What were you thinking about?

Steve has been playing Bridge for 2 years. As he felt he was ahead of his class mates and really wanted to progress faster, he made up his mind to hire a private teacher. She was very nice and very clear in her comments, and never got angry or upset – no matter what. These conditions were ideal to him. His progress was meteoric as he learned many things within a short period of time. Mostly they were playing in a local club, with known opponents.

After they won a few trophies there, his teacher suggested: "Let's change atmosphere. The Bridge Festival is about to begin. Let's go and play there. You will meet players from all over the country. You can show them all what you are worth", said the teacher and winked.

Steve looked horrified, but the teacher continued: "Come on now, what can possibly happen? Even if our score will not be good – it will still be an adventure for you. There will be plenty players from abroad, world class player who won many important tournaments all over the world. And it is surely an experience to play against them. Only in the Festival you get the chance to play against such good players."

They registered to one of the main events, a pair tournament.

It was indeed an experience, just like the teacher said. So many new players, and good level too, nothing like playing at the local club. And such a festive atmosphere! With the Mayor, and the Minister of Culture speaking at the Opening Ceremony, granting trophies to the national team who had just won an important tourney overseas, plus a huge store selling Bridge books and cards and other bridge themed items: table cloth, shirts, glasses and mugs, card holders, bidding cards and so much more...

During the tourney his teacher said: "Pay attention! At the next table we are going to meet a former world champion! And she pointed at a player who was sitting at that time with his back to them.

Steve panicked and turned pale: "You know I'm new to all this. What chances do I have against a world champion?"

But she only smiled and said: "Trust me, you will survive."

Steve sat at the table, still feeling quite nervous.

"Hello," said the Champ and smiled warmly.
"H..hi", said Steve back, chocking a bit.

He expected the Champ to be a tough and snappy person... And not such a nice guy.

On the following deal, his teacher managed a brilliant defense against the Champ:

Dealer N, N-S vulnerable:


Steve lead the ♦10. His teacher in East won with the ♦K. Then she paused and thought for over 3 minutes! Steve had never seen her thinking for so long. But he was more impressed by the champ's behavior. The champ didn't say a word. Not one. Nor did he seem uncomfortable whatsoever. He simply sat calmly, respected his teacher's thoughts, and waited patiently for her to play.

Finally she continued with low Heart. The Champ won and played another Diamond but East won with the ♦A, played the ♥A and continued with a third diamond which Steve ruffed to set the contract.

"Well done opponents", complimented the Champ while smiling and writing down the score.

After the round Steve said: "Wowww, that was a real adventure, playing against a Champion and setting him. What a nice guy. Well done to you my teacher! Please tell me, what were you thinking about for so long, and how did you come to the right play?"

"Well, from your opening lead I understood that you have a doubleton. From the bidding South is known to have 6 cards in hearts, so you have 3. That makes his distribution 1-6-4-2. The ♣A is obviously in his hand too. At the beginning I was tempted to play the ♥A and another heart but then, declarer will pull your 3rd heart, play a diamond to the ♦Q and promote his ♦J while his 4th diamond will go on the 3rd club. Not good.

Then I thought that the setting trick must come from a diamond ruff.

At first, I thought to play ♦AK and a third diamond. The idea was that you will ruff, forcing the ♥Q out. Later on, when I get the ♥A I will play a fourth diamond which you can ruff higher than dummy's ♥3. But... declarer can play ♣AKQ, throwing his 4th diamond from hand and only then play hearts. That way, he can ruff his fouth diamond high in hand, losing just 2 diamonds and a heart. So... that won't work either. And then I realized that if I play a low heart at trick one I'll be able to keep control of the hand, and continue the defense as I did to allow you to ruff the third diamond even if you have three small hearts," she explained.

"Wowww! It took you only three minutes to find all this! It will take me three hundred years to get to this level," said Steve with admiration.

"It's all relative. This line would take the Champ exactly three seconds," said his teacher with a smile.