Rosenberg shows unique technique

By Djanwar Madjolelo

Dealer: South

Vulnerable: North/South

NORTH

(S) 8 5 2

(H) Q 10 8 7

(D) A 9 2

(C) A Q 7

WEST EAST

(S) A Q 9 6 (S) 7 4

(H) 9 6 4 (H) K J 2

(D) 8 (D) Q J 6 5 4 3

(C) 10 6 4 3 (C) 9 8

SOUTH

(S) K 10 3

(H) A 5 3

(D) K 10 7

(C) K J 5 2

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Berkowitz Deutsch Cohen Rosenberg

- - - 1C

2S Double Pass 2NT

Pass 3NT All pass

Michael Rosenberg (World Champion Rosenblum Cup 1994) showed impressive technique on the following hand and his dominance at the table.

Against his 3NT contract, David Berkowitz (and partner Cohen are among the world's top pairs) led the Spade Queen, and Rosenberg won and took four rounds of Clubs.

Reading that West was unlikely to be 6-4 in the black suits, despite his Weak Jump Overcall, he exited with a low Spade.

Berkowitz then had to take four Spade winners. He took three, but then had a dilemma: the declarer having reduced two Hearts and three Diamonds in hand, with three Hearts and two Diamonds in dummy.

If he cashed the last Spade, as he did at the table, he would have squeezed his partner in the red suits, when declarer threw Hearts in both hands.

If he had played a Heart before making the last Spade, he could have set up a second Heart trick in dummy.

Finally, if he exited immediately with Diamond, the declarer would have played three of the suits to end-play Cohen.