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Silvio Sbarigia is a pharmacist; he was born in Rome and lives there. He has won the European championship in 1975, runner up at 1974’s and at Olympic games of 1976. His bridge problems aren’t difficult; just we need to think on a plan and to avoid the instinctive playing.
Silvio Sbarigia’s quiz 14th: “Accuracy and Timing”
North (dummy): ♠432 ♥32 ♦AK76 ♣K765
South (declarer): ♠AK ♥AQ ♦J109832 ♣AJ8
The contract is 6♦. West leads ♠J.
Make your playing plan.
As usual, Silvio’s solution will be published into few days. In the meanwhile have fun!
Silvio Sbarigia’s quiz 14th: “Accuracy and Timing”
North (dummy): ♠432 ♥32 ♦AK76 ♣K765
South (declarer): ♠AK ♥AQ ♦J109832 ♣AJ8
The contract is 6♦. West leads ♠J.
Solution.
Silvio often presents his quizzes with a brief yarn, as for example in the number 6th (The rich merchant), or in the number 11th (The harp of Arturo Toscanini). In this one, the anecdote shall be told by the cards themselves.
There are eleven tricks. A good plan for the 12th conceives diamonds and spades elimination then throwing West in by clubs, but great accuracy needs: the exact card has to be played in the duly moment: that’s the accuracy, that’s the timing. Won the lead, play high diamond to dummy’s king; spade toward the ace and again high diamond for dummy’s ace. Spade for ruff – yes, still by high diamond – and enter the dummy by one of the little diamond saved for this purpose. Let’s now play a little club, covering anything played by East. West wins the trick, but after he must allow an automatic heart or club finesse. The best he can do is to play club: the declarer wins it, draws the third club, and finally can go to dummy, for cashing the ♣K, by the second, precious, little diamond.