Bridge column for Sept. 1

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Posted: Wednesday, September 1, 2010 12:00 am | Loading…

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

♠K

♥Q J 2

♦4 2

♣A K Q J 6 5 3

WEST EAST

♠A 7 5 3 2 ♠J 10 8 4

♥10 9 6 ♥K 8

♦Q J 9 7 ♦A 5

♣10 ♣9 8 7 4 2

SOUTH

♠Q 9 6

♥A 7 5 4 3

♦K 10 8 6 3

♣Void

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass

2♠ Pass 3♦ Pass

3♥ Pass 3♠ Pass

4♣ Pass 4♦ Pass

4♥ Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of ♣

Italy grabbed the early lead in their European Championships match against Iceland, but Iceland soon struck back.

The Italians had a fairly normal auction to four hearts — North's two spades was an invitational heart raise. After a couple of probing bids, four hearts was the final contract.

West led the ten of clubs, taken in dummy as declarer parted with a spade. The king of spades lost to the ace, a diamond was led to East's ace and a diamond was returned. Declarer won with the king and led a low heart to the queen and king. Back came a club and the defenders now had to score another trump trick. Declarer ruffed low, West overruffed, a diamond return was ruffed high in dummy, declarer drew trumps and conceded down one.

In the other room the contract was four hearts by North after a strong club opening and a transfer sequence. The opening lead was the jack of spades and declarer made 10 tricks — 13 Imps to Iceland and Italy's lead was down to two. Eventually, Italy emerged winners by exactly that margin. (09/01/10)

e-mail: gorenbridge@aol.com