Three Turkish Tales

This deal was interesting for the Turkish Open and Senior Teams.

Board 10. Dealer East. All Vul.
	ª K 9 8 © K 9 4 ¨ 9 8 7 2 § K 6 3
ª Q J 7 © 7 2 ¨ A K 10 6 5 § Q 4 2		ª 6 5 4 © J 10 6 5 3 ¨ Q 4 3 § 8 7
	ª A 10 3 2 © A Q 8 ¨ J § A J 10 9 5

In the Open Series Salvatore Assael played Four Spades from the South seat and received the lead of the ace of diamonds and a diamond continuation. He ruffed and led the jack of clubs, finessing when West played low. Now he ducked a spade to West's jack, ruffed the diamond continuation with the ten of spades, cashed the ace and entered dummy with the king of hearts and played the king of spades, making five when both opponents followed.

When Ergun Bankoglu played Four Spades in the Seniors West again started with two rounds of diamonds. Declarer counted his tricks and thought he could make ten by ruffing three diamonds in hand, along with three hearts, two clubs and two top spades. He tried to cash three hearts but the third one was ruffed by West who continued with a third diamond. Declarer ruffed, cashed two clubs ending in dummy and ruffed a diamond with the ten of spades. He cashed the ace of spades and the king and nine in dummy were good for two more tricks.
In the other room the bidding went like this:

West	North	East	South
Sarimsakci	Russyan	Korkut	Klapper
		Pass	1§
1¨	2¨	Dble	3¨
Pass	4¨	Pass	4ª
All Pass

Sarimsakci led the ace of dimonds and continued with a small one, ruffed by declarer who led the jack of clubs, covered by the queen and king. He tried to cash three hearts but West ruffed and played a club. South won and played a third club, ruffed by East who played a heart. Declarer discarded a club and West ruffed with the queen of spades. Dummy overruffed with the king and declarer finessed the ten of spades to go one down. The same contract had produced three different results.

(We received an excellent analysis of this deal from Catellani Marco. At the point where West plays a third diamond after ruffing a heart, declarer must decide between two lines after ruffing. He can play for the ªQJ to be in one hand or for split honours. In the first case he only needs two club tricks, but in the second he must finesse in clubs. Marco says that obviously one of these two lines must be best - but which one?

We have considered the matter carefully - and decided it is far too hot to work it out.Editors)