Bridge Column for November 28, 1993 
Both sides vulnerable.  West deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: K J 8 6 5
                              H: K 8 4 3  
                              D: Q           
                              C: 10 9 6 


                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A Q         
                              H: A J       
                              D: A 10 8 5 4 2
                              C: Q 5 2    

                  WEST    NORTH     EAST   SOUTH                  
                  Pass     Pass     3C      3NT 
                  Pass     Pass     Pass
     
     The opening lead is the seven of hearts.  Plan your play
before reading on.
     This hand was played recently at the Mentor IMP League. 
Kathy Sulgrove of Twinsburg was sitting South.  Her husband, Don,
sat North.  Their opponents were Marty Baff of Beachwood and Jeff
Alexander of Mentor.  Baff was very impressed by the play of this
hand and brought it to my attention.  
     The problem is one of entries to the North hand.  If South
wins the ace of hearts at trick one, the king of hearts will
provide an entry.  If South wins the jack of hearts at trick one,
there are no entries available without giving up potential spade
tricks.  In either case, Sulgrove must find a way to establish
her ninth trick before the defense can set up and run the hearts.
     The solution was elegant.  Sulgrove won the opening lead in
hand with the jack and then cashed the ace of hearts and the ace,
queen of spades.  A small diamond was led toward the queen.  West
was finished.  If he allowed the queen to win, declarer could
cash three spades and a heart to go with the five tricks already
home.  Winning the king was no better.  Continuing diamonds would
establish five tricks for declarer.  Leading a major suit card
allows declarer to take three spades and a heart.  She could then
lead a club towards hand.  East could cash the ace and king of
clubs but would then have to play a club to South's queen or a
diamond to her ace.
     Here is the complete deal: 
                              NORTH
                              S: K J 8 6 5
                              H: K 8 4 3  
                              D: Q           
                              C: 10 9 6 
            WEST                             EAST
            S: 10 7 4 3                      S: 9 2          
            H: Q 10 9 7 5 2                  H: 6          
            D: K 7 3                         D: J 9 6             
            C: Void                          C: A K J 8 7 4 3
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A Q         
                              H: A J       
                              D: A 10 8 5 4 2
                              C: Q 5 2
     At the other table, the player in the South seat made an
off-shape take out double.  North bid four spades.  The 4-2 trump
break doomed this contract to down one.