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When West led the king of diamonds
 WEST’S
2NT was the unusual no-trump, showing at least 5-5 in the minor suits. A
response of 3S by North now would indicate a normal raise to 2S. That’s
because you cannot afford to be shut out of the binding when you hold
support for partner. Holding a genuine 3S response, North should make a
cue-bid in one of West suits. North-South, here, used 3D for this
purpose. How would you play 4S when West leads the king of diamonds?
Declarer ducked the opening lead, and essential move won the diamond
continuation and cashed the ace of trumps. When West showed out. he
crossed to the king of trumps, took the marked finesse of the 10, and
drew the last trump. A diamond ruff was followed by the two top hearts
and a diamond exit. West had to win and he cashed another diamond. Then,
with no hearts left in his hand, he had to lead away from the king of
clubs. Ten tricks made! Once West had shown void in trumps, declarer
needed him to hold only two hearts for or fail to unblock when holding
Q-x-x). Ideally declarer would lime to duck a heart, before ruffing a
diamond, to cope with 0-3-5-5 shape with West. It was not possible here
because East would play a club through declarer’s ace if he was
allowed to gain the lead.
— David Bird
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