Problem 248 for September 2010

Problem Corner by Patrick Jourdain

North opens Three Spades which goes round to West who bids 3NT. North leads ♠Q. How should West play?

W
West
K4
AJ2
AK42
K1063
Q
E
East
A6
Q53
7653
QJ42

 
Answer to Prize problem 248

North will not have both heart king and club ace so declarer should win the first trick in dummy and take the heart finesse. If that loses and North clears the spades you are assuming South will have the club ace and no spades left to play.

If you play on clubs first and South wins to clear the spades North may have an entry either with the heart king or the third diamond.

North holds:

N
North
QJ109753
K6
Q98
9

This article has been published with permission from Bridge Magazine