Answer: Bridge Problem 5

 

North
♠AK6
♥QJ10973
♦97
♣53

 

West
♠9752
♥8642
♦2
♣J974

 

East
♠Q83
♥K5
♦AQ1086
♣K108

 

South
♠J104
♥A
♦KJ543
♣AQ62

 

Dealer: East
Vul: Neither
E S W N
1♦ P P 2♥
P P 3NT P
P P    
Opening lead: ♦2

Answer: The only way to beat the hand is to rise with the ♦A and shift to the ♠Q. Declarer needs two entries to dummy — after the heart A is unblocked. By returning the ♠Q at the second trick, dummies entries are attacked early and declarer cannot establish the heart suit and cannot come to more than eight tricks: three spades, a heart, two diamonds, and two clubs.

If East ducks the opening lead or wins and returns any card other than the ♠Q, declarer will cash the ace of hearts, go to a high spade, and play hearts, setting up the suit. Declarer can’t be kept from taking eleven tricks.

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