Only rarely does one come across a truly extraordinary defence in Bridge which creates headlines and becomes the subject matter of review in bridge columns with the defender applauded copiously on such a well chalked out defence strategy. We all know that defence is the most difficult facet of competitive Bridge. True, the defender who is not on lead has the advantage of viewing 27 cards at one glance with the partner's interest gleaned from the opening lead that he makes after careful analysis of the bidding that has taken place which does at times reveal the defence road to success. But most of the time the defenders rely on what strategy of play the declarer makes in the making of his contract and they plan a counter strategy accordingly after viewing what the dummy has to offer to the declarer.
Strong dummies provides little room for the defenders to maneuver their defense to any success. Of course at some point of time, good defenders know when a contract is unassailable and therefore, go for a passive defense letting the declarer find his way for success. But there comes a time when the defenders resort to an active defense knowing fully well the risk involved with the timing being of the essence. Such a defense, is therefore, confined to those who have the vision and imagination to look ahead and see where the possible downing trick can emerge. For the average player such a defense would be unthinkable as he is bound by the sanctity of the Bridge norms, which are ingrained in him so that when a defender like the one in our illustration for today taken from a World Championship makes such subtle tactful move in a manner that is so smooth that its inherent wisdom does not become apparently obvious till the point where the cards begin to rhyme with the music of the defense set by the defenders. Only then does the beauty of the defensive play dawn upon the poor declarer who thought that his contract would be unstoppable.
It is time to unfold the deal that took place between 2 top European teams where south was a well-known Italian expert playing a contract of 4H on the following bidding that took place with the north and east hands revealed as under:-
The bidding:
The opening lead from west was the obvious 2D.
As east, the defender, take it from there after winning the AD at trick one. This defense is not an easy one. So take your time and plan you next move looking at the bidding, the powerful dummy and partner's opening lead. As a good defender what is your next move.
First think about how many obvious tricksdoes the declarer have for sure giving him the distribution assumed from the bidding.
At trick one you know for sure that declarer has at least 5 hearts, most probably headed by 2 top honours. You also know that your partner's 2D led means he has led from a 4 carder which gives declarer 3 diamonds with most probably the KD to make up for his points to over call 1H and then 4H.
With 9 HCPs taken care of and 8 red cards accounted for, south is left with either a doubleton club and 3 carder spade or vice versa.
If he has 2 clubs his contract is cold with 1 club loser and 2 spade losers- the 3rd diamond being ruffed? So assuming 3 carder club to exist with the declarer, what is your next move? Yes, the dazzling killing defense would be to walk into the lion's den - play a low club assuming JC with partner right into the club tenace of AQ in dummy.
Now the declarer cannot establish the 3rd Spade for a club discard as the defender would a step ahead in the race to win the KC for the downing trick. This defense was unusual and extra ordinary, not for weaklings in Bridge like us for we cannot roam the skies so high where Eagles dare.
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E S W N
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1D 1H P 3D
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X4H ALL PASS
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NORTH EAST
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K J 10 9 A Q
K J 7 3 6 2
6 A Q 10 5 3
A Q 8 4 K 10 9 2
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