This week’s hand needs an expert line of play to make, so see if you can do it without having to guess who has the Queen of diamonds.

See the hand and the bidding in Figure 1.

As 1NT was forcing, North’s original plan was to jump to the three of hearts over a minor suit rebid to show a limit raise with three-card support for hearts.

When South rebid the two of hearts to show at least six cards there, North liked his hand so much that he leapt to game. West led the Queen of spades.

East took the Ace and returned a spade to declarer’s King – I love that patient defence – give declarer what you know is his and let him play the hand without help from you.

Declarer was a simple fellow and looked no further than playing Ace and another trump. East took the King and Queen of trumps and exited with a spade.

Declarer saw that he could combine his chances in the minor suits rather than just guessing which finesse to take: so declarer cashed the Ace and King of diamonds and when the Queen did not appear he took the club finesse and finished down two.

“What rotten luck!” South offered by way of passing the time.

“Not really,” replied North. “The Jack of clubs was a distraction. I would have cashed the King and Ace of clubs and then ruffed the Jack of clubs before leading a low trump from hand.

“As the cards lay, if West’s Jack was allowed to hold, West would either have to lead a diamond or concede a ruff-and-discard on a black suit return.

“Either way I would have a tenth trick without having to guess which defender began with the Queen of diamonds.”

North finished by saying: “While there are some risks in exiting with a low trump at trick six, it almost always wins when a defender has singleton honour or when trumps are 2-2.”

• David Ezekiel can be contacted at davidezekiel999@gmail.com

BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

Tuesday, August 20

North South

1. Wendell Emery-Linda Manders

2. Stuart Clare-Sarah Bowers

East West

1. Jean Schilling-Catherine Kennedy

2. Barbara Elkin-Sarah Jane Varley

Wednesday, August 21

1. William Pollett-Linda Pollett

2. Gertrude Barker-Jane Smith

3. Patricia Siddle-Diana Diel

Thursday, August 22

1. Lisa Ferrari-Betsy Baillie

2. John Glynn-Rachael Gosling

3. Diana Diel-Margaret Way