Testing books for Christmas

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 19

Testing books for Christmas

CONTRACT BRIDGE

J.R. Wignail

Two new books in the Master Bridge Series published by Victor Gollancz, Ltd, have appeared in time for the Christmas trade. In paperback form, they have a suggested retail price of ?8.95. Both are written by the general editor of the series, Hugh Kelsey, who over the last few years has established himself as a master bridge player and an extremely lucid competent writer. The formats are identical, a problem followed on the next page by the analysis and answer. From “Test Your Trump Control.” I have chosen this example, the solution to which is deceptively simple if only one thinks of it. In the book, of course, only the' North-South hands are first presented, with the complete deal on the succeeding page. North is the dealer with only his side vulnerable: N. ❖ KQ ¥ 9763

Against South’s four spade contract, West ■ leads the queen of hearts, won perforce by the declarer’s ace. There are no problems if each opponent holds three trumps, for South can cash the king and queen of spades, unblock the ace of diamonds, re-enter his hand by ruffing

a heart and draw the last two trumps with the ace. After giving up a trick to the diamond king he still has a trump left for the heart return and eventually makes 12 tricks. This line fails, however, when, as in the actual layout, the spades divide four-two, for South runs out of trumps and loses control. The best way of coping with the blockage in both spades: and diamonds is very easy.’ Win the ace of hearts, cross to the queen of spades with the ace.

Forget about the two outstanding trumps now, and lead diamonds. The defenders can make two tricks in spades and one in diamonds but the declarer takes the rest.

.The second example, from “Test Your Finessing.” is dealt by North with neither side vulnerable. Again you first see only the North-South hands:

After North has opened one club, a good auction brings South to a final contract of six diamonds, against which West leads the five of hearts. What is the best line of play? With 11 top tricks a successful finesse in either major suit will bring home

the slam, but quick look at the full layout shows that both the king of hearts and the king of spades are offside.

As often, the best line is to refuse to take any finesses. Play low from dummy to the first trick, allowing East to win with the jack of hearts. Win the spade, return with the ace, draw trumps with the ace and king of diamonds and cash the ace and king of clubs.

When both opponents follow the slam is almost home. Ruff a club in hand, cross to the jack of diamonds. ruff another club and return to dummy’s ace of hearts. Now the 'established thirteenth club enables South to discard his queen of spades and his remaining cards are all trumps.

Had the clubs divided fiveone, it would have been necessary to take the heart finesse to produce the twelfth trick. Each book contains 36 problems in 80 pages. In these days of inflated book prices, for $8.95 this is not at all bad value.,