August Problem

	Q 6 5 2 4 2 A 7 2 K Q 9 5
K J 9 7 3 10 5 4 A 10 6 4 3
Both Vul

You West Dbl

North All Pass

East 1

South 2

Trick 1. W 2. W

Lead A ?

2nd 5

3rd 2

4th 7

Partner opened one club and then passed your negative double of South’s two-heart overcall. You led the ace of clubs and all followed. Plan the defense.

As is our custom, the free play will go to the correct answer from the player with the fewest masterpoints. “Correct” is a relative term; just saying “I lead X,” even if X is the winning play, will probably not qualify unless nobody else finds the play. You need to furnish some justification for your play. (On the other hand, a briefly or poorly stated but correct justification will fully qualify, if I can figure it out. This is not an essay contest.) I am the sole judge of what constitutes “correct.” Send answers to JohnCTorrey@aol.com.