This is the first hand in a
declarer play problem series from Oren Lidor. Each hand will be labeled
with a difficulty level. Solutions will be published the
following week, along with a new problem. Have fun!
Declarer Play Problem - 1
Difficulty level: Hard
You are playing 6♥.
North lead the ♠T.
How do you play the hand?
Solution:
You are playing 6♥.
North lead the ♠T.
Win in hand and finesse clubs.
If it fails, play heart to the J to capture the ♥Q in North: this works
whenever North has ♥Qxx,
♥Qx or...if the ♥Q is singleton (in that
case win with the ♥K,
play the ♥J and
finesse to ♥9). ♥A and low to the ♥J will not help against ♥Q singleton with South as
you lose to T8xx with North.
If the club finesse works, play ♥K,
return to hand, and continue with a heart to the ♥J. That will ensure 4
heart tricks against any 4-1 split.
Stay tuned for more such problems in the following days.
