Self inflicted wounds

The term 'Suicide Squeeze' usually describes the play where declarer returns a loser, typically in no-trumps, and one defender cashes their winners to the discomfort of the other. Pedants – and who would think they were numbered among bridge-players? – have noted this isn't a 'suicide' at all. Self inflicted wounds are possible and this example came from the Schapiro Spring Fours; knock-out teams and an ambitious four spades:

NS Vul.
Dealer North
  • 865
  • 94
  • 10654
  • 5432
  • AQJ10943
  • 1073
  • 9
  • 107
N
W
E
S
  • 7
  • A62
  • AJ8732
  • Q98
  • K2
  • KQJ85
  • KQ
  • AKJ6
West
North
East
South
Gobert
Stanley
Chambers
Gordon
—
Pass
1
X
4
End

It will not surprise you that South gave his final pass some consideration – 22 points! But with his absence of clear tricks he refrained from doubling. At the other table, after the same auction the temptation was too much for our team-mate, Suffolk player, Peter Gemmell. He doubled and, after a heart lead, collected four tricks and +100.

Jim Gobert from Colchester received the same heart lead, ducked the first and won the second. He took a trump finesse and was pleased to see the king fall under the ace. He drew trumps and then some more just in case. South was not enjoying the process. Having to reduce to six cards he chose to keep two hearts, king-queen of diamonds and ace-king of clubs. Declarer played the club ten and South won, he could see these cards:

N
W
E
S

Dummy

  • ---
  • ---
  • AJ8
  • Q9
  • ---
  • Q8
  • KQ
  • A

He cashed a heart and partner let go another club. What next? Afraid that the club ace would be ruffed he opted for 'safety' by leading the last heart. Declarer ruffed and led his last trump, retaining the two top diamonds in dummy. Now South really was squeezed – where was the seven of clubs? He took his best chance that North held it and threw his ace of clubs. But West produced that card for ten tricks and +420.

Of course, when in with the heart South should break the link with dummy by returning a diamond. And yes, pedants will no doubt spot that declarer could have made his contract by force by running all his trumps – with three suits to protect, South simply cannot hold the position but that shouldn't detract from West's practical play. Only a diamond switch at trick two defeats the game for sure.

Published Saturday 23.May.2009