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Twelve tricks and a flat board
 THIS
hand comes from a tournament featuring the mighty Zia Mahmood and seven
of the world’s top bridge computer programmes. (Zia won narrowly,
netting the 10,000 dollars first prize, with four programmes in joint
second place.) The bidding here was exemplary. Blue Chip’s direct jump
to 4H was preemptive in nature and Oxford was not tempted to look for a
slam. Can you see how to make twelve tricks after West leads the king of
diamonds? You win the diamond lead, draw trumps in two rounds, then ruff
a diamond. You cash the two top spades and ruff another diamond. A spade
ruff, followed by a ruff of your last diamond leaves you in dummy with
the spades and diamonds eliminated. Now you can lead low towards the
jack of clubs. If East goes in with an honour he will have to lead away
from his remaining club honour or concede a ruff-and-discard. Oxford did
not quite achieve this ending, leaving one diamond unruffed. However,
when a low club was led towards the jack Meadowlark fell from grace and
played low! Twelve tricks and a flat board. At the other table North had
played 4H and the club king lead made twelve tricks easy.
— David Bird
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