Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

♠A 10 7 4 2

♥A 3

♦Q 5 4 2

♣9 3

WEST EAST

♠J 9 6 ♠K Q 8 5

♥K J 6 2 ♥Q 8 5 4

♦Void ♦9 7

♣K J 10 7 5 2 ♣Q 8 4

SOUTH

♠3

♥10 9 7

♦A K J 10 8 6 3

♣A 6

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass Pass 1♦ 2♣

3♠ Pass 4♣ Pass

4♥ Pass 4NT Pass

5♠ Pass 6♦ Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of ♥

Here's an opportunity for you to display your analytical skills. Would you rather play or defend six diamonds after the lead of a low heart?

Go to the top of the class if you chose to declare. At the recent European Championships, of the 64 tables in play, six landed in six diamonds and four brought home their contract.

The winning line: Win the ace of hearts, cash the ace of spades and ruff a spade with an intermediate trump — you will need the three later! Cash the ace of diamonds and cross to the queen of diamonds (still hanging on to the three) and ruff another spade high and concede a heart.

Win the club return (or any other return) and ruff a heart, ruff a spade high and it's time to lead the three of diamonds and overtake with four to cash the fifth spade for a discard of your remaining heart.

Note that a club lead won't beat you. You play along the same lines to set up the fifth spade and get home. (09/08/10)

e-mail: gorenbridge@aol.com