Good defense helps to win a match. Bridge Column for February 4, 2005, Harvey Bernstein Special To The Plain Dealer Neither side vulnerable. South deals. North S: J 10 9 4 2 H: 9 6 5 3 D: 10 9 2 C: K West East S: Q 7 5 3 S: 8 H: 8 7 H: K Q 10 D: A J 7 5 D: K 8 6 3 C: A 6 4 C: Q 10 8 5 2 South S: A K 6 H: A J 7 4 D: Q 4 C: J 9 7 3 The Bidding: South West North East 1NT Pass 2C Dbl 2H Pass Pass Pass Thanks to Eric Rodwell of Clearwater Beach, FL for this hand from a Knock Out Team event at Charleston, SC on January 2. Rodwell held the East cards and his partner was Jack Weingold of Cleveland. Weingold was on lead and decided that a heart would be better than the club that Rodwell's double had suggested. Rodwell played the queen and declarer ducked. The eight of spades went to the ace in the South hand. Declarer cashed the ace of hearts and led the king of spades. Rodwell trumped and got off lead with a small diamond. The defense wound up taking a spade, two hearts, two diamonds and a club for down one. At the companion table, teammates Molly O'Neil of Cleveland and Dennis McGarry of Stuart, FL were in the same contract with McGarry in the South seat. There was no "lead directing double" during the auction and West led a trump. McGarry won the queen with the ace and led a small club. West played the ace and followed the natural defense of continuing with a trump. East won the king and played the ten. McGarry won the jack and played three rounds of spades, establishing two spade tricks in the dummy. Here the defense collected one spade, one heart, two diamonds, and a club. The two heart contract was fulfilled. The defense could have prevailed by continuing clubs and denying declarer the late entry to good spades, but this was far from obvious. The team was +50 at the first table and +110 at the second table for a 4 IMP gain which turned out to be a big plus in a close match for first place in the event. District 5 of the American Contract Bridge League sponsored the Rock and Roll Regional Bridge Tournament from January 12 to 16 in Independence. The following players were successful in their respective events on January 13. Other results appeared last week, more will be listed in future columns. Afternoon Continuous Pairs (30 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Donald Rop, Chagrin Fals, and Jack Knudson, Solon. 2. Ellen Wolfe, Shaker Heights, and Edia Shai, University Heights. Stratum B. 1. Donald Barrick, Cleveland, and Henry Essig, Westlake. 2. John Viola, North Ridgeville, and Raul De La Iglesia, Brecksville. Stratum C. 1. Viola and De La Iglesia. 2. Russell Kalbrunner, Olmsted Falls, and Robert Liebold, Brunswick. Evening Continuous Pairs (32 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Brian Ellis, Beachwood, and Roni Gitchel, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. Jan Assini, Aurora, and Sandra Fleischman, Beachwood. Stratum B. 1. Stephanie Bernstein, Solon, and Kathy Eisner, Cleveland. 2. George Pope,, Bidwell, and Lloyd Danner, Gallipolis. Stratum C. 1. Robert Liebold, Brunswick, and John Schneider, Strongsville. 2. Jean Picone and Paula Shrut, Pittsburgh, PA. Afternoon Non-Life-Master Pairs (16 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Robert Werner, Chagrin Falls, and Isabel Worthington, Aurora. 2. Ellen Miles, Beachwood, and Julie Stein, Chagrin Falls. Stratum B. 1. Miles and Stein. 2. Jean Bloomfield, Beachwood, and Sandy Babbush, Cleveland. Stratum C. Miles and Stein. 2. Sarajane Goldstein, Orange and Linda Kendall, Pepper Pike. Evening Non-Life-Master Pairs (10 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Judy Saccogna, Kent, and Joan Froelich, Cuyahoga Falls. 2. Al Carusotti, Cleveland, and Leonard Synk, Seven Hills. Stratum B. 1. Nancy Schreck, Solon, and Joanne Stoddard, Sagamore Hills. 2. Keith Klafehn, Munroe Falls, and Judith Taylor, Cuyahoga Falls. _______________________________________________________ Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon. To reach Harvey Bernstein: hjb19@adelphia.net