Show William McKenney Improving Your Bridge I v j The city of Syracuse N. N Y will be host to the fall national championships this year It boasts of many fine players including one senior master and more than 30 national masters H. H Loomis Murray is one of the regulars there who plays good duplicate I am always able to get an interesting hand from him Today's hand is one of his contributions which brings up an interesting point In defense After winning the first trick with the queen of clubs declarer led a low diamond and the jack lost to the queen West exited with a heart After some thought declarer took the fi finesse finesse finesse fi- fi nesse and Murray sitting East won with the king Now the book lead In returning returning returning re re- re- re turning partners partner's suit from a four-card four length is the lowest card But as Murray points out a low club lead here is not good Declarer is known to have had four clubs originally A low club lead would allow declarer to play low thus forcing West Westin in and limiting his club losses to two tricks The only chance is to lead the jack hoping that West has as good as the ace 1062 SQ Q N Murray Morray W E 4 Y 6 2 a S. S K 10 9 4 Dealer 83 g Duplicate None Duplicate None vu vid wI South West North East 1 4 Pass 1 V Pass 1 N. N T. T Pass 2 24 Pass 3 N. N T. T Pass Pass Pass Op Opening Opening 3 9 |