Zia, Smith make awkward contract
By Djanuar Madjolelo
JAKARTA (JP): The illustrated deal comes from the semi-final of the 1997 Spingold Knockout Teams match between S. Deutsch's team and J. Cayne's team.
This board shows one of the big swings.
Dealer: South
Vulnerable: East-West
NORTH
(S) K Q 9 5
(H) K 10
(D) A 8
(C) A K Q 9 5
WEST EAST
(S) 6 (S) J 8 4 3 2
(H) A 3 2 (H) 9 7 5 4
(D) J 7 5 3 (D) Q 10 9
(C) J 10 7 6 4 (C) 2
SOUTH
(S) A 10 7
(H) Q J 8 6
(D) K 6 4 2
(C) 8 3
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
Sontag Smith Feldman Zia
- - - Pass
Pass 2C Pass 2D
Pass 2NT Pass 3C
Pass 3S Pass 5NT
Pass 6C Pass 6S
All pass
The unfamiliar Zia-Smith partnership produced an awkward contract which would have been thin with a more normal 4-3 split in Spades.
With a 5-1 break in suit, Smith had no chance and he finished down two for minus 100.
The other table:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
Stansby Passel Martel Seamon
- - - Pass
Pass 2C Pass 2D
Pass 2NT Pass 3C
Pass 3S Pass 4NT
Pass 5H Pass 5NT
Pass 6C Pass 6NT
All pass
Martel led the 5 of Hearts to Stansby's Ace, and Passel won the Hearts return with the King. He cashed the top three Clubs, discovering the bad break in that suit (East pitched two Hearts), then followed with the King and Queen of Spades.
When West showed out a Spade, throwing a Club, and Passell claimed on a double squeeze.
This would have been the end position.
NORTH
(S) 9
(H) -
(D) A 8
(C) 9 5
WEST EAST
(S) - (S) J 8
(H) - (H) -
(D) J 7 5 (D) Q 10 9
(C) J 10 (C) -
SOUTH
(S) -
(H) Q J
(D) K 6 4
(C) -
When Passel cashed the Hearts Queen (discarding a Club), West and East could afford Club and Spade discards respectively.
On the Hearts Jack, West would have to discard a Diamond in order to guard Clubs. Passell could then release his 9 of Clubs and East would squeeze in Diamonds and Spades. Plus 990 and plus 100 or 14 IMPs to James Cayne's team.