[nige1]

A play problem from yesterday's Swiss Teams (Imps to VPs).
Against South's 4♠, West leads ♠J and East follows with ♠7.

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[Cyberyeti]

It looks like your best chance is to find W with ♦KJx(x) or K10x(x) so draw trumps diamond to the 9, then lay down the Q. If E plays 10 or J and it goes Q-K play restricted choice so for stiff not J10.

[KingCovert]

Cyberyeti, on 2020-January-20, 15:35, said:

It looks like your best chance is to find W with ♦KJx(x) or K10x(x) so draw trumps diamond to the 9, then lay down the Q. If E plays 10 or J and it goes Q-K play restricted choice so for stiff not J10.

Why are you assuming that trumps are breaking? This seems like a strange assumption.

[Cyberyeti]

KingCovert, on 2020-January-20, 16:08, said:

Why are you assuming that trumps are breaking? This seems like a strange assumption.

Because I don't think you're making it very often if they're not, but you play basically the same way and have to get VERY lucky.

[nige1]

A play problem from yesterday's Swiss Teams (Imps to VPs). Against South's 4♠, West leads ♠J and East follows with ♠7.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As the cards lie, CyberYeti's line works. Cash ♠AKQ and lead a ♦ finessing ♦9 (infrafinesse) losing to West's ♦T.
If both defenders follow, then win ♣ return, and advance ♦Q, ducking if covered. (This sacrifices an overtrick if East started with ♦Jx or ♦Tx, but gains against other holdings)
Amazingly, even when West has all 5 ♦s (as here), GIB demonstrates that South can still succeed. After a ♦ to his ♦9 and West's ♦T. South wins the ♣ return and cashes a 4th round of trumps throwing a ♣ and squeezing West.
- If West abandons ♣, then declarer avoids a ♣ loser. Otherwise, declarer continues with ♦Q as above.

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