Double Dummy at Trick 2
104
KJ9732
65
K93
QJ72
AQ
K42
Q652
N
W
E
S
A9863
5
QJ73
1087
K5
10864
A1098
AJ4
Another hand from a Crockford's knock-out match. The Derbyshire NS were Alex Hogg and Peter Kelly which explains the unusual defence to 1NT.
West led the QS to the Ace and the QD was returned.
South now has all the information for this to be a double dummy problem (for his strong NT West must have AQ hearts, K diamonds, Q clubs with one or both Jacks).
South held off, winning the second diamond, noting the 'odd' count from West.
South now executes his 'guard' squeeze against East as follows:
South plays a trump
West wins and exits with J Spades to South's King.
Now a trump to the King, East discarding a spade
Return to hand with a trump to the 10, both E & W discarding spades.
Ruff 10D with West playing the King as expected
Play another trump (East discarding a spade, West a club)
When the last trump is played from dummy, East has to release the 7C, South discarding his 9D with West playing his last spade.
Now South can cross to the A clubs to play the J clubs, pinning East's 10.


Well bid and played by Peter Kelly.

PS

His partner, Alex, wishes it to be pointed out that Peter is not allowed to have 'an ego'. So it should be mentioned that Peter had to come good sometime in the match after throwing away 16 IMPs by misplaying (slightly) an earlier slam.


Dealer: West
Vulnerability: Game all
West North East South
1NT(1) 2D(2) 2S(3) 4H(4)
Pass Pass Dbl(5) Pass
Pass(6) Pass - -

(1) 15-17
(2) Either major or both minors
(3) Competitive, not invitational    
(4) Pass or correct
(5) We have the balance of points
(6) Significant pause, probably showing S support