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presents Professor IMP's WeeklyMaster
Class #21
To
Prof. IMP Index
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'Not So Elementary' |
W/NS West North East
South
Bertens
1NT1) Pass 3NT
Pass
Pass Pass
1) 15-17
North led the 
10 and this
is what Bertens saw:
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A as well,
as NS were playing odd leads (1st, 3rd and 5th best). Declarer continued
with a small diamond from his hand and North followed with the nine.
the The Jack was played from dummy and South won his Queen. It occurred
to Bertens that declarer might be trying to find his ninth trick in diamonds,
for partner's nine could well be from 
A-9
bare. If so, all of declarer's high cards were more or less known. His
hand could well be:
A/K 4 2 A
J (x) x x x x (x) 
A
K x
Huub Bertens realised that although a spade switch would be best, it wouldn't be killing. North would win the Ace or the King, but West could take the second spade, blocking the suit.
Professor IMP turned to his class, asking: 'Does anyone still see a chance for the defence?'
The pupils discussed and analysed the situation, but nobody found a
solution. Finally, Professor IMP had to provide the answer himself:
'The contract is indeed ice cold, but not indefensible.'
'It's all a matter of creating an illusion. Huub Bertens returned the Q!
This made declarer think he held the K
as well.'
At the table, West fell into to the trap and ducked. Who could blame
the poor fellow? When North won the next spade and cleared the suit, declarer
knew he was doomed - especially after North gained the lead with his A
and cashed the fourth spade as the setting trick.
'Not so elementary, this deal, but it did happen,' concluded
Professor IMP. The full deal was:
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To
IMP Bridge Index
