Dubious Logic

Free Lessons

Recently I've been playing in a series of international matches – which sounds grander than it is. Held online, the field is small but of a wide standard. Though teams (squads of 12) are 'invited', the organisers are pleased to see entrants. Several top pairs do play but there are many sponsor-professional pairings. I'm with a pool of Scottish players and we're second-division stalwarts.

The setup recalls an attraction of bridge when I first played; unlike other competitive pursuits, simply by paying your entry fee, you get to test your skills against the best. That ethos has waned in the intervening decades as the culture shifted – but I'm digressing. Being online there is a mass of detail on the auctions and play. More pertinent than simply spectating, seeing how deals you have played were tackled elsewhere is a free masterclass.

Two leads I explored, this first from the South seat; both sides vulnerable, the auction at my table.

• A973
• AKQ5
• 5
• QJ76

Opponents have bid game on slender values, East emboldened once a fit came to light. Nevertheless, a top heart seems OK, right?

East ruffed my lead and could have made the contract in several ways, but neglected hearts and two trump switches, reducing him to a single trump to ruff two third-round black-suit losers, left him a trick short.

Elsewhere, against essentially the same auction, both Krzysztof Buras and Andrew McIntosh led a trump. East had no chance to set up hearts and could not make.

On review, a trump lead is clear; opponents expect their trumps to do a lot of work and the defence should draw as many as they can. Moreover, South has all the other suits under control; it's not a case that declarer might draw trumps himself and run a side suit.

The second: neither side vulnerable, take the East cards,

1. Natural but possibly three when 4=4=3=2, 12-14/18-19 HCP
2. No major

• Q107
• Q85
• Q97
• K1073

The auction usually places North with a club holding and leading the suit here is unattractive. Hearts or spades? Spades are stronger – but also better played from partner's side. Hearts may not work, but when they fail, the queen might have been toast anyway. I led a heart.

Retribution was swift; my heart five was ducked to the nine, declarer played two top diamonds and claimed nine tricks.

I had no company with my lead. Several Souths opened One Club, elicited a diamond response and declared from the South side. The given auction occurred four times, eliciting a low spade, a low club, my low heart and, from Thomas Bessis, the heart queen.

I like that. East figures to regain the lead before West can make any costing assumptions – and it might be clear anyway. A world-class declarer took it at face value and ducked in dummy.

Published Saturday 16.Dec.2023