[Walddk]

Pastscore hands don't often make it to newspapers, magazines or forums. They are often too complex, and that's a shame because some are much more interesting than routine games and slams.

Here is an amazing deal from the World University Championship in Tianjin, China. I was fortunate enough to commentate when it appeared on vugraph early Sunday morning European time in the match between Turkey and Denmark.

Scoring: IMP

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East passed, South opened a weak 2♦ passed to East who reopened with 2♠. Pass, pass, 3♦ by North, passed to West who competed with 3♠. All pass.

The Turkish South led a diamond to his partner's ace, and a diamond came back to South's king. My question to you now is: do you want to declare or defend?

(Those of you who were present are kindly requested to use hidden text if you would like to contribute).

Roland

[cherdano]

Cute! Defend.

[mikeh]

Play

I had a long answer but somehow it didn't get posted: it all comes down to declarer covering the ♥J with the Q if S ever leads the ♥J... and ducking in dummy if he leads the 5. If he leads a ♠, either defender is endplayed on the second round of trump: forced to lead a ♥. Thank god for the ♥8

I think...but I have not done any double-checking, so won't redouble until I get home

[HeartA]

Since it is double dummy, I don't see way to defeat 3S.

[cherdano]

mikeh, on Oct 24 2006, 02:16 AM, said:

Play

I had a long answer but somehow it didn't get posted: it all comes down to declarer covering the ♥J with the Q if S ever leads the ♥J... and ducking in dummy if he leads the 5. If he leads a ♠, either defender is endplayed on the second round of trump: forced to lead a ♥. Thank god for the ♥8

I think...but I have not done any double-checking, so won't redouble until I get home

Meanwhile, I will double, and thank god for the ♥4

[cherdano]

So here is what beats it, I think: South exits ♠K, so North will get endplayed with ♠Q. Then (hidden)

Spoiler

North exits with ♥7! A surrounding play for the ♥6!

If East ducks, so does South.
If East covers with the 8, South plays J -> Q. Now whenever declarer leads from the West hand, North covers the T with the A, the 6 with the 9, and the 2 with the 4.

[Walddk]

Well done, Arend. I have been in the game for over 40 years, and I have never seen a combination like this.

It takes a couple of world class players to get this right at the table. North is also very much in the spotlight as you rightly point out. Don't ask me to do it. It's difficult enough with all cards in view.

My compatriot, friend and fellow vugraph commentator, Peter Lund, spotted it when the deal was played. At 7.08 on a Sunday morning. I am impressed!

You can see the play and comments by clicking on

Explore Bridge --> Bridge Library --> Vugraph archives --> All recent broadcasts ... It's from Round 7B, board number 6.

The Turkish defender (South) came very close when he exited with the deuce of spades. Close, but no cigar. He got endplayed 30 seconds later when declarer won the ace and put South on lead with another trump.

Hearts can't be attacked from the South seat. Then declarer can come to three tricks.

Roland

[mikeh]

Thanks, Roland, for a beautiful hand. And well done to Arend and (especially) Peter Lund for seeing the answer.

[Walddk]

mikeh, on Oct 24 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

Thanks, Roland, for a beautiful hand. And well done to Arend and (especially) Peter Lund for seeing the answer.

Yes, a surrounding play (or surrorunding defence) like this is not one you encounter every day. You may see it in books, but virtually never at the table. And even if it comes up, there is usually no one who notices.

Give East ♥4 in exchange for North's 3 and the contract is unbeatable. A kingdom for a 4; quite amazing.

Roland