| What do you find in Varia? |
| In Varia we publish articles and puzzles that do not fit in any other section. This page always shows the most recent articles. To find the level of puzzles that suits you best: choose a number of stars in the bar above. |
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Unblocking - Exercise 1** |
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This exercise is a follow-up of the article: 'Unblocking' (published 02 March 2010 in Varia **). | E/NS | ♠ | A 9 5 3 | | | | ♥ | 7 6 5 | | ♦ | 8 4 3 | | ♣ | J 6 5 | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | ♠ | Q 2 | | | ♥ | A K | | ♦ | A K Q J 10 9 | | ♣ | A 4 2 |
| West | North | East | South |
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| - | - | pass
| 2♦1 | pass
| 2NT2 | pass | 3♦3 | | pass | 4♦3 | pass
| 5♦ | | pass | pass | pass | |
1 Strong, natural, forcing for one round
2 Weak
3 Not forcing, as a consequence of 2
4 Invitational (but why in heaven's name does North go over 3NT when holding a 4-3-3-3?) 'Skilfully' NS have avoided bidding 3NT - which is on ice - in order to bid the more challenging contract of 5♦ (probably the worst bid was 4♦ - 3♠ would have been better - but South is not innocent either: he probably had better opened 2♣ and rebid 3NT).
West leads the ♠J, declarer ducking in dummy. East wins with the ♠K and switches to a small club. How should South play? |
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Solution
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The basis of the bidding* (2) |
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This bidding section is meant for beginners and those players who like to keep it simple. Test your knowledge. | W/All | | | ♠ | 5 4 | | | ♥ | K J 8 4 3 | | | ♦ | A 8 3 | | | ♣ | J 9 4 | |
| West | North | East | South |
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| 1♦ | double | pass | ?? |
What should South bid? |
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Solution
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| ♠ | A K 6 5 | | | ♥ | 10 6 | | | ♦ | A 9 6 3 | | | ♣ | A Q 8 | |
You open 1NT. What is your rebid over partner's response of 2♣ (Stayman), 2♦ (Jacoby-transfer), 2♥ (Jacoby-transfer), 2♠ (weak, long minor suit), 2NT (natural), 3♣ or 3♦ (both natural, slam invitational or stronger) respectively? |
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Solution
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This page usually contains a piece of theory, in this case about 'Unblocking' , including an example (or two).
Three exercises will follow, one in each of the next three weeks (click 'Varia**'). Sometimes a partnership cannot, despite having all high cards in a suit, cash all its tricks in that suit at once, since the suit is blocked. Last month in these columns we studied some of the consequences of a blockage (starting here). We focused on blocking an opponent's suit. This time the topic will be unblocking: the preventing or lifting of a blockage.
En example from a team match (IMP scoring): |
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Read on
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To finesse or not to finesse Exercise 3 *** |
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This exercise is a follow-up of the article: To finesse or not to finesse *** (published 03-02-2010 in Varia ***). | W/NS | ♠ | K 6 4
| | | | ♥ | K 5 4 | | ♦ | K J 5 4 3
| | ♣ | 7 6
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ♠ | A J 10 9 8 3
| | | ♥ | A Q J | | ♦ | 7 | | ♣ | J 4 3
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| West | North | East | South |
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| 1♣ | pass | pass | 2♠1 | | pass | 4♠ | pass | pass | | pass | | | |
1 Opening strength, six card suit West cashes the ♣A and the ♣K (East following suit with the ♣2 and the ♣5) and continues with the ♣Q. Declarer ruffs with dummy's ♠6, East playing the ♣8.
How should South play? |
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Solution
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To finesse or not to finesse Exercise 2 *** |
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This exercise is a follow-up of the article: To finesse or not to finesse *** (published 03-02-2010 in Varia ***). | E/NS | ♠ | 7 6
| | | | ♥ | 7 5 3 2
| | ♦ | K 6 5
| | ♣ | A Q J 9
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ♠ | A 8 4 3
| | | ♥ | A Q | | ♦ | A J 4
| | ♣ | K 10 8 7
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| West | North | East | South |
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| pass | 1♣ | | 1♠ | double1 | pass | 2NT | | pass | 3NT | pass | pass | | pass | | | |
1 negative West leads the ♠K, declarer ducking. West continues with the ♠10, East still following suit and again South ducks. West now plays the ♠J, North and East discarding hearts, South winning.
How should South play? |
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Solution
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