Find the best defense. Bridge Column for January 7, 2005, Harvey Bernstein Special To The Plain Dealer Both sides vulnerable. North deals. North S: 6 H: K Q 5 D: A K Q 8 7 C: 10 7 5 3 West East S: 9 7 3 S: A 5 2 H: J 10 8 4 3 2 H: A 9 D: 9 D: 10 7 5 4 2 C: K 8 2 C: J 9 6 South S: K Q J 10 8 4 H: 7 6 D: J 6 C: A Q 4 The Bidding: North East South West 1D Pass 1S Pass 2D Pass 3S Pass 3NT Pass 4S Pass Pass Pass Here is an interesting hand that was originally reported by Ranko Grba of Yugoslavia in the bulletin of the International Bridge Press Association. Before reading on, study the layout and decide whether or not you, sitting West, could defeat this contract. Also, decide on your opening lead. Did you lead the nine of diamonds? It seems very reasonable. Declarer will let the diamond come around to his jack. The king of spades is captured by East's ace. The ten of diamonds is trumped by West. A heart is returned to East's ace and another diamond is placed on the table. South trumps with the ten of spades and then draws two more rounds of trump. He enters the dummy with a high heart and throws two clubs on top diamonds, nmaking ten tricks. Watch what happens if you lead the jack of hearts at trick one. The queen is played from the dummy and East wins the ace. A diamond return is won with the ace and a spade is led towards the South hand. East plays the ace and leads a second diamond. West trumps and leads the ten of hearts. Here is the layout after that trick is won with the king of hearts in the dummy: North S: Void H: 5 D: K Q 8 C: 10 7 5 3 West East S: 9 S: 5 2 H: 8 4 3 2 H: Void D: Void D: 7 5 4 C: K 8 2 C: J 9 6 South S: K Q J 10 8 H: Void D: Void C: A Q 4 With no late entry to the dummy, the hand becomes unmakeable. How did West know to defend that way? North opened the bidding and so had to have something besides diamonds. West tried to attack the potential entries to North's diamond suit and was successful. Try to consider all the information available from the auction before you decide on your opening lead. Unit 125 of the American Contract Bridge League will hold the Rock and Roll Regional Bridge Tournament at the Holiday Inn, 6001 Rockside Road, Independence, from January 12 to 16. A bracketed knock out team event will start each morning, except Sunday, at 9:00 a.m. Team and pair events for players at all levels will start at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day except Sunday. Bracketed team events will start at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Special events for non-life master players will be held each day. The player with the best record in this series will receive special recognition. For any other information, call (440)333-2536 or visit the unit's web site at http://www.whistclub.org _______________________________________________________________ Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon. To reach Harvey Bernstein: hjb19@adelphia.net