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