Germany’s Rara Avis

It is not unusual to get several stories surrounding a deal, but to get two involving the same country from two different events is a ‘Rara Avis’ – a rare bird. This deal from Round 13 of the Open series, (Round 8 for the women) is one such.

First let’s take a look at the Women’s match between Poland and Germany.

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

West	North	East	South
Sarniak	Auken	Brewiak	Von Arnim
			Pass
Pass	1NT	Pass	3NT
All Pass

In the world of the strong notrump this is a routine auction.

East led a low spade and West won with the queen and returned the suit. East won and played back the ten of spades, preserving a link to the West hand. Declarer discarded a heart, won with dummy’s king and ran the queen of diamonds. East won with the king and played a spade to West, who switched to a heart as declarer threw a club. Declarer went up with the ace and ran the diamonds, squeezing East in hearts and clubs.

Another routine hand for Sabine Auken.

Provided declarer reads the position, there is no defence to 3NT, but there are always two sides to every story.

Let’s move to the Open series, Germany v Greece:

West	North	East	South
Gotard		Piekarek
			Pass
Pass	1NT	Pass	3NT
All Pass

The early play was exactly the same, but when West was in on the fourth round of spades he switched to his singleton diamond. Now declarer could cash his diamond winners, discarding a club and the queen of hearts, but in the ending he had to guess the location of the king of hearts. When he finessed he was two down.

Perhaps declarer should have asked himself why the defenders had arranged for West to win the fourth round of spades. Then there is the principle that it is always more elegant to make a contract via a squeeze than a finesse. Still, full marks to West for his smart move in not playing a heart.