ETCETERA: BRIDGE

It was a great loss to the close-knit community of bridge columnists and writers when Hugh Kelsey died recently. Originally a teacher, he tried rubber planting and novel writing before finding his true metier as a bridge writer - authoring or co-authoring about 50 books. The deal featured below is taken from his "The Tough Game".

Set in a fictional Gold Cup final, you were originally shown only the South and East hands. East had opened One Diamond, West had responded One Spade and, after a spade preference, West had gone on to game.

North led the jack of hearts against Four Spades and, after two rounds of the suit had clarified the position, South had the problem of organising a fourth trick for the defence. The danger of playing passively (for example, exiting with a trump) lay in declarer being able to establish dummy's trumps intact. Nor would the ace and another club be sufficient for then declarer would be able to bring in his clubs and would not need the diamonds.

Have you got there? At trick 3 you must return a low club in the hope that partner can win and return a club. Now, whatever he tries, declarer is a trick short.

Game all; dealer North

North

] 9 5 4

_ J 10 9 7 2

+ 8 3

[ K 8 3

West East

] A K J 8 2 ] Q 10 3 _ Q 5 _ 8 4

+ 6 + A K J 10 7 5 4

[ Q J 10 9 5 [ 6

South

] 7 6

_ A K 6 3

+ Q 9 2

[ A 7 4 2