A lead problem
from a recent NICKO match.
Love All. IMPs Dealer West
You are leading this
match fairly comfortably which may explain South's leap to a
slam. What do you
lead?
As usual with lead
problems there is rarely a right answer. Leading the spade ace
may set up dummy's king if declarer is void (which he may well be on
the bidding).
A trump lead is probably safe, a diamond lead might pick up partner's holding in what could well be declarer's second suit and a club from the king could cost a trick. I would go with a trump lead, but without great conviction. The ace of spades lead found at both tables (not the same auction in the other room) turned out to be disastrous for an unlikely reason as can be seen from the full deal below.
Only the spade ace
and club king lead let this contract make, but the
defence has to be careful on a diamond lead. South will trump and
take the ruffing spade finesse and then lead a club honour from dummy
to take the club finesse. West must duck the first club or else
South's spade loser will disappear on the last club.
Thanks to John Holland for providing this deal |