Double Dummy Problem

The Problem:

I don’t know if this sort of thing is available in your country but, in England, there is a whole range of everyday items created especially for bridge players. For example, you can get suit-symbol shaped sugar lumps, a suit-symbol shaped mould for icecubes, cups, plates, handbags etc decorated with pictures of playing cards. You name it, it exists.

There is a company which has created a series of teatowels, each of which is designed as a double dummy problem. Each day during these Championships we will be publishing one of these problems, just to warm you up over your breakfast for the more serious bridge to come.

Incidentally, if these goods are your kind of thing, take a look at www.mrbridge.co.uk.

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

Contract: 7ª
Opening Lead: §J

The Solution:

Win the ace of clubs and lead the ª2 to the five (it does not benefit East to play a higher spade). Cash the king and queen of diamonds then overtake the ¨J and lead the ¨9, covered and ruffed. Next cash the aceof hearts then overtake the ©Q with the king and cash the ¨8, discarding the king of clubs. That leaves this ending:

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

When declarer leads any side-suit card off the dummy, East has no defence.