Problem from a newspaper

[temp3600]

[hv=n=sa54h2dak98763cj8&s=st872hakqjt8dckq4]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

The bidding goes :

(3♣)  3♦  (3♠)  5♥

 (p)   6♦   (p)   6♥

all p

 

West leads a small trump. What's your plan? (trumps are 3-3)

[Apollo81]

Draw trumps, lead the ♣K.

 

LHO is likely to hold ♠--- ♥xxx ♦QJx ♣10987xxx given that he did not lead a black suit. This play forces an entry to dummy so I can cash ♦AK and ruff the diamonds out. I can also make in the event that LHO started with A7th of clubs and covers the ♣K.

[jdonn]

This hand goes back a long time. I won't ruin it, but Noble, don't assume that west doesn't have the ace of clubs, try to figure out a way to make if he does have it.

[pclayton]

This is an old chestnut and the solution is rather elegant. I won't ruin it either.

[cherdano]

LHO is likely to hold ♠--- ♥xxx ♦QJx ♣10987xxx given that he did not lead a black suit.

The trump lead seems unlikely to me no matter what holding the preemptor has, but I think with a void and no ace he would always try to find partner's ace.

 

I think the trump lead makes no sense unless LHO has either a strong or very short diamond holding, so I suppose we just have to assume an (IMO) unrealistic lead.

[the hog]

Pick lho for a 0337 shape and now it is easy. The solution is hidden below:

 

 

Draw trumps discarding S from dummy. Cross to the A of S and play A K and a third D which you ruff. Pitch the K and Q of C on the Ds. Now lead a small C. lho can win the A but has to put you in dummy with the next C so that you can cash the winning Ds.

 

 

Yes Arend, we know the A of C lead would have led to an easy beat, but then it wouldn't be a problem, would it?

[skjaeran]

I saw this problem last night, but was too tired to find the solution at that time. After a good nights sleep, my mind is clearer. :)

 

I don't think I've seen the actual hand before, but this is a classical type of problem. LHO obviously is void in ♠. I'll play for him to be 0337 with the ♣A. Without it, he might very possibly have tried to reach his partner in a side suit and hope for a ruff.

 

So the solution is very elegant. Draw trumps. Cross to the ♠A, cash the top diamonds discarding the !CKQ. Ruff the diamonds good and lead the now singleton ♣. LHO is down to ♣AT9xxx, and dummy's ♣J will be my entry to the ♦'s.

[temp3600]

This was the full hand given :

[hv=n=sa54h2dak98763cj8&w=s6h953dqjtcat9765&e=skqj93h764d542c32&s=st872hakqjt8dckq4]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv]I agree the lead makes no sense, except maybe for hiding the solution a little more. And with - xxx xxx Axxxxxx, West could have defeated the slam via ♣A, club ruff.

 

As several posters have already stated, the key is to throw the ♣KQ on the ♦AK, in order for the ♣J to become a second entry to dummy's good diamonds (who have to be 3-3).

[cherdano]

Yes Arend, we know the A of C lead would have led to an easy beat, but then it wouldn't be a problem, would it?

I think my point is that I now no real-life opponents against which the "problem line" is correct. 98% of the time the problem line would just lead to down 3 instead of down 1. (And bad opponents would cover the ♣K anyway.) I'd rather take my 5 IMPs 50% of the time (when the other table is also in slam going down) then 15-20 IMPs 2% of the time.

[jdonn]

This was the full hand given :

[hv=n=sa54h2dak98763cj8&w=s6h953dqjtcat9765&e=skqj93h764d542c32&s=st872hakqjt8dckq4]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv]I agree the lead makes no sense, except maybe for hiding the solution a little more. And with - xxx xxx Axxxxxx, West could have defeated the slam via ♣A, club ruff.

 

As several posters have already stated, the key is to throw the ♣KQ on the ♦AK, in order for the ♣J to become a second entry to dummy's good diamonds (who have to be 3-3).

I could be wrong, but as I remember the hand west was 0337 not 1336. It is one thing to assume he wouldn't have led the ace of clubs, but not leading the singleton spade in his partner's bid suit seems to stretch the bounds of believability.