Lords v Commons

This was a big-swing board from the 39th annual Lords-Commons match, held at the Palace of Westminster and sponsored jointly by Stephen Perry and Lord Kalms, won by the Commons.

Declarer ruffed in dummy and hoping for the three remaining trumps to split 2-1, led to his ace. West discarding was a fatal blow and he could only concede a diamond to East's queen. 5 ♦ one down.

Things were rather different at Table Two where the pugnacious North-South had bid 6 ♦. With a blind lead, West reasonably selected a club.

Declarer won dummy's ace and led a diamond to the ace. West discarding was but a minor inconvenience (unlike at Table One) because dummy still had a trump with which to take the second-round marked finesse against East's queen.

Declarer crossed to the ace-king-queen of spades, discarding two hearts, then led a second trump to the (ten and) jack. The king felled East's queen and just one heart was lost at the end. 12 tricks and 6 ♦ made. The slam succeeded whilst game failed.

Should declarer have taken a first round finesse at Table One? Probably. It is just possible East has 12-14 points (for his 1 NT opener) with West holding the queen of diamonds (singleton as East has to have at least two). Unlikely though.