Bridge Problems

You are sitting South and East’s non-vulnerable 4♠ bid gives you a problem. Since your hand has about 15 high card points more than your usual, you decide it’s better to declare than defend and you take a stab at 5♥. On any lead other than a diamond there are eleven top tricks. So naturally, West leads a diamond, removing your entry to dummy. How can the contract be made?

From the bidding, South can place West with six diamonds to the ace and queen, and East with all the spades. The opening lead marks West with one, three, or four clubs. How can South guarantee the contract?

3NT would have been a lot easier. But don’t despair! South can still bring home the contract. How?

How can declarer make 3NT?

What should East’s plan be?

“Great!” moaned West. “I pushed the opponents into an unbeatable game.”

“It’s worse than that,” pointed out a tactless kibitzer. “You could have beaten the contract.”

How?

How should declarer play to make 6 no trump?

After the opening lead of the ♣9, with best play by both sides who will prevail, Declarer or Defense?