for this being the diamond position when he won the trick and returned the suit, allowing Meckstroth to throw a heart and win in dummy.

Declarer then played a heart to East’s four (the ace would have been no better), his queen, and West’s king. The spade shift came too late. Meckstroth could take the ace and lead the heart jack from dummy for a ruffing finesse, allowing him to throw his spade loser away. It was not just the neatness of the play – we might all have thought of the solution if given the hand as a problem and enough time to think about it. But Meckstroth got it right playing in tempo at the table, and that was what was so impressive.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: Bid three spades. There is no need to go overboard just because your side has found a fit. You are effectively looking at only a nine-count, so do not drive the hand to game. If partner passes three spades, you will have missed nothing.