Stupid Remark

San Remo, . 

By Jan van Cleeff

Tor Helness played 3NT from West (click on meer for the diagram).

North, which happened to be your reporter, kicked off with a low spade and when I advanced my fourth spade I stupidly remarked: Everybody is squeezed. True and not true. As it turned out to be, the only person who was squeezed, was my poor partner Elisabeth, as usual. At the table East, West and South got rid of a club. Some tricks later, on the third round of hearts, Tor caught me in a minor suit squeeze. I decided to sit on my diamonds and Tors?five of clubs was his ninth trick.

Question 1. Should South have discarded a diamond rather then a club? Again declarer would prevail. South had to reduce her club holding to two after three rounds of diamonds and eventually North got squeezed again in clubs and diamonds.

Question 2. Should North-South cash one or two spades and exit with an idle card? No. Sooner or later declarer will play a spade himself to set up a squeeze.

Question 3. Should defence cash exactly three spades and then exit with an idle card? No. A club towards the }8 or ten would do the job; eventually the thirteenth club is declarer?s ninth trick.

Question 4. Would a lead in another suit spoil declarer?s party? Not so. Again declarer will attack spades himself, leaving defence without no chance. Needless to say that the board proved to be a push.