This article was first published in IMP vol. 8 nr. 8, December 1997.
- 
--  Giorgio Belladonna 
 		 Once again: 
The Belladonna Coup 
-
by Lex De Groot 

My article 'The Belladonna Coup', which appeared in the August/September issue of IMP, has elicited several reactions which I would like to share with our readers.

HENK DE RUITER of Ede sent us the September 1979 issue of International Popular Bridge Monthly, which carried a review of this deal from the 1978 World Pairs Olympiad that was held in New Orleans.
 

- 
 E/NS K 4 3 
Q 10 3 
J 8 4 3 
8 6 2
  A Q J 10 8 5 2 
  J 7 4 2 
  - 
  K 10		 9 7 
K 9 
A K 9 7 6 5 
K 8 3
e 6 
A 8 6 5 
Q 10 2 
A Q 9 7 4
 		 - 
WEST 
Amsbury 
- 
4 

Lead: 3

 - 
NORTH -  
- 
- 
Pass		 - 
EAST ---  
Sowter 
1NT 
Pass		 - 
SOUTH 
- 
Pass 
Pass
 
West was Joe Amsbury, East was Tony Sowter, and they were playing against a pair from Morocco. The Moroccan North found an unfortunate start when he led a small diamond. During the auction, Amsbury had detected a slight hesitation by South, and consequently, he decided to play South for the ace of hearts. So he pitched both of his clubs on the top diamonds, and continued with the 9, the Belladonna coup, intending to let it float. Should, however, South take his ace, then, with the Q coming down in three rounds, two heart tricks will be established. And if North were to win his 10, then a trump continuation would be harmless. After all, if North only holds two trumps, there's no more trump loser, and if he holds three of them there's no harm done either, as South wouldn't be able to play a second round after winning the A. Then the Q can be ruffed out, and West loses only two hearts and a spade in all.
After winning his 10 North did in fact switch to trumps. West won, played another heart, captured by South's ace, and the latter couldn't think of anything better than to lay down the ace of clubs, ruffed by West. When next the Q appeared, West was home, for an 80% score.
Incidentally, the 'Moroccan' North was none other than Bob Slavenburg! [former Dutch international, and winner of the 1966 2nd World Olympiad Pairs - ed.]

The International Popular Bridge Monthly article was a book review by Svend Novrup, who had quoted this deal from the New Orleans world championship book, in which the following comment concerning Amsbury's line of play had appeared: "a play reminiscent of a famous Belladonna Coup." And considering the true background of the coup, Novrup proposes to call it the 'former Belladonna coup' - appropriate at the time. Now we know that the adjective 'former' no longer applies.

From EDITH DANKER of Nuenen, we received a copy of the August 30 '97 puzzle from Berry Westra's tear-off calendar. For those whose daily routine doesn't include these puzzles, here's the deal. Following the opening club lead, the solution to this 4 contract problem should be obvious now.
 

- 
9 4 
A 9 7 4 3 
K 6 
10 8 3 2
K 5 
10 8 5 2 
Q 9 5 4 
9 5 4		 8 
K Q J 
A 10 8 2 
K Q J 7 6
contract: 4/S 
 lead:9		 A Q J 10 7 6 3 2 
6 
J 7 3 
A
 
 
 South should cross to the ace of hearts and lead the 6 from dummy. If East wins his ace and switches to trumps, South steps up with the A, plays a diamond to the K, ruffs a club, and ruffs his last diamond, making five. If East ducks, West will capture South's J with the Q, but he cannot profitably attack trumps. When East next wins the A, he could return a trump, but again, South steps up, and ruffs his third diamond. In all, only two tricks in diamonds and one in spades will be lost.

I am still looking for a few good deals involving the application of the Belladonna coup at notrumps, so if you should come across a deal like that (or construct one!), I should be much obliged, and you would get your name in print and on the Web: honour where honour is due.

  To IMP Bridge Index