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Defence puzzles
In these puzzles, presented by dutch junior international Frank Visser, you are one of the defenders. You are asked to find the best defence. Enjoy!
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The pragmatist ***
Monday, 15 February 2010 07:00
S/-
♠10 8 7 
 ♥6 5
♦K 5
♣A Q J 10 7 2
  windroos♠K 4 3 2
  ♥9 8 4 2
  ♦A Q 10
  ♣K 8

WestNorthEastSouth
---1♣
pass3♣pass3NT
passpasspass 

A deal from a Butler club match for pairs. 'Butler' means IMP-scoring, like in a teams match.
West leads the ♠Q, East playing the ♠4 and South the ♠5. West continues with the ♠6, via East's ♠K to South's ♠A.
South now runs the ♣9, East winning with the ♣K.
How should East defend?
Solution
 
Which ruff(s)?***
Monday, 21 December 2009 07:00
W/-♠J 10 6 4 2 
 ♥9
♦J 10 4 2
♣A J 5
♠7 5 3windroos  
♥Q 10 7 6  
♦A K 6 3  
♣10 2  

WestNorthEastSouth
passpasspass1NT1
pass2♥pass2♠
passpasspass 

1 12-14

West leads the ♦A, East produces the ♦7 and South the ♦8.
The lowest diamond, the ♦5, is missing. Unless declarer has falsecarded, East has that card and has therefore started a high-low (encouraging) signal.
How should West defend?
Solution
 
The distribution tells it all**
Sunday, 06 December 2009 07:00
S/EW♠K 7 3 
 ♥J 10 6
♦6 4
♣10 8 6 3 2
  windroos♠Q 8 2
  ♥K Q 8 7 2
  ♦K Q 10
  ♣J 7

WestNorthEastSouth
---1♠
pass1NT12♥23♥3
pass3♠pass4♠
passpasspass 

1 North hopes to bluff EW out of their contract but is overdoing things...
2 East has eaten too much pepper as well: vulnerable against not, on the two level on a shaky five card suit, instead of a healthy six card suit...
3 game forcing: 'tell me more'

West leads the ♥5 (third or fifth best) to the ♥10, the ♥Q and South's ♥A.
Declarer now plays the ♠A (West the ♠5) and next the ♠4 (West the ♠10) to dummy's ♠K. Next he plays a small club to his ♣Q, West winning with the ♣K. West returns the ♥9, declarer playing dummy's ♥6.
Which heart should East play and how should the defence continue?

Solution
 
Draw conclusions ***
Thursday, 05 November 2009 07:00
E/NS
♠10 9 6 4 
 ♥J 10 8 6
♦10 6 3
♣7 3
♠8 5 2windroos  
♥K 7 5  
♦Q J 9 8 7  
♣A 10  

WestNorthEastSouth
--
pass2♣
pass2♦pass2NT1
pass3♣2pass3NT3
passpasspass 

1 24+, game forcing
2 Puppet Stayman
3 neither a four card suit nor a five card suit in the majors

West leads the ♦Q, East follows suit with the ♦4 and declarer wins with the ♦K.
South cashes the ♠A and then plays the ♠Q to East's ♠K. East switches to the ♣6, South inserts the ♣J.
How should West continue the defence?
Solution
 
Never stop counting!***
Wednesday, 21 October 2009 07:00
S/All♠K 10 9 5 4 
 ♥10 3
♦9 7 5
♣K Q 4
  windroos♠A 8 7 6 3
  ♥8 6 5
  ♦Q
  ♣A J 9 2

WestNorthEastSouth
---1♣
pass1♠pass2NT
pass3♣1pass3♥2
pass3NTpasspass
pass   

1 'tell me more about your holding in the majors'
2 four hearts, no three spades

West leads the ♦4, fourth best, East's ♦Q winning (South the ♦6). East switches to the ♥8, South wins with the ♥A, West the ♥4.
South continues with the ♣3, West plays the ♣7, dummy the ♣K, to East's ♣A.
East plays another heart, South winning with the ♥H, West the ♥2. South now plays the ♣5, West the ♣6, to dummy's ♣Q and then another club to East's ♣J, West discarding the ♦2.
How should East continue the defence?
Solution
 
What should West lead? ***
Sunday, 11 October 2009 07:00
♠K J 9 3windroos  
♥J 8 7  
♦10 5  
♣K Q 10 2  

WestNorthEastSouth
pass
pass
pass3NT1
passpass
pass
 

1 Gambling: solid minor suit, little or no honour cards in the side suits

Which lead gives West the best chance of defeating the contract?
Solution
 

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