Bridge

THIS DEAL, from an early round of the Rosenblum in Lille, led to an amusing, and highly unusual, trick.

At one table South decided to open One Heart. West contented himself with a simple overcall of Two Diamonds and North splintered with Four Diamonds, showing heart support and a diamond shortage. His partner was not at all interested and Four Hearts was passed out. Declarer made an untroubled 10 tricks and was well pleased. Spades had never been mentioned by his opponents and surely at least 10 tricks would be available to his team-mates in that denomination.

It did not work out quite like that. In the other room, after a pass by South, West opened One Diamond, North doubled, and East bid One Spade. South jumped to Four Hearts and West bravely bid Four Spades. After two passes South fought on with Five Hearts and West doubled. With his six- card suit having been supported, his otherwise near-defenceless hand and the certainty that his partner was short in hearts, East's pass looked dubious, but these things happen . . .

West led a spade against Five Hearts doubled and, after ruffing, declarer led #3 from hand. Eager for his partner to gain the lead (perhaps he held a doubleton club?), West contributed his four and, surprise! surprise! dummy's six held the trick. Now, with a totally unexpected diamond trick in the bag, declarer was able to score all nine of his remaining trumps separately to land his contract.