Double Dummy Problem

The Problem:

The Hackett

The Hackett family is known the world over. This problem was created by the father, Paul. It took me alittle while to see the solution but, as with all these problems, the key to solving it is to work backwards. In other words, look to see what position you need at the end of the play, then work out how to achieve it.

	ª A K 6 4 © 7 5 4 ¨ 6 4 § A K J 10
ª Q J 5 3 © 9 8 6 3 ¨ A K Q 5 3 § -		ª 10 9 2 © - ¨ J 10 9 8 7 2 § Q 5 4 3
	ª 8 7 © A K Q J 10 2 ¨ - § 9 8 7 6 2

Contract: 6©
Lead: ¨A

The Solution:

Declarer must ruff the diamond lead and draw four rounds of trumps. The key play is that the discard on the fourth round must be dummy’s remaining diamond.

Now declarer plays ace, king and jack of clubs to East’s queen. There will be no problem on a spade return, of course, but if East plays a diamond, forcing declarer to ruff with his last trump, then we see the importance of the earlier diamond discard, as it means that declarer can now throw the blocking ten of clubs. Otherwise, declarer has no way to get to his fifth club.

Having ruffed the diamond return while discarding the §10, declarer cashes the nine and eight of clubs then takes the top spades for his contract.