Bridge: Nov. 1, 2023

Here’s a puzzle in logic: A child born in Boston of parents born in Boston is not a U.S. citizen? How come?

Playing good defense requires logical thought. The defenders must count declarer’s points and distribution and draw inferences from the bidding and play.

Today’s West leads the deuce of spades against 3NT. Declarer wins with dummy’s queen and leads the seven of clubs. If East plays “second hand low,” South wins and cashes five diamonds and two more spades, making his game.

THREE SPADES

On the bidding, South probably has five diamonds and four clubs, and the opening lead marks him with three spades — so, a singleton heart. East must rise with the ace of clubs and lay down the ace of hearts. The defense can take three more hearts for down one.

Can East find the winning defense? He should if he does his thinking when he see dummy, so he won’t have to play on impulse if declarer leads a club from dummy at Trick Two.

Puzzle answer: The child was born in 1770.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 7 5 H A Q 8 3 D 9 4 C A J 5 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids one spade and you jump to 2NT, invitational. Partner bids three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner suggests four spades, six diamonds and minimum values. A pass is your disciplined call. If he holds KQ42,76,AQ8652,7, 3NT may fail. Still, your bid of 2NT was timid, and if you persist with 3NT, you might get lucky and make it.

South dealer

Neither side vulnerable

NORTH

S A Q 6

H 10 7 5 4 2

D A J 5 2

C 7

WEST

S 10 8 3 2

H J 9 6

D 8 7

C 10 8 6 4

EAST

S J 7 5

H A Q 8 3

D 9 4

C A J 5 2

SOUTH

S K 9 4

H K

D K Q 10 6 3

C K Q 9 3

South West North East
1 D Pass 1 H Pass
2 C Pass 3 D Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 2

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