Bridge

IT'S OFTEN dangerous to double opponents on the strength of your trump holding when sitting under the hand with the long trumps. First, it tips off declarer that normal breaks are not to be expected. Second, declarer may now make his contract, as happened in the match between the Open teams of the Czech Republic and Germany, at the last Generali European Bridge Championships.

Both Norths opened two diamonds, showing either a weak major or a variety of other hands. The German East overcalled with four hearts and played there, going two down.

At the other table East bid just two hearts. At least this bid clarified for Germany's Ulrich Wenning, South, which major it was that his partner held, and he jumped to four spades. West was happy at this turn of events and expressed his delight by doubling. His happiness was short-lived.

He led his singleton heart against four spades doubled and East cashed two top tricks in the suit, then switched to a low club to West's jack and dummy's king. South entered his hand with a top diamond and led the eight of spades. West contributed the queen and this was allowed to hold. West returned a club to declarer's ace who played another spade, taking West's six with dummy's seven. He finessed a diamond back to hand, then cashed the ace of diamonds, discarding dummy's losing club. Wenning now played his last spade, taking West's ten with his jack, drew the last trump and claimed.

East-West game; dealer South

North

4A J 9 7 4 3

!J 2

#10 2

2K 10 2

West East

4K Q 10 6 4Void

!8 !A K Q 9 7 6 3

#9 6 5 3 #Q 7 4

2J 9 8 5 2Q 6 4

South

48 5 2

!10 5 4

#A K J 8

2A 7 3