Before Christmas I posed the problem given below.  Another one follows beneath the solution to that one.

                                      ª Q 10 9 5 3

                                      © A Q

                                      ¨ K J 3

                                      § A K 10

                                     

                                      ª A K J 6 4

                                      © 7 4

                                      ¨ A 10 2

                                      § Q J 4

Well the solution is straight forward If we count our winners and losers:- We have 5 spade tricks 1 heart trick, 2 diamond tricks and 3 club tricks which totals 11 tricks and it seems one of two finesses is required to make trick number 12 - a 75% chance. But I am not a gambling man and I prefer to only take those finesses that are 100%.  In this little problem that is the case – yes a 100% finesse! How! 

 

Tip.  Whenever a contract depends on finesse, think Elimination, that is eliminate suits from your hand and theirs; so that the opposition are forced to help you. 

 

So lets us do that:

1.     Win the first trick say it was a club;

2.     Draw trumps and;

3.     Eliminate clubs to give us this position:

 

                                      ª Q 10

                                      © A Q

                                      ¨ K J 3

                                      § - - -

                                     

                                      ª 6 4

                                      © 7 4

                                      ¨ A 10 2

                                      § - - -

 

Now the winning play: First the A© then the Q© which will throw them in, to give this:

 

                                      ª Q 10

                                      © - -

                                      ¨ K J 3

                                      § - - -

                                     

                                      ª 6 4

                                      © - -

                                      ¨ A 10 2

                                      § - - -

 

Which ever player is on lead must now open up the diamonds and give a free finesse (100%) or concede a ruff and discard.

 

Now for another problem from the Monday night teams at Titchfield:

                                      ª A 5 3

                                      © void

                                      ¨ K Q J 3 2

                                      § J 5 4 3 2

                                     

                                      ª void

                                      © A K Q 10 8 7 6 3 2

                                      ¨ A

                                      § A 7 6

 

Bidding:  North South Vulnerable

       N            E             S             W

      1¨          pass        2©          pass

      3§          3ª           6©          pass                  

      pass        Double    all pass

     

Lead is the Kª. 

Plan the play, and by the way you have a heart loser because east has 4 hearts to the Jack; and on the face of it you have what appears to be 2 club losers, unless the King and Queen fall under the Ace, and that will only happen on the day that hell freezes over.

 

So over to you – answers on a post card please to:-