September 2021 - 53

Intermediate Players
Chalk Talk
O
➊
 K 2
k Q 3 2
l K J 9 8 2
' 4 3 2
 A 4 3
k A J
l 10 4 3
' A K Q J 10
The opening lead is the Q. Find
the 100% line of play.
Solution: You start with eight top
tricks: five clubs, two spades and one
heart. The 100% line is to win the A
and play the kA and kJ, conceding
a heart trick to either defender. The
best the defense can do is lead a second
spade, driving out dummy's king.
Now all you have to do is cash the kQ
and run the five clubs for nine tricks.
The trap is not to win the K in
dummy and take the heart finesse. If
it loses and a spade comes back driving
out the ace, you will not be able to
get to dummy to cash the kQ. Starting
on diamonds, another trap, is not
a 100% line nor is it the best line.
➋
 3 2
k A Q J 2
l Q J 2
' K Q J 2
 A J 4
k 10 9 3
l A 10 9 3
' A 4 3
Find the best line in 3NT
BY EDDIE KANTAR
kantarbridge.com
n the following North-South
hands, the contract is always
3NT by South, and you are
playing IMPs. Given the conditions,
there is either a 100% line regardless
of the East-West distribution or a best
line of play. See how well you do.
This time, the opening lead against
3NT is a low spade, and East plays
the queen. Look for the 100% line. It's
there.
Solution: Win the A, cross to the
'J and run the lQ. Say the finesse
loses and a heart comes back (best).
Win the kA because you can't afford
East, the danger hand, from getting
in and returning a spade. You now
have nine tricks: four clubs, three
diamonds and two major-suit aces.
100%.
➌
 K 10 3
k K 3
l A K 7 6 5
' 10 5 4
 J 9 2
k A Q J 10
l 4 3 2
' K 3 2
The lead is a fourth-best '6, and
East plays the queen. Given an honest
lead, can you spot the best (not necessarily
100%) play?
Solution: Win the 'K. You can't
afford to duck, as West may have led
from A-J- 8-2. After winning the
'K, you also can't afford to duck a
diamond. Even if they are 3-2 and
ducking gives you four diamond
tricks, the opponents will be able to
take five tricks before you can use
your diamonds. You will lose three
clubs, a diamond and at least the A.
Your best chance is to play West for
the Q. Win the 'K and run the J.
If West has the queen, the most you
can lose is three clubs and a spade.
➍
 A 10 9 8 2
k K 3
l 7 6 4
' 5 4 3
 K J
k A 4 2
l A 8 5 3 2
' A K 2
West leads the kQ against 3NT.
There is a 100% play. See it?
Solution: This one should be a
" gimme. " Win the kA, cash the K,
overtake the J and drive out the
Q. You have just established four
spade tricks to go along with two
hearts, two clubs and the lA for nine
big ones. 100%.
➎
 Q 3 2
k K 2
l Q J 3
' Q J 8 3 2
 A 5 4
k A 3
l A K 10 4 2
' 10 9 4
Opening lead: kQ. What is the best
play (though not necessarily 100%)?
Solution: You have eight top tricks
and do not have time to develop the
club suit, as the opponents will be
able to develop their heart winners
(at least three) before you can use
your club winners.
The best play is to win kA and lead
a low spade. If West has the K, you
have nine tricks. If East has the K,
there is always the next hand.
September 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
53
http://www.kantarbridge.com
September 2021

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