Queens can be costly
- Sukrit Vijayakar
This is just a tale about a hand that cropped up in Flight C yesterday which I happened to be covering from a directing perspective. The featured participants were the National Champions, MJR Vasudevan and (Cool) Vijayraghvan, who also was the prime organizer of this event opposing the sponsor of next week's event Devi Bhatnagar and Andrey Purushottam.
The early part of the auction is simple enough with East showing hearts and clubs in a 'Kokish' sequence. After the suit was set, East cued spades and, hearing a cue from partner, launched into RKCB.
After confirming the presence of all key cards came the 5NT bid which is where East West got their wires crossed. While East was asking for 'specific kings', East for some reason upvalued his hand and bid the grand slam. North doubled the contract asking for a diamond lead in Lightner fashion (discussed yesterday).
South duly led a diamond which declarer won and found out about the vile trump break at trick two. Now declarer shunned the spade finesse in favor of the ruff. He then cashed the club Ace and entered dummy with the HA and played out the club 10. It is not quite possible to describe what may have gone on in declarer's mind at the critical moment, but he finessed and lost to the doubleton club queen!
Had he dropped the queen EW would have scored at least 15 imps from every pair in 6♥ and lots more from those who failed to bid the slam. Instead, would lost 15 imps on the board. What they lost in terms of momentum in the match itself cannot really be counted.
To quote from yesterday's article " bridge hands can be treacherous and take the unsuspecting through perilous journeys."
Experts can advise whether, if one has to take a finesse at all, the spade finesse offers a better chance. Once it works, the third club can be pitched on the spade Ace and then either the club queen drops, or South's ♥ 9 can be picked up. Even if the club finesse works, the way the hand was played, declarer needs the clubs to break 3-3.
Having said the above, it is easy to discuss all this away from the table without any pressure on any of us.
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Even without the 4-0 trump break, the declarer doesn't have a clear route to the 13th trick. After you find the 4-0 trumps A line that combines chances in both black suits is to cash the ace and the king of clubs first. When the club queen doesn't appear, take the spade hook, and discard the third club from dummy. Now ruff a club. You are home if clubs are 3-3. If not then a trump to hand to ruff the last club and back to hand with the diamond ruff to pull the last trump.
Thank you Atul!
I don't find any wrong about the play.. Yes if you are not able to decide about the finesse..
I would play ak of clubs 1st and q does not appear.. Then I will finesse spq..
Lucky day sp q in or clq falls
Unlucky day ➖ 2
Thank you Uttam for your response. Most appreciated