3NT or 4S...?

[kenrexford]

[hv=d=e&n=s108xxxhjxxdqxckxx&s=skqxhakqxdj987caj]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

East opened 1♦.

 

A cute little missed opportunity from the Fort Wayne Regional.

 

I declared 4♠ in the North. That, in and of itself, was interesting, but it fell a trick short. The fourth defensive trick was unexpectedly a club at trick 13. At trick 9, I thought I might make, as did Opener.

 

I had received a top diamond lead and dropped the Queen, believed. A small club was returned, and I popped Ace, heart to Jack, and spade to Queen, West dropping the 9 under the Queen. I then rattled off four hearts (Opener held 4) to ditch the diamond. Now, club to the King.

Had I held the club 10 or Queen, or had Opener held 4432, this line succeeds. Alas, Opener was 4441.

 

I do not think that there is any other plausible line. I'm curious if anyone sees one.

 

The sad part is in declaring 4♠. I think 3NT, a contract that would have been declared by South, succeeds.

 

A likely opening lead that seems passive enough is a heart. Declarer wins this in hand and exits a diamond to the Queen, losing. A likely return is another heart, won with the Jack. A diamond is continued, winning either the 8 or losing to the King, depending.

 

After a heart yet again, perhaps, you cross to the club and return a spade, winning the Queen. Your end position in hand is Kx of spades, the stiff club Ace, a top heart, and J9 of diamonds. You strip out the hearts and then play the last club.

 

Declarer must come down to AJ in spades and either K10 or 10x of diamonds, diamonds depending upon prior plays. Declarer might get tricky and bare down to the stiff diamond 10 if he already played the second top diamond. Whatever. You simply exit in either pointed suit and throw Opener in.

 

Truth be told, I'm not sure who held the diamond 10.