Analysis by Anders

Anders Wirgren

The match between Denmark & Germany contained a deal which might have led to a cute ending:

Board 20. Dealer West. All Vul.
	ª 6 © Q 8 3 ¨ K 9 7 § A K J 8 5 4
ª 10 © J 10 9 7 5 4 ¨ A J 6 3 § 6 2		ª K 9 3 2 © - ¨ Q 10 8 4 2 § Q 10 9 3
	ª A Q J 8 7 5 4 © A K 6 2 ¨ 5 § 7

West	North	East	South
2©	3§	Pass	3ª
Pass	3NT	Pass	4NT
All Pass

4NT was presumably intended as keycard but North did not want to go any higher. On the two of diamonds lead (Journalist) West took the ace and returned the jack. (Why the jack? Editor) If declarer takes the king, East must be careful to retain the four of diamonds!

Otherwise declarer can cash three hearts, finesse in spades, cross to the ace of clubs and exit with a diamond. East will have been squeezed down to [K9 ]— {Q10 }Q10 and after cashing two diamonds will have to surrender the rest to either dummy or declarer.

If East still has the four of diamonds it will be possible to get across to West and the winning hearts.
At the table declarer ducked the jack of diamonds and had no chance.