It is a very slender hope, but
Declarer makes her contract by “stripping the hand”. After ruffing the Diamond,
she cashes the ♣A, then the ♣K, and ruffs a Club. Then she cashes the
♥A
and ♥K
and plays a trump. Her hope is that West started with the singleton Ace of
trumps, and has no Hearts left, in which case there will be no safe exit.
Whichever minor suit West chooses to lead, Declarer will be able to ruff in one
hand and pitch the “inescapable” Heart loser from the other hand.
►
|
♠ QJ76
♥
872
♦
964
♣ K32 |
|
♠ A
♥
J3
♦
AKJT5
♣ T8754 |
Dummy
West East
Declarer |
♠ 42
♥
QT964
♦
Q87
♣ QJ9 |
|
♠ KT9853
♥
AK5
♦
32
♣ A6 |
|
A bouquet for Declarer, who did
well to grab the only chance she had to make her contract. But a brickbat to
West who apparently was fast asleep during the entire proceedings. He walked
straight into that end-play and could have avoided it by cashing the trump Ace
at Trick 2, before persisting with Diamonds. After that defense there really
would be no way to avoid a Heart loser.