may1

Multon (west) did use a Michaels cuebid, and Meckstroth's 2♥ showed a good hand with strength (not necessarily length) in hearts. Zia's next bid of three diamonds was surely a candidate for "underbid of the year", and there they played while they could easily make three no-trump or five diamonds. Moreover, six diamonds was also cold after the natural spade lead. Declarer ruffs the lead, draws trumps and double-finesses in hearts, then ducking a club. South has eleven sure tricks, and the twelfth will develop from a major suit squeeze against West. The only lead to beat this slam was an unlikely heart, breaking the squeeze, provided that West ruffs his partner's trick in clubs to play a second heart. The following deal provided a contrast – here both East/West pairs fully realized the potential of their cards. Dealer North. Vul E/W J82 97 AT963 986 K7 AQ95 A652 KQJ KQJ874 2 Q AK754 T643 T843 5 JT32 Drijver (North) used a weak 2♦ opening, promising five or more cards. The dummy was not a pleasant sight. West North East South Helgemo Drijver Lorenzini Brink 2 ♦ Dbl All Pass Helgemo's diamonds were better than declarer's. Lorenzini duly led a trump, and all declarer could manage was two trump tricks – six down and minus 1400. An apparently bad result for the Swiss Team, but once again they were saved by their teammates at the other table. West North East South Klukowski Gawrys Pass 1♣ Pass 2 ♦ Pass 2♠ Pass 3 ♦ Pass 6NT All Pass 1♣ was three-way (Polish Club) including a strong option. 2 ♦ showed at least opening values (as 1 ♦ is an artificial negative according to the system). Having learned that his partner has opening values with long diamonds, East didn't waste time and made an early jump to 6NT. South led the unbid suit (hearts) and declarer had an easy time, unblocking clubs and hearts before tackling diamonds. Plus 1440 led to a gain of 1 IMP. A spade lead would have been more challenging, disrupting declarer's communications, but it should not matter, because after winning ♠K and ♦K (ducked), declarer may play dummy's ♦Q, already squeezing South in three suits.