Double Dummy Challenge #20**

The rules are simple. You get the contract and the lead. You may look at all cards and play accordingly (you are always South). However, the defense can do the same, and they never make mistakes. You must find a way to make the contract against any defense.


You are playing 3NT. West leads the ♣9. You must make your contract against any defense. Good luck!
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** Difficulty level: medium.


















Solution:

Play the ♣10 from dummy and Win East's ♣Q with your ♣A. Continue with ♦AKJ, throwing ♠AK from hand! East will win with his ♦Q but now he is forced to help you into entering dummy:

If he plays ♠Q and another spade - the ♠J wins and after cashing 3 more diamonds you will be able to finesse hearts for the 9th trick: 1 spade, 2 hearts, 5 diamonds and 1 club.

Same will happen if East continues with club: you will win it with the ♣10, cash your diamonds and finesse heart. You will also get the 9th trick if East continues with a low heart - Run it to dummy's ♥Q , cash your diamonds and finesse hearts.

East's best return is the ♥K! He cannot stop you from entering dummy, but he will give you the 9th trick, as the hearts are blocked now. Win the ♥K with the ♥A and play heart to the ♥Q. Run your diamonds to reach this ending:



East best keep 2 cards in each of the black suits. If he bares the ♠Q or the ♣K, declarer will play that suit, forcing East's honor out and promoting his ♣J or ♠J for the 9th trick.

But even in the position above the contract is safe: Whichever cards dummy plays, the defense will take 3 tricks and concede the last trick to one of the Jacks.

Well done to everyone who solved the problem!