Spring Fours - leading at sixes and sevens

Last week I gave an overview of the Schapiro Spring Fours, the top venue event – as opposed to say, the Gold Cup and Crockfords, where all except the last few matches are played by teams individually arranging each round. The competition is a knock-out but one where each team has two lives. Whether the last life is at stake or not, the knock-out nature means that every team strives to win - and prepares to take the risks involved. Thus there were a huge number of deals where each side pushed to the limit. This board from an early round gave rise to many discussions the next day. Let's consider a lead problem:

The opponents open a heart on you left and then bid strongly:

1
2
2
2*
3
4
4
4NT*
5*
7

Two spades was artificial and established a force, and four no-trump… Well, the 4NT bidder thought it asked for aces – no suit agreed – but the five heart bidder thought that hearts were trumps and replied according to key-card, where the king of hearts counted as an ace and showed two such values. So, it is very possible the opponents are missing an ace. What do you lead?

It's possible that opponents have enough tricks outside whatever suit you try but, the chances must be with them requiring two suits as well as clubs for their grand slam. Surely, the odds-on pair are those which dummy has bid so often, the reds. Accordingly, when 7NT or 7♣ was reached, the defender on lead selected a spade. Before the whole deal is revealed consider what you would have led against and auction such as this:

1
2
2
3
3
4
5
5
6

The closed hand figures to have great clubs and you expect dummy to have extra values for its reverse – surely the best chance is to find partner with the ace of diamonds and a quick kill?

  • 763
  • 1094
  • AK732
  • 64
  • K10
  • AK876
  • Q109865
  • ---
N
W
E
S
  • AQ
  • 2
  • J
  • AK10987532
  • J98542
  • QJ53
  • 4
  • QJ

As you can see I diamond lead defeats six clubs but a spade allows the grand slam to make. I must say my team was fortunate on this board; first of all we were never faced with a lead against the seven level - my partner chose a diamond to beat the small slam on the auction above. And secondly our team-mates were models of caution and only got to game after 1♥ – 3♣; 3♦ – 4♣; 5♣ – Pass. I heard of one match where just a few IMPs changed hands; 7NT making scored up with a successful 7♣.

Published Saturday 14.May.2005