Games: Bridge

The Lederer Memorial Trophy is one of the best spectator events in the London calendar, with most of Britain's top teams competing. Many years ago, I had some uneasy moments with the West cards on this deal.

South opened One Diamond, North responded One Heart, and South rebid Two Clubs. North explored with Two Spades and South's next move of Three Spades (the so-called "fifth suit", for South had denied four spades) apparently suggested a strong 5-5 in the minors. North, however, was not on the same wavelength and the final contract was a very rocky Six Diamonds.

If I had led a club, there would have been no story, but I chose 4J. Declarer won on the table and led 25. If East had known that I held a sure trump trick, he would have had no problem, but his 2A seemed well guarded, and he ducked! When 2K held, declarer ruffed a club, came back with 4A and ruffed another club. He followed with !A and a heart ruff and then another club was ruffed with #J. (It would not have helped me to go in with #Q.)

Faced with the problem of coming to hand, declarer led 4Q from dummy. As I was later told by the spectators, East detached and replaced #4 five or six times before, summoning up all his courage, he upper-cut with #6. Now (finally) the defenders had two tricks.

This year's Lederer Memorial Trophy takes place this weekend at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club, 32 Barkston Gardens, near Earl's Court tube. 2pm and 8pm Saturday 8 November, and 1pm Sunday. Admission: pounds 5 a session, pounds 10 season.