No matter how difficult a deal may seem to be, you can usually rely on the majority of pairs to get it right. That was not however the case on this board from round twelve. Only three pairs managed to make a game and one of them was sitting in the 'other' direction!

Dealer East. NS Game ª A 5 © 9 7 ¨ A J 6 4 2 § K Q 10 9 ª Q 10 9 6 4 3 ª 2 © Q 6 5 3 2 © K 8 4 ¨ — ¨ K Q 7 5 § J 6 § A 8 5 4 2 ª K J 8 7 © A J 10 ¨ 10 9 8 3 § 7 3

Let's start with the two pairs who managed to reach 3NT on the North South cards. First for Poland:

East led the two of clubs and after winning declarer simply played ace and another diamond, making nine tricks in comfort. North did well to bid 1NT, but we suspect South was expecting a better hand when he went on to game. Now for Yugoslavia:

A controlled auction with both players appreciating the value of their intermediate cards. Here West led a spade and on winning with the jack declarer ran the eight of diamonds. East won and switched to the eight of hearts. East won and played back a heart, but to no avail, declarer having an easy route to nine tricks. This was the most dramatic result:

North found the terrible lead of the ace of diamonds. Declarer ruffed and played the nine of spades. North won and belatedly switched to the king of clubs. Declarer went up with the ace and got rid of his losing club on the king of diamonds. He could now cross ruff his way to ten tricks.