Malta's Mario Dix found a nice play on this deal from the first session of the Consolation, which also provided one of the players with an opportunity to be brilliant.

Board 11. Dealer South. Love All A J 8 8 7 4 3 J 10 5 4 3 6 Q 9 7 6 2 5 4 3 A K 9 5 Q J K A 7 2 J 9 3 A 10 7 4 2 K 10 10 6 2 Q 9 8 6 K Q 8 5 West North East South Dix Parnis England 1 Pass 3 Pass 4 All Pass Pass

The bidding may have lacked style but not courage! There are obviously three trump losers and a club. However, a combination of a little luck and a little disguise came to the rescue.

North led the J to declarer's king. A small heart to dummy's queen was followed by a spade, South's 10 being allowed to hold the trick. When South switched to the K declarer dropped the jack from his hand and won with the ace. He promptly continued with the 2! (Perhaps he should discard the 3 on the A first).

South was sure declarer was going to ruff and withheld the Q. When declarer produced the 9 North ruffed with the J, but there was now no way to prevent declarer discarding his losing club on the A. One up to the Maltese! Do you think North should have found the winning defence? You don't see it?

He must ruff with the A and return the J. South wins with the K and can cash the Q.