Bridge

There was a curious way in which South could have landed his contract of Three No-trumps on this deal. In effect, he could have arranged a so- called (but, when you think about it, surely misnamed) suicide squeeze against East in three suits, in one of which he did not even hold a guard!

South opened a conventional Two Clubs and rebid Two No-trumps over North's negative response of Two Diamonds. North raised to game in No-trumps and West led #Q. Declarer held off twice, won the third diamond and cashed the ace and queen of clubs. The 4-1 break was irritating, for now there was only one entry to dummy and he would not be able to lead twice up to his hearts.

In practice, South cashed 4A,K and the remaining clubs, ending in dummy. Next came 4J but East won with the queen and exited with !J to leave declarer a trick short.

Even with a sight of all four hands, the winning play is not obvious. Suppose, after discovering the 4-1 club break, South exits with his losing diamond. West wins, but East is in trouble for a discard. He cannot part with a heart (for then one entry to dummy will give South two tricks in the suit) or a spade and has to let a club go. Now South can overtake 2J with the king and still has a further club entry to the table for a second heart lead.

Do you see what I mean? Hardly a "suicide" squeeze, for it was West's diamond winner that squeezed his partner.