Why are we here in Malta? To play Bridge, of course. So lets get in some practice.

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

You reach six hearts, they lead a diamond. You ruff and lay down the ace of hearts. East discards a diamond. What now?

Whilst you are mulling that over may I welcome you to Malta; to the 44th Generali European Bridge Championships.

You are welcomed by the European Bridge League, our hosts the Maltese Bridge Federation and National Tourism Organization of Malta, our sponsors Generali Group and Margaret Parnis England of Bridge Malta and a multitude of companies and individuals who are contributing to the Championships.

Whether you are playing in the Open Teams, the Ladies Pairs, the Ladies Teams or the Seniors Teams, welcome! And the problem?

It was first published, years ago, in an Australian Bridge Magazine, and as it is a beautiful hand it resurfaces to test each new generation. Draw all four rounds of trumps, discarding a diamond from dummy. Then play Ace, King, Jack of Clubs (West is void, of course). If East ducks you continue Clubs and your hand is high. If East takes the Queen of Clubs and forces you with a diamond you fuff and discard the blocking ten of clubs from the dummy. The following hand has exactly the same theme:

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

You are in four hearts on a spade lead. Hearts are 4-1 (naturally) and East has five diamonds to the King. The contract is still cold . . . .

Have a good game. Indeed have a beautiful game.