Bridge

East dealer

Both sides vulnerable

Mark Dahl of Richmond, Virginia, was declarer in today’s deal from a crucial match in the Mixed Swiss Teams at the Fall NABC. (West’s two clubs showed length in both majors; North’s two spades showed club length plus a spade stopper. Dahl’s 3NT was bold.)

West led a low heart, and East took the king and returned the jack. When Dahl’s queen covered, West played low to keep communication.

Declarer next led a club to dummy’s ace, getting the bad news; West threw a spade, so Dahl couldn’t profit by setting up the clubs. Instead, he led a club to his king, cashed four spade tricks and exited with his last heart. West took three hearts but then had to lead a diamond from his king. Making three!

At the other table, West led a spade against 3NT, and declarer got home with less difficulty. At Dahl’s table, the contract could have been defeated: East needed to play his jack of hearts at Trick One.

Dahl’s good play helped his team to a second-place finish in the event.