A capable declarer can operate as an illusionist. At the Spring NABC, David Gurvich didn’t make an elephant disappear but did make a “sure” defensive trick do so.
North’s first-round pass was odd. North must have hoped to pass a reopening double by South, but Gurvich instead rebid three clubs. When he (maybe too boldly) jumped to five clubs next, North raised.
West led a trump at Trick Two, and Gurvich took the K-A and judged from the bidding that East had the king of spades. Declarer ruffed a heart, took the ace of spades, ruffed a heart and ran his trumps — leaving the A-K of diamonds stranded!
LAST TRUMP
When Gurvich led his last trump at Trick 10, West saved a heart and two diamonds. Dummy pitched its last heart. East, with the king of spades and Q-J-3 of diamonds, was pseudo-squeezed; he threw the king of spades. When Gurvich produced the Q-J-6 of spades, East-West probably wanted to disappear.
It’s easy to criticize the defenders, but discarding on a run of trumps can tax a world-class partnership.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 8 4 H 9 7 3 2 D A K 9 7 C A 3. The dealer, at your right, opens one spade. You double, and your partner bids two clubs. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has let you down again. A considerate partner would have responded in a red suit. But a club response was the risk you ran when you doubled without ideal distribution. Pass. If you bid again, you will promise extra strength and may turn a small loss into a disaster.
South dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S A 8 4
H 9 7 3 2
D A K 9 7
C A 3
WEST
S 10 5
H A Q 8 6 5
D 10 8 6 5 4
C 4
EAST
S K 9 7 3
H J 10 4
D Q J 3 2
C J 2
SOUTH
S Q J 6 2
H K
D None
C K Q 10 9 8 7 6 5
South West North East
1 C 2 H(!) Pass(!) Pass
3 C Pass 3 H Pass
5 C Pass 6 C All Pass
Opening lead — H A
