Bridge

Brian Senior and Paul Hackett of England were two of the many non- Americans who came to Chicago to play in the 2006 North American Summer Nationals. On this deal they faced Sabine Auken and Daniela von Arnim of Germany, winners of many World and European titles.

Senior opened One Heart, and after two hand-defining calls by his partnership, Hackett bid Two Hearts, which was followed by two passes. West, Von Arnim, in spite of holding good defence in the shape of five trumps, intrepidly entered the auction with Two Spades. This was a two-pronged attack - she knew her partner to be void in hearts, and therefore likely to have some spades - which could be utilised for ruffing purposes. And if North and South pushed on in hearts, the 5-0 break should prove inconvenient. Push taken - and Three Hearts became the contract.

Senior took the king of spades lead with the ace and immediately ruffed a spade. Next came an ace and another diamond. West won and returned a trump. Senior continued with the jack of diamonds, and when East failed to cover - fatally, as it transpired - South discarded his losing club. West ruffed and returned another trump to dummy's queen. Ace of clubs and a club ruff gave declarer a complete count of West's hand, and ace and another heart left West endplayed in spades. The spade jack was Senior's ninth trick.

This fine result helped Senior and Hackett to their fourth-place finish; a great achievement against so many of the world's star players.

Copyright 2006 Independent Newspapers UK Limited
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.